Chapter 7

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Chapter 7

The Noah gossip continued in the hallway and for the rest of the day. By the time I got to Drama, 

I felt like I could create a short Wikipedia article on the guy.

Noah Ryans. 19. Returned to finish his senior year after failing his first shot at it while at a military academy, currently under parole. His father is a wall street wolf, and his mother a retired model. They both remarried. His dad to another model, his mother to an admiral.

His dad bought the school a whole new wing AND a new library that would be built in the next five years as a thank you for allowing their delinquent son to come back into society. Basically, your typical entitled private school kid.

When I got to the auditorium for Drama, I took my usual seat in my empty auditorium aisle and took out a book as I waited for the teacher to arrive.

The professor was about to begin after a long battle with the microphone stand when Noah arrived late. He swaggered in with a leather jacket and cigarette tucked in behind his ear. I recognized him immediately. The guy from the party.

'What an idiot,' I thought to myself. Our drama teacher wasn't back yet, but her co-teacher was. 

She hurried Noah's entrance along and indicated that he could take a seat next to me.

Suddenly, I didn't feel so great about having an empty seat next to me.

He strode over to me and sat down with a loud plop. His legs spread out in front of him, then he leaned over and smiled.

"The fates keep bringing us together," he said, his voice teasing.

"Fates, satan, what's the difference?" I muttered.

"You're new to this school," he said, looking me up and down.

"I was here last year."

"Still makes you new. Everyone here has known each other since the diaper days." His voice was raspy.

I let out a breath in a way that indicated he could think whatever he wanted to think; I wasn't arguing with him.

"So what? Parents, are billionaires buying a penthouse in the city?"

"Nope. I'm a scholarship kid."

"Really?" He said, surprised, and gave me a crooked smile.

"Really," I echoed back.

"Huh," He said, looking me up and down again.

"What?" I asked, already annoyed.

"Nothing, just, it's very curious."

I rolled my eyes, he was bating me, and I was taking it, "What is?"

"That you and preppy fucked around. Usually, his royal highness only fucks with trust-fund babies."

"Every guy in this room can fit that description. I have no idea who you're talking about," I said, lacing my fingered together and giving him a tight smile.

"Your blushing tells me you know exactly who I am talking about."

"You sound jealous. Do you want his number or something?"

"How about you give me your number instead," he replied.

"Hmm, I'll pass," I whispered back.

"Welcome to theatre," The teacher announced dramatically into her microphone. She gave us a long introduction to what we would be doing throughout the year. I could feel Noah looking at me the entire time.

It was so annoying; I was torn between ignoring him and telling him to take a hike. Except instead of 'take,' I mean go, and instead of 'a hike,' I meant fuck himself.

Suddenly I jumped in my seat. Noah's touch was almost imperceptible, right at the hemline of my skirt on the exposed thigh.

"Stop," I whispered, glaring at him.

"Was just a mistake, princess, relax." He said in a hush toned.

"That's not my name," I whispered back.

"What is your name?"

I ignored him. Suddenly, I felt him touch my leg again.

"Stop," I said a little louder.

"Tell me your name," he whispered, leaning his arm against mine.

"Lia," I answered and smacked his hand.

"Leia? Like princess Leia."

"No. Lia. It's short for Cecilia," I said, annoyed.

He was smirking at me.

"You're just messing with me," I said, rolling my eyes.

He let out a low laugh.

"My name is Noah," he said, leaning over.

"I am well aware," I answered, focusing my attention on the professor's explanation of the stage.

"So, princess, what's your story with preppy?"

"Shh. There is no story."

"Really? Cos he keeps looking at you," He said, his voice was rough in my ears.

"Maybe he's looking at you," I said, turning to look at him.

He gave me a grin, "Why so mysterious about him?" he asked.

"Why are you so obsessed with him?" I shot back.

"I bet you he's looking at you right now. He's probably upset; he doesn't like me very much."

"Gee, I wonder I why?" I muttered and then turned to look at him again, "No bet, I don't care if he's looking. Leave me alone."

"Fine, fine. If you insist, I'll just figure it out on my own," Noah said, leaning back in his chair.

I tried to focus on the professor in front of us and not the navy brat sitting next to me.

"We are going to read scenes from Romeo and Juliet. I'll give you a pamphlet with your lines," She said, picking up a stack of beat-up packets.

"Now I know we are all new at this," she continued, "I don't expect Obie-worthy performances; you are just reading your lines and trying to project your voice. Get a feel for the stage. Get comfortable having multiple eyes on you."

She started passing out the packets and stopped in front of us.

"I want you guys paired up with the student or students next to you," she said, giving us the packets.

"I guess we're together, princess," Noah said, handing me the worn copy of act 1, scene 5.

"There is a big discrepancy of boys to girls in this class; So just like in Shakespearean times some of the boys will have to play the role of women. Please act your ages, not your shoe sizes," The professor said as she moved along the roles.

I heard some of the football jocks snicker when she said that.

I sighed and got up to sit in front of Noah to practice our lines. This turned out to be more challenging than I could've imagined.

Noah was goofing around the entire time. It was almost exhausting. I don't understand why every girl found him so attractive. He was so child-like.

We got called to the stage, and he lingered behind me as I walked up the steps.

When we presented, I read my lines as fast as possible. I hated being in front of others. I felt as if my cheeks were burning red the entire time. I was also making a very calculated effort to not look at Robbie at any point when I looked into the audience.

"Cecilia put a little more energy into it; this counts as a grade," The teacher said as she watched us.

I straightened up and read a little louder; I could swear my voice was shaking.

"Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take," Noah said in a terrible English accent. Everyone found it so funny. Har har, I was not amused. As Noah finished his last line, I folded up my packet, ready to make a dash off the stage.

Then I felt it, his hand on the back of my neck as he pressed his lips on mine. I pushed him off immediately and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.

"Mr. Ryans, you are just reading the script, not actually acting anything out," the teacher said. It was her first day in class, and she already sounded like she was ready to hit the bar as soon as the dismissal bell rang.

"Sorry, Ms. I just get really into Billy Shakespeare," he said and smirked at me.

The class was in tears laughing. They thought this was part of the act. I looked up at Noah and felt real tears well up in my eyes. His face changed suddenly, and I could almost see remorse.

"You're an asshole," I spat angrily and stormed off, making sure to dig my elbow into his stomach as I walked past him.

For the rest of class, I sat with my body turned away from him. When it was over, I walked out in a hurry; Abigail was waiting for me so we could walk to our next class together.

As we walked away, Noah came up beside me and slung his arm around my shoulder, "Hey, no hard feelings, right?"

Before I could tell him to fuck off, he was slammed into the wood-paneled wall that ran down the art wing hallway. His shirt was bunched up in Robbie's fists.

"Don't fucking touch her, Ryans, don't look at her, don't talk to her."

"Wow. So possessive," Noah said and then turned to look at me, "I told you he was looking; I guess you lost that bet."

"There was no bet," I said in a monotone, crossing my arms in front of me.

Robbie looked at me and shook his head. Taking a deep breath, he let go of Noah, "Look, I'll stay out of your way; you stay out of mine and hers. It's a long year. We don't need to make this more uncomfortable than it is," Robbie said.

"When did you become such a little bitch?" Noah said in an antagonizing tone.

"Is this your way of getting attention, Noah? Why don't you do something productive to get people to notice you," Robbie said, sounding tired.

Noah laughed, "I'm sorry. I realize you grew since the last time I saw you, and I'm guessing the air is thinner up there. You must have me mistaken for someone who actually gives a fuck about what any of you assholes think," Noah said, pushing him away; he rolled up his sleeves.

"Whatever," Robbie said, turning around. Noah frowned and looked at me.

"You know that was a great kiss, Lia. I hope we get more scenes like."

"Dude, just let it go," one of Robbie's soccer teammates said as Robbie picked up his bag from the floor.

"I'm just saying they felt really nice, probably would feel even nicer around—"

My mouth dropped in disgust, and I felt Abigail's hand grab my arm as if to stop me from lunging at him. I hadn't even noticed I had taken a step forward.

It didn't even matter; Robbie got to him first. His fist against Noah's face sounded like a loud smack. I saw Noah stagger back a few steps, laugh, and then straighten up, rubbing his cheek.

I suddenly felt the stabbing pain of a migraine starting to form. Abigail was looking at them with her mouth hanging open. She looked at me, her blue eyes wide with worry, "Lia, do something. Noah doesn't know when to stop, and he's going to keep provoking him"

"Like what?"

"Anything, he's going to get expelled over that delinquent."

She was right. I forgot about that. Robbie was on probation after getting into a fight with her brother.

I grabbed the textbook Abigail was holding in her hand and stomped over to where Robbie was standing. He didn't even notice me standing in front of him with how upset he was; I smacked the book as hard as possible on his chest.

"You're on probation!"

He looked startled for a moment. Then looked down at me.

"Ouch, Cee," he said, rubbing his chest.

"Robert, what were you thinking?" I asked, lowering my voice. I saw a few teachers in the far end of the hallway opening their doors and trying to see what the commotion was.

"Come on," I said, pushing back on his chest and trying to turn him around.

Abigail grabbed her book from my hands and flipped the bird toward Noah.

"That guy is such a dick," Robbie mumbled as Abigail, and I pushed him down the hallway.

I felt a buzz run down my arm from my fingertips where my skin met his.

We stopped when we reached the end of the hallway. His green eyes met mine, and his hands fell to my waist, pulling me in front of him. I could feel his warm hands through my skirt. 

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

I suddenly realized this was the closest I had been to Robbie in months. My heart rate sped up, and my stomach filled with butterflies.  I felt him squeeze my hips and bring me closer. I should push him off, I thought to myself.

"Cee," he almost whispered.

I knew that tone of voice.

I took a step back. This was dangerous.

"I'm fine. I have to go," I stuttered, my voice breathy. I could feel everyone looking at us, this wasn't good.

I turned around to see Noah smirking. I hooked my purse higher on my shoulder and stormed down the hallway.

"What is wrong with you?" I muttered and shoved him with my shoulder as I walked past him. Nut-job.

"That was really hot," Abigail said, catching up to me.

"I don't really find high school hallway fights hot but sure."

"No. Not that," She said, laughing.

"That was stupid and wrong," I said, trying to hold it together. I shook my head and pinched the bridge of my nose.

"Oh," Abigail said, her voice lower. She gave me a tissue from her purse and stood awkwardly as I rubbed my nose with it.

"Come on, walk me to class; it's on your way," she said, hooking her arm around mine.

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A/N

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