Waiting outside of my college, I anxiously anticipated his arrival.

I had gotten changed in the restroom and was adorned with the smart clothes he had bought me previously for work, excluding the ankle-twisting heels - they had been replaced with a pair of black flat shoes I had invested in over the weekend. I fidgeted uncomfortably as I tried to calm my nerves. It wasn't working.

Suddenly I saw a familiar figure advancing toward me.

But it wasn't Zach.

His vicious eyes gleamed and a conceited sneer twisted his features as he stalked towards me. I instinctively clasped my bad arm protectively as he slowly approached until he was stood right in front of me. Refusing to meet his spiteful stare, I focused on the ground. Josh loomed over me, his voice quiet but dangerously serious.

"You better not have told anyone anything, Louise." he warned.

I cringed at his patronizing use of my full name and recoiled away from him, but he seized a fistful of my hair and yanked me toward him painfully. Forcing me to look at him by jerking my head back, he narrowed his menacing eyes on mine.

"I'll ruin your pathetic little life if you do, do you understand?" he hissed.

I felt tears bubbling up in my eyes threatening to escape but I managed to keep them at bay. No one around us had even noticed what was going on and when I saw the long blonde curls of Alyssa come into view, I struggled to get out of his grip but it only made his grasp tighten, making my scalp burn.

"I said: do you understand?" he repeated darkly.

"Yes. I understand." I snapped and he released my hair, just as Alyssa spotted us.

Quickly composing myself, I smiled weakly at her as she sauntered over. She frowned between the both of us for a moment, sensing the tension, before grinning at Josh and pulling him into a hug. He chuckled and they kissed, making me watch on in disgust.

"Hi babe." he murmured into her ear.

She blushed, before turning to me.

"I'm guessing you're waiting to go to work then?" she asked with a genuine smile.

Since Saturday we hadn't really spoken, so I was just happy she was actually acknowledging me. Until that creep had to open his mouth.

"That's usually how it works Lyssa, prostitutes wait to go to work on street corners." he sniggered mockingly.

She scowled at him. "Don't call her that."

He shrugged offhandedly. "It's true."

"Lou-" Alyssa started.

"We'd better be going. Have fun at work." Josh interrupted, shooting me a harsh look before he began to walk away. Alyssa looked at me apologetically before following him.

Staring at them as they left, I sighed to myself. I was in complete inner turmoil - If I told anyone then he would hurt her but if I just stayed quiet the situation would only going to get worse. My scalp still stung from his abuse and my arm hurt whenever I put pressure on it. If those were just a result of being aware about his control freak nature then...

Not even two minutes later I saw a sleek black car driving down the road and I tried to make myself look a little bit more presentable. My heart thumped rapidly against my chest as I watched it park against the curb next to me.

The window rolled down.

"Afternoon." Noah greeted me warmly, flashing me a contagious grin that I had to return with one of my own.

Then I looked at him, slightly confused, wondering why he was here and not Zach. Nevertheless I slid into the car and buckled myself in. As if reading my mind he chuckled.

"Zach is busy so he asked me to pick you up. Scarlett was hot on his heels today."

"Oh." I mumbled as he switched the engine on and began driving down the street.

Then I registered what he just told me.

Scarlett? Who was that?

A heavy feeling sank into my gut but I just shrugged it off.

Other than the music from the radio station that echoed in the car, we were in silence. I didn't really feel like talking after the incident with Josh, so I appreciated the fact Noah just drove, instead of trying to start a conversation with me.

When we pulled in to the company building, I got out of the car quietly and Noah strolled along beside me before suddenly stopping me and resting his hands on my shoulders.

"Are you feeling okay? You look pale." he questioned, concern evident all over his face.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I responded, smiling meekly. "Mondays are just depressing."

He gave me a sympathetic look. "I know how you feel. However! Since Zach is preoccupied, I'm sure he won't need you for the morning so how do you fancy helping me in the recording studios?" he offered with a Cheshire cat smile.

I beamed at him. "Seriously?"

"Seriously." he laughed, his dimples on full display as I practically launched myself at him in excitement.

For the rest of the morning I spent my time working with Noah; different bands came and went at their appointed times and we helped them record, edit and make sure the music and the vocals were balanced in their songs. At first I was completely awestruck by the amount of famous artists that came and went all in only one morning - this seemed to amuse Noah quite a bit - then I got into a nice routine and I found myself comfortable amongst people I had only ever seen in magazines or newspapers. It was so surreal.

The last band of the morning, Python Empire, were nearly finished recording and on their final song of their album when they suddenly stopped. I frowned and glanced to Noah, who seemed just as puzzled as I was.

"What's up?" Noah asked.

"It just doesn't sound right, the chords go but they don't fit." Joey, the lead singer and guitarist explained, seeming frustrated.

"Try slowing it down a little." I suggested without any hesitation - I nearly gave myself a pat on the back for managing to talk to him.

He was extremely good looking; he had charming boyish features and dark brown curly hair that was in a wild style with pale electric blue eyes. Glancing at me, he smiled a little before nodding to the others.

"We may as well try it." he shrugged with a grin.

We counted them in and music filled the room. I watched them eagerly as they played their instruments. Out of all the bands I had seen that morning they were the most passionate. Joey had a smooth husky voice that naturally flowed with the music and the other band members seemed completely at ease as they played.

Noah leaned over suddenly, his arm curling around my waist as he pulled me towards him and kissed my cheek softly.

"You did good." he whispered in my ear.

My cheeks turned a hundred different shades of red.

"Thanks." I mumbled, teeming with embarrassment.

He chuckled and shot me a wink, making me even worse.

The song ended and the band began to pack away. I helped them put various instruments away and I was about to reach for Joey's guitar when he grabbed it.

"I've got it." he smiled kindly as he lifted it up and placed it in his guitar case.

When everything had been put away, Joey strolled towards me with his guitar in hand, his blue eyes sparkling and his lips curving upwards.

"Fancy hanging out with us sometime? It'd be really cool." he offered.

"Yeah, why not?" I answered brightly, giddy from the idea of spending time with such a talented band.

"Great!" he grinned before rummaging in his bag, pulling out a notebook and scribbling on a piece of paper then ripping it out and handing it to me. "Here's my number. Catch you later, Lou."

I watched on as the band began to leave the room with the piece of paper in my hand, my eyes popping wide open when Joey caught eye contact and shot me a wink as he disappeared through the doorway. Glancing down, I saw the numbers scrawled down on the paper with a winking face.

"So are you going to call him?" Noah teased into my ear, making me nearly jump out of my skin. I turned around and shrugged.

"Maybe." I responded nonchalantly, even though I was pretty psyched up about a pretty famous band wanting to hang out with me. "Why?" I eyed him curiously.

Honestly, I was wondering if he was jealous, so I scanned him for a moment. He just chuckled, slinging an arm around my shoulders and kissing my hair. I forced myself not to blush at such a miniscule gesture, but I'm sure he sensed my embarrassment anyway.

He must not be the jealous type.

"I was just wondering. It'll be good for you to make some more friends." he explained, smiling.

I raised my eyebrow. "Are you calling me a loner?"

He laughed, shaking his head. "Of course not, I was just saying."

"Aha." I looked at him skeptically before glancing at the time on my phone.

My face went white.

It was ten past one.

"Shit." I cursed. "I'm late."

"What?" Noah frowned at me then checked his watch. "Oh! You're right. I'm really sorry, I shouldn't have kept you so long."

I shrugged and a large smile inhabited my features. "It's fine. It was fun."

"Well, that's okay then." he replied warmly, his soft grey eyes suddenly staring into mine intently and we lapsed into silence.

Placing his hands gently on my waist, he began edging closer. I gazed up at his stormy grey eyes then down to his lips. My stomach filled with buoyant butterflies as his lips almost claimed mine. However nostalgia suddenly engulfed me, evoking the vivid images of deep chocolate brown eyes, soft lips and the feel of his slight stubble to rush into my mind. I pulled away.

"I should probably go." I mumbled shyly.

Noah nodded and stepped away from me as he cleared his throat.

"Yeah, I don't want you to get into any trouble. See you later." he smiled, but for the first time ever, it didn't reach his eyes.

A small smile was all I could manage in return before turning and exiting the room.

My mind was blown.

What was all that about?

Glaring at the floor, I stomped down the corridor. Zach wasn't even there and he still made my life a misery. I don't even know why he popped into my head. I liked Noah. He was lovely and I completely ruined the moment because of him! I huffed in frustration as I stormed into the elevator. As soon as it reached the second floor, I marched out and towards his office.

I zeroed in on the door and in a complete world of my own, I found myself barging into the room without a second thought. My eyes searched the room for my target when I suddenly spotted him in front of his desk.

I stilled.

Zach was stood embracing a woman.

My anger evaporated, replaced by a jarring weight that pressed painfully on my chest.

Disappointment stabbed into me, causing my heart to descend and clench tightly. A knot lodged itself in my throat as I gaped at them. I willed myself to give them privacy but I was unable to tear my eyes away. Her slim arms were wound intimately around his neck and his were at her shapely waist as she nestled her face in his neck.

The door suddenly clicked to a close behind me and the small noise echoed through the completely silent room, signalling my presence.

Zach glanced up quickly and his dark gaze instantly met mine.

Then it hit me - what Noah had said in the car haunted my mind and I swallowed hard.

She was Scarlett.

__________________________________________________

Hi!

It took me a little longer to update this time because I'm back at college now.

I hope you liked it!

It's unedited, so feel free to tell me about any mistakes I may have made.

I love comments and reading your opinions so if you have the time I'd be really grateful for some feedback. (:

And if you're really really really generous, you could vote. :D

Thanks for reading!

Sweets xxx

P.S CHECK OUT THAT BANNER ON THE SIDE THAT xHannahReggiesx MADE FOR ME! IT'S AMAZING! :D