The Kissing Booth: Adult Edition

One More Makes Four

Marco, Lee, and I were tightly snuggled into the couch, with me in the middle as per usual. I was wrapped up in a blanket, wearing it over my head like a hood. We were watching the Korean version of The Strangers, which is like a thousand times scarier. Asian movies were always scarier than their Western counterparts. The tone of the film set us on all edge; it didn't help that the lights were all off and it was late at night.

'Where is he?!' 'Who are you talking about?' 'The man outside! You mean he's not out there anymore?!' The characters cried in Korean; we watched with subtitles. Lee pressed up into my side terrified. "Holy shit, man! He's in the house!" My best friend gasped. "No! Don't go around back! Don't! No!" I called out to the screen in a scared whisper. The girl on the tv heard a thumb in the backyard and placed her hand on the doorknob. "No!" We all gulped on the edge of our seats.

I can't tell you how high we all jumped at the sudden and quite inexplicable banging at our front door. Of course this was going to set off alarm bells; it was late out and we weren't expecting anyone. All our heads darted to the door- the fear was palpable. None of us dared make a sound for a minute, waiting for another knock. It came seconds later, making me shiver. My hand instinctually reached out for Marco's arm, which I clung to. Our eyes didn't leave the wood of the door, until I finally peered to Marco's alert face.

"Marco...." I whispered frightened. The knocking persisted, worrying all of us. I'm sure it wouldn't be this scary if we hadn't been watching a home invasion movie which began with a serial killer knocking on the protagonist's front door. After waiting another moment, Marco hesitantly stood up. My eyes widened in fear. "Marco!" My tone was more frantic but still a murmur. He didn't remove his eyes off our door. "Lee, stay with Elle," he said before silently stepping over to it. He put his hand on the handle and I want to tear him away from there. What if it was a murder?! What if he stabbed Marco?! We should just stay put and call the police. Paralyzing fear for Marco suddenly filled my entire being. I was about to scream out for him to get away from the door when he unlocked and flung it open. Lee and I shrieked simultaneously, throwing our arms around each other and shutting our eyes. What happened next was not what any of us were anticipating.

"Took you long enough. What are you guys screaming about?" Lee's and my eyes shot open to see a baffled Noah standing under the threshold. Even Marco looked relieved, taking a few deep breathes. "Noah, it's you..." He exhaled. "Who were you expecting?" Noah's eyebrow raised up. "We were uh..... um, no one. What are you doing here?" Marco shut the door, being sure to lock it. "I see none of you read my texts. Big surprise- you haven't been answering your phones either," Noah huffed, planting one hand on his hip. "Our phones? Oh! Yeah, we keep them upstairs during movie nights. Sorry about that, bro," Lee scratched the side of his cheek.

Noah rolled his eyes, clearly not impressed by this. "Well, if you did check your phones, you'd see I've been trying to get a hold of you for some time. A pipe in my place broke," he went on to explain. "Tonight?" My eyes grew. He nodded. "I had to leave for the night; they shut the place down until they can fix the plumbing." "And?" Lee lifted his eyebrow suspiciously. "I need somewhere to sleep tonight," his brother cut right to the chase.

"Of course you can stay here." "Absolutely not," Lee and I responded at the same time, only to look at each other bewildered. "What, Elle? This place isn't big enough for four people; we're already crawling on top of one another as is." "But he's your brother, Lee, and our friend. We can't just kick him out," I swiftly retorted, causing Lee to groan exasperated. "There's nowhere for him to sleep. Marco's already got the couch." "Can't you share your room?" I frowned, folding my arms. Lee wore a face of disgust. "What?! Ew, gross! I haven't had to share a room with my brother since I was five." "Lee, be reasonable. He has nowhere else to go." "That's not true. Seoul's full of hotels."

Here is where Noah stepped back in, raising his hand up into the air. "Listen, you guys don't need to go out of your way for me. I can sleep on the floor." "Oh, Noah; we wouldn't make you do that," I countered kindly. "Why not? There's only two beds and one couch," Lee butt in again. I fired him an annoyed glare. "You're not helping, Lee!" "You have a rooftop patio, don't you? I can just crash there," Noah rubbed the back of his head. "How?" Marco asked, quiet until now. Noah's head spun to him, though not with animosity. "Eh, I'll set up a tent or something. A sleeping bag would work."

This is when I'd had enough. "Noah, you're not going to sleep outside on our patio. You didn't come all the way to Seoul for that." "Why not, Elle? If he wants to sleep outside in a tent, I say let him. Beats sleeping on the floor indoors, if you ask me," Lee stretched his arms above him. No one did ask you, I shot him another sharp look. But Noah's eyes softened onto me. "Lee's right, Elle. I don't mind. It's a really nice night out too." "But Noah..." I couldn't help but feel bad. I mean, he flew from across the world to have a vacation, which likely didn't include sleeping in a tent on your ex's rooftop patio on the itinerary. The least we could was try to make the situation as comfortable as we could for him. Sensing my distress, Noah flashed me a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry, babe; I'm ok with this- really. If worst comes to worst, I end up sleeping a tent for a couple of days- that's all." "But Noah, wouldn't you prefer to go to a hotel? You'd have a bed there," I argued, still not happy with the whole idea. But he merely shook his head before his smile returned to me. "At least this way I'm closer to you guys. I'd rather stay here, if I'm being honest." "I don't know....." I hesitated. "What do you think?" For the first time, Noah asked Marco's opinion on the matter. Marco didn't look at Noah or Lee; he kept his eyes on me.

"The decision is up to you, Elle." "Huh?" My eyes widened a little. "This is your apartment- you ultimately decide who gets to stay here. We'll support whatever you choose." "We will?" Lee blinked to him surprised. "Yes, we will," Marco sent him a mild warning glare. "Dude, when'd you become so soft?" Noah spat, like this was supposed to be an insult. But I lifted my hand up to my chest as I thought it over for a moment. My eyes eventually went to rest back on Noah.

"Are you really.... ok with this, Noah? I don't mind helping you find a room somewhere else if that's what you'd prefer." Noah's gaze locked onto mine; his eyes lowering a sliver. His lips drew into a short, sweet smile. "Nah, that's ok. I'll be fine here tonight. Thanks though, Elle...." Noah.... Content with that, I stood up, keeping the blanket all wrapped around me. I smiled at him, then at Marco. "Alright then.

I'll find you some extra pillows and blankets."