Falling - NOAH CENTINEO

ch. 14 | Shopping

I didn't sleep at all last night. I tossed and turned just dreaming about that kiss. It made me feel like shit that Noah accidentally kissed me and regretted it while I was praying for another one.

It was finally bright outside, so I decided to take a shower. I hopped in and let the warm water hit me.

God, I wish Noah was in here with me right now.

I've finally figured that, for sure, I'm probably in love with Noah. Everything about him is truly perfect. His eyes, that hair, his laugh, and those goddamn abs. But besides that, he was a genuinely amazing person. He could always pick me up when I'm down, make me laugh when I'm crying, and he can just let me vent to him forever, and I do all the same for him.

But that kiss definitely changed some things for me. Now, I'm imagining Noah kissing my lips, my neck, my inner thighs... And I've never thought about him like that. But after that kiss, its all I can think about.

I got out of the shower and wrapped a towel around my body. I walked out of the bathroom to see Noah sitting on the bed, tapping his foot anxiously.

"Oh, God, you scared me." I laughed, holding my towel together.

"I'm sorry, but I gotta say something because its never been awkward between us and I don't wanna start." He said, standing up from the bed.

"I'm really sorry. I shouldn't of kissed you. I don't even know why I did it." He laughed, combing his fingers through his hair.

I swallowed the pit in my throat.

"You were just so sad and I didn't know how to help so," He paused. "Can we just pretend it never happened and just go back to normal us." He laughed with that obnoxiously cute smile of his.

"Yeah, we're good." I faked a smile.

"Awesome." He smiled. "Sorry for barging in-"

"Don't be." I said.

Noah gave me a small smile and then left my room. I walked over to my bed and sat on it, where he was sitting a moment before.

It was hard to breath and my eyes were clouded with tears. He didn't even know why he kissed me and I'm over here crying about it because I want more.

I laid down on my bed, burying my face into a pillow to silence my crying.

"What are we doing today?" Taylor asked at the breakfast table.

"Well, your mom and I are going to have a fun adult day. We thought you guys could go to the beach or find something fun to do." Greg said.

Taylor looked at us. However, Noah and I both only stared at our plates for the majority of the meal.

"What do you wanna do, guys?" Taylor finally asked, after we were silent.

"I don't care, whatever you guys want." I said, quietly.

"Yeah, I don't care." He said, pushing his food around with his fork.

I understand why I was quiet, but why was he? He made it very clear that he didn't want it to be awkward between us, so why was he acting like this.

"We could go shopping?" Taylor asked, leaning over the table to look at me.

"Yeah, that sounds fun." I smiled.

"I don't wanna go shopping." Noah whined, looking at his sisters.

"Its two against one, so you can come with unless you wanna stay here alone." She teased him.

He rolled his eyes. "Fine."

Taylor smiled victoriously.

Once their parents left, they gave us all some money to go shopping with. Then, the three of us, hopped into the car and headed towards the shopping center during a very awkward car ride.

The three of us walked around, looking at all the local boutiques. There were alot of vintage stores that sold hand picked old clothes. Just my style.

We all walked in and I looked through the many racks of clothing. Taylor was on the opposite side of the store, doing her own damage. Noah stood in one of the corners on his phone.

This was honestly not like him. If I ever dragged him to go shopping with me, he'd be picking out horrible clothes and make me try them on or he'd give me an opinion of some kind. It was so weird that we weren't laughing together right now.

I walked over to him, with the little courage I had left, and tapped on his shoulder. He looked up from his phone.

"What?" He asked.

"Come hang out with us." I said.

"I'm here, arent I?" He said in his 'duh' voice.

"C'mon, Noah," I pleaded, taking his hand. "I need your help with an outfit." I said, dragging him towards the rack of clothes.

If Noah had no interest in me, so be it, but I am not losing him entirely.

He groaned and picked out a shirt. "This is hideous." He said, holding up a sequined top.

"True, thats why we have to find the hidden gems." I said, shuffling through the clothes.

I picked out a loose fitting, mauve colored, dress. I held it up in front of my body.

"What do you think of this one?" I asked, looking up at him.

"Its nice." He said, briefly glancing at it.

"I'm gonna go try it on." I said, turning towards the dressing room stalls. I locked myself in one, shedding my clothes and putting the dress on.

It fit me perfectly, accentuated every good curve, and the color looked great on my tan skin.

I opened up the stall. I saw Noah leaning up against a wall while he was on his phone. Even effortlessly, he was so handsome.

"Hey Noah?" I asked, catching his attention.

He looked up and his eyes widened. For the first time since we've been out, he put his phone his pocket, giving me his full attention,

"What do you think?" I asked.

His mouth was slightly ajar as he scanned my body up and down, like his has had dropped.

He smiled softly. "Absolutely gorgeous." He whispered so only I could hear.

Noah, why do you have to do this to me?