Page 157 of Echoes of Us

He didn’t show up for training, and I couldn’t concentrate properly. My mind kept wandering to him. Colin and Ezra asked me to a party that night, and I immediately refused. AllI could think about was getting back to the house and making sure Noah was okay.

As soon as I slipped in, I spotted him sitting on the couch playing a video game.

“Hey,” he called.

The faint clicking noises from the controller echoed in the quiet room. I walked towards the fridge. The food I’d left out was still there, untouched. I checked the trash can: four empty Red Bull cans and one more on the coffee table.

I dropped my bag on the counter and sighed. “Do you want to go out?”

Noah paused the game and looked at me, surprised. “Where?”

“Colin invited me to a party.”

Noah was in sweats and the sleeveless hoodie I had given him for Christmas. He tilted his head, a small smile playing on his lips. “If you want to, we could stay in too.”

“I talked to my mom today, Noah.”

Noah smiled and came over to me. “That’s great, Atty. We can go next weekend?” he asked.

I shook my head. The smile dropped from his face.

“Maybe I can come next time,” I said.

Noah just stared at me. “You’re not going to come because your mom said you couldn’t?” His tone made it very clear what he thought about that.

“She didn’t say I couldn’t. I’m really behind in classes. I need to focus more on school.”

“What does that have to do with the trip? You could study there.”

“I can’t go,” I told him. My tone was firm, and I could tell it unsettled him. Noah wasn’t used to hearing no, especially from me.

“But…” His gaze fell away from me. “I already got everything,” he added quietly.

“Noah, I told you I wasn’t sure yet. You were supposed to wait.”

His face morphed into a scowl. “Whatever, Atty.” He stormed towards his room and slammed the door.

I closed my eyes. I moved towards the room and knocked. “Noah, please don’t be like this.” I tried to open the door but found it locked. I leaned my forehead against it. Silence. “It doesn’t have to be a big deal. I’ll go with you next time. I promise. I just can’t this time,” I tried again. I couldn’t hear anything from the other side. I sighed and sat on the couch.

It took Noah two hours to come out. He didn’t look any calmer. He had changed, swapping the hoodie for a flowered button-down shirt, open to his chest. He gave me a defiant look, almost waiting for a comment. I shrugged, and he walked towards the kitchen to make himself a drink.

“I suppose this means we’re going out. I’ll change,” I told him, receiving no response.

We didn’t say a word to each other at the house or on the ride over. Noah was radiating this pent-up anger and wearing it like armor. I knew it was better to leave him alone when he got like this, but it didn’t seem right.

Before we rushed into the party, I held him by his arm. “Noah, can we just talk about it?”

“About what?”

“You’re mad at me.”

The corners of his lips turned down. “I’m not mad at you.”

“You’re not?” I asked, frowning. He wasclearlyupset with me.

“No. It’s not a big deal, right?” His question came with a sardonic smile before turning to walk in.

I followed, but he kept pushing through the crowd, getting farther away. I glanced at Noah before giving up. Maybe after he had cooled down.

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