Not him, But you.

Chapter 2

Why?” I ask. “Why would you do that?

i want to ask how too but i dont want to look desperate.

He leans back. Shrugs. “Maybe I hate guys like him. Maybe I think you deserve better. Or maybe I just want to see what happens.”

“You don’t even know me.”

“Not yet.” He grins. “But I know a challenge when I see one.”

I look down at my tray. Then at Theodore again.

He’s laughing. Rosalie’s hand is on his.

My chest tightens.

“What’s the plan?” I ask quietly.

Noah smirks. “That’s more like it.”

He leans closer.

“There’s nothing a guy wants more than the girl who doesn’t want him. That’s your power, Isabel. I’ll help you use it.”

***

He gives me a look , I try to decipher but to no avail. I stare at him and I decide I no longer need to over think things. Theodore barely has a year left before he goes off to college and I'd need to make the most of his time left.

I want to think about why someone i barely know wants to help me but i shun all those thoughts away.

And just like that... I begin to believe him. Not like i need to but i have no choice.

I look over again, this time with less pain and more curiosity. More control.

Maybe I’m done being invisible.

Maybe, this is how I start being seen.

And maybe... just maybe I no longer need to daydream.

Home. A place that’s supposed to feel warm, safe, familiar. But to me, it’s just another backdrop — a version of the world I’ve perfectly blended into and learned to ignore.

My room is the only place that understands me. It smells faintly of lavender and old notepaper. My books are stacked beside my bed, my real companions. The window is open slightly, letting in the cold late-afternoon breeze that brushes against my skin.

I toss my bag onto the bed and sink into the mattress, staring at the ceiling. It hasn’t been long, but he still sits across from me on the couch. My head spins with thoughts I never imagined I’d have. Having a guy here, in my room, in my comfort zone — it feels strange.

You'd think having imagined such scenarios would prepare one for those moments but its quite the opposite actually. and i just know i will think about things i could have said and done better once he leaves.

I glance at him again. Noah. He smirks, clearly amused by my silence and my stuttering attempts to find words. I choke back a few more sentences, but the words just won’t come out .

“Come on,” he shrugs, standing and walking over to sit beside me on the bed. The sudden lack of personal space makes my heart race and freezes me in place.

I wait a while longer and i can see he's not too happy anymore, I'm starting to test his patience.

“You want us to pretend that we like each other?” I finally manage, my voice barely above a whisper.

He smirks wider, looking pleased. “Yeah.”

Relief floods me — the last thing I want is for him to be angry or annoyed with me. But I know this charade won’t last long. I have watched a lot of movies and read a lot of books to know this.

“That won’t work." I try.

He raises an eyebrow. “Why not?”

“I think I’m pretty convincing when it comes to acting"

Why wouldn't you be. I think of saying but shove it down my throat immediately.

“That’s not it.” I say and he sighs, standing again and heading back to the couch. “We’ll have to do more eventually. Things you might not be ready for.”

I bite my lip and stare at the ceiling.

“We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to,” he says, picking up his backpack. “I’m only trying to help.”

I watch as he moves toward the door.

“And I won’t just enjoy or take advantage of you,” he adds with a cocky grin. “I’m pretty handsome, you know? I could get any girl I want. But I want to help you.”

His words linger in the quiet room as the door clicks shut behind him.

I stay frozen on the bed, breathing shallowly, my mind racing.

***

I feel a shove and open my eyes to see my brother, Caden.

I had fallen asleep.

“What the hell? Why are you home?” I ask, sitting up.

He doesn’t answer, just looks sad — down, gloomed. I notice tears on his cheeks, silent and slow. I rub my eyes, trying to see better, and yawn loudly, breaking the silence.

He just sits on the bed. he doesn't move or even talk and at the very least pretend to be fine.

Without thinking, I pull him into a hug. It’s the only thing I can do.

***

The door creaks, and my dad stumbles in, drunk as usual. We barely see him sober anymore.

I grab the food I managed to make and rush to my room with Caden. I lock the door, gently tapping his shoulder to eat, but he barely touches the food before sinking back into silence.

Just as I’m about to ask what’s wrong, my dad’s slurred voice echoes from the hallway. The tension in the air thickens.

Kaden sighs, irritated but silent.

I take a deep breath and ask, “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing, Belly” he says, trying to brush it off. “Just a misunderstanding with Celine.”

I know better. Everyone in town knows Celine is a cheat — always has been. I know, he knows, even Theodore knows. Yet Caden did what he could ,tried to change her. and even gave up his dream college just to be with her, sacrificing so much for her.

I sigh and let Caden be.

Later, I shower and try to focus on homework, but my mind won’t settle. My dreams — the ones I thought were just fantasies — suddenly feel possible.

And they beat the urge to be a straight A student. I feel different already.

I pick up my phone and tap his name — Noah’s.

He managed to save it on our way home from school.

He answers almost immediately, smirking through the line.

“Hi.”

“Hey,” he replies smugly.

I try to focus.

“Focus, Mirabel.”

It’s like he can read my thoughts.

“You’re in, right?”

"Yh" I try not to let emotion slip into my voice.

“I knew you’d say yes eventually. Took you long enough.”

I laugh softly. “Was that why you picked up so fast? Like you were waiting for my call?”

“You wish.”

He laughs, then falls quiet, and I worry I said something wrong.

“Mirabel... ” he calls softly.

I’m sure I messed up.

“This is what you want, right?”

“Yes.”

“You’d do anything?”

“Yes.”

"Get ready, I'll pick you up in thirty"

I pause.

"There's a party tonight , we are going ,I'm picking you up , dress to impress " He explains.

And ends the call.