ELLE'S POV
The sharp ring of my phone sliced through the stillness like a blade.
I jolted upright, breath caught in my throat. My heart hammered as I fumbled for the phone, nearly knocking it off the nightstand. Pale morning light spilled through the half-open curtains, casting golden stripes across the room. My eyes darted to the screen. Mom.
“Shit,” I muttered under my breath.
I scrambled off the bed, tripping slightly on the tangled sheets around my legs. The air was cold against my skin. My fingers trembled as I swiped to silence the call, and I glanced back.
Noah stirred, the rustle of sheets the only sound he made. He blinked against the light, then rolled onto his back, the comforter slipping down to reveal the smooth curve of his chest, rising and falling with each slow breath.
His voice was low and rough, still soaked in sleep. “What happened?”
“It’s my mom. I didn’t go home last night,” I said, half in a panic, tugging on my jeans in a frenzy.
I was already pulling my shirt over my head when Noah sat up. He scrubbed his hands over his face, then pushed his messy hair back. “Let me drive you.”
I hesitated for only a second before nodding. “Please.”
We didn’t waste time. The streets were quiet, still asleep. The early hour made the world feel paused—like nothing else existed but the two of us and the tension knotting in my stomach.
My phone buzzed again. I stared at it, pulse racing.
“Answer it,” Noah said gently, his left hand steady on the steering wheel, eyes flicking toward me before returning to the road.
I inhaled sharply and pressed the green icon. “Mom?”
“Where the hell are you?” Her voice cracked with panic. “I got home and you weren’t there!”
“I’m five minutes away,” I rushed to say, then ended the call before she could spiral further.
When we reached my house, the tension in my chest peaked. Mom was already on the front lawn, arms crossed tightly over her chest, lips pressed into a thin line. Her eyes locked onto the car the moment we pulled up.
Noah barely had time to put it in park before I jumped out. She stormed toward us.
“Mom, wait—” I began, raising my hands in defense.
“Explain. Now.” Her voice was sharp, but her eyes searched me, flickering over my face, my clothes, my tired eyes.
I swallowed. “I… fainted. Yesterday. In the school hallway.”
Her expression shifted, barely. “What?”
“Noah found me. He took me to his place. I didn’t wake up until after midnight, and he didn’t want to leave me alone.”
Something softened in her face then. Her arms slowly lowered. The tight line of her mouth relaxed as her gaze shifted to Noah.
“Thank you, Noah,” she said, her tone quieter, more measured.
Noah stood tall beside me, posture calm but protective. “Of course,” he said. “I just wanted her to be safe.”
Mom gave a small nod, then turned and started toward the house. I followed, but paused when her hand wrapped around my arm.
She lowered her voice. “Is that the Noah? The one you’ve been going on about?”
Heat flooded my cheeks. “Yes, Mom.”
Her eyes stayed on him, observing the way he leaned casually against his car, waiting. “Wow,” she muttered, half to herself. Then she glanced back at me with a smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth. “I saw the way he was looking at you. Are you sure he’s the bully, or are you bullying him now?”
I huffed out a laugh and shook my head. “Very funny.”
I jogged back to Noah’s car, trying to ignore how much my heart was racing for an entirely different reason now. He straightened up as I approached, eyes locking on mine. Without a word, he leaned down and brushed his lips softly against mine—a gentle kiss that made my knees weak.
“Rest, okay?” he said, his thumb grazing my cheek. “It’s the weekend. Don’t go anywhere. I’ll check on you later.”
I nodded, barely trusting myself to speak.
He opened the driver’s door but paused, looking over his shoulder. A sly smile crept onto his lips. “By the way… don’t think I forgot.”
I blinked. “Forgot what?”
“My proposal,” he said, voice lower now. “You haven't given me a reply yet? Do you need time?”
My face felt like it was on fire. I looked down, biting back a smile and nodded. “I’ll think about it, Noah.”
Noah didn’t let me off that easy. He stepped forward and kissed me again, firmer, more certain. My hands found the fabric of his hoodie, clinging there as if to steady myself.
When he pulled away, his eyes searched mine. “For me, there’s nothing more to think about, Elle. I love you.”
My jaws dropped and he jumped back into the car hurriedly and he was gone.