Chapter 28 - Crossing Lines
786 Words
Lily barely slept that night.
Which honestly wasn’t surprising considering Noah Carter had casually admitted he’d wanted to kiss her since the dock.
Completely normal information.
Very manageable.
Absolutely not life ruining.
She spent half the night replaying every conversation they’d ever had while staring dramatically at her ceiling like she was trapped inside a romance movie Jason would absolutely never let her survive.
And somehow—
The worst part wasn’t even the confession.
It was the way Noah had looked at her afterward.
Patient.
Careful.
Like he would wait for her no matter what.
That somehow affected her more than if he’d actually kissed her.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
By morning, Lily had come to one horrifying conclusion:
She had no idea how to act around him anymore.
Unfortunately—
That became a problem immediately.
Because Noah was already leaning against her locker when she arrived at school.
Of course he was.
At this point Lily was beginning to suspect he simply materialized there every morning through emotional instability alone.
His eyes lifted the second he saw her.
And instantly—
There it was again.
That soft expression.
Like seeing her had physically changed his mood.
Lily’s heartbeat immediately lost all common sense. She didn't know how to compose in her steps again.
Noah noticed too.
Which was unfortunate.
“You look nervous,” he said quietly.
Lily tightened her grip on her books defensively.
“I wonder why.”
A small smile appeared on his face.
Warm.
Unfairly attractive.
“I said we didn’t have to rush.”
“That doesn’t erase the memory of you saying things.”
Noah laughed softly under his breath.
The sound wrapped around her completely.
Again.
This was becoming a serious issue.
Before Lily could recover emotionally, Jason appeared out of nowhere holding iced coffee and the energy of a man who had already chosen violence.
“Well,” he announced dramatically, “look who’s standing suspiciously close together again.”
Ryan followed behind him looking exhausted already.
“I need all of you to calm down before first period.”
Emily arrived seconds later.
Then stopped immediately.
Her eyes narrowed.
“Oh my God.”
Lily already hated whatever expression was currently on her face.
Emily pointed directly at Noah.
“You look happy.”
Noah blinked once. “I’m literally standing here.”
“Exactly,” Jason replied. “But emotionally.”
Ryan looked between them thoughtfully.
“…Something happened after we left yesterday.”
Lily nearly choked on oxygen.
“No it didn’t.”
Jason gasped dramatically.
“That answer means YES.”
“It absolutely does,” Emily agreed.
Noah rubbed a hand over his face tiredly.
“You people are unbearable.”
“And yet,” Jason said emotionally, “you continue feeding us content.”
Lily wanted better friends immediately.
Unfortunately—
Noah looked amused again.
Which only made Jason worse.
“Oh, he’s smiling.” Jason grabbed Ryan’s arm violently. “Do you SEE this?”
“I see my GPA dropping from stress.”
Emily ignored both of them completely and looked directly at Lily instead.
“So,” she asked carefully, “did he finally kiss you?”
The hallway went silent in Lily’s brain instantly.
Beside her—
Noah went still too.
Just slightly.
Lily’s face became catastrophically hot.
“No,” she answered too quickly.
Emily narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
“But you wanted him to.”
Lily made a sound of pure suffering.
Jason collapsed dramatically against nearby lockers.
“THE TENSION CONTINUES.”
Ryan looked genuinely tired now.
“I can’t believe this is still getting worse.”
Noah finally looked sideways at Lily.
One tiny glance.
Quiet.
Careful.
And somehow that felt more intimate than actual touching now.
Lily’s stomach flipped immediately.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Jason noticed, naturally.
“Oh my God,” he whispered. “They’re doing the eye thing again.”
“The eye thing?” Noah repeated flatly.
Ryan nodded solemnly.
“You know. The terrifying staring.”
Emily sighed dreamily.
“It’s honestly upsetting how obvious this is.”
Lily covered her face with one hand.
“I’m transferring schools.”
“No you’re not,” Noah said automatically.
The words slipped out before he could stop them.
And suddenly—
Everyone went quiet.
Even Jason.
Because something about the way Noah said it sounded immediate.
Instinctive.
Like the idea genuinely bothered him.
Noah realized it a second later.
Lily did too.
Their eyes met instantly.
And for one dangerous second—
The hallway disappeared again.
No teasing.
No friends.
Just that look between them.
Soft.
Certain.
Real.
Then Jason made a violent choking sound.
“I NEED A MINUTE.”
- Writer
