HEARTBREAK

Wednesday the 11th of October

Dancers flutter across the stage to the beautiful music created by the orchestra. The lights dim and the crowd claps except for Percy. He kisses my neck and I sink into my chair.

"I'm trying to watch the play."

"Who cares about the play?"

"You should because we have an assignment based on this."

"I hate English." He groans.

"Charlie and Percy." Noah stands at the end of the isle with a frown. "Charlie, come with me."

I fake pout as I squish past the other students to get to Noah. I'm not annoyed because Percy's been so extra since I asked to pause our plans to have sex. Now he's practically humping me in public.

We take a seat at the back of the theatre which is an extra row back from where the other students are seated.

"I thought I'd save you."

"I don't need saving."

"Yes, you did." He smirks.

"Maybe a little." I sigh.

Noah taps his fingers on the arm rest and I raise an eyebrow.

"What's wrong with you?"

"I saw Percy leaving your bedroom on the weekend."

"Oh."

"Just oh?" He frowns.

"I asked him to pause the plans on, you know," I whisper. "Now he's afraid or something and I can't seem to pry him off me."

"Oh."

"I assume you're happy."

"Yes." He nods. "Have you thought about what we talked about?"

"I haven't stopped thinking about it."

The musical number stops and Noah groans. Two people talk about something, I can't focus. Dramatic music plays and my heart races.

"I still want you."

The lights turn on and Percy is racing up the stairs to get to me.

"I need to go."

Noah roughly exhales as he stands up to let me past. Percy takes my hand and we walk to the break section. I drag him to the food section and stare with wonder at the fountain of popcorn.

"I need a bucket of that." I grin.

"Sure." She laughs. "Anything else?"

"Oh, a large Coca-Cola with ice, thank."

Percy takes the drink and wraps his arm around my waist.

"Hm, that looks delicious."

"Touch it and I'll snap your hands off." I smile.

His eyes go wide and he laughs.

"You can have the popcorn because I'd rather have something else." He smirks. "Let's sneak away, no one will notice."

"Noah would notice."

"Fucking Noah." He grumbles.

My heart wonkily beats; I need to do this now.

"We need to talk." I bite my lip.

"What's wrong" His eyes go wide with panic.

"You're an amazing guy, but this is all moving too fast. Can we be friends again?"

He's a stunned kangaroo and I've just run him over with a truck. Maybe I should have beaten around the bush, the old 'it's not you, it's me' speech?

"I thought you were happy?"

"I don't know, I mean, all I know is that we should be friends."

"Where is this coming from? Did I do something wrong? I can change." His desperation is heartbreaking. His shoulder sag forward; now he realises it's the end. He's been hit hard, it's the end, and he's the dead kangaroo on the road.

"You didn't do anything wrong, it's me. With the move, missing my friends, a new school, the cheerleading team, friends and tons of school work. I feel like I'm drowning and I don't want to take you down with me."

"This is about bad timing?" He frowns.

"Yes, bad timing."

"This doesn't make sense. We were happy." His muscles tense and people stop to look at us. Jewels saunters over with her seemingly innocent face.

"What's wrong?"

"Not now Jewels."

"How about we talk after school?"

"I need to know why you don't want to be with me." I don't care that the entire room is staring, it's Jewels and her beady little eyes.

Jewels snatches Percy's drink and tosses it at me. I gasp as the cold liquid drenches my clothes. I flick the ice out of my t-shirt and glare.

"What the hell was that for?"

"Because you hurt my Percy!" She stomps her foot.

People laugh as I push through the crowd to get to a bathroom. As I round the corner, their laughter stops because Noah's yelling.

I enter the bathroom and place the popcorn on the bench.

My shirt is soaked but the jacket is alright. Even though I'll be a stick mess throughout the rest of the play, I'm relieved it's over between us.

I grab a wad of paper towels and remove my shirt so I can wash the cola off my skin.

Water droplets trickle down my body, leaving a stinging pang of cold in its wake.

The bathroom door opens and I peer over my shoulder and sigh. Noah locks the door and walks over. He removes his jacket and strips out of his green shirt. My eyes hungrily take in his muscles chest before reaching for his shirt.

"Thank you." I half-smile.

"You're welcome."

Once I'm clean enough, I put the shirt on and then assess my jacket. It's slightly damp, but okay to wear.

"The play should be finished soon."

"That's good because I need a shower ASAP!"

"It isn't much, but I gave Jewels and the boy's detention for their poor behaviour."

"You didn't have to do that, Noah."

"Yes, I did, they can't get away with it. Besides, it felt good." He laughs. "I might send them to the community service section where they can pick up trash."

"Ay, at least the environment will benefit." I sigh.

I slide my jacket on and zip it up so that you can't see Noah's t-shirt. He pulls me into a hug and I rest my head against his warm chest. I inhale his scent which is oddly calming.

"I still want you."

"Spend the weekend with me? I want to know you better."

"What am I supposed to tell my father?" I frown.

"We'll think of something."

"Okay."

"We should get out there before someone comes looking for us."

"Yes."

Noah leaves first while I wait a second. I hug the bucket of popcorn to my chest and wander into the break section. The woman who'd severed me appears with a new cup of Coca-Cola.

"I saw what happened and you didn't deserve that."

"Thanks, you're so sweet."

I walk into the theatre and sit beside Noah. In the cover of darkness, he holds my hand.

Despite everything changing, nothing has changed between us. He makes me happy and everything feels right.