The Moment

Chapter Thirty-Six

Letting out a laugh, I didn't really understand the dramatic tone in Casey's voice. Noah walked into a place we frequently go with a friend we frequently see...I didn't see the need for theatrics. Her hand fell from my shoulder and I knew she was just trying to look out for me but at the end of the day, I know Dixie wouldn't do that to me and if I start questioning that now, it'll be the end of me and Noah for sure.

"I didn't think we'd see you two here." Casey said, as they walked over to us. "Considering Dixie said she was busy." Leave it to Casey to make a comment whenever she can.

"I was," Dixie replied, looking over at Noah. "and now I'm not."

"Convient."

"Okay," I said, trying to end the very awkward conversation before it got hostile...for literally no reason. "Noah, I-"

"Um, we have a table over there." Noah explained, cutting me off and pointing to the other side of the restaurant.

"Like...the two of you?" Watching them nod their heads, I was starting to think Casey might be on the right track.

"There's no way in hell," Casey began, turning to face me as Noah and Dixie walked away. "you don't find that weird."

"I mean, it's weird that he just kind of blanked me but I think we're overthinking that because I don't exactly know where I stand with him right now."

"No Regan, listen to me; that is fucking weird."

"No, they're friends." I said, trying to convince myself rather than Casey. "We know they're friends; we're all friends. It's fine." Deciding to end the conversation there, I turned back to the table and joined in on the conversation.

As the night continued, Noah and Dixie stayed at their table, with some of the group going over to say hello before making their way back to our table, but the vibe was definitely weird now that my "maybe" boyfriend was sitting across the room and it was almost as if he thought of me as a stranger. I know he wanted distance, maybe to just get over the embarrassment but something isn't adding up. What happened is something you just get over, not something that causes you to want space. When you think about it, it was a pretty funny situation and I really don't think it should have caused a response like this from Noah. I'm telling everyone else that everything is fine but I don't think it is.

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Rolling over as the voices began to rise, I squinted, trying to keep as much of the darkness as I possibly could. My head was pounding and I just knew today was going to be an absolute write-off for me. I couldn't even bring myself to move but with the voices coming from downstairs, getting louder by the second, I knew I had to see what was going on.

"Why don't people ever just shut up?" Looking over at Tayler, he shoved his head further into the pillow and I couldn't help but swing my hand over and smack his back.

"Get up." I instructed, getting out of bed.

"Ow." His voice was muffled from the pillow but his voice was the least of my concerns.

"What the hell is going on?" I asked, making my way into the living room. There were way too many people in the room, hence why the voices carried so easily but what caught my attention the most was the fact that my face was plastered all over the TV...next to Noah's.

"Reg-"

"Turn it up." My voice was firm as I kept my eyes peeled to the screen.

"All your favourite TikTokers were spotted at Saddle Ranch last night but tensions were definitely brewing. YouTuber Regan Cross was spotted sitting at a completely different table than her boyfriend Noah Beck and who was he sitting with? Well none other than Cross' best friend, Dixie D'Amelio. Is there a new couple and a new rivalry on the rise? Stay tuned to find out."

"They're just making shit up, Regan. You know it's not like that." Bryce explained, trying to make light of the situation.

"Are you kidding, Bryce? There's no way what they did last night was innocent! Dixie lied about being busy and then all of a sudden, she shows up with Noah?" Casey spat. "Has he even been texting you?" Her eyes fell on me and I didn't know what to say. Sure, I knew the answer but I didn't want to admit it to myself, let alone a room full of my best friends.

"My parents are going to freak out." I stated, grabbing my keys and heading out.