I think I'm lost without you [Paul Lahote]

Last night was bad. Noah's father had come home in a fury and she paid for it. Noah wasn't sure what exactly triggered Richard, but he was more careless than usual. She didn't think he even bothered to give a reason this time and if he did, she couldn't remember. It wasn't the worst beating she'd had by far, but Noah was sporting a bruised nose and a black eye. She also didn't have anything that covered it up well enough to not be suspicious. So, Noah decided to just avoid everyone today and lie if she was confronted.

As she walked through the parking lot into school, Noah tried to dodge any eye contact and obstruct her face with her hair. The parking lot was absolutely packed this morning with everyone savoring the last few minutes before class and Noah couldn't help but feel like a bug under a microscope. Was everyone really staring and whispering about her? Probably not, but it sure felt like it. Even when she had no friends anymore, Noah couldn't seem to have a day of anonymity. Maybe it was because of the incident in PE yesterday, but regardless, she was pretty sure today was going to suck.

It did not escape her notice that Sam's cult was openly staring at her from their spot by their trucks. Jacob had condemned her (publically) and yet she was the one who had to actively avoid them. How the fuck does that add up? As Noah sped past their group, huddled together, she hid her face behind a curtain of hair. It was bad enough that they stared, Noah didn't need them to stare because of her bruises.

She made it to her locker and took out her books for English but paused when she heard obnoxious giggling growing closer. It stopped behind her. Noah took a deep breath but did not turn around. Perhaps they would grow bored and leave. They did not. Or maybe if she smashed her head hard enough against the locker she would pass out and be spared this interaction.

"Um... Noah? Hello?" Laura giggled. She knew Laura would target her in some way today. She was probably riding an incredible high from her win yesterday in gym class. Her win over Noah that is.

Noah closed her locker and turned around, resting a blank gaze on the girl. Guess she wasn't going unnoticed today. She should've just ditched. Her eyes flicked past Laura's shoulder to the group standing a little ways behind her. Sam's cult. She knew some of their lockers were near hers but they were clearly just watching the interaction. Noah didn't know what right they thought they had to observe her anymore. Jake had very plainly told her that they couldn't be her friend anymore. That none of them wanted to be her friend anymore.

All she wanted to do now was forget they ever existed. Noah had spent weeks trying to ignore their presence, shoving down any and all lingering feelings she had. So, she had no idea why today of all days she let herself stare right back at them. Perhaps she was just tired of feeling like she was the one responsible for staying out of their way. That she was the one who had to avert her eyes or turn in a different direction.

But for the first time in weeks Noah made eye contact with Paul of all people. Right, she thought as his molten chocolate eyes burned into her soul, that's one of the reasons why she was avoiding that. There were too many feelings and thoughts, too many soft spots, and if she let herself linger on the fact that they all left her without an ounce of regret, she would break into a thousand pieces right there in hallway. Which would be utterly pathetic.

"Oh God!" Laura looked at Noah's face in disgust, bringing her attention back to the girl in front of her. Laura's nose scrunched up as if she smelled something foul. "It's worse. I didn't think it could get any worse."

Laura's cronies giggled behind her. It was very possible that was the only thing they knew how to do. Noah didn't hate these girls, not really. They were insecure and followers. She wished they would leave her the fuck alone, but she didn't hate them.