My Best Friend's Brother

Noah's Knowledge

ELLE

Since I agreed to become Liam’s girlfriend, he did everything a boyfriend should.

For a start, we walked together when we could - and sat close to each other in class. He opened the door for me when we walked in and out of the class together, and that's not all. He always shared his snacks with me.

On the other hand, I didn't do much.

All I did was check on him as often as I could. I always made sure to bring some snacks from home so that I could share with him. He was a gentleman, just as Cassie said, but it didn't for once change how I felt.

I didn't love him. At least, not yet.

Unlike the movies I’d seen and the books I’d read, I didn't think about Liam and have butterflies in my stomach. I didn't even think about it as often as I should, but when I did, there were no special reactions from my stomach like characters in movies and books.

According to Cassie, it would come. Whenever I talked about how ‘butterflyless’ I was about the whole thing, she would ask me to give it some time and take things slowly, which I was doing.

Saturday morning came with routine.

First, my family and I cleaned the house as we did during weekends, after which I proceeded to get ready for my sleepover.

“I'm ready.” I announced to my family when I had packed my backpack.

“Hmm.” Dad looked at me. “Are you sure?”

A smile came on my lips. I nodded and walked closer. “Yes, Dad. I am ready.”

Like other times, he gave me instructions. What to do, what not to do.

“Be home before seven. Not a minute later. You know I don’t want you on the road—”

“—When it's dark.” I completed it for him.

“I always come back before seven. You know. And Noah is going to bring me back, as usual. Mm?” I leaned in for a kiss, kissed my brother's cheek, and headed for the door. “Love you, Dad, Christian. I'll see you tomorrow.” I said before I dashed out.

It was taking forever for the service bus to show up. When it finally did, I was two stops away from the Reed family house.

After two buses, I arrived at my destination. As usual, Cassie was waiting nearby. She waved the moment she saw me, and I walked toward her, smiling.

Finally, a weekend away from my family.

I love my dad and brother. But there was a time for everything. Right now, it was time to spend time with my best friend and her family. “Hi, Cassie.” We hugged each other.

“Took you long enough.”

“Huh?” I glanced at the watch on my wrist.

“I came earlier than usual, Cassie Reed.”

We walked to the front door and were inside the house a while later.

When I walked in, I saw Noah and their father. They were seated at the dining table having breakfast. Before I could ask after Mrs. Reed, she was on her way out of the kitchen with a tray. “Look who we have here. Come on, darling.” She urged with a smile.

“Hi, Mrs. Reed. Hello, Mr. Reed and Noah.”

“How are your family?” The man of the house asked. “We've been waiting for you. Your friend would have a panic attack by now if you weren't here.” He pointed at a chair.

“Come on. Breakfast is ready, Elle.”

And just as a family would, we ate and talked about almost everything.

My dad was asked after, his jobs and my brother. We were asked about school and how much we liked tenth-grade.

“Read your books and stay away from boys. They mean you no good.” Mr. Reed, as usual, advised us. Cassie and I, for the first time, looked at ourselves - smiling as we nodded at Mr. Reed who didn't stop talking about boys and how unhealthy they were.

“Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Dad.” Cassie greeted by the time we were done eating. “Elle and I will do the dishes before we go to my room so we can spend time. ALONE.”

I got up. “Thank you for breakfast.”

Moments later, Cassie and I were in the kitchen. From doing the dishes, we were settled in her room - my favorite place.

“What are we doing this weekend?”

She dropped a book she was reading and looked at me. “What do you want to do?”

What did I want to do?

“Honestly, we can skip Donald's this week. I'd like to spend time in this room until my stay here becomes over.” I sighed as I fell back on the bed. “What do you think?”

“You have a point.”

“I always do.”

Unlike other weekends, we skipped the game center and stayed in her room. Trying on clothes, singing, eating - and eventually falling asleep when we got tired.

The next morning, we stayed back in the room. While Mrs. Reed came over to check on us - with two trays of meals she came along with, Noah stopped by to be a menace.

Although it was the day I would leave for my house, I still had a long time to spend with the family before the time would come.

“When are you leaving?” Noah asked when he stopped by to be a menace, as usual.

“You know. It's before seven.” I answered. “Dad wants me home not one minute after.” I explained further, sipping tea from the mug. “Why? You can't take me?”

“Of course, he can and will.” Cassie chipped. “Why else does he own that car if it's not driving us around? Ask mom and dad.”

“Huh?” He was on his way out.

“You're lucky I like you two—” He stopped and turned to look at us. “I don't allow girls in my car, and you know that, or don't you?”

“Yes, we do.” Cassie and I echoed.

The door opened and shut. Noah was out of sight. My best friend looked at me. “You know we haven't talked about Liam since you got here. How has it been going, Elle?”

That's right.

“Well—” I sat up. “I wouldn't say bad or good. It's just - in the middle. You know what I mean. It's still the same thing, but I'm sure there'll be changes anytime soon.”

“You see! I told you Liam is good enough.”

The door creaked open right at that moment. Cassie and I looked up, expecting her mom, who came in often.

But no, it was Noah.

“What again, Noah Reed?” Cassie cried. “How many times do I have to tell you the girls need their own time alone?”

“Who the hell is Liam, and why are you both talking about a boy?”

Cassie glanced at me, holding back a smile, then looked at her brother and asked him. “Aren't we old enough to talk about boys, Noah? Liam is Elle's boyfriend.”