Page 92 of I Shouldn't Feel This Way

“You do that every time you’re lying.”

He narrowed his eyes and then cocked his head to the side. “Well, how vigilant of you, but you’re wrong.”

Our waitress walked by our table, giving Noah the opportunity to ask for the bill.

“Just tell me what’s going on,” I said.

“Aria, it’s nothing—it’s all work related.”

He skimmed the bill and threw a crisp hundred-dollar note on the table without asking for change. “Let’s get you back to school.”

I didn’t want to go, but I knew I couldn’t convince him to let me skip. He wasn’t exactly in the best mood. Maybe it had been wrong of me to insist he take me out to lunch. Was I used to him spoiling me and letting me have my way? I didn’t want to become a spoiled stereotype. I was just missing him badly and was so excited to be with him. It kind of hurt to see that he didn’t share my enthusiasm.

****

The ride back to school was quiet—we hardly exchanged a word. I tried to make conversation, but Noah kept giving me one-word answers, which didn’t leave much more for us to talk about. I felt so emo every time I wanted to cry. I hated how he affected my feelings. It just wasn’t fair.

The car came to a halt, and with it came rushing relief. Noah put the gearshift into park and turned down the stereo. “I’ll see you at home tonight. Hope you enjoyed lunch.”

“Yeah, it was fine. See you later.” I felt like a broken little bird sitting next to him. I had to get out.

Avoiding his eyes, I unfastened my seat belt.

“Aria …”

Whatever he wanted to say, I didn’t want to hear it.

How dare he mess with my feelings like this!I opened my door and stepped out. A good majority of the student body was sprawled out on campus, and I noticed Steph and Jessica sitting by the fountain with a few of our friends. They saw me and waved. I was about to approach them when Noah’s voice echoed behind me.

“Aria, wait!”

We were attracting attention. I didn’t want to argue with him in public, so I turned around despite my objection, and toughened myself.

“Can you come here a moment, please?” he said, standing by the car.

“I need to talk to you.”

I rolled my eyes and folded my arms in my chest, taking the necessary steps to close the gap between us. We didn’t exactly have privacy, so Noah walked away from the Audi and I followed. We stood in the shade, safely hidden from view, under a willow tree.

“Are you mad at me?” His eyes seemed unsure as he slid his hands in his pockets.

“Am I mad at you? I don’t know, Noah. Do I look mad?” That was sarcasm at its best.

“Can you please leave Planet Passive-Aggressive and come back to Earth for a couple minutes? I know you reign high as the queen of sarcasm, but I need you to take me seriously.”

Damn you and your quick-witted comebacks!I huffed and shifted my weight onto my right leg.

“Are we serious and mature now?” he asked.

We? Serious and mature?Clearly, he meant me. “You’re one to talk!” I snickered and shook my head. “I don’t know what your deal is, but you’re acting weird today.”

“How am I acting weird?”

“You’re such a hypocrite.”

“I’m a hypocrite now? What the hell is going on with you?”

I had angered him. He was trying his best to keep his voice down, yet we still got a couple of curious stares as people walked by.

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