Over the next few days, Noen and I spent every minute together, mostly packing, researching what to wear, what to eat, and where to go. We also spent a lot of time shopping and on the phone with our managers who explained exactly what would be going down, our flights, our bus rides, our hotels, our budget, and our new upload schedules. I had been on the phone the other night with my father, explaining the entire situation, and how I would completely safe and with other kids my age. He told me he would be home the morning we fly to Los Angeles to meet up with a few other creators. We had been invited to spend a week in Los Angeles by Chase Hudson, famous from the Eboy trends and currently most followed by active fans. He had FaceTimed me a few times to explain how he wanted to become friends and engage before the tour, so I told Noen and we agreed to fly out 5 days earlier than starting tour date, and to stay with Chase and a few other creators who we haven't met yet.
"Okay, so our first stop is in Boston in 6 days, we have reservations with the hotel, ill be staying with Milo, Chase, Peyton, and Jackson. Sitting with Milo, Jaden, Chase, Cynthia, and you at dinner. How about you?" Noen walked back into my room after getting off the phone with his manager. He smirked as he saw me zipping up my last suitcase. It had been a few days since the kiss and Noen hadn't made any more really romantic moves towards me, it had been the regular, holding me, hugging me, kisses on the forehead, but nothing that indicated relationship. To be completely honest, I had been struggling to understand why and it angered me a lot.
"Uh, I'm staying with Cynthia, Sterling, and Brooke. Sitting with yall at dinner. Like you said, but I'm centered with Jaden, Griffin, Chase, Peyton, and Cynthia." I say, trying to sound normal. I was brushing out my hair now, trying to get the knots out for my date with Dylan. It wasn't really a date but its what me and Dylan called them. We had spent 3 hours on FaceTime last night talking about me leaving for the summer, although Dylan said he was going to drive up to the Atlanta show.
"Oh, I'm centered with Jackson, Sebastian, Milo, Addy, and Brooke." Noen shrugs and turns off his phone, thumping on his back on my bed, letting out a loud sigh. I raise and eyebrow, pulling out some of my baby hairs to create a more vintage look. "This is the greatest thing that's ever happened to me, but I'm scared its going to go to my head." Noen turns on his side and looks at me in the mirror, standing up and going behind me, his hands snaking to my bare skin on my waist where my crop top and shorts separate.
"That's what you have me for, Noen." I turn, putting my hands on his shoulders, smiling. "I'm there to keep you sane." I take a deep breath and check my phone as Dylan messages me that he's 2 minutes out from picking me up. "I have to go Noen, ill see you later." I kiss his cheek and grab my purse and sunglasses from my dresser, heading out, the zoo in my stomach rambling.
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The Next Morning, my father pulls up to the terminal drop off, popping the trunk and unbuckling his seatbelt, along with both me and Noen in the back seats, face deep in our phones, looking over everything we need to do today. My dad pulled out both my suitcases, which one was only half full so Noen, Chase and I could go to the mall and shop for new outfits that feel more tiktok worthy. Noen pulls out his 2 suitcases and both our carry-ons, throwing them over his shoulder.
"My babygirl, following her dreams." My dad pulls me into a hug, holding tighter than usual, as I shiver with a sense of dread for leaving him. "I want you to be safe and stay with Noen. I trust him and.." My dad takes in a deep breath as I pull away gently, seeing his eyes twinkle in the dark, 4 am, sky. "Have fun. Don't be worrying about your old man." He finally lets out.
"Of course daddy." I feel pain manifest in my throat as it does when a deep pain hits me. I try and hold my tears because I know it will make my dad break down. "Call me if ANYTHING happens." I say grabbing my suitcases. He nods and kisses my forehead, a silent agreement between us.
"Noen." My dad calls Noen over, placing his hand on his shoulder. He whispers something in his ear and they tenderly smile at each other, Noen nodding before he embraces my dad. "Have fun guys. Don't do anything I wouldn't do." He winks and it makes me let out a small laugh that trips a tear to fall, but by then my dad is out of sight and Noen is leading me to the terminal doors.
"Okay, lets bag check and head to TSA precheck." Noen pulls out his phone, his hand still in mine, tugging me towards the bag check-in line to the left of us.
After checking in the bags, and tagging our carry-ons, we head to precheck where we zip quickly through security because, one, its quicker overall and, two, its earlier in the morning. Noen finds our gate and holds my hand again so I can check the time and pull up our chick-fil-a app so we can get some breakfast and coffee. Noen soon slows and takes my bag, sitting in the chair next to him, plopping down alongside me.
"We have about 30 minutes until we board, group B, and the chick-fil-a is up on the right a few gates down." Noen yawned and nodded, standing and stretching a bit. I get sudden chills, regretting not grabbing my sweatshirt.
"Here take my sweatshirt." Noens voice is deep and smooth like honey as it flows from his mouth. Quickly, he pulls off his custom black 'Noen Eubanks' sweatshirt handing it to me and pulling out a black zip up and putting it on. As I pull on his sweatshirt, I feel his warmth surround me and feel calmer, taking a deep breath. "Lets go get some energy." Noen chuckles nodding towards the gates.
"What?" I giggle, asking what he laughed at. I pull up the hood so my straightened hair messy in a bun wasn't as visible. "Noen what was funny?" I pull up behind him and under his arm, scrunching my face at him as he wraps his arm around my shoulder.
"You look cute in the sweatshirt, that's all." Noen smirks, pulling us into the line, yawning again. I hear light whispers mentioning me from what sounds like a girl behind me so turn around to see a girl around the age of 11 or 12. Her eyes widen and her mouth drops as she fumbles for her phone out of her waistband. Her mother smiles at me as I raise an eyebrow.
"Can I please get a picture with you?" She quivers her phone towards me and nod smiling huge, my stomach feeling, for once, important to someone. "And is that your Noen?" She points to Noen who hasn't noticed what's going on yet. I nod and lean down to reach her height.
"He isn't awake yet." I whisper to her. She giggles and I take her phone, taking a few selfies with her, then her mother takes a few. I tug on Noens jacket and he turns confused towards me. I nod towards the girl whos smile remains plastered on her face. He sees her and smiles. "You wanna take a picture with him too?" I ask her. Her eyebrow raises and she nods.
"I want one with both of you actually." She gives her phone back to her mother and me and Noen smile for the camera on either side of the girl. "You know you hit 300 thousand today?" She whispers mid picture, my stomach hits hard and I feel Noens hand grab mine. She turns around, raising an eyebrow. "Are you guys dating? I wont tell the fans I promise." She questions, her hands on her hips. Noen lets out a chuckle and leans down to her, looking up at me.
"She hasn't said yes yet." Noen smiles and nods up at me as the girl lets out a small squeal. I shake my head and see we are next in line, motioning for Noen to move forward and order our stuff as the girl motions for me to talk to her, as she stands next to her mother.
"Your gonna say yes right?" She smirks, her mother letting out a laugh, and hitting her lightly on the shoulder as a warning of invading my privacy. I smile and look at Noen and back at the girl whos eyebrow is still raised.
"Who wouldn't?" I say as Noen runs his hand through his hair, looking back and winking at me. The girl smiles and hugs me again. I felt so influential and loved, not only by the girl but to Noen who obviously hadn't forgotten about our kiss.
So why wouldn't I?
