The One That Got Away | Elle and Noah

Under The Sign

Two updates in one day?! I couldn't help but update now, it's my fav chapter so far! Make sure to vote and comment if you like!

Elle POV

I tried for hours and hours to reach out to Lee, but he never answered. I even tried looking for him in our favorite spots, but there was no luck.

So, I found myself driving to the Hollywood sign, crying. At this point it was dark and the night was cloudy. I wasn't ready to lose my best friend, not like this. There was a small part of me hoping that Lee would show up or already be here, because he knew I always went here to clear my head. But of course, he wasn't.

I walked down the little path to the sign. I sat down, leaning against it, taking in the beauty of Los Angeles. For a minute, my mind was clear and I wasn't sad. But all my emotions came running back when it started to rain.

Of course it had to rain when I was all by myself, basically in the middle of nowhere, in a vulnerable state. But I had no I intentions of going to my car and driving back home, instead I put my head in my hands and cried.

I already lost my mom, if I lost my best friend too I don't know how I would be able to handle myself. My thoughts were interrupted by a voice.

"Elle?" The oh so familiar voice said. I turned around giving a light smile. "I figured you would be here. I brought some blankets for you, you must be freezing." He came down, sitting next to me, snuggling us up in the blankets together. He put his arms around me, rubbing my arms up and down to make me warm.

"Thanks Noah," I said, trying to sound happy. But of course my voice cracked, and a few tears ran down my face.

"Don't be so sad, Shelly. You're making the right decision. He will get over it, and if he doesn't, he doesn't deserve you." Noah was always like this. Always optimistic, reassuring, just like his mom. It's what I loved about him.

"Maybe I should just tell Columbia I've had a change in heart and just go to Berkeley," I cried, "it's not too late. If I do that then I won't lose Lee."

"No, Elle. You're not allowed to let anyone control your life like that. You do what you want to do. And you know Columbia is what's best for you and your future," Noah said sentimentally, but in a stern voice.

"I just don't know what to do," I cried, sinking my head into Noah's chest.

"You know exactly what you want, Elle." We sat in silence, letting the cold rain pour down our bodies. "You do know Columbia is only three hours away from Harvard, right? So that's a major plus for me," Noah smirked, nudging my shoulder. I couldn't help but smile. "There it is! That smile I've been wanting to see, now keep it that way."

"You always know how to make me feel better," I started to cry again. "I don't mean to get all emotional, but I missed this. I missed you, Noah." I don't know what gave me the courage to say this, but I knew I meant it with all my heart.

He held me tighter. "I know Elle, I missed you too," he paused for a minute. "I never really got a chance to say I was sorry for the whole break up thing."

"It's okay, Noah. Really," I said, giving him a reassuring look. The thunder rattled before he started to talk again.

"No, it's not okay." Looks like we were having this conversation. "There's not really an excuse to why I did it. I guess I just didn't want you to feel trapped. I wanted you to be able to live the high school experience. And I know you, Elle. And I know if you were unhappy and didn't want to be in the relationship anymore, you wouldn't say anything just for the sake of my happiness. I felt like I was just a burden, really. And I didn't want you to have to deal with that." There was another pause. "And it doesn't help that I didn't do it in person. I'm just really sorry, Elle. I regret everything."

"Yeah, that whole over the phone break up thing was kinda a dick move Mr. Noah Flynn," I giggled, lightening the mood. He even cracked a small smile. I looked at him, grabbing his cheek. "I need you to understand that you were never just a burden to me, Noah. You are everything to me."

"Are or was?" He contagiously laughed. "I mean, I wanted that to sound like a joke, but I'm actually really hoping you meant what I think you meant. Just had to save myself from rejection."

"You are my everything."

"I was hoping you would say that," he smirked. He pulled me closer to him, and the smiles on both of our faces were apparent.

"It feels like we were in this exact moment not too long ago. You know, our first time here," I trailed off, hoping I just didn't embarrass myself.

"Elle, how could I forget? Now that was definitely a night to remember," he smirked. "You were extra wild that night."

"Omg Noah! Stop!" I tried to cover my face, because I knew it was bright red. 

"Oh, don't be embarrassed Shelly." We both laughed, and we were met with the sound of rain. Our bodies were tangled together, and we were staring into each other's eyes.

"I never stopped loving you." He kissed me gently on the lips.

"I love you too," I whispered. I pulled in for another kiss. Noah's lips felt the exact same way they did a year ago, and I never wanted to lose them. I want to stay in this moment forever.

Things started to escalate, and we were both shirtless. Noah started to kiss down my neck, his hands ready to take my bra off.

"Elle?" Someone yelled, but it didn't take long for me to know it was Lee. I jumped up, covering myself with a blanket. "Elle?" He yelled again, finally coming into sight "There you are-."

"Lee I can explain, I promise." I cried.

"I knew it. I knew it was always him," he yelled, walking off. I went to chase after him, but Noah held me back.

"It's okay, Elle. He needs to cool off before you guys talk." He was right, things would only be worse if I ran after him. Noah pulled me into a hug, kissing my forehead as I cried.

Now everything is back to square one, just like junior year.

And I had completely no idea what to do.

Thank you for reading! Make sure to leave a vote and comment if you like and want more! Are you team Elle and Lee or Noah and Lee?