Present Perfect(28)

I could feel the tears prick my eyes. I didn’t know if it was the alcohol making her an uber-bitch or it was just her natural state of being. She knew my weak spot and hit it dead on. I would not give her the satisfaction of thinking she had made me cry.

Pushing through the crowd, I walked quickly across the dance floor to the exit. I could hear her laughing the entire way.

Once outside the night air hit me in the face. I took a couple of deep breaths trying to calm myself. I needed to be alone. Around the corner of the building, there were steps that led up to the top floor of the gym, set back into an alcove, with a brick wall on either side, that would allow me some privacy until my parents came to pick me up. I walked up a few steps and sat down. When I knew I was safely tucked away out of sight, I covered my face with my hands and let the tears flow.

I hated that I let Brittani upset me that much. The combination of Noah ignoring me, the picture of him touching her, and her insinuating he wanted me out of his life, devastated me. I felt like I was free falling and there was nothing for me to grab a hold of. I knew what she basically said was true, I wouldn’t be with him like that, but she didn’t have to be such an ugly bitch about it.

My parents were to pick me up in a half hour and I planned on staying put until then. I took a few more deep breaths, trying to stop the tears. When it felt like I was finally getting them under control, I heard footsteps approaching. I scooted up as close to the wall as I could, hoping they would just walk on by. It was completely dark on the steps, so no one could see me. The only light in the area was a small pool of light that spilled over from the outside of the music building. The footsteps got closer and closer, and then suddenly stopped. I held my breath.

“Tweet?”

I looked up and saw Noah’s head peering around the wall, up the steps and right at me. I hadn’t heard him say my name in three days. He hadn’t really looked at me in three days. Maybe Brittani was telling the truth and Noah did want me out of his life now.

“Hey,” I choked on the one word.

“Are you okay?” He stepped closer and stopped at the bottom of the steps. I couldn’t let him see me with tears streaming down my cheeks. I stayed seated in the dark and tried to sound nonchalant.

“I’m fine. What’cha doing out here?” I wasn’t successful at hiding the shakiness in my voice.

“I was about to ask you the same thing. I didn’t know you were coming tonight.”

“Yeah, well, it was kind of a last minute thing. How’d you know I was here?”

“I saw you cross the dance floor and I followed you. Plus, you seem to be molting again, Tweet.” He smiled at me and held up two yellow taffeta flowers from my skirt that had fallen off. No doubt the two that I had abused the most on the ride over here. “Can I sit next to you?”

A sharp pain pierced my stomach as my chest began to tighten. I quickly wiped under my eyes and stood up, but stayed in place. “No, I’m getting ready to leave. My parents will be here soon.”

“Why are you crying, Tweet?” His voice was warm and caring.

I had to think of something to tell him, so I lied. “Because my date dumped me half way through this stupid dance and ran off to dance with another girl.”

“Point him out and I’ll kick his ass. Any guy who would leave you is a douchebag.”

“Well, I seem to have an overabundance of them right now.” I cringed when that slipped out of my mouth. I didn’t want to argue with Noah. I just wanted him back.

Chuckling, he asked, “Would you do me a favor?”

“Depends on what it is.”

Noah extended his hand in my direction. “Dance with me?”

“I can’t go back in there, Noah. My parents are expecting me outside, so...”

“We don’t have to go inside,” he paused. “Please, Tweet.”

I couldn’t see his face clearly, but his voice was cracking as if he were fighting back tears. I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and slowly walked down the stairs.

I took Noah’s hand and he guided me down the last few steps. We took a couple of steps back, landing us in the small pool of light. Noah slipped his other arm around my waist and pulled me in close. My breath hitched. I had chills from head to toe. He let go of my hand, palmed one side of my face and wiped my tears away with his thumb. Leaning his forehead against mine, he whispered, “You look beautiful. I like your hair up.”

I looked down hoping he wouldn’t notice my blood shot eyes. “There’s no music,” I said, softly.

Noah removed his hand from my face and wrapped his arm around my waist. My hands found their way behind his neck. Pressing his cheek to the side of my head, he placed his mouth right at my ear. We began to gently sway back and forth. In a low, barely audible voice, Noah started to sing ‘Everything’.

I shut my eyes tight. It was impossible for me to stop the tears from rolling down my face. I knew I had missed him over the past few days, but I didn’t realize how much until right now in his arms, where I felt safe. My body started shaking. I was no longer able to control my sobs. I burrowed my face into his chest. Noah stopped singing and tightened his hug.

He whispered in my ear, “I’m sorry. I’ve missed you so much. I tried to stay away until the urge to touch you went away, but it’s just gotten stronger.”