Shade

|3|

Leah's P.O.V
8:00 AM

After taking a long hot shower, I fumbled through my cupboard trying to decide what to wear. I took out a couple of dresses but I settled on a grey hoodie and a pair of black jeans and sneakers. I put on a little make up and walked out of the door, not caring to say goodbye to my mom or my brother.

Had they cared enough for me in the very beginning, our lives would have been so different.

As I reached the main gate I saw Noel pull up the driveway. He comes here every morning to pick me up, since the last two years.

Its nice to start my day with him.

He kissed me as soon as i got into the car, making me chuckle.

"What, am I not allowed to miss my girlfriend now?" He said with a huge cheeky smile, the kind that made your heart flutter.

That's the smile i fell in love with.

"Yes you are. But right now i have something very important to tell you." I said.

"Go ahead, I'm listening."

"Yesterday after you dropped me home, I went straight into my room, but there was something oddly unfamiliar about it. I felt as though someone else was in the room with me. Keeping track of my every move-"

"Maybe it was your mum or your brother, babe."

"Noel" I sighed. "You know they never come into my room. Moreover they hardly notice when I'm home. But it wasn't them. I know it was someone else."

"Why didn't you call the police then? Or me? Or anyone else? What if something were to happen to you?" I could feel the panic rise in his tone.

"Someone being in my room is terrifying but what is more terrifying is that the person is aware of me knowing."

"This is really creeping me out. How do you know that the person is aware of you knowing?" I could see the fear in his eyes.

"I just know, Noel. This is not the first time I've felt this person's presence. It's been there ever since my father died."

"Lee, I love you and I don't want anything happening to you. The next time you feel like you're in danger, please call me."

"You believe me right?" I asked.

"Of course I do." Noel said. As much as he wanted me to believe his words, I could still sense uncertainty in his tone.

"Well do you need me to stay with you tonight in case anything happens again? My mum would probably be alright with it. She likes you." He stated.

"No its okay. I'm sure I will be fine. Maybe it was nothing. I might be overthinking." I lied, not wanting to burden him with my problems, considering the amount of times I have already done it in the past.

He looked over at me and gave me a strange look.

"At Least call Ivy over. In that way I will be assured that you are safe."

"I'll ask her at school if she's free, maybe we could have a girl's night."

We were silent, then. There were occasional talks about classes but nothing more. I was looking out of the window when I heard the song "Somebody to you" by the Vamps. I turned to him wide-eyed "You hate The Vamps."

"Yeah but you love them. Now cut the bad mood and enjoy." Noel said with a grin.

We were both singing our hearts out to The Vamps. Anyone who saw us must've thought we were just some hormonal teenagers singing our way "towards damnation".

But we were having fun. This is how it always was with Noel. I felt like I could do anything in the world without caring for the consequences. Like i could play my favourite song on repeat without anyone judging me for my taste. As if there was no pressure of reality and i could get lost here, in this moment.

I feel like myself.

That's one of the reasons I fell in love with Noel. I forget all my worries, when I'm with him. He makes me believe in a brighter and much better future for him and me.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Just how lucky you are to be with me." I smiled cheekily.

"Ah can't deny that now, can I?"

I can share anything with him and I know he will understand and I won't be judged. I feel comfortable saying anything to him and part of it is because we both come from broken homes. I share stuff with Ivy too but she doesn't understand all of it because she has not gone through it. Sharing the same pain makes the bond stronger which I think is true for Noel and I.