Maureen's POV
After my 'fall' in the park, Noah examined me searching for any injuries. Certainly, there wasn't any, but my butt hurt a lot. I obviously didn't mention it because I didn't want him to examine my butt. After convincing him that I was alright, we went straight to our homes considering the fact I was still wearing broken glasses. We didn't resume the game much to Kai's disappointment. Besides, it had already turned dark and I didn't want Jack to follow me to raise more suspicion.
"Why are you wearing that?" Kai pointed to my fractured glasses which currently needed to be admitted to the ICU.
"I cannot see anything without these," I replied flatly and adjusted them.
"But eeeets funny!" Kai laughed and pretending to be an airplane, made a quick exit from the park, leaving Noah and me alone. Not alone exactly if you consider the other people in the park, but still alone.
"Why did you come in the middle of the term at this school?" Noah asked suddenly while burning his hands deep inside his pockets.
"Erm...if you remember when I said that my father was---"
"Oh yeah, transferred to Afghanistan and all that tragedy stuff. Right," Noah interjected nonchalantly, showing no pity for me which I quite liked.
I shrugged and said, "There isn't anything tragic about it, it's his job and he's proud of it. It just feels sad to stay away from family."
"Hmm," He hummed quietly and our arms were brushing each other's which made me shrink and blush. Noah took a deep breath and asked, "Do you miss him a lot?"
"Yeah, of course," I said and continued walking slowly beside him. "I miss everybody, my mum, my sis, my old life..."
"Aren't you worried about your dad?" Noah asked while staring at me curiously and my head hung low, my black wig hair posing as a curtain and hiding my face from him.
I kicked a random stone and admitted, "Yeah, I mean I should worry, right? But then there is Jane and Ginger who always try to cheer me up."
He didn't say anything and I looked up at him. He had a half-smile stretched across his face and the faint trace of dimples. I shyly looked away and didn't drag the topic because I was already tired of lying. Although what I said about Jane and Ginger was fairly true, I couldn't risk lying anymore.
"Noah?" I called him softly while stopping in my tracks which made him turn around.
"Hmm?"
"I think we should go home," I suggested and he just nodded faintly.
We quietly walked down the deserted street flashing each other a small, shy smile occasionally. His smile was so adorable and contagious with dimples on either side of his cheeks and his eyes crinkling in the sides.
We arrived at my house where we saw Jane conversing with Karla. Kai was clinging to Karla and when he spotted Noah and me, he waved at us cheerfully.
I waved back and Noah mused in, "He seems to really like you."
I laughed while waving at him dismissively and we both walked towards them.
Jane noticed us, her forehead creasing and she asked worriedly, "What happened Amelia? Oh goodness, you hurt yourself! Let me have a look...And why are you wearing those broken glasses?"
I glared at her, indicating her to stop with her over-concerned look, and said "Erm...we can talk about this later, okay? I need to just freshen up."
"Wait...I'll come with you! Be careful next time and are you sure about no bruises?" She grabbed my arm and examined me thoroughly.
I shook my head, trying my best to not burst out because her extrema behavior might raise some suspicion and I quickly pulled my arm back.
I hissed in her ear, "Stop overreacting and I'm alright."
Before she could open her mouth, I flashed another smile to Noah and his family and ran inside to rush to my room. I slammed the door shut and leaned against the door, catching my breath.
* * * * *
I dried my wet, blond hair with a fresh towel and hairdryer and then stripped out of my robe to put on my cartoon, comfy pajamas. I pulled my fry blond hair into a tight bun and secured it with rubber bands and lots of hairpins. Then fixed my black wig over my tight bun and secured it with more hairpins, just to be careful. I took out some tanning cream and put it all over my bare arms and legs to hide my pale complexion. After I was disguised completely, I walked out of my room, my head aching due to the number of pins stuck in my hair. I was being too careful and I had to learn to become more relaxed.
Jane had earlier informed me that Noah, Karla, and Kai were staying over for dinner. I could smell the aroma of spicy, thai food and my stomach growled. I entered the dining area and to my astonishment, they were already eating without waiting for me! Sometimes I wished that I could go back to being a princess and act snobby enough for people to wait for me to start dinner.
I frowned, but quietly sat beside Jane who diverted her attention from Karla to me and asked, "What took you so long? We were waiting for you."
"Just the usual, hiding things," I said with an attitude, enjoying the privilege of a commoner and Jane cleared her throat, her eyes widening a little by hearing the sudden change in my attitude.
I smiled innocently and batted my eyelashes at all the people gathered at the table who were staring at me. Noah's intense gaze was burning my soul which made me reluctantly look down and I drew lonely circles on the empty plate in front of me.
"Wait, I'll serve you," Jane offered while breaking the uncomfortable silence and put rice on my plate. I helped myself by pouring spicy aromatic curry over it while Jane arranged the bowls of tropical fruits on my plate. From the corner of my eye, I caught Noah who was still staring at me. I huffed while shoving spoonfuls of rice in my mouth and ignored his gaze.
Since I ate rather slowly like a tortoise, everybody had completed eating their food including Kai. Jane and Karla gathered the dirty dishes and went inside the kitchen while chatting with each other merrily. Kai was intently watching television while Noah was sitting on the chair right opposite to me. He was texting somebody while I tried my best to finish my food as quickly as possible.
I caught Noah peeking through his phone and looking up at me. My little finger twitched and I could feel myself getting annoyed. I stabbed the chicken in the curry with my fork and demanded, "Why are you staring at me again and again, huh?! Have you never seen a girl or-or this chicken?"
Noah put his phone on the table and looked at me. His deep blue eyes looked intimidating and I bit my bottom lip nervously. I never knew that I could shout at him so freely. The courage that I possessed was surprising yet exciting to me at the same time. He did not say anything for a while, but slowly leaning forward until out faces were inches away. My breath hitched and I couldn't breathe properly any more nor my mind could function.
finally, his lips twitched upwards and replied calmly in his deep rich voice, "I haven't seen a girl who looks like a chicken."
What even...How dare he!