||NOAH||

Why must I act so submissive? I swear to everything holy, I will destroy you, Kate, when I have the chance. The entire table fell quiet as they all looked at me. Shuffling uncomfortably as I waited for their response. From beside me, Kate was scrolling through her phone, more specifically her photo gallery. "Uhh well... I dunno," Liam said unsurely.  A few moments went by as Kate stopped skimming through her device, "Aha!" Kate exclaimed as she presented her screen to the guys. I peered over to see that it's a selfie she took in front of my house. "His place is huge. It'll be fun!" She said, lending Brad her phone. He took it to his hands and looked at it.

"Dang! Is that even a house? It's massive!" Taylor said with surprise as he zoomed in the image with his fingers. I looked at Kate disapprovingly. She held both of my hands and looks at me directly into my eyes, "you should try. Who knows, you two might end up being a good cute couple," she said and glanced at Brad who was still checking the picture.

"Yo... imagine how wild the party would be," Liam exclaimed, his eyes glimmered.

"B-but, I can only take a minimum amount of people!" I blurted apprehensively. All of the guys turned their attention to me.

"Aww, can we not invite a few girls over?" Liam pouted.

Brad sent a glare at him and shook his head, "it's his place man, the least we can do is follow his rules," he said to him.

With a breath, Liam shook his head, "well, fine, better than staying at Jackson's." Jackson gave him a punch to the arm. "Ow!" Liam rubbed his sore spot.

"Are you sure about this?" Brad asked for reassurance. I wasn't sure either, but Kate insisted that I should attempt on getting closer to him. I nodded hesitantly. Brad gave me a sad smile and looked back at his friends, "so, Noah's place then?" He asked.

"Hell yeah!" Liam praised enthusiastically.

I turned to look at Kate, "I'm holding you accountable if something goes wrong. Don't make me regret this," I growled at her.

She gives me a playful pat on the back, "we can come over for moral support," she smiles.

I shook my head, "I'll take Ethan, Annabel, Felix, or maybe even James, but not you. I don't trust you," I leered at her.

She gives me and exaggerate surprised look, her hand was planted on her forehead dramatically, "oh my goodness, have I broken your trust?" She playfully slumped down on me as I tried to catch her and rolled my eyes.

-

James had to sit out on the risers in silence since he recently came back from the dentist. Felix would sometimes tease him when our choir teacher wasn't looking. James would retaliate with a middle finger.

After we finished practicing the anthem, we were sent back to our assigned seats. "Good job guys, now remember..." Mr. Gil commented as he turned to look at us, "...the game is on Friday. If you show up, come meet me back here to claim extra-credit after the anthem," he said as we all nodded. "I'd like to also remind you that our choir concert will be in two weeks..." Mr. Gil reminded as he kept his gaze on me. "...And to tell you that Noah is our soloist for song Danny Boy," he said with glee. I looked at him with surprised wide eyes as every student cheered for my name.

"Noah! Noah! Noah!" A chant began as all eyes were on me.

A pair of arms wrapped around me as it pulled me to a hug. I faced to see Annabel looking at me with pure delight, "congratulations Noah!" She said, gleaming at me with her pearly whites. I beamed at her back and thanked everyone for their appreciated support. Though despite the nervousness growing within me for the responsibility of this role, I was also pretty excited to be able to sing and present my self.

-

"Look at this guy," Felix grabbed me in a headlock and ruffled my hair, distracting me from my artwork. I let out a groan as I tried to free myself from his grasp. James and Kate looked at us with giggles as they set aside their artwork, "hey guys, Noah's going to throw a small party at his place with Brad and the others," Kate piped in.

James and Felix turned to her then to me, "party? That doesn't sound like you," Felix said, finally letting me go.

I took a breath, "Kate and I made a bet that if I could... see how far I could swallow a banana without gagging, she would do what I say..." I grimaced and covered my face in total ignominy. Felix and James didn't even bother to control themselves as they started hysterically laughing. "In the end, Noah couldn't handle the banana so I get to boss him around, thus making him tell Brad that he'd stay for the game and invite him and his friends to his place for a party," Kate finished explaining.

"Oh dude..." Felix began calming down as he legitimately wiped off a tear from his cheeks. I faced him and asked if he could come with. Though with a sigh, he declined, "sorry bud, but I have lots of homework to do and I'm falling behind some classes. My parents would kill me if I don't get home soon after the game," He replied.

I spun around to look at James and asked if he would want to come along, "football players, James. How about it?" I said trying to tempt him.

James chuckled and shook his head, "no thanks, I have stuff to do at home. Thanks for the enticing offer though," he said as he leaned on his hand.

I sighed and glared at Kate who looked at me with a calm but cocky grin, "you're still not coming," I crossed my arms at her.

She shrugged nonchalantly, "alright, just don't miss out on any chances," she winked as she resumed on her painting.