He got that rough neck swaggy, but he know how to hide it

-Fifth Harmony

Things didn't add up. Nothing was making sense. I'd left the store in a daze, confused and shocked, my emotions all over the place. My brain didn't know what to think and how to react to this new piece of information. I even considered the possibility of Zoe meeting a look alike of Noah, because I'd seen his face when he'd left, and I knew he would never come back. But I knew how absurd that sounded. 

I retired up to my room without saying a word to Uncle Mason, and he didn't notice my sudden mood change, which I was thankful for. I wasn't sad or upset, just surprised and very shocked. Noah was here. 

I clutched my books tightly against my chest and made my way over to the locker to grab my math textbook. Mrs Harper hated when I didn't bring my book and never let me share. It had been raining since the morning, and I placed my hand over my head to prevent my hair from getting wet, and got ready to run across the hallway. I honestly did not understand the concept of creating an open hallway without a roof and no other route for the classes.

I made sure my book was secured beneath my arms, and then I ran in full speed. I hated it when my books got wet. Rain drops clung to my sweater but my primary motive was to reach the other side without getting my book wet. I was just a few inches away from the corridor when someone bumped into me. And my math textbook went flying into a deep pool of mud.

My head snapped to the person who was now going to face my wrath. "What the-"

"Shit! I'm so sorry. Oh shit. I really did not mean to barge into you but I was just going to get my math text book in a hurry. I am so sorry." It was softest voice I'd ever heard. My words got caught in my throat when I looked at the guy in front of me. He was bending down, water droplets falling down from his hair onto my face, but he was shielding me from the rain. His eyes were piercing into mine, so dark like the bottom of the ocean. His dark brown hair were slicked up in all directions.

He gave me a hand and a small smile. His eyes crinkled when he did that. And then I got back into my senses. I huffed, slapping his hand away and getting up on my own. He raised his hands in surrender and looked towards my book.

"Oh! You have math as well? Tell you what, we can share."

"The teacher doesn't allow sharing." I grumbled.

"Well, alright, you can take mine. She won't scold me because I'm new. I mean it, use mine, consider it an apology for your ruined book."

I looked at him strangely. I'd never ever known a person who would risk listening to Mrs Harper's screaming in exchange for their textbooks. But then, he did say he was new, so he probably didn't know and would regret it later on. 

So of course I took up his offer.

"I'm Noah, by the way. I just moved here three days back. Today's my first day and you, lucky girl, are my first friend here."

Hah! Friend, we'll see about that after the teacher scolds you because of me.

"Amelia." I smiled sweetly.

"You mind showing me the canteen? I'm hungry, my stomach hasn't stopped grumbling since morning because I didn't have breakfast." He sighed, shaking his head.

"It's on the way to the class." I nodded. 

"Perfect. Oh by the way, please sit with me in the class. I really don't want to sit alone and I don't really know anyone except you."

"You don't know me."

"Well, I know your name is Amelia and I know you hate strangers who bump into you and ruin your book. And I know you forgive people easily, not that it's a bad thing. And I hope to know you more as time goes by." He smiled.

I started into his eyes and found myself smiling. "Okay."

I needed to clear my head. I needed to stop thinking about this. I needed to be by myself and calm my thoughts down. Uncle Mason didn't question me as I went down the stairs. I knew he must have seen I was in a hurry and probably assumed I was going to meet someone. But I wasn't. I grabbed my car keys but I had no intention of driving.

The door shut behind me as I rubbed my arms and walked down the streets. I did not know I felt about Noah being back. He had been a huge part of my life, probably the only guy who knew me inside out, and who'd seen every single side of me. Noah had been my safe house whenever I needed to escape, and he never left.

Until that day.

Until dad saw him. Until dad saw us. One glance at us and he knew I loved Noah and Noah loved me. He hated Noah since day one. And I was in the dark that time to know that he just wanted to look after me because he'd stopped trusting people after mom betrayed him. When he filed the restraining order against Noah, I'd screamed at him so hard, for days. I'd stopped eating, stopped coming out of my room, I refused to talk to anyone. But he didn't budge, he never took it back. 

I passed by Noah every single day, every time I felt my nerves being prickled with thousands and thousands of knives. We looked at each other, our eyes full of pain and desperation, but we never talked. We never made conversation after that, but I knew in my heart there would be no one who could ever replace him.

You do not need his replacement, you need someone different who makes you feel something much stronger.

My legs found themselves moving towards Josie's. It wasn't as if I was craving for donuts or milkshakes, but Josie's had always been my safe spot. It was everyone's safe spot. The atmosphere over there relaxed even a depressed person, and the added delicious smell of chocolate and vanilla soothed nerves.

I sat at farthest table I could find and ordered an espresso. I sighed into my hands, not knowing what to do. If he was here, I would definitely bump into him someday, and when that day came I didn't know what I was going to say to him. The sound of the wind chime broke off my spell. 

I looked up.

And then I saw him.

His body looked muscular, fitter than I could ever expect. His stomach was flat beneath the white hoodie he was wearing. His hair was blonde, a complete contrast to what I had seen the last time. The only thing similar to him were his piercing ocean blue eyes. They shone with every step he took, his long legs striding forward towards the counter. His jaw was sharper, more angular. High cheekbones adorned his face, and when he smiled at the person taking his order, his eyes crinkled.

He turned around, and his eyes met mine.

His mouth opened, disbelief clear in the blue orbs. He blinked, as if to make sure I was real and not his imagination, and then he gave me a blinding smile, his eyes crinkling more than ever, managing to leave me breathless.

When he walked towards me, I couldn't get up. I couldn't look away from his eyes, the ones which were always filled with adoration for me, the ones which knew exactly what I wanted every time. His stride was slow, maybe he was savoring each moment and did not want it to end soon.

"Amelia." He breathed out when he reached me. His voice was deep, husky, almost sounding relieved.

I blinked, trying to greet him back, but I couldn't. I managed to stand up, and then I was in the circle of his arms. He gripped my waist, not strongly that it hurt, but tight enough that I couldn't move back. His head was on my shoulder, not moving. I didn't need to look at his face to know that his eyes would be tightly shut right now because he would be trying to memorize this moment and brand it forever in his mind.

My arms came up on my own to hug him back. There was shock, but I was happy to see him after so long. I wanted to ask him so many questions, but the words wouldn't come out of my mouth. He held on for a few more seconds, then let go and took a step back.

"We match." He grinned, twirling a strand of my hair in his finger. "Are you alright?" He asked when I stood there speechless.

"I-" I cleared my throat. "I'm fine."

"Shit, I didn't know you were still here. I'd heard you moved away. It's so good to hear your voice after so long."

"You-you too." I shivered, nodding my head.

"You've changed so much. You look beautiful."

I straightened my spine, composing myself. "You look good as well, Noah. How have you been?"

"I've been good, and busy, very busy. You won't believe I changed ten cities in the past three years." He said.

My eyes widened. "Ten? Why?"

"Nothing suited. Nothing felt home. And then when I couldn't take it longer, I knew I had to come back here."

"Well, I'm sure you must have enjoyed it." I said.

He grinned. "You know it."

"What do you wanna do when you grow up?" I asked him, getting inside the blanket, rubbing my palms together, trying my best to stay away from him because he was always so cold and I needed heat at the moment.

"Travel. Everywhere, every corner of the world."

I gasped. "You're kidding! No way! I want to travel everywhere too."

"Yeah? Well then, you just got a partner." He grinned at me. "I've got it all figured out. We finish college here, and then we join a trek club. They'll take us trekking to almost everywhere. Apart from that, I think I'll be a part time photographer, you know, and join an agency. Then that agency will pay for my expenses to everywhere. I'll take you as my plus one." He joked.

"You ever thought I could take you as my plus one as well?" I asked.

"Mm. You could. I never said you couldn't."

"We'll take Zoe and Ben as well. The more the merrier. And who knows when your company becomes boring." I said.

He huffed dramatically, folding his arms on his chest. "You'll never get bored of my company, Parker. I can promise you that." 

I smiled. "I know I won't."

"I've missed you." He whispered. 

"I missed you too, Noah." I said. And then seconds later I realized my mistake.

"Everyday, every second, I thought about you. Shit, you are so beautiful." His hand came up to cup my face. His eyes looked dazed and dilated as if he was remembering something. And there were so many things, so many memories to remember that I didn't know what he was thinking.

I blinked.

He flung his hand away as if he'd burnt. "Fuck, I'm sorry. That was inappropriate. I don't know what came over me. I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

"So I guess I'll see you around?" He asked, awkwardly. "Uh, I mean, you're here and I'm here so we're like, bound to bump into each other someday."

"Yeah." I bit my lip. I didn't know what to add further.

"Er, uh, okay, well, goodbye." He scratched the back of his neck.

"Bye, Noah." I smiled at him. He smiled back despite the situation and turned around to walk towards the counter. He paid for his coffee, moving towards the exit. He looked back at me for a last glance, his eyes shining more than they had when he'd entered, and he gave me a smile.

And at that moment I knew this was definitely not the last time I would be seeing him.

*