Noah and I were sitting in his car, with the heater on. He insisted on driving me, so I couldn't refuse because even if I did, he would've pulled me along anyway.

But I wanted to go with him.

He was my saviour, my salvation, maybe this is the sign I've been waiting for my whole life.

But I need to know more about him.

"Hey, Noah?" I call him, he looks down at me with a smile, "Yeah?"

"What's your story?" I look at the passing cars of he intersection as we wait in line behind the other cars at the red stop light.

"Me..." he seemed like he was blushing,"Popular boy, annoying popular girl who everyone ships me with and well... rich family problems. It's pretty cliché but that's my life. There's more but—" he cuts himself off, shaking his head, as if deciding he should've not even said anything.

This makes me curious, "But what?" He places his head in hands, sighing.

"It's nothing, don't worry. Maybe I'm not just ready to share my full past that's all."

I totally understood. Because I didn't share my life too. And the fact that he didn't ask me shows he believes that I've told my fair share. But no. There's more burdens and pain in my life that he won't know about ... that I'm returning too.

Noah started driving again, he seemed to be putting on an audio book from his car's channels. He seemed to be calm now and loved listening to the audios. Which seemed to be giving life story's that he seemingly relates to.

"Any family you have?" I asked, he turned to me after he did a turn into a dark road filled with trees.

"Yes. A little sister. She lives with her Grandma, though." I nod, he continues driving through the creepy road.

But he seemed kind of sad about the fact she lived with her Grandma. Maybe he wanted to live there too? I decided it's best not to ask too much questions and just leave it.

Soon we reached some gates and he told me to get out the car.

"Where are we going?" I got out, the cold attacking me but luckily I have his jacket on, on-top if my prom dress.

He gave me a frown.

Cold.

"What's that look for?" He didn't reply he made me hush.

"What's a matter?"

His eyes grew dark. "There was a car following us. Not just any car... Jason's."

Does he mean THE Jason Muller?!

"Jason Muller?" I tried to hide the blush of the century. Jason was every girls ultimate crush, yes Noah is popular but obviously Jason Muller is more — popular, handsome, witty and strong at his basketball games.

"Yes. My friend."

"Why isn't he your best friend?" I question.

He pulls me behind him, I can't read his face but he just says deeply under his breath.

"I'm not like them. I am not a popular, just because I was born into a rich family—" snort,"—with handsomely looks—" chuckle,"—doesn't mean I am like them. I would be a nerd like you, you know, but that's too late now."

I give him a glare.

The car parks and we hear the door slams of some people, judging by the shadows exaggerated by the car lights. Seems someone was still inside. The people laughed amongst each other and I even heard a girl shout some name,"Jason!"

Then they all stood in front of Noah, because they're shadows moved closer.

"Hey, Noah."

"Hey,"Noah said coldly.

"What you doing here?" He paused, "Who's behind your back?"

Noah seemed to be shaking, I always noticed back in school he wanted to be tough, but he wasn't. Since he was a wimp breaking like me.

"No one." He said sternly.

"Aww you sure." This time the voice was a female and it sounded like Jessica diamonds. The bitchy popular girl, who of course is dating Jason Muller.

I heard other guys fighting like swinging punches at each other. It just made me worry for Noah what if they tried something.

  
"So Who's there?"

Noah has a tight grip with his arms holding my hands from behind. He tended and it seemed like he didn't want me to move for a bit longer.

"Like I said. No one. I'm just doing some back stretches," he even places his arms from in front of him to prove.

But by the silence it seems none of them were buying it.

Jason walked towards Noah with a bark and pushed him aside and then his eyes widened when he saw me.

"The nerd!" His eyes widened at me, he then turned beside me to face Noah who looked down, with a frown. "Y- you skipped your own Prom for a nerd?!"

Noah shrugged.

I felt sad. I always thought Jason would at least be different from the populars — more nicer. Apparently not.

His eyes he looked like he wanted to toss me aside to the wolves or sneeze on me.

"Yeah I left. Because I wanted to. And she's not a nerd alright, she has a name, her name is—"

"I don't fucking care what her name is! You skipped prom and left us for this piece of trash!" Jason exclaimed.

I flinched, looking down at my shoes — which weren't high heels but Vans.

"Well you should." Noah approaches Jason this time and Noah pushes him back with great force, as he staggers back on the heel of his shoes and lands in the arms of his girlfriend.

"Baby!" She cried, "You alright?!"

Noah smirked, "Her name is — Jocelyn."

"Flores."

He gave me a half-smile, the side of his face, facing me.

"Yeah you heard her... now leave!" He growled.

Jessica spoke, "So I guess that's your way of saying... you ain't fucking with us anymore!"

Noah flashed the middle finger, smirking.

"Nope."

They all started walking off, Jason had a look of disproval on his face. "Your still my bro. I don't care. Just be ready to come back from this little act up of yours."

"I'm not acting up." Noah clenched his jaw.

"Yeah you are."

With that they all went into their not-anymore respected cars and zoomed off down the road.

I turned back to the cold surroundings we were in. Still in front of a tall fancy gate. Surrounded by trees and bushes. I heard owls hooting in the dark and it made me feel like I was an enemy of the darkness.

"Why are we here?" I coughed, placing my hands in Noah's jacket pocket.

He was in front of me but he probably didn't see that I found a paper; a medical letter.

"This— is my new home. I bought it once I would graduate and go Prom. I still have to graduate of course. But it's my new home, locked away from all my problems." He smiled, getting a key out.

I read the paper I found in the pocket and let a bewildered look cover my face.

Dear Mr Hughes,

I'm unfortunate to say. You have been diagnosed with a terminal disease.

The paper seemed to tear some other parts out.

I could only make out:

Come to your local hospital and please speak with us about this. Stop ignoring because this will not be treatable if a doctor doesn't take a look at it sooner.

The letter ends and I quickly scrunch it up in the state it already was in and leave it in the pockets of his jacket.

He turns to look at me.

"Here's the key, and I'll be in my own home. No parents no burden to further distract me." He gave a child-like smile,"I'm the master of my own dreams."

He let out a hand.

I was hesitant. Busy thinking about it, Noah has a terminal disease, which is probably life threatening. I didn't know if I should tell him, he seemed happy and knew what he was doing, should I bother and mention it?

No I had to.

But I didn't want to make him snap at me as we already made friends from earlier.

"Hello... earth to Josie?" He waves a hand in my face.

"Oh yeah — me." I let out a grin for my new nickname he gave for me.

"Here's the key, the key to Utopia,  do you want to do the pleasure and open it for us?" He put a key in my hand, stood beside me and raised a brow.

"Us?"

Silence.

"Yeah... Us. I want this to be our house. We can live here and fight our demons together." He seems to be happy, but I wasn't.

"Don't be ridiculous, just because you saved me, doesn't mean you can now control my life. Please just stop and—"

"Stop? Why?! I'm helping us?" His eyes darkened.

I gave his jacket back.

"I don't need this or you!" I began walking away but he pulled my arm back.

He pulled me close enough to his body, his arm pulling a strand of my hair behind my ear, before he whispered. "High school the first sector of your life may be finished — from surviving as a nerd—" I glared at him,"—but don't think you will survive he outside world, because I can promise you Jocelyn— it's more terrifying; for someone already broken like you."

He snatched the key from me and gave me a frown as if disappointed in me and went to his new 'mansion' himself.

Leaving me in the cold, dark, woods he surrounds himself in now.

"I— I ... ugh ... "

How would I get home?

Idiot.

As if he knew I would turn around to him he smiled.

"Yes?"

"Fine. I can't leave someone who saved me from my stupid mistakes like that, I'm going to your utopia world."

He grinned from ear to ear.

"Of course you will."

I gave the key a push and twisted the lock, the gate gave in a creaky noise and we looked at each other before taking a step inside.

To our Utopia.

— — —

Hi Hi! it's AY!

Did you like this chapter? Means a lot if you vote :) would encourage me to write more and comment if you can.

What do you think of these characters so far?

I kind of think it's rude of Jocelyn to be being rude to someone who saved his own self and her form jumping, the both of them can fight their depressions together and just work it out. I hate the characters I make sometimes lol.

See you next time.

Kisses and hugs from, AY ❣️