I'd spent most of the ride home rewinding the earlier events and trying to understand what had actually happened.

Lily's earlier comments of how being with him was like living in a different world were starting to make a little more sense. He clearly didn't see the world, or even love, in the same way, but unlike my dear friend, I wasn't going to be swept up by this tidal wave that was Noah Archer. 

Still in daze, I exited the car as he pulled up next to my house and stopped in front of the diver's window. Letting out a sigh, I glanced up at him, not really sure what to say.

See ya' later, buddy? Nice meeting ya', pal? Thanks for the extra clothes, friendo?

It's not like we were actually friends. Thanks to my brilliant plan we'd sailed straight past that and enter the dreaded relationship zone. Figuring I could just go with the regular "'kay, bye", I opened my mouth but before I could say anything, Noah interjected.

"See you tomorrow, babe." He learned through the window, that irritating smirk ever present on his smug face.

Ugh, these nicknames were starting to make me feel queasy.

"Whatever," I turned around planning to just escape into my house as soon as possible when I decided that no. No freaking way.

This whole unusual afternoon it was like I was playing to the rhythm of his drum. Like he was the Pied Piper and I was under his little spell. And there was no way I was going to just leave it like that.

That's why, instead of gracefully turning around and walking to my front door, I ended up doing a much less graceful pirouette that almost landed me face first into the uncut grass. His eyes widened as he looked at me, visibly confused by my erratic behavior. Not that I could really blame him for that.

Once I'd regained my balance, and my composure, I pointed one determined finger at him. 

"Also, you're wrong about love. There's no algorithm for love, okay? It's not something that can just be predicted by asking a few questions." At that moment, I felt like a warrior, fighting in the name of love. This beautiful thing that I refused to believe anyone could just dissect into a simple formula.

Only it seemed like Noah seemed to perceive me as more of a clown than a warrior maiden.

"Guess we'll have to see whose hypothesis is correct." Noah's eyebrow raised, the corners of his lips quirking up in amusement.

I rolled my eyes at him, spreading my arms apart in a gesture of what are you even talking about dude, "I just told you I don't subscribe to your little science thing."

"But, you said you'll go through the questions, right?" I nodded, narrowing my eyes, "Then, we'll see if you change your mind by the time we get to the last one." Noah wiggled his eyebrows at me, and I let out an exasperated sigh.

"Yeah, well, I won't." I muttered, shooting him a brief glare before I spun around and stomped to my house.

Before I reached the front door though, I heard him yell behind me, "By the way, you look hot in my clothes."

The breath I inhaled caught in my throat, and I turned back around in a panic. Even from a distance, the snicker on his face was more than visible. To my complete and utter horror, what was also visible, were a pair of my shocked neighbors walking down the sidewalk, staring at me in shock before whispering to each other. Oh. My. God.

"I hate you." I mouthed to him, realizing that yelling anything back at him would only cause more of a scene.

Noah just shrugged and wiggled his eyebrows at me before pulling up his window. I heard the sound of muffled music from his car as he sped away.

I can't believe that guy! He was torturing me on purpose.

It was time for operation sneaky sneak. 

After all, I really didn't want my mom to notice the fact that I wasn't exactly wearing the same clothes I'd left for school in. What I wanted her to notice even less, was the fact that the clothes I was wearing were about three sizes too big on me. Hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst, I rehearsed a string of possible excuses as I clutched the handle.

Opening the front door, I was instantly hit by the smell of homemade pizza, which was good because it meant my mom was busy in the kitchen.

"Is that you, Sky?" I heard her voice as soon as I walked in, "You're late today, your--" With every word she was getting closer, and I instantly sped to the stairs, stopping her mid-sentence in the process.

"Yeah it's me mom, but I'll be right back because I really need to pee." I yelled at her, running up the steps and tripping at least two times.

"Sky, but your--" My mom tried again, but I was already at the top of the stairs now, and exhaled in relief.

"No time mom, it's a bladder emergency." I screamed at her, hoping to just stop her from trying to strike up a conversation before I was able to change back into my clothes.

Swinging open the door to my room with force, I quickly slammed it shut behind me, and leaned my forehead against the wood. Letting out a sigh, I felt my body start to slowly relax.

That was, until I heard a loud shriek come from behind me.

"Oh my God, Sky! What-What are you wearing?" A shrill, familiar voice yelled a little too loudly.

I turned around, wide-eyed and horrified. There, on bed, was Melissa. Hand pressed against her mouth, shock obvious as her eyes darted all over my new ensemble.

"Don't tell me you already--" I could see where this was heading, and by her tone, I knew it wasn't going to end well, so I quickly interrupted her, waving my hand manically in front of me.

"No, no, no, no, no, this is most definitely not what you think!" I exclaimed, throwing nervous glances at the door and just hoping my mom hadn't heard us. "I just got wet," Her eyes bulged and I quickly elaborated, "With water! Salt water! I fell into the sea!"

Mel blinked a few times, staring at me like I was speaking gibberish, "What? Just what are you even--How are you even wearing Noah's clothes?" Again, her voice rose an octave with each word she said.

I quickly shushed her and rushed to my bed, pressing a hand on her lips. "Mel, please not so loud. My mom...." I whispered, glancing again at the front door.

"Well excuse me for not containing my emotions, okay, when I find out my best friend is keeping secrets from me." Mel hissed at me, her eyes narrowed before she motioned her hands at my body, "And then she comes home wearing boy's clothes. Not just any boy's clothes, no, no, her new boyfriend's clothes."

Oh, she was pissed. In fact, at that moment she was probably the most prominent inhabitant of Rage Town. What Melissa hates the most was being kept out of the loop. She was the one who needed all of the tea and to have it while it was still flaming hot.

"Mel, you know it wasn't a secret, and I told you I'd explain everything once we're not... where we could be overheard." I muttered, walking to my closet and pulling out a comfortable set of clothes I could change into, along with a pair of fresh underwear.

"Well, then start talking. Like now." Mel demanded, crossing her arms over her chest in a manner that stated this was non-negotiable.

I swallowed hard and offered an innocent smile. Nothing. Her face was ice... ice, baby. The moment was so tense even my own jokes didn't make me feel better -- which they usually did, because I personally found myself hilarious.

"Um, let me just take a quick shower, and change." She raised a dubious eyebrow, clearly thinking I was trying to avoid the conversation. "Seriously, I'm salty, and not the same way you are." I stuck my tongue out at her playful, and Mel rolled her eyes, a small smile on her face.

"Fine, go, but you better be back in ten minutes. I've been waiting all day to hear about this." She did a dramatic wave toward the door with her hand and I blew her a few kisses before rushing outside.

We were lying on my bed in silence, stomachs full of pizza.

Every few seconds Mel's lips would open, as if she wanted to say something, but a few seconds later she'd just close them again.

I'd told her everything. From what prompted my decision to ask Noah out, to everything that happened on our little impromptu date today.

"Are you sure you know what you're doing, Sky?" She finally asked, sitting up on the bed and looking down at me with concern.

If she had asked me that this morning, I would have replied with a resounding yes. After today however? I wasn't so sure anymore.

"Probably," I replied, not even convincing myself really.

Mel sighed, and shook her head, "I'm worried. This just doesn't sound very thought out and I don't want you getting hurt. You know he's infamous for his two weeks thing."

"Yeah, and that's exactly why I'm doing it!" I replied with renewed vigor, "Because it's not fair that he breaks all these girl's hearts and then he just dates a new one like no big deal. Noah Archer needs to pay the price for his actions, and since no one else will be his debt collector, I will." Sure, things weren't going exactly according to plan, and sure, that wasn't exactly great but I had a noble goal. And the hero always wins in the story, right?

"I just hope you don't end paying the price instead." Mel muttered, rather ominously, and I swallowed hard. Before I could say anything she jumped off the bed and yawned.

"You gonna stay over tonight?" I asked, rolling onto my stomach and grinning.

Mel shook her head, making little noises as she stretched, "Nah, I can't, promised my sis I'd braid her hair for tomorrow." She quickly glanced at the watch on her wrist and let out a small gasp, "Speaking of that, I should get going before she kills me." Mel clenched her teeth, looking a lot like that grimacing emoji. I chuckled, shaking my head.

Jumping off the bed, I walked Mel downstairs. Once she was outside, I bit down on my lower lip, hand clutching the wood of the front door, "So, uh, are we okay now?" I asked, my voice still dripping with guilt.

Mel looked at me, her face serious, before a huge smile consumed it, "Of course, you goofball. But you better keep me totally in the loop from now on!" She said, pointing her index finger at me and narrowing her eyes.

I just squealed in response and threw my arms around her.

Just as I'd gotten ready for bed and was choosing a movie to watch on Netflix, my phone buzzed with an incoming message on Facebook. 

And of course, it was the last person I wanted to talk to. I should have just ignored him. Pretended like I never saw the message, or was sleeping, but in the end, I just couldn't help myself as I pulled up the messenger window with none other than Noah Archer.

Well, after that conversation, I was definitely going to have nightmares.

I threw my head against the pillow, suddenly feeling wide awake and dreading tomorrow even more than I already was. Maybe I could pretend I was sick?

Even though every part of me wished I could just casually do that, I knew the guilt would eat me up inside. I really wasn't the type of person who just missed class, especially during the first half of my senior year. There was no way I could not go to school tomorrow.

I quickly shot off a text to Melissa, telling her she didn't have to pick me up tomorrow because Noah insisted on driving me. She sent back a slew of emojis and good luck.

Sighing, I set my phone aside and closed my eyes. It was just a car ride. I'd been through this before, I could go through it again. No big deal.

Unless he spontaneously decides not to drive us to school and instead drives us to like some mountain area to gaze at a stream.

Groaning, I pressed my second pillow against my face and screamed.

This was going to be a long, quite possibly sleepless, night.

Thank God for concealer, cause otherwise I would have looked like a zombie in the morning. With the way I was groaning, I could have easily been mistaken for one. As I sipped my morning cup of green tea, I kept nervously glancing at the time on my phone. Once it hit 7.10, I jumped off the stool at the counter, and grabbed my school bag.

My mom glanced at me above her book in surprise, "You're going already? But Melissa didn't ring the doorbell yet."

I flinched at my mothers perception. Seeing as how Mel had been picking me up ever since she got her license, and she'd always stop by to say hi to my mom, it was an odd change to our routine.

"Um, she just texted me that she's close, and I want to be at school early so I'm meeting her outside." I mumbled quickly, hoping that this not-so-little white lie would satisfy her.

My mom narrowed her eyes for a moment, before lifting up her book again, "She really shouldn't be texting when driving, you know."

"Oh yeah, I know, I'll tell her. Bye, Mom!" Taking large steps I made my way to the front door, and out into the crisp morning air.

Letting out a sigh, I walked down the driveway, and reached the road just as I saw Noah's car turn the corner toward my street, right on time.

He stopped directly in front of me, and I rounded the car to the passenger seat. As soon as I opened the door, I felt the scent of mild perfume. Or was that cologne? It's not like I spent enough time around guys to actually be able to tell the difference.

Sighing, I looked at him, "Morning."

Noah grinned, his pearly white teeth on full display, "Morning, gorgeous." 

I just groaned in response and slammed my head against the car seat. It was way too early in the morning for that bright smile of his.

"Rough night?" Noah glanced at me as he started driving.

"And whose fault do you think that--" I started, before I realized that I had played right into his hands. Narrowing my eyes, I threw him a nasty look.

"Glad to hear I'm keeping you up already." He chuckled, eyes focused on the road, a self-satisfied smirk plaster on his annoying face.

It was 7.20 in the morning and I already wanted to strangle him.

This was going to be a long day. 

Hi lovelies! ❤️

So as promised, new chapter of TWTFIL is hereeee.

I had so much fun writing this one, ngl. What did you think? 

Again, apologies for any errors or typos -- feel free to point out any you catch so I can fix them. It's been a lil hectic in my life lately so it's 100% likely some typos slipped through the cracks. 

Alsooo, random question time -- do you prefer coffee, tea or hot chocolate? ☕☕☕

I'm a savage coffee drinker to the point where I had to designate a day of the week when I just don't allow myself any coffee because my poor heart. :') Problem is it makes it super hard to write when I don't have my daily cup, sad.

Anyway, I hope you liked the new chapter! ❤️

Next chapter will be coming on Saturday probably, lol. I know I said I'd update only one a week for each, but since I'm trying to catch up with TWTFIL anyway, I feel this might keep me accountable. *fist pumps*

Love you allll, stay safe and stay strong! ❤️