The Middle - Volume Two ✔️

Chapter 70

Jamie

~ December 31st ~

I sit down on the bed, my mind reeling. I can't believe he just said that to me. And I can't believe how stupid I feel. I'm a fucking idiot.

I wanna cry, but I won't. I don't need to, I just want to. But I want my make up to remain intact more, so no, I will not cry. He doesn't deserve my tears.

I toss my phone down on to the floor, after sending Joel a quick text saying there's nothing wrong with Noah, and telling Joel to enjoy his night with Sarah. I don't want him worrying about this shit between me and Noah, so I won't give him any details. Noah's issues are his own, I don't wanna burden my friends with this crap. Which is exactly why I'm gonna pick myself up, put on my beautiful dress that Denise got for me, and have an amazing night with my friends. Fuck. Noah.

There's a quiet knock on the bedroom door, before it opens slowly and Erin peaks her head through.

"Everything okay in here?" She asks softly. She totally heard me yelling at Noah just now. The guys probably did too. Damn. So much for not subjecting them to my shit with Noah.

"I'm fine, all good. I just... Uh, I need a minute." I say, trying to get my anger under control.

"Okay, well, you don't really have a minute." Erin says kindly. "We need to head down, Denise is doing a speech at 7.30, and it's 7.25 already. You mind if I head down with the guys? You can join us when you're... ready?"

I know that by ready she means good. I can join them when I'm good. Composed. Calm. Erin gets it. I smile at her and nod my head, she gives me a small smile back.

"I'll tell the guys you're having a shoe emergency or something." She says.

"I'm wearing cons tonight, Er. They'll see right through that. Just tell them Noah is fucking with my head and I need a minute. We can talk about it later."

She nods her head quickly and hesitates before closing the bedroom door again, leaving me alone. I feel bad for missing Denise's speech, but there will be other speeches as the night goes on. It's fine. She won't even notice I'm not there, what with all her fancy rich friends in attendance at the party.

I lay back on the bed and inhale, slow and deep. I can't freak out about this. I just can't. I close my eyes, and hear my phone vibrate from where I tossed it down on to the floor. It's probably Joel, so I get up and retrieve my phone. It isn't Joel.

Noah, 19:28pm: I'll call you tomorrow, we can talk properly. Sorry if I was a little harsh just now, it's been a weird few days. We'll talk later x

Hot and cold. All the fucking time. I throw my phone down again. I'm not replying to him. No. Fuck that. I'm gonna put on my dress quickly and run downstairs to join my friends, you know, the people who love me and tell me so frequently. The people who deserve my time. The people who aren't Noah.

None of my friends ever ran to the beach wearing a tux to tell me they like me, though.

Such a head fuck!

Okay, I have less than two minutes. I need to forget about this Noah drama, and get the fuck dressed!

I throw my robe off and practically jump into my dress. I pull up the zipper and take a quick look at myself in the mirror. Damn. I scrub up good. Meh, it's not me, it's the dress and Erin's expertise in hair and make-up. Whatever. I shove my converses on, pick up my purse, and fly out of the hotel suite. I take the elevator, because it is actually quicker than the stairs, and when I arrive on the ground floor of the hotel, I pick up the front of my dress and rush off in the direction of the ballroom. There are people milling around holding drinks and chatting, and everyone is well dressed. I may actually make Denise's speech! Awesome.