Someone Like Noel

Homecoming: Part 2

Well, I was right. This just got very interesting. As soon as we walked into the gymnasium, everyone's eyes were on us. I kind of liked it, because of all the attention, but then it got annoying.

We awkwardly walked over to the punch table. My former friend, Jamie Konstantopalous, sulked over to us--as if things couldn't get any worse.

"What do you want?" I asked in disgust. She didn't say anything and just grabbed my arm and pulled me outside of the gymnasium and into the girls' bathroom. She looked upset.

"Jamie, what is your problem?!"

"Why did you come with him?" She asked in the same tone I used when I first saw her.

"He asked me. Why?"

"You can't trust him."

"Why?" I repeated.

"Because he's a lot of trouble."

I looked at her confused. Noel is trouble? How? What could he have done so bad?

"How?"

"Look, a few years ago, he......he forced some girl to have sex with him. Then he beat her if she even cried once."

"That's not true. This girl just made that up to get attention. You know this sounds like the same thing from Pretty Little Liars when Allison said Toby looked in the window while they were changing. Then she threw a firecracker in their garage when Jenna was in there and made him take the fall."

"That's not the same thing! The Toby thing wasn't true."

"Yea, well neither is the Noel thing!" I was completely frustrated right now. Noel would never do that, would he? He's been so nice to me.

When I looked back at Jamie, I could tell she was trying not to yell at me because she knows I hate that. Instead she just breathed slowly and calmly.

"Okay, okay, fine. You do what you want. But if he hurts you don't come crying to me."

Then she walked out of the bathroom. Well that could've been worse--she could have slapped me or beat me up. I walked back out from the bathroom to see Noel standing there.

"Hey, is everything OK?"

"Yea, yea, everything's fine. Let's go dance."

Noel took his hand in mine and led me back into the dance and onto the dance floor. An upbeat song was playing, and suddenly a slow song came on. I hate when that happens. Always in movies.

Noel put out his hand, and I gave him mine. He gently wrapped his arm around my waist, and we swayed back and forth to the beat. Here and there people looked at us and whispered.

I did my best to ignore them, so I started a conversation with Noel.

"Hey, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, anything."

"Is it true that you..."

"Forced a girl to have sex with me?"

"How'd you know I was gonna say that?"

"I'm good at reading faces."

There was an awkward silence. Noel spoke again.

"Okay, I'll tell you the truth, but you can't tell anybody."

"I promise."

He took my hand and led me out of the gym. I could tell without looking that people were looking, pointing, and whispering. At this point, I didn't care. None of it's true so why bother?

We were now standing outside on the balcony. It was a little chilly, but I could manage.....I stand corrected. It was freezing! I kept rubbing my hands on my arms to warm me up, but it wasn't helping.

Noel looked at me. "Oh, you look cold."

"N-no, I'm f-fine...r-really."

"No, you're freezing. Here, take my jacket."

He took off his jacket and put it on me. I knew I couldn't convince him. I instantly got warmer. Who knew Noel could be this warm?

"So tell me about the girl."

He took a long, deep breath before talking. "It was the year of '08. We were in 8th grade. Her name was Melody Santiago. She was the most beautiful girl I've ever seen in my entire life. We started hanging out, and I kissed her. We started dating. One day, when my parents were out of town I rook her to my house and we made out for a while......and then thibgs got heated. I took my shirt off, she took off hers we nade out sone more. Then she started unbuttoning my pants."

I wasn't so sure I wanted to hear any more. But I let him continue.

"Before anything got any farther, I stopped it. She got upset, broke up with me and she told everyone in school that I raped her."

"It's not true?"

"No, I told her I wasn't ready, and that we should wait. We were in 8th grade! That's never the right time to have sex. I wanted to break up with her before that happened. She was very impulsive, controlling and greedy. That isn't the kind of girlfriend I want. I want a girl who is sweet, caring, selfless, patient, and just over-the-top amazing......kingmd of like you."

"You really think that about me?"

"Of course I do. I've seen how you act around people, and I like that about you. You're helpful, caring and a great girl......and I really like you."

"Y-you do?"

He stepped in front of me. I feel like my cheeks are blood red right now.

"Yes, I do. I've been watching you for a long time. I saw in elementary school when you yelled at mean girl for making fun of your best friend. Since then I've watched you walk home every day........every day."

Wow, he really does like me. I have to admit I like him too, I've just never been able to say it out loud.

He looked a little scared from my silence. "Say something."

"I'm not good at saying something."

"Then come here......please."

I walled over to him. He pulled me into a tight hug. I hugged back, and it actually felt right. All this time I thought I was scared of him, but really......I was scared of loving him.

He pulled out of the hug and kissed me. It was the most passionate kiss I've ever had. Actually it was the only kiss I've ever had, but still...Anyway, little did we know that someone was recording us, and happened to be watching us. If only I was smart enough to know, this person would go to great heights to expose, not just us, but also me.