The Best is Yet to Come

Twelve: Emma

I don't receive a response from Sarah until I'm home, practically dead from exhaustion. Clearly she was busy doing whatever it was that caused her to beg me to take her shift. But finally, after being antsy all afternoon, I get a response:

Hey! Yeah, I do know Noah Dean. Super hot. Amazing in bed. Why do you ask?

Honestly, I'm not surprised by this. Clearly he has a reputation for a reason. Deciding not to give her too much detail, I write:

I've heard a lot about him. Just wanted to know what the fuss was about.

She responds quickly this time:

If you get a chance to, go for it; you won't regret it.

But don't get attached. I don't know one girl who was graced with a second date.

Yikes. I'm not sure what to do with this information. I could tell that Noah probably received a lot of attention from other women. I think of Vanessa from the writers workshop and now, of course, Sarah. It was obvious that Noah knew he had an effect on people. In fact, I bet he knew exactly what he was doing. Clearly I wasn't immune to his charms either but it's more than that.

Ever since that first day at Glory's, it's been hard to forget the way Noah looked at me, like I was a piece of art rather than a sad, lonely girl. I've lived in this town for years and no one has ever shown any interest in me, except perhaps maybe Justin, but I was grateful for that. I would have just pushed anyone away anyways, just like I tried to with Noah. But Noah didn't take my rejection lightly- he's persistent, I'll give him that. I've never seen anyone try so hard to get to know me. More curious than that though, was the infectious curiosity on my side. I've been alone for so long and have never really cared... until now.

I've never felt more lonely in my life.

I pull up Noah's profile for the hundredth time today. I'll admit he's very handsome; dark messy hair, fit body, and a smile that put most celebrities to shame. In his other photos he's impeccably dressed, which makes sense as I picture his mother in my mind.

Ugh... but his mother. I'm trying to decide if I even want to fall down this rabbit hole. I'm not interested in becoming another notch on Noah's bedpost and reflecting back on his mother, a relationship doesn't sound like too much fun either.

I shake my head and toss my phone on my bed. This is all too much. I don't know what to make of this guy and I hate how obsessed I've become. My life was just fine before Noah came and messed everything up. I was content.

You weren't content. You were safe.

I should forget all about Noah, forget that he ever came into the store, forget that he ever looked at me like that, forget him and his stupid forearms.

...Forget that a super hot, mysterious guy, the kind that would normally never notice me, asked me out? Yeah, right.

I pick up my phone again and pull up Noah's profile because clearly I've become a hormonal masochist. Whatever. A little social media stalking is healthy, right? I imagine the grimace of disapproval Dr.Greene would surely be giving me if he only knew.

I swipe through his photos once more, pausing at my new favorite; Noah and another good looking guy, a red head, pose for this picture. They're both smiling for the camera, cheeseburgers clutched in their fists. Noah's eyes are open this time. They're beautiful and bright but there's definitely something missing. They don't look at the camera the way they look at me.

The friend request button teases me from the corner of the screen but I ignore it. Instead, I scramble to the floor, pulling the forbidden box out from under my bed. I stare at the wooden box, unsure if I was really ready to do this. Hesitantly, I lift the lid, Noah's note resting innocently among the scattered heap of papers.

I desperately want to open it but I know that if I do, there would be no going back. I'm too emotionally involved as it is. My stomach is nauseous and twists and flips as I gnaw on my fingernails. I glance at the photo of Noah once more, until his smile convinces me to do the unimaginable.