The Kissing Booth - The First Year

Home... alone - Elle

When I laid down, I didn't automatically sleep  ... I closed my eyes and wanted to cry, but I knew he was still looking, so I pretended I was sleeping.

He turned off the lights and I could hear his breathing ... he was crying, but I had to be strong ... he really let me down not saying that the stupid girl was living in the same building as him. I felt completely stupid and that's the main point. I didn't believe he could have betrayed me, but just remembering that she had said that shower thing to try to make me believe that something had happened made me furious. I did not want him to have concealed the fact that she lived within two doors from his ... if I had known, my reaction would have been completely different and I would not have been taken by surprise .. I would put that bitch in her place.

Finally, about an hour later, I really got to sleep. I had a dream about Sharon and Noah, they were laughing together at me. "You saw her stupid expression ... she believed you did not go to my room, that idiot!" Sharon said

"Of course I noticed, and I did everything I could to look like the good guy. She thinks I changed ... but once a player, always a player. It's my instinct ... and I've always liked blondes more than brunettes," they kissed and I jumped on the bed ... I opened my eyes and it was morning ... Noah was in the bathroom, I heard the water running in the sink.

I got up, put on warm clothes ... and started packing, it was Sunday... and I was going home. By the time I was making the bed, he left the bathroom. "Good morning, Shelly," his voice was soft and, my God, how sexy he was ... his eyes were very sad, I realized.

"Good morning ... I'm packing, we have to go to Alice's farewell brunch, and I'm going to take my things, so we can go straight to the airport." My voice was still frozen, but it was not on purpose, I really could not get over the lie ... he just shook his head and started dressing. The smell of his perfum made me drunk, as always, and that shirtless body, oh boy... I was in heaven ... *Focus Elle* I kept trying to make everything I bought fit in the bags.

On the way to Alice's house I did not say a word and he was quiet too.

"Hey, you two, did you have a good night?" June said smiling when we arrived, and from the look on my face she understood that it was not a very good night, but I really did not want to talk about it.

"Hi Mom, yes, we had a good night ... Let's eat, I'm starving." Noah gave me a quick kiss on the cheek, put my bags in a corner with the others, and went into the yard.

"Elle ... what's going on?" June seemed worried about me.

"I do not want to talk about it now ... not here, can we talk at home? I'll explain everything in LA." I did not really want to talk about our fight in that moment, just before meet everybody else, specially my father.

"Okay, honey ... I know I'm Noah's mother, but I care a lot about you, just like if you're my daughter too, and that's why I'm so glad you're together. But don't worry, I will respect your moment, we can talk at home." She kissed my forehead and we went to the yard.

Of course my dad was looking at us with a question mark in his head, I hugged him "Hello Mr. Evans, you look beautiful today" I acted normally but he knew me too well

"I'm fine, Elle, are you ok?" And gave me that special Sherlock Holmes look 

"I'm fine dad, just tired ..." I smiled

He nodded and we sat down to eat. I was next to Noah, but we barely touched our hands, we talked to everyone, but not with each other. Lee was suspicious as well, and as we sat by the pool he came to my side.

"What's going on, Shelly?" He was worried

"I do not want to talk about it here ... please don't worry, I'll explain everything when we get home, okay? And do not give me this look, I'm fine, just tired." I repeated the words I used with Dad, but of course Lee was not going to swallow my *fine expression* easily, but he understood I didn't want to talked, so he just nodded and went upstairs to get his things.

Brad was sad to leave, but we promised him we would be back soon. May loved my brother and spoiled him a lot. He was already saying "Auntie May is the best aunt I have" and she was really happy about it.

It was time to go to the airport, and the boys put all the luggage in the cars (we would have to use three cars). Once again I was in Noah's car without saying a word, Lee and Rachel were in the back seat, also no talking.

The flights were on schedule, it was not snowing so everything was fine... we dispatched our luggage and went to say goodbye. I always hated goodbyes and today I hated it even more.

May and Daniel said they had loved being with us and reiterated their invitation to come back soon. June and Matthew invited them for Christmas, but they were going to Houston, so they decided they might be able to go there after the New Year holidays. My father was very grateful to be invited to this holiday and Daniel said he could not wait to go fishing with my father when they were in Los Angeles, it looked like all had been friends for centuries.

I said goodbye to Alice and when she hugged me, she whispered in my ear "Do not worry, everything will be fine and I'll keep an eye on that bitch." My heart felt a little less tight, I was sure Noah had already told her what had happened the night before.

"Thank you very much ... I'm very sad about the latest events ... but I'll be fine." She looked into my eyes and said, "I know, I would feel the same about Will and I hope you find a way to fix things ... you love each other ... have a nice flight back," she finished.

It was time to say goodbye to Noah, I was really apprehensive ... I did not want anyone to stare, so I made sure he had his back to the others. June noticed and managed to draw attention to her, leaving us alone.

He gave me a tight hug. "Bye, Shelly, I'm sorry again for all this misunderstanding and I promise I will not hide anything from you anymore." He was being honest, I knew him very well, but I was still hurt

"I need to be quiet for a while ... to try to digest the look that bitch gave me, and sorry, but until now I could not ... is it all right for you if we stay a few days without talking? I need this distance I'm not being dramatic about something small, I just need space, also because I'm going to have to face the fact that she'll still be living two doors ahead from yours for almost 6 more months."

"I'll miss you every minute ... but if that's what you want, I'll respect you. I just want things to be okay again. Have a nice trip back ... I love you ... a lot." He kissed me, and I surrendered to this kiss, because if there was one thing that always ended our discussions, was his kisses ... even then I managed to get away quickly, or whatever I had just told him would went down the drain, and I really needed that time.

I didn't look back as I entered the boarding gate, I knew he would be there, but I could not face him with wet eyes, I did not want him to see me cry.

The plane took off and I was coming home with some good memories, but also with that heavy thought that things would take a while to get well again, or at least, I was hoping for that.