~~~~~~~~~Third Person POV~~~~~~~~~

It had been almost a week since that incident.

Savanna had been staying with them in what used to be Ashley's room, but no one trusted her, which couldn't be blamed.

Alyse was the only one who seemed to have a small connection with her, which the others didn't understand. Savanna also called her 'Munchkin', for some reason.

Iv would spend most of her time in her room. Noah had managed to convince her to rest, even if she gratefully refused.

Ashley hadn't bothered anyone or anything during this time, which the others didn't know if this was a good or bad thing.

Noah grabbed both mugs filled with coffee, going upstairs and softly knocking on Iv's bedroom door.

"It's open.."

He entered after hearing her permission, seeing her sitting on her bed, staring at her hands. She had been doing this almost all the time, as if lost in her own memories.

"Hey.." He greeted, walking over to her.

She greeted back, not looking up as Noah sat on the edge of her bed, placing one of the mugs on her nightstand. "I made you some coffee.."

She looked over, waiting a few seconds before taking the mug. "Thanks.."

He knew how much she couldn't resist coffee, even when in a bad mood. It made him a little relieved to know she still loved the usual things.

They stayed about a minute in pure silence. Noah was about to stand up, but was stopped when Iv finally spoke.

"... I'm sorry..."

He looked up with a small sigh, already knowing what she meant. "Iv-"

"No, just listen.." He stayed quiet at her request, her gaze focused on her coffee mug. "... I'm... sorry for pushing you away all this time..."

"Huh..?" He tilted his head a little. He had expected her to be sorry about not being able to fix this, or for causing it in the first place.

"You were trying to help me, all of you were... And maybe if I had told you about everything.. this could all have been avoided..."

Noah stayed quiet for a while, thinking of how to respond before letting out a small sigh. "Maybe you're right about that... Maybe if you did things differently, we'd have other results..."

He gently cupped his friend's cheek, tilting her head to face him. "But we can't change that past, and that's why we can't focus on it... We think of now, and how to make it work..."

Iv stared at Noah, a bit surprised at his words. However, to his surprise, she let out a small chuckle, gently leaning into his touch as she placed a hand over his. "You've never been good with pep talks..."

He grew slightly pink in embarrassment, not to mention the blush from her gesture. "That bad, huh...?"

"No... You're right, we won't do anything with just complaining about what I did..." She looked up at him once more, a small yet warm smile on her face. "Thanks, Em..."

It felt like so long since Noah saw her smile like that.

He missed it, he missed her.

He smiled back, trying his best to ignore the blush that deepened on his cheeks.

His thumb gently caressed her cheek, and he noticed the small blush that grew on Iv's face at his gesture. She didn't pull away, and instead closed her eyes at his warmth.

She opened her eyes soon after, noticing a distracted look in Noah's eyes. "You okay...?"

He tensed up a little. "Uh- y-yeah, I just..." His gaze shifted down to her lips, his heart slowly increasing speed.

Could he...?

"You just...?" Iv asked, waiting for him to answer.

He debated with himself whether to do this or not, he didn't know if telling her how he felt would break everything they already have.

But she had to find out at some point, right...?

He found himself leaning closer than he's suppose to, his face growing a deeper color with each second that passed. Iv grew darker as well, but she didn't pull away, and instead leaned a little closer herself.

"I-Iv, I..."

"You...?"

Their noses brushed against each others. Iv closed her eyes, already expecting what would happen if she let it continue.

Noah waited a few seconds, nervous about the aftermath. But in the heat of the moment, he let it happen. He leaned in, gently locking lips with her.

He liked her, he had since a little after they first met. And as much as he's wanted to tell her, he was always afraid it could ruin their friendship by making it all awkward.

But she didn't pull away.

She kissed him back.

The kiss only lasted a few seconds, pulling away as they stared into each other's eyes, their faces all shades of red. Neither of them knew what to say, staying quiet in the already silent room.

Noah was about to speak when someone knocked on the door, making both of them tense up and pull away from each other, ten times redder than they already were.

"I-it's open..!"

Alyse opened the door, her eyes widening a little as she saw Iv, making her smile. "You're awake!"

"Heh, yeah.."

She gently grabbed her sister's arm, helping her up. "C'mon, we already made breakfast!" Before she could say no, Alyse was already dragging her out. She gave one last glance at Noah, who was looking at her as well, before leaving the room.

Noah brought a hand up to his lips, remembering their small moment. A small shy smile soon grew on his face as he thought about it.

Maybe he had a chance with her after all..

Thanks for reading!!! 'Till next time!!!

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