NOAH

Ch. 32

Chapter 32

A twinge of irritation reverberates through my fingers with each loop of my shoelaces. A slice of soreness nestles underneath sheets of gauze and tape against the palm of my hand. The post office is only a ten minute walk from Danielle's house and it'd be great if I could make it there and back all while everyone is out of the house, so no questions end up thrown my way.

All sea creatures would be attending the appointments that covered their schedules this morning and I could just about jump from the roof with glee. Waking up to a quiet home was a plus, but I was still waking up alone nonetheless. I still lost everything.

My head snaps up, my stomach clenching as bangs explode from the front door. Bile rises to my throat as a familiar voice shakes fear into every fiber of my being. My eyes widen, my fingers vibrating against my shoes as Noah's dad continues to bang against the wood.

"Where the fuck is he?! Open this damn door!"

I fumble into my pockets, grabbing my phone to call Noah, but he doesn't pick up. I know you hate me Noah, but please pick up this phone. I dial his number again, my stomach sinking further with every ring.

"You've reached the voice-mail box of, Noah, please leave a message at the beep."

"Noah, get out here now!"

As his dad continues to rage at my door, I send Noah a message.

Your dad is at my house!

A pencil rolls off my desk, crashing to the ground as his fists pound into the front door once again. My stomach plummets to the floor when another minute goes by without an answer from Noah and I realize what I have to do to make him go away. I have to answer the door.

I make my way down the stairs, my voice as shaky as my hands. "I'm coming."

He looms nearly an entire foot over me, his dark irises glaring. "Where is he?"

"W-What?"

"You know who the fuck I'm talking about. Where's Noah?"

"He's not here," I say, my body pulsating against the door.

He snorts before gazing around, his eyes lingering on the empty driveway before slivering back to me. "Where's your car?"

I look down in the driveways direction before moving my eyes back to his chest. Olivia must've told him about me coming over after all. Why am I not surprised?

"Where's your car?" He repeats, stepping closer to me.

"M-My boyfriend, Josh, has it."

"You think I'm going to bel-" He groans, pulling his ringing phone to his ear. "What?"

I step back as his eyes harden onto me. "You're where?"

"Well, where were you last night?" His lip curls upward as he backs toward his car, his knuckles lightening as they grip his phone. "Noah, don't ever make me go out of my way to find you again. Cause when I do, I'll make sure you regret every minute you were gone."

I quickly slam the door shut, locking every lock immediately before sliding to the floor. I draw in deep breaths of air as I grab my phone, messaging Noah.

Thank you.

His response is quick.

Is he gone?

Yes.

I sigh as a minute goes by without a response before pushing myself up, blinking away the heat that singes through my eyes.

I make the short walk to the post office, my limbs nagging with every step. Once inside, I find a line, my bones tottering as my sneakers bounce off one another. I gaze around the building, my eyes desperately needing to land anywhere other than the couple in front of me.

But, with only me, the couple, and a few employees littering the open white space, there's nothing else to see. A curl falls from her high bun, prompting him to place it gently behind her ear. She pecks him thank you and continues on her conversation with the employee.

The girl smiles at me as they leave, her hazel eyes rolling at her boyfriend. "Sorry, we took so long. He forces me to engage in conversation with other people."

I chuckle, that being something Noah would make do. "I understand."

But, I don't, at least not anymore. And as the couple leaves, I spin around to greet the girl in front of me, mailing my letter to my mother's address, a cast of sadness overcoming me. I wait a few minutes, watching as the couple pulls onto the road before beginning my walk home alone.

I glance around the street as my stomach begins to twist, nothing but the wind and my footsteps to be heard. As the breeze begins to stir my curls, I pick up speed, footsteps echoing behind me. I jerk around once more, my neck cracking in horror as I do so, but not a soul is near.

I jerk my phone from my pocket, dialing Noah's number as I continue to expand pain throughout my neck, searching for someone that I don't see. He answers on the second ring, my footsteps now the only ones emitting sound.

"Yeah."

"I think I'm being followed."

"By who?" He asks, his usual humorous tone now strained as if this phone call is somehow distressing him.

"I don't know. I went to the post office and now, well not anymore, but before you answered I heard footsteps."

"No one is following you, Nicole. I gotta go."

I almost wanted to ask who he's talking to, but the phone clicks and I know that he's hung up. But, I should be happy he stopped calling me Raine, seeing as I'm the one who told him to stop. I rub my chest as my own name drives a stake through it, adding salt onto my fresh wounds, burning deeper into my spirit.

What was the point of shutting him out? I've already let him into my heart, accepted him as mine. Hurting him only hurts me now, because no matter how hard my mother yanked, Noah is one person she could never rip out.

He'll always be a part of me.