Noah

Chapter 7 Not Getting Permission

Their mother told Lana and Leon to sit in front of her. Lana sat silently in her place, a little afraid that what Leon was about to say would make her mother angry. "What do you want to talk about?" she asked sharply.

"Mom, can I take Lana to my friend's birthday party tomorrow night?"

"A party? Does one of your friends have a birthday?"

"Yes, Mom, and I want to take Lana. Poor Lana, she's already finished her school exams, and we don't know when the vacation you and Dad promised her will happen." Leon rolled his eyes lazily.

"Come on, Leon! I'm fine staying at home, I can read books like usual." Lana didn't want Leon to get into trouble later.

"Reading books all the time, what's fun about reading books? Besides, you're an adult now, Lana, and it's time to have a little fun. Can I, Mom?" he asked again.

"Why do you want to invite Lana? Don't you have any friends to invite to the party?" His mother continued to enjoy her meal casually.

"I have many, Mom, but this time I want to invite Lana. Some of my friends also know Lana, and it's just a normal birthday party, nothing weird. So, Mom, you don't need to worry, and I promise I won't be home late."

"You go with your friends. Lana can stay home with Mom and Dad. Right, dear?" The woman smiled at Lana.

Lana didn't respond and finally said goodbye and went up to her room. Lana walked listlessly, she was losing her appetite when things like this happened. Lana threw herself onto her soft mattress.

Leon was still sitting at the dining table with his mother. Leon couldn't believe his mother's attitude. His mother was so cruel to Lana, even though Lana had never asked his mother for anything.

"Mom, that's too much!" Leon exclaimed angrily.

"Watch your mouth, Leon! Do you forget who you're talking to? Respect your mother," she snapped harshly.

"I have always respected Mom and Dad, even Lana, but Mom, don't you feel sorry for Lana? Lana always obeys you. Let her have a little fun, Mom. She's a human being, not a mannequin in this house."

"Are you done talking? If so, you can go to your room. You're still a child, don't teach your mother how to raise you and your sister."

Leon didn't say much. He went straight up to his room. Leon was really upset with his mother. Leon went to Lana's room. "Hi, Lana. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Leon. I told you not to do that earlier, but you didn't listen."

"Let's just leave quietly then, Lana." Leon looked at Lana with a devilish gaze. "How about it?"

"You're just as crazy as that curly-haired guy." Lana covered her face with a pillow.

"Listen to me first, Lana." Leon removed the pillow and told Lana to listen to his plan. "We'll sneak out through your bedroom window. It's not too high, so we can jump. Mom and Dad won't know because we'll leave at night, after they've gone to sleep."

Lana looked at Leon suspiciously. "Say something, Leon? What do you really want? Where are you planning to go?"

"Um... that?" Leon looked confused.

"Leon!" Lana urged.

"Actually, I want to go on a date with a girl who's new at my school, and it's her birthday, and I want to take her out and surprise her."

Lana's eyes widened as she listened to what Leon said. "You're still young and still in school, why are you already dating?"

"Lana! You're too naive, don't you realize that you should already have a boyfriend? Even all your friends already have boyfriends."

"Don't think weird thoughts, Leon. I know all that, but is it wrong if I'm not like them? You better get out of my room, I want to sleep." Lana's hand pushed her brother away from her bed and Leon left Lana's room.

Lana remembered the curly-haired guy's words about her doing more than just dating, and now her brother. After all, Lana was living abroad, but for some reason, she wasn't interested in that kind of thing. Maybe it was because she had been cooped up at home for too long.

***

"Noah!" someone shouted.

Noah, who was sitting alone on his motorcycle, fell silent. His friend Daniel walked over to Noah. "What's wrong? Are you thinking about something?"

"I'm fine, Dan." Noah tried to smile.

Soon, a girl with short hair, wearing a plain T-shirt and blue jeans with rips at the knees, came over. The girl was holding a cigarette in her hand.

Cilla approached Noah and tenderly placed her cigarette on Noah's lips. She also kissed Noah's lips tenderly.

"Ugh! You guys are disgusting. Can't you just act normal in front of me?" Daniel grumbled.

Cilla looked at Daniel with a seductive gaze. "Then find a girl you can have fun with. That way, yours won't be surprised when she sees something like this." Cilla pursed her lips as if giving Daniel a kiss.

"You're DISGUSTING," Daniel emphasized his words. Noah, who saw this, just laughed.

"Cilla, can you leave for a moment? I want to talk to Daniel."

Cilla looked at him, biting her lower lip. "Okay, but I'll be waiting for you at my place tonight." Cilla walked away, swaying her hips sensually.

After Cilla left, Noah said he wanted to race motorcycles again, and asked Daniel to find an opponent for him.

"Are you in need of money?"

"Yes. You know I have to pay to suspend my sentence for beating up that woman's lover."

"You mean your mom? Isn't your mom going to pay for it? Then why do you want to pay for it again?" Daniel's eyebrows furrowed.

"I have to pay for something else, Dan." Noah glanced at Daniel. Daniel also looked at Noah in surprise. "Come with me, I'll take you somewhere."

Noah sat properly on his motorcycle and Daniel sat right behind Noah. Noah rode his motorcycle fast on the quiet streets.

"Where are we going? And why is it so far away?" Daniel asked in surprise.

"You'll find out when we get there, so don't talk so much, Dan."

Noah sped up again. A few minutes later, they arrived at a building that was not well maintained, especially considering the time it took to get there.

"Noah, what is this?" Dan asked in surprise, "Why did you bring me here?" Noah didn't answer. He took off his helmet and immediately got off his motorcycle. Noah walked into the building. "Noah, wait!" Daniel shouted, finally running after Noah into the building.