* * * *

     Twenty minutes later, we pulled into the foreign yet familiar driveway. Callie cut the engine and stared straight ahead. "D-do you want to stay in the car?"

Her question was directed to me--obviously. Sighing heavily, I cross my arms over my chest. "If you think I'm going to attack the bitch and her puppet, you're wrong..."

Unbuckling my seat belt, I push the door open and make a move to step out before whispering, "at least I hope."

The walk from the car in the driveway to the front porch seemed to take hours. Years even.

Callie and Taylor both kept a steady pace next me, most likely making sure I don't run up on them if they were to step outside.

Sure, this will most likely be the most awkward encounter in quite some time, but I'm over Noah and his bitch of a girlfriend.

I have Drew. The guy who cares more about me than Noah ever did. The guy who gave me a freaking puppy as an apology.

When we finally make it to the porch, my breath hitches in my throat as Callie knocks rapidly.

One second. Two seconds. Three seconds...

Twenty-six seconds later, the door is pulled open revealing a blonde haired girl, her blue eyes beaming.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding as Abbie pulled me into a tight hug. "Hey Lona! I didn't think you were coming over...?"

When she pulls away, I glance over at Callie. "Luke's here. We came to pick him up."

Registration flashed across her face as she opened the door further, allowing us to come in. "Oh, right."

Callie was the first to step into the house, followed by Taylor who gave Abbie a small smile.

When I stepped into the house, my heart beat picked up speed as I absorbed my surroundings. Everything was just how I remember.

Abbie shut the door behind me before cupping her hands around her mouth. "Luke, Callie's here!"

A set of footsteps could be heard descending the stairs a few seconds later before Luke came into view.

He scanned the room once before locking eyes with Callie. In a split second, he was pulling her towards him in a hug.

Callie sighed deeply, resting her head on his chest. "Are you alright?"

Luke lightly kissed the top of her head before pulling away. "I'm fine, Cal. I just needed to get out of the house for a bit, you know?"

Before Callie could respond, a high pitched squeaky voice spoke up.

"Well, well. Look who finally showed up?"

Joyce and Noah were both standing at the bottom of the stairs, Noah's arm wrapped around her waste.

It almost made me gag.

When I finally gained the courage to peak a quick glance at Noah, he was staring at me, his brown eyes wide.

Clearing my throat, I drop my gaze and turn to Taylor who stood beside me.

Her eyes were narrowed into slits and she was staring directly at the barbie.

"And I still have yet to see you talking shit when you're not around your little boy toy." Taylor shot back at her, her tone sour.

Joyce rolled her eyes and leaned further into Noah.

"Are you ready to go?" Callie questions, looking up at Luke.

He nods silently, shoving his hands into his front pockets.

Just then a loud ping bounces off the wall. My phone. With everyone's eyes on my, I cough awkwardly.

"I'm just gonna step out." Before making my way to the door, I pull Abbie in for another hug. "I'll see you later Abs."

"You bet," she chirps happily as I slip out of the house.

Thank gosh for whoever texted me. It was a much needed excuse to get the hell out of that house.

Pulling out my phone, a text message from Drew pops up.

As soon as I hit send, a smile lingering on my lips, I nearly jump up from the front steps I had taken a seat on when someone slams the door behind me.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." A deep familiar voice apologizes softly.

While I stare at him silently, he slides his gaze from me to the spot open beside me.

Please, no. No, no, don't sit, please.

My prayers were ignored as he makes a move to sit right next to me.

Oh, come on! I don't know about him, but I was planning on avoiding any more awkward encounters for as long as possible.

As he sat down not even five inches away from me, I inhale sharply when his hand lightly brushes over my knee.

"Sorry, sorry." He murmurs, panic rising in his voice.

My eyes dart anywhere and everywhere, trying desperately not to make eye contact with the boy I used to be in love with. 

"I-It's fine." I responded so quietly, I wondered if he actually heard me.

I was too busy trying to get my beating heart under control to worry too much about that.

Taking deep, slow breaths, I try to regain my composure, hoping Noah doesn't notice just how much of an impact he has on me just from his light touch.

I didn't understand what was going on, but I knew it had something to do with the fact that Noah was sitting next to me. His evil girlfriend in the house, probably watching us from the window making a plan to get rid of me.

At least that's what I kept telling myself.

How else could I explain the flutter of my heart when Noah finally looked at me, his round eyes seeming to try to find a way into my soul?

Exactly. I couldn't explain it.

"So. . .how have you been?" His voice is soft and sounds generally concerned.

"Um, I've been good. Really good. H-how about you?" I made it a mission to keep my eyes on my fingers in my lap.

Where the hell are Callie and Taylor? I just want to go already.

"Great, yeah. Uh, I'm actually starting to practice for basketball. It's pretty exhausting."

"Yeah, I bet."

Noah cleared his throat before shifting slightly to face me. "Listen, Lona..."

Before he could continue, Taylor stepped out of the house and quickly squeezed right in between Noah and I.

When she catches my eye, I mouth a silent thank you.

"Hey, Noah. How've you been?"

Noah opened his mouth to respond but didn't get a chance to answer.

"Good? That's cool. Well, Lona and I have places to be so we'll see you some other time." She chirped happily with a beaming smile as she stood up and pulled me with her.

She didn't bother to release her grip on my wrist as she started to pull me to the car, the set of car keys in her hand.

Just before she pulled the drivers side door open while I rounded the car to get to the passenger seat, Taylor called out with a fake cheery voice.

"Oh--Noah, Barbie wanted me to tell you to meet her in the backyard. If I were you I'd bring some kind of weapon to defend myself. You know she doesn't like you talking to other girls...especially the one's you have a past with." With a wicked wink, she slides into the drivers seat without another word.

As soon as she starts the car up, I wack her arm, irritation clear on my features. "What the hell was that for?" I hiss.

After buckling herself in, she puts the car in reverse and starts to back up out of the driveway. "He deserved it," she simply stated with one of her signature eye rolls.

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Hey beautiful people! It's been ages :) But,I finally managed to get this chapter done! From now on, I will be posting whenever I have time. It won't be MONTHS though ;) 

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed :) Make sure to comment and vote if ya did! :)