After my 'fall' in the park, Noah examined me searching for any injuries. Certainly there wasn't any, but my butt hurt a lot. I obviously didn't mention it because I didn't want him to examine my butt. After convincing him that I was alright, we went straight to our homes considering the fact that I was still wearing broken glasses. We didn't resume the game much to Kyle's disappointment. Besides, it had already turned dark and I didn't want Jack to follow me to raise more suspicion.
"Why are you wearing that?" Kyle pointed to my fractured glasses which currently needed to be admitted in the ICU.
"I cannot see anything without these," I replied flatly and adjusted them.
"But eeeets funny!" Kyle laughed and pretending to be an aeroplane, made a quick exit from the park, leaving Noah and me alone. Not alone exactly if you consider the other people in the park, but still alone.
"Why did you come in the middle of the term at this school?" Noah asked suddenly while burying his hands deep inside his pockets.
"Erm . . . if you remember when I said that my father was--- "
"Oh yeah, transferred to Afghanistan and all that tragedy stuff. Right," Noah interjected nonchalantly, showing no pity for me which I quite liked.
I shrugged and said, "There isn't anything tragic about it, it's his job and he's proud of it. It just feels sad to stay away from family."
"Hmm," he hummed quietly and our arms were brushing each other's which made me shrink and blush. Noah took a deep breath and asked, "Do you miss him a lot?"
"Yeah, of course," I said and continued walking slowly beside him. "I miss everybody, my mum, my sis, my old life . . . "
"Aren't you worried about your dad?" Noah asked while staring at me curiously and my head hung low, my black wig hair posing as a curtain and hiding my face from him.
I kicked a random stone and admitted, "Yeah, I mean I should worry, right? But then there is Katy and now Ginger who always try to cheer me up."
He didn't say anything and I looked up at him. He had a half-smile stretched across his face and the faint trace of dimples. I shyly looked away and didn't drag the topic because I was already tired of lying. Although what I said about Katy and Ginger was fairly true, I couldn't risk lying more.
"Noah?" I called him softly while stopping in my tracks which made him turn around.
"Hmm?"
"I think we should go home," I suggested and he just nodded faintly.
We quietly walked down the deserted street flashing each other a small, shy smile occasionally. His smile was so adorable and contagious with dimples on either sides of his cheeks and his eyes crinkling in the sides.
We arrived at my house where we saw Katy conversing with Carla. Kyle was clinging to Carla and when he spotted his Noah and me, he waved at us cheerfully.
I waved back and Noah mused in, "He seems to really like you."
I laughed while waving at him dismissively and we both walked towards them.
Katy noticed us, her forehead creasing and she asked worriedly, "What happened Amelia? Oh goodness, you hurt yourself! Let me have a look . . . And why are you wearing those broken glasses?"
I glared at her, indicating her to stop with her over-concerned look and said, "Erm . . . we can talk about this later, okay? I need to just freshen up."
"Wait . . . I'll come with you! Be careful next time and are you sure about no bruises?" She grabbed my arm and examined me thoroughly.
I shook my head, trying my best to not burst out because her extreme behaviour might raise some suspicion and I quickly pulled my arm back.
I hissed in her ear, "Stop overreacting and I'm alright."
Before she could open her mouth, I flashed another smile to Noah and his family and ran inside to rush to my room. I slammed the door shut and leaned against the door, catching my breath.
* * *
I dried my wet, blonde hair with a fresh towel and hair dryer and then stripped out off my robe to put on my cartoon, comfy pyjamas. I pulled my dry, blonde hair into a tight bun and secured it with rubber bands and lots of hairpins. Then I fixed my black wig over my tight bun and secured it with more hairpins, just to be careful. I took out some tanning cream and put it all over my bare arms and legs to hide my pale complexion. After I was disguised completely, I walked out of my room, my head aching due to the amount of pins stuck in my hair. I was being too careful and I had to learn to become more relaxed.
Katy had earlier informed me that Noah, Carla and Kyle were staying over for dinner. I could smell the aroma of spicy, thai food and my stomach growled. I entered the dining area and to my astonishment, they were already eating without waiting me in! Sometimes I wished that I could go back to being a princess and act snobby enough for people to wait for me to start dinner.
I frowned, but quietly sat beside Katy who diverted her attention from Carla to me and asked, "What took you so long? We were waiting for you."
"Just the usual, hiding shit," I cursed, enjoying the privilege of a commoner and Katy cleared her throat, her eyes widening a little by hearing the sudden change in my language.
I smiled innocently and batted my eyelashes at all the people gathered at the table who were staring at me. Noah's intense gaze was burning my soul which made me reluctantly look down and I drew lonely circles on the empty plate.
"Wait, I'll serve you," Katy offered while breaking the uncomfortable silence and put rice on my plate. I helped myself by pouring spicy aromatic curry over it while Katy arranged the bowls of tropical fruits on my plate. From the corner of my eye, I caught Noah who was still staring at me. I huffed while shoving spoonful of rice in my mouth and ignored his gaze.
Since I ate rather slowly like a tortoise, everybody had completed eating their food including Kyle. Katy and Carla gathered the dirty dishes and went inside the kitchen while chatting with each other merrily. Kyle was intently watching television while Noah was sitting on the chair right opposite to me. He was texting somebody while I tried my best to finish my food as quickly as possible.
I caught Noah peeking through his phone and looking at me. My little finger twitched and I could feel myself getting annoyed. I stabbed the chicken in the curry with my fork and demanded, "Why are you staring at me again and again, huh?! Have you never seen a girl or-or this chicken?"
Noah put his phone away on the table and looked up at me. His deep blue eyes looked intimidating and I bit my bottom lip nervously. I never knew that I could shout at him so freely. The courage that I possessed was surprising yet exciting to me at the same time. He did not say anything for a while, but slowly leaned forward until our faces were inches away. My breath hitched and I couldn't breathe properly any more nor my mind could function.
Finally, his lips twitched upwards and replied calmly in his deep rich voice, "I haven't seen a girl who looks like a chicken."
What even . . . How dare he!
It was Saturday and since we had a weekend holiday at school, Carla suggested that Noah and I should hang out. We both were reluctant at first until Katy started to persuade us too. So, today Noah and Kyle were taking me 'somewhere,' I didn't know where. Kyle told that it was a surprise, so I was pretty excited about it. Noah and I desperately wanted Kyle to tag along because we both dreaded the awkwardness of being alone.Obviously Katy and Jack had been already informed by Carla about where we were going. Jack flirted a lot with Katy and she too responded positively either by flirting back which happened rarely or blushing which she always did. Jack and Katy made such a cute couple and I knew that they would go further with their blossoming relationship. It was an instant physical attraction and something more.Eight months ago, Katy and her ex-fiance were going to be married when Katy caught him red-handed sleeping with some elderly woman. He wasn't even drunk when he was caught. W
The place was so warm, vibrant and luminous because of the trees being so tall with dark leaves that partially blocked the heat and brightness of the gauzy sun, allowing only some rays to pass through the gaps. The soft, light-green coloured grass was well-trimmed and there were these little yet full of life yellow flowers growing in between, like each flower on it's own was resembling a mighty sun.I quickly removed my slippers and walked bare foot on the tickling grass, a very old habit of mine. It felt so nostalgic since all the reminiscence of my childhood with my sister playing in our huge, palace garden came on me like a massive wave striking the shore."Now tell me, isn't it wonderful?" Noah asked, stood beside me and crossed his arms against his broad chest.I nodded and beamed in awe, "Of course it's wonderful! Only a fool would disagree with you!"He looked pleased, but covered it up by talking in a solemn voice, "Glad to know, but you agreed.""I don't know what you're impl
"I can teach you how to play polo. It's pretty easy," I offered and shrugged. "But I want something in return."He chuckled and said, "Of course, you do. How can I forget that you're a girl?""Well . . . Sure and infact, I want three things in return," I demanded and Noah's eyebrows rose high up."Hold on Cinderella, I'm not your fairy godmother.""First you listen to me . . . Hey! Are you listening?" I nearly shouted when I saw Noah's back turned to me."You're not at all interested in me . . . I mean in my talks. Sorry, slip of tongue," I muttered the last few words and mentally face palmed. Since Noah's back was still turned to me, I continued talking or rather demanding, "One, I want you to narrate me the history of this country, stories, quotes, anything and everything. You are basically going to tutor me. We can do this while I'm teaching you how to play polo since it isn't a big deal, but I'm really failing in history at school."I stopped talking for a few minutes and waited f
We both had lunch below a huge, willow tree over the tickling green grass. The meal consisted of sandwiches, prune cakes and chilled lemonade. There was an ultimate battle to grab and eat more cakes."Come on, that's the last one. Can I have that please?" I asked politely and batted my eyelashes. He chuckled and quickly brought the cake in front of his mouth, teasing me. I whined and jumped forward to snatch it away from him. Taking advantage of his height, he held the delicious cake above his head. I climbed over his lap and reached out to grab it.I felt that I wasn't in control of my actions since I actually climbed over him. I giggled like a little girl and managed to grab his arm. The cake tumbled out of his hand and I quickly went to catch it. But in the process, Noah fell backwards and I landed on top of him.I shut my eyes in embarrassment and apologised softly, "Sorry for acting like a kid who is deprived of cakes and has never eaten one in it's life time."I heard him chuckl
Poke poke.I groaned and gently slapped the hand of somebody away from my cheeks. I pulled the blanket up till my chin and snuggled in the comfort of my huge, brown teddy bear.Poke poke.I rolled over my bed and placed the teddy bear on top of my cheeks, so that nobody could poke there now. I felt somebody's hand hovering over my face and I swatted it away.Poke poke, now on my forehead!My eyes were still shut and I didn't bother to open it. I knew who it was!"Kyle, I'm sleeping now. Go down and tell Katy to make pineapple pudding. Hurry up, the pudding is waiting for you," I murmured and suprisingly everything turned silent and as calm as the ocean.Usually Kyle would go all excited and enthusiastic. He would squeal 'yay' or 'yipee' in delight and run downstairs.But silence? Well, this was new. The poking still continued on my forehead and I grumbled."Kyle darling, do you want my kissy-kissy?"I raised my hands high up, wiggling my fingers creepily and puckered my lips like a go
"Why don't you wear contacts?" I heard Ginger's distant voice and loud footsteps. I turned around and Ginger snatched my glasses. My eyes widened in alarm and I protested, "Hey! Give me my glasses!" I pounced on her and grabbed the glasses before she could pass it to Marya. Anne was still rubbing eye shadow and makeup on my face. She scowled when I disturbed her by chasing Ginger. There was absolute mayhem everywhere. Brushes and bottles of lotions were flying everywhere, hitting and injuring everybody in process."Will you guys just shut up and let me do my work!" Anne shouted on top of her lungs, definitely annoyed. Ginger, Marya and I started laughing loudly which made her more angry. She grabbed my wrists and pushed me on the chair."No need to be so harsh, Anne," I muttered and scrunched my nose when she applied powder."Do anything you want but don't touch my hair!" I slapped Marya's lingering hand away from my wig and she grinned. Anne frowned at us and shoved her sister away.
The restaurant was huge, opulent and looked quite expensive. The tables were arranged properly without a single chair out of place. There were couples everywhere, silently eating and whispering sweet nothings into each other's ears. The waiters were swiftly gliding from one table to another, carrying delicious plates of exotic food, taking orders politely with a bright smile and clearing The tables as soon as the customers left. The light was dim with a smoky kind of soothing fragrance in the air and some couples were dancing slowly, moving to the rhythm on the elevated stage. There was an entire orchestra too with singers who beautifully sang soul songs.After a forty-five minute drive, we had finally arrived here, in the city. We were silent the entire ride with occasional awkward talks about the city lights and buildings. I didn't ask about Jessica nor did he tell me anything, but from inside, I was burning to know what happened between him and her."Sir, what's your order?" The wa
"Noah . . . Slow down . . . not this fast . . . Oh my God!" I giggled and gently slapped Noah's shoulder who chuckled in his deep rich voice which made his body rumble and I could feel his laughter.One week had passed by, Noah and I were laughing and talking. He was tutoring me for history of this country while I taught him polo regularly. Because of him, I scored incredibly well in history and he too learned polo very well. He had an astute mind and was a quick learner and improved efficiently if one would ignore the number of times he fell from the horse while playing.I still didn't tell Katy and Jack that I had seen Ethan the other day in the city. I didn't want them to get worried about me and if they came to know, then maybe I would be sent somewhere else. And I didn't want that to happen which would mean that I had to leave my new best friends and especially Noah. The words that Ethan said, 'I'm looking for her,' had been haunting me everyday, but he was looking for me in th