They got engrossed in the show. Despite Noah already having watched it, his full attention was captivated by the action that was on screen. A lot of the questions she had, she didn't even need to ask Noah since the show was good at answering them in a subtle manner that didn't disrupt the flow and lines presented by the actors.
Alice took a sip of her hot chocolate leaning over to the mug on the glass coffee table, making sure to not spill any since Noah's head was in her lap. He had settled there, and she didn't make a fuss since she found it more better that he was in contact with her. Alice couldn't make herself reach over to him.
It was one thing that she was glad to be around Noah because he was extremely aware of his surroundings as she was, he ended up knowing what she wanted even before she had consciously thought of it.
Although, another part of it was that she never tended to act on her whims whereas Noah would lead him into some trouble at times.
Alice ran her fingers through his hair carefully knowing that she should stop, but her fingers kept on gravitating toward him. Noah didn't seem to mind, moving as close to her as he could, backing his head up into her body before she slightly nudged him away since he was on the verge of crushing her stomach.
Still, he reminded her of a puppy that was touched and starved, and she was happy to oblige. In moments like these where they were silent in their company with one another it made her wonder if they would be able to get close.
But when they both opened their mouths, they tended to clash unless one gave in to the push.
The exception seemed to be the moment that she stepped in his place though. It was as if they had set down their weapons and had declared a truth for the time being. Alice snickered at the childish thought of them being that serious, and Noah tilted his head toward her curiously at her random response which didn't fit the show.
She patted his cheek in return to get him off her tail, and he eventually turned his face back to the television after she wasn't going to say and squeezed his cheek hard. It was probably a pinch on his end, but she squeezed his cheeks as a subtle way to grab onto his chin and shake it as if he was driving her crazy.
Noah was humoring her, so he didn't do anything as Alice let out her cute aggression on him. With a soft sigh, she needed to pay attention to the show, so she reluctantly let go of Noah and kept her hands to herself.
It didn't stop Noah from doing whatever he pleased to get comfortable, and it was as she had mentioned before. A give and take.
Alice learned a lot about him last night and today, and she was starting to see the full picture. She drew circles in his scalp, practically massaging him as the anger surged through her again where his parents couldn't even see the value in their brilliant son in every way. It pained her to no end.
The window eventually let in the golden light as the sun started to set, and she and Noah ended up doing more things around the house pertaining to making food or cleaning with her following right at his heels. They ended up on the sofa again with the show on, and Alice knew that she needed to head home soon.
"I have to go," she whispered quietly after a slow pause in the show commenced.
"Now?" Noah questioned.
They knew the silence rang with their empty words, but Alice had no reason to truly stay. She had helped him out and did her part. Anything else, she would be taking too much, and she didn't even know how she felt about that. Noah slid up into a sitting position as he stretched making Alice do the same.
"Do you have everything with you?" he asked.
She pointed to the pants and hoodie covering her. "Everything else is in the tote that you gave me. Let me change real quick."
Noah grabbed onto her arm just before she turned away to go to the restroom. "You can return it to me later."
Alice didn't want to owe him anything, and he knew where her train of thought was going when he trapped her hands to her sides. "Just keep it if you don't want to bother giving it back. It's now yours."
She pressed her lips together and nodded. "Please feel better."
"I do. I feel a lot more refreshed."
Alice smiled. "That's great."
There was a heavy pause in the air, and Alice was focused on the area where their knees were touching. A lot of words wanted to be said, but she couldn't get them out since she didn't even know what they were.
His hand slipped down her arm, so that they were holding hands, and Alice bit down on her lips embarrassed at their sudden skinship.
"Thank you for coming over," he said slowly. "I really do appreciate it. I think I would have been sick for longer."
"It was no problem," she replied as she cleared her throat. "No one was here to see you better."
Her words landed with Noah nodding in understanding since he knew that she had said everything she wanted to about last night.
"Be sure to get home safe," he eventually said.
Alice nodded. "I better see you Monday."
"I'll be there."
Noah walked her over to the entryway, and she slipped on her shoes before looking back at him. He stared at her expectantly, waiting for her to go when she slightly shook their tightly clasped hands. His hands were warm with his fingers brushing over hers absentmindedly, and he immediately let her go.
Tucking her hand to her chest, Alice gave him a weak smile that she mustered. "Bye, Noah."
She immediately ran out the door before her heart seized on her with Noah reaching out to her, his afterthought still sitting in the air when she saw his eyes widen. The door shut in between them with a click, the sliver showing Noah's surprised and warm expression for the last second.