The Stepbrother - Noah Centineo (COMPLETED)

Can you stay here until I fall asleep please?

Noah's PoV

I didn't like leaving Arielle at home alone in her drunken state. What if she gets up and thinks it's funny to do something? You know? Ugh, it's just me overthinking.

I was currently sitting outside the restaurant, waiting for my mum and Michael to come out. They had text me not long after I got back with Arielle.
As I sat in the drivers seat, tapping my fingers along to the soft beat of the radio, I looked at my hand. I fucked it up pretty good. It was starting to bruise now which was fantastic... note the sarcasm. I haven't spoken to Jude since the whole fight thing broke out. I didn't really know if I wanted to message him. He was right, me liking Arielle is weird and not allowed but I got defensive and started a fight. He was only helping me in the long run. Did I listen though? No. Will I listen to him now? Probably not.

I was cut out of my thoughts as the sound of the door opened. My mum was getting in the passenger seat whilst Michael got in the back.
"You're ok with me driving back?" I asked him.
"Yeah, I've had one too many." He laughed. They both smelt like alcohol. Nice.
"Ok." I nodded my head, waiting for them to buckle themselves in before I started the drive back home.
"Did you get Ari home ok?" My mum asked.
"Yeah, she's in bed." I answered.
"Good. Thank you, son." Michael leant forward, his hand on my shoulder. Oh god, no. He can't call me son. I've been kissing his daughter. Jesus Christ!
"Anytime." I gulped.
"How did the rest of the meal go?" I asked.
"It went good after you guys left." He laughed.
"I don't think they really like Arielle." Mum pursed her lips.
"I told her to stop drinking, she didn't listen to me." Michael shook his head.
"Anyway, I think I may have the manager position. I'll find out at the end of the week." He added.
"Congratulations." I smiled. I was happy for him. I know he's been saying about this manager position for a couple of months now.

Once we arrived home, I went back upstairs, quickly checking on Arielle.

I opened up her bedroom door, slipping inside and noticing that she was mumbling to herself.
"Are you awake?" I asked. I didn't know whether she spoke in her sleep or not.
"Yeah. Hi." She answered with a small laugh.
"You're supposed to be asleep." I chuckled.
"I tried but you left." I could just about make out her lips forming into a pout from the light from outside. I should shut her blind for her now as she'll regret not shutting it in the morning when she's suffering from a hangover.
"I had to pick up our parents." I said, leaning over the bed and pulling the strings to pull the blind down. I was going to help her put this up earlier but then we fought so I didn't. She's pretty capable of doing it herself though.
"Did it go well?" She asked.
"I think so." I nodded my head.
"I'm going to head to sleep now. Get a good nights rest." I headed towards the door.
"Wait, Noah." She stopped me.
"Can you stay here until I fall asleep please?" She asked.
I ran my hand through my hair. Was that a good idea? Probably not but I'm going to do it anyway.
"Sure But I'm staying on your desk chair." I said, walking over to the chair.
"Ok." She nodded her head.

——————
Arielle's PoV

Tossing and turning all night was driving me insane. Most times I had managed to go back to sleep but this time a noise was keeping me up. It was the sound of soft snores. What the?
I grabbed my phone, turning on my torch and seeing Noah sound asleep on my desk chair. I jumped at his appearance, not knowing that he was there. Why was he in here?

I got up from my bed, my throat insanely dry and a thumping headache. I shouldn't have drank all that alcohol last night.
"Noah." I poked the boy. He stirred a little before waking up fully and looking around the bedroom frantically. He looked up at me and slowly relaxed.
"I didn't mean to fall asleep." He said, standing up.
"What are you doing in here?" I asked.
"You told me to stay with you until you fell asleep so I did. I just didn't know I'd fall asleep too." He ran a hand through his curls, yawning.
"Ok, well you can go back to your bed now." I rolled my eyes.
"I will." He looked down at my body before exiting the room. I looked down, noticing that I was wearing a white shirt, much like the one Noah wore out tonight... no way. I brought the shirt up to my nose, sniffing it. It smelt like his aftershave. I was wearing Noah's top.

I quickly ripped it off my body, noticing that I was fully naked under it. Did he see my boobs? Oh my god.
I rushed over to my chest of drawers, picking out a vest top and some shorts, throwing them over my petite body. I'll return Noah's shirt in the morning.

I looked in my mirror, jumping at my appearance. Well shit, I looked terrible. My makeup was smeared all over my face. I'll just take it off in the morning, I couldn't be bothered right now, I was too thirsty.

As I made my way down the stairs, I heard noise in the kitchen. It was like 3 in the morning. Who's awake?
The kitchen light was off but someone was leaning over the breakfast bar, their face buried in their hands. I switched on the light, noticing Noah. He jumped slightly, looking at me.
"What are you doing?" He asked.
"I could ask you the same thing." I quirked an eyebrow, heading towards the medicine cabinet and grabbing some paracetamol. I needed them to help this headache.
"I couldn't sleep again." He shrugged his shoulders, watching as I got myself a glass of water, swallowing the pills.
"Do you always have trouble sleeping?" I asked him, placing my glass down on the side.
"Recently, Yes." He nodded his head. He looked very tired.
"Why?" I questioned. I didn't really want to talk to him after what he did yesterday but I couldn't stop myself.
"My mind is constantly racing." He said.
"Over what?" I asked with a frown. What must he have playing on his mind that it keeps him up all night?
"Over you." His voice was barely a whisper.