The Stepbrother - Noah Centineo (COMPLETED)

I'll love you forever too.

Arielle's PoV

It's so cold. My bed is so cold without him. I'm not sure how I'm going to sleep without his warm protective arms wrapped around my small frame. I took everything for granted. It's not like he's dead though, I can literally walk through two doors, crawl into his arms and I'll be happy again but that will just go against everything I've said. We've agreed to be friends, try to keep things totally cool between us. It's going to be super hard but it will get easier with time, won't it? Please just tell me I'm right, give me a little hope.

I started to hum along to the small sound of my record player that I had turned on about ten minutes ago in hopes that it would help me fall asleep. In fact, it's actually doing the opposite. Ugh. This sucks ass.

I picked up my phone, my eyes instantly squinting at the brightness. That's literally the worst feeling ever. Actually no, that's wrong. This heartbreak is the worst feeling ever. Wow, I really need to stop feeling so sorry for myself.
My finger hovered over Noah's contact. I wonder if he's awake too? For god sake Arielle, leave him alone. You're only making this harder for yourself.

I shook my head, scrolling up to find Jason's contact.

TO JAY
I'm sorry for ruining the night, I'll make it up to you, I promise ❤️ x

I wasn't expecting a reply seeing as it's gone three in the morning and he's probably completely passed out from all the alcohol he drank tonight.

With a sigh, I placed my phone back down beside me on the bed, looking up at the darkness on my ceiling. I wonder if I'll even get any sleep tonight.

—————
Noah's PoV

It's strange, you know. It feels weird being in this empty bed by myself. I've spent nearly every night in a bed with my love for the past few months and now I'm back to being lonely. I'd be lying to you if I said that I wasn't waiting for her to suddenly open up my bedroom door and crawl under the covers with me. It's all I've thought about since I came to bed. I miss holding her close to my chest. I miss the strawberry smell of her hair as it falls across my face whilst she tosses and turns in her sleep. I just miss her.

Here I am, my thumb hovering over the letters on my phones keyboard. I wanted to text her, so badly. I told her I'd give her space though. One small text shouldn't be a problem right? Yes, yes it is. We're trying to get over each other. Its bad enough we live with each other, I can't message her every two seconds.

I locked my phone and put it on my bedside table before pulling the blankets up over my shoulders. It's so cold without her.

I have to go back to work within the next couple of days and I'd really rather not, however, me being away from home nearly everyday could be good for us. We wouldn't see each other as much and when we do, we'll just act like friends. Ugh, friends. I can't just be friends with her. I hated it when she brought it up earlier. I guess it's better than nothing though, right?

Also, can you believe all the stuff that happened between her and Jude? I was completely oblivious to it all. I wish I knew at the time, I would have knocked his teeth out. Saying that, I could hardly even fit in a punch when I got jumped earlier. He seems to have gotten much stronger lately. Either that or I'm just not as good as I ever thought I was. Yeah, it's probably that. Arielle's made me soft.

I ran a hand through my freshly washed damp hair and I rolled over onto my side. Come on Noah, get some sleep.
I let out a yawn, knowing that I wouldn't sleep anytime soon, no matter how tired i seemed.

Oh you know what, fuck it. I can't do this anymore.

I flung the covers back from my body, standing up from my bed. I walked over to the door before shaking my head and turning on my heel. I shouldn't. But I want to so badly. I turned back to the door again. No. I can't.

I had been pacing between my bed and the door for a solid ten minutes now. I can't sleep without her. Can she sleep without me? Maybe she's fast asleep.

I walked back over to my bed, sitting on the edge before picking up my phone again, this time, texting a message to Arielle.

TO ARI
Are you awake?

Not even seconds later did I get a response.

FROM ARI
Yes.

So she can't sleep without me either.

TO ARI
Can I come and lay with you for a while?

Was that a stupid thing to say? Oh well, I've already sent it now.

FROM ARI
Please

So she's been waiting for me this whole time whilst I've been pacing up and down my bedroom.
I stood up, tossing my phone down to my bed before leaving my cold bedroom. Hers was much nicer than mine, so much more cosier. I guess it's a girl thing.

As I reached her bedroom door, I let out a breath before pushing down the handle. The room was dark, the soft sound of her record player drowned out the silence. She loved that thing and her weird 70s music.

Without saying a word, I closed the door, walking over to her bed and slipping under the covers with her. She instantly snuggled up to me, her face nuzzling into my chest. I didn't hesitate to wrap my arms around her petite body, savouring the moment.

"I've come to the conclusion that I can't sleep without you." I whispered into her hair.
"Me either." She shook her head, wrapping her arm around my torso and tracing circles on my back.
"I didn't say it back to you earlier but..." she began.
"I'll love you forever too." Her words were enough to send butterflies straight to my stomach. I'm sure she could hear, well feel, my heart hammering away in my chest.

I can't fucking keep away from her.