Ultraviolence

Chapter Twelve

"And as I looked him in the eyes I thought, 'Oh, how I would rather be with you.'"

...

I watched Noah from the window as he walked down the pathway to my front door. You could tell by the way he walked that he was a liar. He took long strides that were overflowing in pride, which told you that he was such a good liar, that he even believed his own lies. You could see it in his eyes and how they only met yours after he would finish a sentence. You could see it in his lips and the way the moved when he spoke. They fumbled after every word.

My thoughts were crushed as I heard a knock on the door. My parents were still working, so I was waiting for Noah in the kitchen, just in case I didn't hear him when he knocked. I sighed and stood up, walking to the door, and opening it.

"You look lovely, as always." He said.

"Thank you."

We walked in silence down the steps and to his car. Which he only unlocked, not opening my door. Having someone else open my door might sound stuck-up but I've become quite accustomed to it from the time I have spent with Harry. I got in. His car was a lot nicer, more expensive seeming than Harry's. I liked Harry's better though, I decided. It had a more comfortable feel. Just like Harry was more comforting than Noah. When I was around Harry, I felt protected. Noah, on the other hand, I felt on-guard and like I always had to watch what was happening behind me.

Our plan, composed last night by Harry, Jack, and me, was that Noah and I would go on our date as planned. And wherever Noah decided to take me, I would go to the restroom and tell Jack where we were. Jack would then arrive and watch Noah and I. He would listen to what Noah said about Harry. While Harry would be down at the Jonas Gazette office, looking for old obituaries to prove that Charlotte didn't kill herself. After me and Noah's date, all three of us would meet up at my sister's currently vacant apartment in Philadelphia. I would get the key from the drawer in our kitchen and meet Harry and Jack by 9 p.m. I told my parents I was going the Scott family's house party, which would be over around 1:00, though my curfew was 2:30. Harry told his parents that he was staying the night at Jack's house. Jack told his parents that he would be staying the night at Harry's house. But there was no Scott family and no house party and we all prayed we wouldn't get caught.

Noah and I arrived at the Jonas Lakeside Bistro after a long drive in absolute silence. We got out and parked farther back than necessary. There were many open parking spaces in the car park but for some reason, Noah chose one of the farthest away, which was very tough on me, as I was wearing heels for the night.

When we reached the main entrance of the Bistro, I was told by Noah to wait outside while he went in to get a table. Harry would have made reservations. I took this time, since I was alone except for the strangers waiting to be seated, to pull my phone out of my clutch and text Jack to let him know where we were.

"Great," Jack replied almost instantly, "it's my mother's birthday and we were going there, anyway. I almost had to fake being sick to get out of it."

"Make sure you get a table that is nearest to ours as possible." I replied.

"Yeah. See you in a minute."

The virtual conversation between Jack and I ended just in time for Noah to get back, taking my hand as we waited for a table. It was a little chilly and I was grateful when Noah offered me his coat.

Around five minutes later, I see Jack with his mother, father, sister, and brother, I assumed. They looked happy, the mother and father holding hands as they walked, Jack's brother carrying their sister in his arms. Jack noticed Noah and me, said something to his father that I couldn't make out, and they all began walking over towards us. I assumed it was just because Noah and I were standind right next to the main entrance until Jack, with his family behind him, approached us.