The Mixtape

2: Noah

            Noah was on an absolute high. The heel-clicking, fist-pumping, cheer-inducing kind. The stomach-clenching, heart-racing, breath-stealing kind. The falling-in-love-with-Leigh kind.

            After he forced himself to stop kissing her through her opened window, he pushed off the side of her car and crossed the lot. He watched as Leigh sat there for a moment, one hand on the wheel, the other sitting frozen on her keys in the ignition. She had the most beautiful smile on her face.

            Noah was the cause of it.

            He waited until she drove off into the night before finally punching the air in triumph. It scored a couple of random stares from people who were loitering around, but he didn't care. Let them know. Let them all know. He made the most beautiful girl in the world smile.

            As soon as he reached his car, he climbed in. It took a few minutes to finally gather his thoughts, but as soon as he managed to settle down, he put the car into drive and started heading back to his dorm. When he reached one of the stoplights, he reached over and flicked on the radio, letting the sound of music fill his car.

            "And that was Ride This Feeling by Kate Miller-Heidke. Stay tuned for more of the hottest hits coming up on our midnight soundtrack with Gabby and Chris."

            Noah made a mental note of the song.

            His fingers drummed against the steering wheel absentmindedly, as the playlist of songs continued and turned his vehicle in all directions, trying to get back to his university. Noah wanted to get back and recount every single detail of his night.

            When he arrived at his building, he the stairs two at a time. However, as he reached his floor and rounded the corner, he bumped into someone. There was a startled grunt as they collided. Noah instantly reached out and grabbed the person's forearm to avoid them from falling onto the floor.

            "I'm so sorry. Are you alright?" Noah asked.

            Ashton, his friend from his economics class sadly looked down at the floor, where some of the contents of his glass of milk had spilled and soaked into the carpet. He looked so upset when he lifted his gaze and focused on Noah.

            "Oh, hey, man." He examined his now half-empty glass of milk. "Just got some milk from Frankie down the hall. The guy got a new mini fridge." He shook his head. "Wish university wasn't such a financial pain in the ass. I'd kill to stash some snacks in my dorm. Hunter keeps eating my Oreos." Ashton lifted the packet of double-stuffed Oreos from under his arm. "Last one."

            "Maybe you should find a better hiding spot," Noah suggested.

            "Yeah. Maybe. So, what are you even doing out here?" he answered. Then he took a look at Noah's attire and raised an eyebrow. "Oh, hell. You were out with a girl, weren't you? You only wear that t-shirt for dates."

            Noah couldn't help the smile on his face.

            "Is everyone in this damn dorm building in a relationship? Feeling a little left out here. While you're having late-night dates, I'm trying to hide Oreos from my roommate and getting abormally happy over a glass of milk. Well, are you going to share?"

            He said one thing. Her name. "Leigh."

            "Shut up. Dude, shut the fuck up," Ashton answered, punching Noah in the arm.