The Moment

Chapter Twenty-Six

Everyone was quiet. It was almost as if someone had pressed pause on life and everyone stood still. Noah's hand was still pressed against my back and suddenly I forgot that we had cameras on us at all times. I removed his hand from my back, taking his hand in mine as I looked over at Ryland.

"Come on Thomas, this really isn't worth it anymore." He said, walking over to Thomas and guiding him out of the restaurant.

"What the hell was that about?" Casey asked, as everyone's eyes fell on me.

"Thomas lives for drama, who cares." Noah brushed, pulling my hand and leading me away from the group. "Are you okay?" He asked, guiding his hand down my cheek before it rested on my waist.

"I knew he wouldn't say it...I was just concerned about the fact that he told Thomas what actually happened. Now the potential of it becoming public is real and it's freaking me out."

Ryland and I agreed whatever happened between us would stay exactly that; between us. So the fact that he would go up to Thomas and just tell him everything really bothers me.

"Come on, let's go." Noah said, taking my hand in his and leading me out of the restaurant. "Sorry Fletcher, we're in a rush." He stated as soon as he saw Fletcher heading over to us. Opening my door, I let out a sigh of relief. I don't mind Fletcher on a normal day but after everything that just happened, I really wasn't in the mood to answer questions about whether or not I was dating...well...anyone.

---

"I might not say anything," The room was quiet until Noah spoke; the only sounds coming from the TV as we laid wrapped up in my sheets. "but you know I'll always have your back, right?" Noah was a quiet person, even on a normal day, so the fact that he was quiet on a night like tonight, it didn't really bother me. He showed me he was there the minute he came over to me and that's all that really matters. I can fight my own battles but it's nice to know I have somewhat of an army behind me just in case.

"That's one thing I like most about you," I began, turning onto my side to look at him. My finger traced down his chest as I tried to piece together a sentence. "you're not bothered by the bullshit and you don't get involved. You let people say what they want and you go about your life as normal. Honestly, I wish I had that power."

"You can." Looking back at the decisions I've made, they were almost always to do with what I thought people were going to say. I already had so many things said about me on a daily basis and with every decision I made, I took peoples' opinions into consideration, which eventually stopped me from doing things I really wanted to do.

"Easier said than done, Noah." I said, letting out a little laugh. I appreciated his belief in me but it would take more than the cute boy next to me for that to actually happen.

Looking over at him as his hand brushed my cheek, I knew I could learn a few things from him...in more ways than one. His lips pressed against mine as he pulled my body closer to his. The feeling of his cold skin on mine gave me goosebumps...or maybe that was because of how much I liked him. He was becoming someone I couldn't stand to be without and that feeling alone...is one of the scariest out there. The kiss was slow yet I could feel how much he wanted more but as my phone continued to vibrate on the nightstand, I eventually had to break the moment.

"We need to talk."