[[ Part 13- something ]]

*ring ring*...

Jaycee waited patiently by the phone, waiting for her customary three rings to pick up. She knew that it was going to be Alex and she didn't want to seem too desperate to talk to him. In fact, she was supposed to hate him. She'd given up hating about 15 minutes ago, when she'd gotten Adele's email asking her why she was annoyed at him sending her an apology. Truth was, she'd been trying to forget all day, but apparently hating him made her think about him and about the past even more than it normally did. Finally, she heard the third ring and lunged for the phone, while clearing her throat at the same time.

"Hello?" Jaycee said into the phone, hoping that she didn't sound squeaky. She couldn't help it, she was nervous.

"Hey" The voice on the other end of the line was one she knew very well, but it wasn't the one she was expecting.

"Ohh... Hi Noah. Watsup? Shouldn't you be getting ready for your *hot date*?" she asked, hoping that teasing him would distract him and hide the disappointment in her voice.

"That's fine. I'll get to that in a second, but first you have to tell me what's going on. Don't think I dont know. You waited three rings, and you only ever do that if your waiting for a crush to call. Usually you pounce on the phone like a starved dog" Noah said, as She flinched, knowing that she'd been caught out. Damnit, he knew her too well. It made it hard for her to keep information from him. That however, didn't stop her from trying.

"Oh, it's nothing worth listening to... tell me whats the deal with Adele" She attempted to change the topic, but was unsuccessful. Noah, didn't say anything, but remained silent, and as always, Jaycee always caved first.

"Argh! Alright, so you caught me out. I thought you were Alex." Jaycee let the words settle into his brain. He was the only person who knew the entire deal with her and Alex, apart from the father thing.

"WHAT? but I thought that you hated his guts now...?" He enquired.

"Come on, don't pretend that you actually thought that I hated him. You practically know what I can and can't do or feel before I even do!". It was completely true, and she could hear Noah chuckle on the other end. She sighed loudly.

"I tried hating him, and all I did was end up thinking of him even more so I got really frustrated and about 15 minutes ago, I just decided that I couldn't hate him anymore. He sent me an apology email a wile ago and i didn't reply so he sent me about four more and the last one said he was calling me." She explained.

"And that's where I accidentally butted in..." Noah said. Jaycee could practically SEE the grin on his face.

"yup, it only took you a while to figure it out". She wondered how long it was going to take for him to get to the real reason why he called. Sometimes is was straight away, but sometimes he stretched it and stalled for as long as possible, she she frequently had to make it clear that she didn't have all day.

"Well, I guess I should stop beating around the bush then." He hesitated. "Ah, what the hell? Here goes... I have no idea what to wear or how to act around Adele tonight! Everytime I see her I become a paralysed beetroot. I don't know why I'm so nervous around her." He said all at once, embarrassed by his vulnerability. She was thinking about what he was saying, and drifted off into her own thoughts, not realising she hadn't said anything yet.

"And Jay... I... I haven't felt this way about anyone since Bridget. And even then it was different" He finished. Jaycee was ecstatic for him. It had taken him a long time to get over Bridget, he'd liked her so much. In fact, since her, he'd only gone out with one other person. And that was Adele. Man was she glad that he was finally over her. But what did it mean?

"I think you're in love with her man." There was nothing else she could say.

"I don't know... Do you really think so? I mean, I--"

"Ah shit. Someones on the other line. Can I talk to you tomorrow? Give me all the details OK? I'm so0o0o0 sorry!" Jaycee said hurriedly, hoping that it was Alex.

"Yeah, that's cool. Cya tomoz" He replied. He'd become used to Jaycee and her phone schedule. In fact, he knew the call waiting music so well he could sing the entire thing on tune if you asked him to. And that was BIG.

"Yup, OK, Ta Ta!" She heard him hang up and she took a deep breath before pressing the recall button. *Beep* She moved her finger to push 2. *Beep*

"Hello?" Jaycee  hoped that she didn't sound too eager.

"Hi. This is Alex... Can I please talk to Jaycee?" His voice sounded tight, and it was evident he was stressed.

"Uhh... this is Jaycee. Hey alex." She tried to sound causal, but she could feel her throat constricting in her neck.

"Jaycee, I know I was Jerk. I've said sorry, probably a million times

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Adele took one last look at herself, reaching up to smooth her hair down. She picked up her handbag and checked that she had everything in there, when she heard the doorbell ring. She took a deep breath and headed down the stairs. She heard her brother Zach answer the door. Inside she cringed, hoping that Noah wouldn't judge her by her brother. She shook her head and smiled. Not that he would do that or anything. He had been really sweet to her since they had first really met that day at the park. While everyone else was going to the dance, they were going to go out for a movie and she would be in the greatest company.
"Hey," she said when she saw him standing in the living room.
His eyes said everything. Inside, she smiled, glad that she had gone to some effort, at least, to make herself look good.
"Wow�" His words drifted off into breathlessness, as he marveled at how great she looked. "You look�" He was at a loss for words, not able to find a perfect word for the perfect girl.
Interrupting their perfect moment, Zach started making kissing noises. The two of them jolted slightly, just remembering that there were other people in their world. That it wasn't just the two of them.
"Zach�" Adele threatened, giving him a sidelong look.
Zach noticed his sister's tone and he ran out of there as fast as he could.
Noah laughed. "He doesn't seem like such a bad kid."
They stood in silence for a while, just enjoying the other's company.
Noah cleared his throat. "So, you ready?"
Adele flashed him a smile and nodded.

"So� what do you want to see?" he asked her.
She shrugged. "Whatever you want to see. I don't mind action, or comedy, or chick flick� up to you."
"Ok. How about Lord of the Rings?"
She raised her eyebrows. "You like fantasy?"
He nodded. "Yeah� it's great how you can just go to some other world� and forget about� problems and stuff."
She listened quietly, not asking any questions. She knew he'd just tell her everything if he wanted to. Besides, she had her own problems to worry about, with her parents and everything. Why couldn't they just understand that she wasn't a little girl anymore?
"So you sure that's ok with you?"
Adele glanced up, realising that she hadn't been listening to a thing he had said. "Er� yeah, sure, whatever."
He raised an eyebrow. "We don't have to see it if you don't want to�" He drifted off, trying to read her mind.
Adele shook her head, pushing all thoughts of home to the back of her mind. After all, she had come here to be with Noah and escape from all of it. "No. Seriously. I don't care what the movie is� as long as I'm with you." She blushed, realising how corny she sounded.
Noah smiled. "Right back at ya." He bought their tickets, popcorn and they walked into the cinema, Adele feeling very comfortable under the weight of his arm.

Inside, the movie began, but neither of them understood what was happening, each too aware of the other's presence.
Adele shifted in her seat, getting comfortable. Her hand brushed Noah's arm and she felt a tingle go up her spine. He's such a great guy, she thought. I don�t deserve him. Jaycee was right saying that he was really sweet. I wonder if he'll� Her thoughts drifted off, not wanting to jinx the night.

When the movie was finally over, Adele and Noah both stood up. Without a word, Noah reached for Adele's hand, and she didn't object. They walked out of there as if they'd known each other for ages. For them, no words needed to be exchanged. Everything was just� perfect.
"'Dele?"
The moment was shattered. Adele turned around, looking for whoever had called her name. She felt like telling whoever it was to piss of, for ruining a �
"Matty?"
Noah looked from Matty to Adele, and back again. "Erm� What's going on here? Is he your�"
Adele shook her head violently. "No. Of course not. He's� um� a friend."
Matty came up to them. "Hi. I'm Matty."
Noah seemed skeptical. "I'm� er� Noah."
Adele interrupted their introductions. "What are you doing here?" she asked Matty, furious.
Matty backed up, hands in front of him. "Woah. Down. It's the movies. Anyone's allowed to come here."
Noah looked at Adele. "Do you guys need to talk?"
"Yes we do," replied Matty, even though he knew the question wasn't directed at him.
Glaring at Matty, Adele replied, "No, we don't." With that, she turned and walked off, Noah running to catch up with her after apologising to Matty. Matty was left standing there by himself. What just happened? he asked himself.

"Adele, do you wanna tell me what's going on?"
Wiping the tears from her eyes, Adele turned to face Noah. "I'm so sorry. I thought I was over him� but then when I saw him again�"
Noah looked at her, confused. "Are you saying you used to go out with him?"
She shook her head, closing her eyes. "We were best friends, but I wanted more than that, but then I left Delaney so I thought I was over him and then�" She broke out into more sobs.
Noah reached over to hug her, even though he knew that nothing could happen now.
"I'm so sorry� tonight was great� it was perfect� I'm just not sure what I'm feeling now."
He nodded, understanding. "It's ok. I understand."
Adele wiped her eyes and looked at Noah. "You're a really great guy, Noah. I didn't even deserve to have the night that I just had. Someday, you will make someone truly happy." She leaned over and kissed him, lightly, on the cheek, glanced at him once more, then got up and walked home.
"You're the only one who could make me truly happy, though," he whispered, as he watched her walk away, his tender words drifting off into the wind.

[[ Part 12- Alex Says Sorry ]] <-- Back                                                                              Next --> [[ Part 14- Adele's Diary ]]