Loser's Luck

Chapter Three: Sleep and Fall

"Hey, mom? I gotta go now, okay?" I shouted from inside of the house.

"Did you eat breakfast, sweetie?" she shouted back at me from the garden. My mother is a huge fan of flowers so our house basically looks like a florist's home.

"Nah, I'm good. I'll just eat at school."

"Take care, sweetheart!"

I grabbed my backpack and wore my Penny loafer shoes. I am extra early today. I don't know, I guess I'm just a little excited, knowing my life is in danger.

It's a walking distance to school. I went out of the neighborhood, looking around. Who knows if someone is watching every move of mine? I still don't trust the security in this cul-de-sac.

I need a new camera. The guy who took my wallet also took my camera. They've got my evidences. At least, I'm still alive. But what's the point of it anyway if I'm being threatened? I just have a really bad feeling about it. Maybe we should call the cops. If it's for the better, then I'll convince him. Why don't I know that guy's name? Argh, Claire, you're impossible! And he keeps on calling me Iris. That boy!

When I reached the campus gate, I ran towards the main building. Where can I find him? I don't know anything about him!

"Ohh, watch out!" I almost landed on the ground when I bumped onto someone. I looked up to see the guy who's now helping me to stand up. He's got his one arm wrapped around a skateboard.

"Iris?" I looked beside him and saw another man, taller than this one in front of me. I rolled my eyes. He's the only one who calls me on my first name.

"Noah, you know this girl?" His friend smiled at me, scanning my entire existence from head to toe.

So... Noah? That's his name? It doesn't suit him. Noah's a good boy's name.

"It's her I was talking about." Noah replied to his friend.

"Oh, the trouble maker!" I heard them laughing.

Dude! I am literally standing here in front of them and they were laughing at me.

"Hi, I'm Claire." I smiled with my eyes.

"Hey there, Claire. I'm Hans. You single?"

That was smooth... and unpredictable. I acted like he was just joking. I think he was.

"Stop it, dude! Iris is off limits." Noah pushed his friend and crossed his arms.

"Iris? You have a pet name for her? That's wild," Hans smirked but Noah just shrugged off.

I began to walk away. My tummy is rumbling and I cannot afford to wait a minute longer.

"Where you headed?" Noah called so I motioned my finger to the cafè.

"Wait up!"

The two boys are walking behind me, talking about things I obviously couldn't hear. I swear to God, they're experts in talking in secrets.

"Mind if you guys tell me what's going on? What are you talking about?"

Noah shushed me, "Not for a lady."

When we reached the shop, I stood in line and ordered. Noah followed me around while his friend sat down in front of a circular table with a lacey umbrella for cover. This is a small and cozy stall where they sell baked goods and hot drinks.

"You didn't eat?" he asked me while I was paying.

"Nope, I was in a hurry."

I took my cookies and warm milk and headed on the table. "Aren't you guys gonna eat something?"

"Don't mind us," Noah answered.

"Yeah, big boys don't like a little snack." Hans chuckled.

They are just watching me take a small messy bite from the cookie... which was awkward. Darn. I put down my food and pursed my lips. Noah might have felt my embarrassment so he started talking.

"So, Hans knew someone who could help us on our situation." Noah opened the topic.

"Uhm, actually, about that, Noah... I've decided. We should tell the cops. I don't care if that push their limits and do something terrible. Telling the cops is the best thing that I could do."

"Hold on. Do you even hear yourself? They won't believe us! And you'll be in more danger, especially your family!"

"We'll try! At least... I could do something helpful."

"No, that's basically a suicide. Believe me. Cops are not—"

"You weren't the one who got harrased!" My voice wasn't loud but it sounded mad.

"Listen to the girl, Noah. Let her." Hans agreed and smiled.

"Fine! Right after class, we'll go to the station." he finally surrendered.

"You're the boss, Claire." Hans saluted.

"Shut up, she's not making sense. Bet the cops won't even buy our story. I mean, look at me, I'm pretty sure they know my bad record." Noah smirked.

"Stop the gambling, will you, Noah?" his friend commented.

"Yeah, make a change." I agreed which made him quiet.

"Oh, I will, Iris. I'll drop the f**k out of this f*****g school." he said with an emphasis.

"You really are serious about dropping out, aren't you?"

"You're not gonna make me change my mind, miss."

"And you're not seeing my point here, Noah!"

"Okay, alright. Stop the fight, love birds." Hans interrupted and stood up.

He must have hated the loud voices, wrinkled foreheads, and glaring eyes between me and Noah.

I took my cookies away and headed out. None of them talked back. I ran in my department building. Good thing is we go to the different buildings. I've always been in Class A. I don't know about them but I think they're in the lowest section. Poor thing. I went to class and spent the day without my mind. I couldn't wait for this subject to end.

Noah said we'll go to the police station after class. I plan on going alone now. It's fine if he's not willing to help ne anymore. When the school bell rang, I stood up and grabbed my bag. I was the first one who got out the door. And to my surprise, Noah was outside our room, standing, just waiting.

I pretended that I did not see him and continued walking. "What the hell, you don't know me now?" he ran up to me and chuckled, touching my shoulder.

"Nah, you don't want my plan, right?"

"I told you we'll go. Stop sulking."

"But you think it's a bad idea." I faced him, looking angry.

"It is. But what can I do, you're the f*****g boss here." I grinned and walked away. He was just following me.

"Where's Hans?"

"He's not around."

"So we're alone? Again?"

"Oh, so you don't want my presence? Why, babygirl?"

Holy s**t. I felt my blood rushed up on my gentle cheeks.

"S-shut up, Noah." the only thing I managed to say.

I heard him chuckled. I can hear him winning in his smile. Stupid boy.

---

"So, you're here to report a case?" The police officer put down his cup of coffee and took a sheet of paper.

He's a middle aged man. His nameplate says Chief Argento.

I was trying hard not to roll my eyes. God damn, we've been here for over half an hour and we seemed to be invisible.

"Yes, I've told you over and over, officer, I was harassed! I saw them abusing girls— forcing them to do drugs! I took an evidence but the man took my camera. And now he's got his eyes on me."

"Woah, slow down, kiddo. Where exactly this event happened?" The police man doesn't even look intrigued.

"It was around 10 pm. In Castle Street, old alley."

"And you were with this young man?"

"No, no. I was alone. You were not listening to me!" I said, frustrated.

"Right. And what exactly are you doing in Castle Avenue? That is a dangerous place, don't you know that, miss?"

"I was in the printing house. But that doesn't matter! All I'm saying is that those men are evil and they are probably still lurking around town, victimizing defenseless people!"

"Are you taking nasty stuff? Are you high? This is a small town. The chances of that scenario you were talking about is less than zero. I've been an officer for almost 15 years and do you know the craziest thing that ever happened here? An accident of a little boy in a carnival. What do you want me to do? Suspect every men in this town to capture the bad men you were talking about? That's impossible!" Chief Argento shook his head. He was getting attention from the other police officers. They were all gossiping and mocking.

"Let it go, Iris. It's no use." Noah whispered and grabbed my hand.

"You, boy, what do you know about those men? And what are doing with this young lady?" He asked Noah, and took a bite from his donut while putting his feet up the desk.

"Hold on, you look familiar. Do you have a record here or something?" The police pointed at him and laughed.

"He looks like every other troublemaker out there." The other officer retorted.

"Let's go. They're nuts." I said and hold his arm. Noah looked so mad and broken.

"What did you say miss? I heard you! You expect me to believe your stupid story with that attitude?"

We stormed out the station with our veins popping out of our heads. That was the most humiliating moment of my life!

"Noah..." I couldn't help but to burst into tears. He rested my head on his chest and caressed my hair.

"You were right. I should have listened to you." I managed to speak, my voice is weak.

"At least you tried. We'll do this together, alright? I'm here."

I sobbed even harder when he comforted me.

"You're a good friend, Noah."

"Now, now. Let's drop you home." He was serious and gentle. Somehow different from the usual Noah.

It's almost dark. We were just quiet while walking under the street lamps. Our paces are synchronized. We're at the arc of the Cherry Lane already. I'm almost home.

"I think they wouldn't be able to find you here. This neighborhood is safe." He looks around the big houses and the green lawns.

"I really hope so.."

"Blue house, big windows, right?" He asked, confirming.

"Well, here we are."

I nodded and stopped walking. "Draw your curtains down. And always lock your windows." he reminded, looking around the neighborhood. He just kept on looking from here and there. His face is frowning and unsettling.

"Is there a problem? I thought you said it's safe?"

"Lean in closer." He instructed. I'm starting to feel nervous. "Are your parents home tonight?"

"Only my mom."

"I'll spend the night here." Noah demanded and looked up my window.

"But why? And how are you gonna get in? My mom will kill you!"

"In your window. I'll climb."

"You're crazy, Noah." I smiled and walked right into the front porch. I tiptoed all the way in the house and made no sound.

When I reached my bedroom, I opened the window and waited for Noah to come up. He climbed a little ways up the tree and landed on the veranda.

"I swear, if my mom—"

"Sshh, close the window. Lock it!" Noah demanded right after he gets in my room.

"W-what's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just wanna spend the night with you."

"Are you kidding me?!"

"Nah, forget it." He showed me his Don't-argue-with-me-look.

"Noah, you're scaring me. Tell me, what is it?"

"It's nothing. Don't mind about it."

"If you don't tell me what's going on, I'll scream."

"No, you won't." He shown off his smug smile as he reached for my jaw and kissed my partly open mouth. It was a long press until we both gasped for air. He managed to lay me down the bed and crawled on top of me. His hands landed on my thighs and was about to attack me with kisses when I pushed him back.

"W-wait! Stop! Is this part of your plan? To come into my room and take advantage of me?" I said, a little mad.

I sat down the bed and reached for my bunny plushie to cover my legs. It's the first time I've got a boy in my room.

"You're right. I'm sorry." No way. He did say sorry. I thought he's egotistic.

"I appreciate you helping me, Noah. Look, uhm... why don't we just sleep, without doing you know... anything sexual." I uncomfortably said.

"Fine, I'll sleep on the floor." he surrendered.

"No, it's alright. We can share the bed. But we have a deal, okay?"

"No touches. Got it." he winked and get comfortable on my bed.

He looks around the room and touched my stuff. "Who's this guy?" he took a closer look at the picture frame on the nightstand.

"That's Richard Ramirez, a serial killer."

"You got a picture of a serial killer in your room? That's weird."

"So what? He's cool and got a nice taste in music." I casually said.

I closed the windows and locked them. "Stay here, I'll go get changed." I hurriedly went into the bathroom and had a quick shower.

I put on my pajamas and blow dried my hair before going back to my room.

"Noah?" He's not in my bed.

I looked around only to find the door to the veranda was unlocked. The white ruffled curtains are flowing due to the chilly night breeze.

"What are you doing?"

"Investigating." he replied briefly.

"What?! Come inside, it's cold out here."

I dragged him back to my room and threw some clothes at him. "It's my Dad's. You can wear them."

"You might wanna pack your things for tomorrow. And think of something to tell your mom. 'Cause you won't be coming home for weeks."

"Would you mind explaining me what's going on?"

"When we got home, I heard footsteps in your yard. That's why I decided to sleep in here tonight. And now, I heard static sounds from a two-way radio, so I decided to come out here and investigate."

"Are you s-serious?"

"Someone's keeping an eye on you." He held my waist and bring me closer to him.

"We'll leave here first thing tomorrow. You'll stay in my place." he pointed at me.

"Hey! I'm not staying at a boy's house!" I whispered angrily.

"Yes, you are, Iris. Don't worry, I won't lay a finger on you." he muttered.

"Why are you so desperate to help me? I am just a random girl." I wondered.

"I am not desperate to help you. I am desperate to do my revenge on Joe." I buried my face on his chest and wrapped my arms around his neck, thanking him.

"Don't you do that again, miss." He turned his back on me and propped down the bed.

"It's just a friendly hug, Noah." I sat down next to him.

"Damn.You are so clueless, aren't you?" he muttered and started arranging the pillows. He made a division on the bed. His side. And my side. I removed everything.

"Why did you do that?"

"I don't like it!"

"You don't understand! Do you know what could I possibly do to you if we leave no space on this goddamn bed?" he gritted his teeth.

"But I'm scared! I don't wanna sleep alone tonight."

"You're not alone, I'm literally here beside you." he convinced.

"Would you hold me?" I pleaded. My voice was weak and soft.

He heaved a sigh and pulled me closer to his body. His hands are caressing my hair down my back. I could feel his face leaned back to get closer to mine. He bit his lower lip, stealing glancing to my face.

"Noah?"

"Hmm?"

"You can kiss me. But only a kiss."

"Oh, thank God." he murmured as he attacked me with kisses. He placed his hands on my cheeks and guide my lips to move along with his kisses.

I snaked my arms around his nape and played with his hair. His breathing is heaving and so is mine. I could feel our heartbeats in sync. He nibbles on my lower lip and whispered, "Make me stop."

"I can't... but you have to."

"Why the f**k do I need to stop? Don't you wanna do this?" he gently asked while intertwining our fingers. His kisses went down my neck and he started marking me. I moaned and he immediately silenced me.

"Oh, Noah... But I'm... I'm a v-virgin." I was embarassed to reveal that but we were so close to removing our clothes.

And I am not ready for that to happen.

"Damn." was the only thing he said.

"I'm sorry, Noah. I didn't mean to make you feel bad."

"I should be the one saying sorry. Good night, Iris." he walked towards the window seat and sat down.

"I'll stay here. I'll just watch you sleep." He took something from his pocket, a cigarette and a lighter. He lighted one and bummed a smoke.

"Okay..." I pulled my comforter just above my chest. I could still smell him. His fragrance is lingering in the inches of my hair, my clothes, and my hands. I don't think I will be able to sleep tonight.

"Why are you smiling?" I heard him asking.

"Nothing." I hid my smiling face under the comforter and forced myself to sleep.