The Stepbrother - Noah Centineo (COMPLETED)

How did he do it?

Arielle's PoV

I secured the towel around me, wiping the steam away from the mirror. I looked miles better and I felt so much more relaxed.

Now I've got to go back out there and see him again. Why did I agree to letting him stay in my room? It's only going to make this harder. Like will he think he's weaselling himself back to me again because that can't happen.

With a huff, I left the bathroom, my dirty clothes scrunched up in my arms.
I jumped slightly as I walked into the room to see Noah slowly bobbing his head to my doo-wop record. He stopped instantly as he saw me, dropping the dress he held in his hand. Has he tidied my room? Oh my.
I glanced around, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
"You cleaned?" I shut the door, walking over to my wash basket.
"I thought I'd be nice." He went to turn off my record player.
"No. Leave it." I smiled, placing my dirty clothes into the basket and wiping away a drop of water that fell down my face from my wet hair.
"I didn't know if this was clean or dirty." Noah shook his head, holding the green dress out to me.
"It's clean." I took it from him, quickly hanging it up in my wardrobe.
"Well uh- I'll um- I'll let you get changed." He scurried to the door.
"Noah." I stopped him.
"Yeah." He breathed out.
"Thank you." I gulped. It was such a kind gesture and I feel like he's really trying here.
"No problem." He nodded his head and with that, he left me alone in my room.

I fell back to my bed, the sound of 'tell it like it is' by Aaron Neville filled my ears. I can't believe he willingly put this on. I bet he secretly likes it and just doesn't want me to know. Hmmm...

Just as I was about to get up again, there was a knock at my door.
"Yeah." I gave them the ok to come in.
"I'm off to work now, sweet." Dad poked his head around the door.
"So soon?" I asked.
"Sadly." He chuckled, stepping in full view.
"How do I look?" He gave me a quick spin, showing off his outfit.
"Very smart." I giggled.
"I do try." He flicked the imaginary hair off his shoulders.
"Kelly's home all day, as I assume you and Noah are?" He questioned.
"I haven't got any plans." I nodded my head.
"Cool, well I'll see you later." He walked over to me, pecking my forehead.
"Oh and take some pain killers for that headache." He chuckled.
"Bye dad." I rolled my eyes at him, watching as he pulled the door shut again.

I looked around my clean room, smiling again. It was so sweet of Noah to do that. I never expected it, it's such a small thing yet it means so much to me. My god this isn't getting any easier.

My outfit today was very basic and chill. I had pulled some baby pink sweats over my legs and underwear and paired them with a white vest top over my laced black bra. My wet hair was pulled into a messy bun on the top of my head and my face was freshly clean from the baby wipe which now sat on top of my dressing table.
I coated my lips with some Carmex and headed out downstairs to get some breakfast.

As I reached the kitchen, I saw Kelly sitting at the breakfast bar, tucking into some cornflakes.
"Hello, love." She smiled over at me.
"Morning." I grinned back, heading over to the cereal cupboard where I pulled out the fruit loops.

After filling up a bowl, I stood the other side of her, watching as she lifted the spoon to her mouth. Then I caught a glimpse of the big diamond ring on her finger. My heart sank a little, knowing that Noah and I could definitely never do this anymore. That ring shows that my dad wants to spend the rest of his life with her.
"How did he do it?" I blurted out.
"Do what?" She frowned.
"How did he propose? Was it romantic?" I tried to sound excited and interested but truth is, I really wasn't. I'm so selfish.
"Oh honey, he was so sweet." She grinned widely, the wrinkles next to her eyes becoming apparent.

Just as she went to open her mouth to say something, she got a glimpse of her son walking in. Her once excited look turned into shear panic.
"Noah, what the fuck!" She shrieked at him. My eyes went wide at the fact that she swore. I hardly ever hear her cussing.
"It's nothing." He mumbled, giving me a look before grabbing a glass out of the cupboard.
"That is not nothing! You have cuts and bruises all over you!" She squealed.
"They're only on my face." He rolled his eyes at her. I stayed silent as the scene unfolded in front of me, munching on my cereal.
"The only part of your body I have to look at!" She hit her hand down on the bar.
"Then don't look at me." He shrugged his shoulders, turning on his heel and beginning to walk out of the room.
"What on earth did you do?" She rushes down off the stool, following her son out of the room.

Well, I am steering clear of that. Her reaction wasn't unexpected.

Whilst I listened to the both of them screaming at each other from the top of the stairs, I loaded up the dishwasher with the small amount of washing up that sat on the kitchen side. I felt a little bad for Noah, then again, he did sort of start it. I watched him try to throw the first punch but Jude got there first. What even started it? Was it about me? Most probably... that would explain how Noah knows that something happened between Jude and I.
Ugh, I wonder how long this screaming match will go on for.

Just as I closed the dishwasher, a loud knock at the door made me jump. Oh god, what if it's the neighbours coming to complain about the shouting.
"I'll get it!" I shouted over the yelling, heading towards the front door.

I pushed the handle down, swinging the door open and my eyes went wide.
"What the-" I breathed out.