Page 18 of I Shouldn't Feel This Way

I felt sad to feel him pull away so soon.

“I don’t want you to be late.” His eyes suddenly softened. “Please don’t pout like that.”

I hadn’t even realized that I was pouting. “Sorry,” I mumbled. “I just wish I could spend the day with you.”

He looked like he was in deep thought for a good five seconds. “Do you have any tests today?”

I shook my head.

“Exams, pop quizzes?”

“No, we’re supposed to be watching some boring film about early American settlers.”

“Yikes! That does sound boring. Do you want to play hooky and hang out with me? I can sign you out of school and notify the office, tell them you’re not feeling well.”

Wow, is he for real?I couldn’t believe it.

“Did you let them know that I have guardianship over you now?”

“Yeah, I filled out the forms yesterday.”

“Excellent.” He smiled and held my gaze. “So, what do you say?”

“I would say … hell yes! But what about my mom?”

“Leave that to me. I’ll give her a call.”

“Oh my God, you’re the best!” I was so excited and had not expected him to be this cool. I couldn’t contain my happiness as I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. His laughter made my soul smile. I realized right then that my emotions would always end up in a puddled mess around him.

CHAPTER SIX

NOAH

I was waiting for my daughter in the school parking lot, hoping that she would take her time, just in case my phone call took longer than anticipated. I had managed to successfully sign her out of school and had told her that I would wait for her in the car while she picked up some textbooks from her locker. Now that I had the opportunity, I scrolled down to Emily’s name on my contact list and called her. After three rings, she picked up.

“Hi, Emily, it’s—”

“What do you want, Noah?” She didn’t sound too happy to hear from me.

“Aria wasn’t feeling well, so she gave me a call. I showed up at her school and signed her out of her last two classes.”

“What? Put her on the phone. I want to talk to her.”

“I’m waiting for her in the car. She’s at her locker picking up some things.”

“Then bring her home.”

“She said she wants to spend some time with me. I’m going to look after her for the rest of the afternoon. I’ll drop her off in the evening.”

“If she’s sick, then she should be in bed.”

“Listen, Em, it’s kind of obvious that she wants to see her dad.”

“So you help her skip school?” she countered with condescension.

“No, I’m being here for her.”

“Bring her home, Noah. I’m not going to ask you again.”

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