DETECTIVE PERCY

Thursday the 2nd of November

Noah pushes Percy's out of the office and slams the door in his face. He laughs with George who says something which makes him laugh harder.

I slide my project to the side and wander over to Percy and George.

"What are you two laughing about?" I raise an eyebrow.

"I didn't want to come to school, so I went to Uncle Noah's house to hide from my mother and I interrupted him in the middle of hanging out with his female friend."

"Why's that so funny?" I frown.

"Because he was embarrassed but it. It's also karma since he ruined my chance with you."

Would he laugh more if he realised I was the lady friend hiding in the bedroom? I think that's a full circle of karma.

"I regret asking about it. Nobody wants to hear about their teacher's sex life."

Percy shrugs and chuckles.

"Moving on from that topic . . . I want to host a party before I go on vacation to Australia. Should I host something at my house or have lunch somewhere?"

"How about pizza and movies at your house?"

"Okay." I nod.

"I'm excited for this." Percy smiles.

The office door flies open and Noah storms across the room and slaps a pink detention slip on Percy's desk.

"Being my nephew doesn't give you special treatment, Percy."

"I can't believe you're giving me detention, it was a joke."

"What happens outside of work remains outside of work. You crossed the line."

Noah returns to the office while Percy rips the paper in half and tosses it over his shoulder. His phone buzzes and Percy glares at the screen.

"He told my mother I skipped school yesterday and now I'm grounded. What an asshole."

Percy storms out of the room and I chase after him.

"Charlie go back otherwise you'll get in trouble."

"You're upset, Percy."

"Please Charlie, go away, I want to be alone."

"I think you need somebody to talk to."

We reach the oval and sit under the trees. He stares off into the distance while I awkwardly grip on the seat, unsure of what to do.

"Dad and I had a fight and I was hoping to crash at Uncle Noah's, but he didn't give me a chance and threw me out. He wasn't there for me when we broke up and he's been distance for a while. I don't know what happened and I don't know what to do."

"Oh." I sigh. "I'm sorry."

"You don't need to be sorry." He bumps his shoulder into mine.

Except I do because I'm the reason Percy was thrown out and I'm the reason that Noah's been so distant. I didn't mean to come between them.

"I know things have been weird between us, but I still care about what's going on in your life."

"Maybe you can tell me how I'm supposed to get over you." He chuckles.

"Just think about my bad qualities."

"And what are those supposed to be?"

"Sometimes I snore in my sleep."

"Soft snores which are cute."

"We're supposed to be dissing me." I smack his shoulder.

"I don't know how anyone sleeps around you." He shakes his head.

"There we go." I giggle. "Much better."

* * * * *

Noah pushes the football team harder in the gym while Percy ignores him and thrashes the equipment to burnout his anger.

"Great work everyone, hit the showers."

Sweat trickles down Percy's face as everyone leaves, including the cheerleaders. I continue with my workout which is more of a babysitting mission than working out.

Noah turns the treadmill off and Percy comes to a glaring halt.

"Are you done?"

"No."

"Can we talk?"

Percy jumps off the treadmill and storms into the change room. Noah watches Percy but doesn't follow. He combes his fingers through his hair and looks at me. I walk to the first aid room and Noah joins when nobody is looking.

"What's wrong with you?"

Noah tilts his head to the side and frowns.

"Why did you tell Lea Percy skipped school?"

"Because I was angry."

"Percy's hurting and you're just making things worse."

"What did I do?"

"He came to your place to talk about a fight he had with his father. Percy also mentioned you've been distant for a while. I didn't mean to get between you two and I hate that I have." I frown.

"You didn't get between us."

Noah takes a seat and wraps his arm around one leg and the other around my waist. He looks up and squeezes my body.

"Why'd you stop hanging out with Percy then?"

"I'm not sorry I've been spending more time with you. I hear what you're saying and I'll make time to see Percy more often."

"Percy needs you."

"Now that I understand, I'll fix things."

"Thank you."

I lean down and kiss Noah. He grabs my thigh and I fall onto his lap and chuckle. Noah cups my cheek and brings out lips back together.

"I'll miss you over the break."

"You should come with me." I smile. "We could go camping, hangout on the beach or I could teach you how to surf."

Noah's green eyes light up as he smiles.

"You are sexy in a bikini." He laughs.

"Just imagine the warm sun on your cheeks, the soft sand under your toes and the crashing waves in the distance."

"I love it but I would be murdered for skipping Thanksgiving." He frowns.

"Oh." I sigh.

Noah squeezes my thighs and I fall against his chest. He wraps his arms around my waist and I enjoy the warmth radiating from his body.

I wish he could come to Australia because there, he isn't my teacher. He's Noah East, the man I'm falling in love with.