Curved Edges ✔

(10) Xiao Chen's Examining

♡ XIAO CHEN

The color drains from Noah's face and I wonder what happened between them exactly. Ama is never pissed at someone for no reason. She is hot-tempered but to get her to this level you need to be an asshole. And I don't think Noah is. 

He couldn't be. That guy is the opposite of me. But Ama is clearly pissed at him and when I spoke to Mona on the phone earlier this week she told me she was at Ama's place because Ama was feeling down.

I move closer to Noah and ask: "What happened between you two bro? What made her so angry?" 

Noah stutters again and I know this has done a number on him. He looks so sad that I feel sorry for him. He has no clue why she's angry if anything he thought the gifts and the cards attached to them would have the opposite effect. 

My eyes move to my sister and I can tell she drank enough to spill the beans. I grab my phone and sent her a text. 

Why does Ama hate Noah?
He sent her gifts and heartfelt cards attached to them.
I thought she was into that shit. 

I watch Mona read my message and can see the steam come from her ears. Uh-oh, that pissed her right off. Let's see what she says.

Ama loved that shit!
She wrote a letter to him Bridget-style and he never responded.

Asshole.
Who does that?

Go all romantic and shit and then when she opens up to you, you ghost her.

I don't understand how you can be friends with him.

I read the message again and then show her reply to Noah. He reads it and shakes his head. "I-I d-didn't g-ghost her. N-never got a letter!" 

He slams his fist on the table and runs a hand through his hair. He looks up at me with sad eyes and asks: "She loved it?"

I squeeze his shoulder and say: "Yeah man. Apparently, she did. Want me to talk to her?" 

Noah shrugs and downs his drink. I know he thinks he will never find someone to love who loves him back just as much.

I don't believe that at all. My dad found love and happiness in Mona's mom. After a lot of struggle and heartbreak, he found it. I may be a player and an arrogant dick, but I know there's someone out there for everyone. It just takes time to align the stars correctly sometimes. 

I order another round of drinks and say: "I'll talk to her bro. The least I can do is try."

Noah nods and then remembers what I said when we left the bar. "How about you tell me about kissing her first?" 

Oh shit, how I would love to avoid that conversation right now. I should have kept my mouth shut. But Noah might seem like a nice and docile guy, he's a pitbull when he wants to get something out of you. So I might as well just tell him.

"It was her nineteenth birthday. She was out with Mona of course. Dancing and drinking, wearing a tight, mini-dress. She looked sexy as hell. Always has, always will. The girls had a lot of fun and at some point, they figured forming a line of guys willing to wish her a happy birthday was a good idea. So I, stupidly, stood in line for my chance at feeling those lips on mine."

I can't help but smile, remembering that moment. "Mona was shooting daggers at me but Ama asked me if I was sure and I nodded. I'm telling you man, the best kiss I ever had. If it had lasted a second longer I would have stained my jeans. 

Those lips are heaven and that tongue is hell. Oh, that mouth of hers. I still dream of it. I never had any better. But guess what she said when she ended the kiss? She told me she never kisses the same guy twice."