Page 70 of It Was Always You

"Ah, gotcha." Easton gave us a knowing look. "Well,make sure you don't take too long because I want to talk to you about your plans for tonight."

"Will do." Noah nodded.

Soon he was pulling me away with him to the auditorium's back entrance that led to the stage. "They sometimes leave this unlocked." He gripped the handle and pulled. And just like he had suggested, the door opened right up. It was pretty dark when we stepped inside, just a couple of emergency lights on in the back.

"Should we just sit right here?" Noah pointed to the stairs that led down from the stage.

"Sure." I sat down on the first step.

I looked at the rows of red cushioned seats as Noah lowered himself next to me, and I couldn't help but have a sense of déjà vu.

"This kind of reminds me of our first date," I said.

Noah glanced around as he tugged on his pant legs to get better situated on the step. "Yeah, it kind of does."

It was crazy how much had happened since he'd saved me at the movie theater.

I put my hands in my lap, wondering what he needed to talk to me about.

After a brief pause, he said, "So, my mom called me this morning during second period."

"She did?" I asked.

He nodded. "Yeah, she left me a message since I couldn't answer it during class, but it turns out my dad didcall her last night. She just didn't get his message until this morning. I snuck out of class early to listen to what she had to say, since I was worried something might have happened with her and Paul."

"Nothing happened, right?" I couldn't imagine always worrying the way Noah had to.

He shook his head. "No, she actually told me to come home. So, looks like I won't need to sleep in your closet again tonight."

While I was happy that he was able to go home and not live like a homeless teenager anymore, I couldn't help but feel disappointed over not having him to myself for a few more hours. Once we left this auditorium it would really be all over.

"I'm glad you get to go home."

There was a question in his eyes. "You don't sound happy."

I shrugged and looked at my hands. "No, I'm happy you can go home." I peeked up at him. "Really." I sighed. "I just— Would it be so bad if I admitted that I've kind of liked hanging out with you this week? Once we go back to the lunchroom, everything will go back to the way it was before. You'll go back to just being Easton's friend. And I'll go back to being Easton's little sister."

"And you don't like that idea?" He studied me carefully.

Just tell him you don't want to break up. Don't let him get away like you do with everything else in your life.

Tell him you want him for real.

I swallowed, trying to get up the nerve. But when I looked at him I knew it was pointless. He was Noah and I was Lexi. He was everything I wanted in a guy while I couldn't even hope to be on his radar. The only reason why he was talking to me right now was because I was his best friend's sister. If we hadn't had a mutual connection to Easton, there was no way he would’ve ever noticed me. He went for the gorgeous girls: the Ashlyns and Ravens of the world. He didn't go for the band geeks.

"It's probably for the best. I mean, it was already absurd tricking people into thinking we would actually work out for a whole week. I'm sure everyone will be relieved to see that the world has finally righted itself. Popular people hanging out with popular people. Nerds with nerds."

"Do you really think I'm that shallow?" he asked.

I shrugged. "Since when have you ever dated a girl like me before?"

He opened his mouth but nothing came out. And I knew it was because he couldn't think of one single time.

"It's okay, Noah. We all have our types." I always went for the unattainable guys. He always got the girl.

"Do you remember what I told you a couple of nights ago?" hefinally asked.

I tried to remember a specific thing that stood out. "Can you give me a hint? We've had so many conversations this week that it's hard to know which one you're referring to."

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