And this time, I didn’t even have to think about it. Laughing, I pulled up my dress so it was mid-thigh and I jogged forward, hopping on to his broad back. His hands caught me but he stumbled forward slightly, a small cry coming from his lips.
Jeez, he chuckled. You’re a bit heavier than I remember.
Heyyy ! I said, slapping him lightly on the head. Maybe you’re just weaker college boy, did you ever think of that ?
He laughed and hoisted me higher on his back. Oh come on Lily, I’ve never heard anything so ridiculous, he smirked, eyeing me over his shoulder. My strength knows no bounds.
Uh, wasn’t it you that almost dropped me ? I laughed against his back, wrapping my arms around him.
Yeah, uh, lets just forget that happened shall we ? Noah muttered under his breath.
GUYS ! Jackie shouted a way in front of us, Jen, Dean and Dick standing next to her. They were all smiling at us and waving us over, so I threw out my hand and pointed towards them.
Onward, my faithful steed ! I yelled, attracting a few curious glances from passers-by. And the wonderful thing was, I didn’t even care.
I felt Noah laugh as he walked towards them, and I couldn’t help but notice that his hands were slowly getting higher on my legs, towards my ass. Smiling, I shook my head but didn’t say anything, just savoured the feeling of being as happy as I was right at that moment.
You know, that’s not such a bad idea, Dick grinned as we reached them.
He turned towards Jackie and raised his eyebows, a gleam in his eye. Whaddya say honey ? Fancy a ride ?
Why not ? she laughed, leaping on to his back when he turned around for her. This should be a regular thing. Faster than getting a taxi.
So I have to walk with two couples getting piggy backs down a packed street, filled with people giving you guys weird glances, Jen smiled. Awesome.
Hey now, Dean laughed, stepping in front of her and holding his arms out. What’s say we get in on this. I promise I won’t drop you.
I’m not that heavy, Jen muttered, eyeing Dean behind his back. Oh what the hell ? Might as well.
That’s the spirit, Noah laughed as Jen climbed on to Dean’s back.
I looked at over and I couldn’t help but notice the small smile on his face. He had wanted Jen to say yes, and looking at the same exact smile on Jen’s face, it was obvious that she had wanted to say yes too. Suddenly, the smile vanished and Jen looked up at me, her eyebrows raised.
Dean ! She said softy. Get your hand, off my ass before I slap you.
Oh, Dean said innocently, looking over his shoulder at her. My bad, my hands seem to have a mind of their own.
We all burst out laughing as Dean shrugged, trying to his hardest to look innocent. Well lets get going, Noah smiled. I think we’re actually blocking the sidewalk.
Noah stepped forward and walked past taking the lead. I snuggled in to his back and hugged him tight, the wind whipping against my back. Putting my head on his shoulder, I blew in his ear softly and laughed when he let out a small cry of surprise and rubbed his head on his shoulder rather vigorously.
That tickles, he mumbled, glancing over his shoulder and smiling at me. Hey, um, can I ask you something ?
Sure, I nodded, still resting my head on his shoulder. You can ask me anything.
Well, I just wondered if I, uh, could maybe stay with you tonight ? He mumbled, sounding a little nervous. I mean it’s okay if you say no, it’s just because I have to sleep in Dean’s room and
Of course you can stay with me, I said quickly, interrupting him. I was going to ask you, but it looks like you beat me to it.
Oh, Noah breathed, sounding relieved. Great ! Well when we get back, I’ll go to mine first and get changed and everything, and then I’ll come knock on your door.
I’ll just leave it open an inch so you can come on in when your ready, I smiled, happy that I didn’t have to say goodbye to Noah tonight.
And as I snuggled against his back, feeling his warmth, I couldn’t help but think of how so many things had changed. Noah, the guy I had thought was an arrogant player, had turned out to be the guy who could make me smile.
And make me forget.
………………………………………………….
Noah POV (Half an hour later) :
I stepped in to Lily’s apartment quietly and shut the door. The lights were all off except for a small lamp in the corner of the living room. Walking silently across the hardwood floor, I reached Lily’s bedroom door and knocked softy.
Lily, it’s me, I whispered, hearing snoring coming from Jen’s room on the opposite side.
A couple of seconds later, Lily opened the door and smiled at me. I was pleased to see that she was wearing the glasses that I found extemely sexy on her. Her wavy hair was falling over her shoulders and she was wearing grey sweats and a white vest top. And she looked beautiful. My mind fashed back to Lily in her red dress, but seeing her standing here in front of me now, she looked perfect
Hey gorgeous, I whispered, grinning at her and pointing in the direction of Jen’s room. How the hell does she fall asleep so quickly ?
I have no idea, Lily laughed softly, She’s like a sleep ninja. I’ve seriously never met anyone who can fall asleep so fast. She’s got a real gift.
Some people have all the luck, I smiled, stepping in to Lily’s bedroom and shutting the door behind me. I’m not feeling tired at all.
Me neither, she said, dive bombing the bed and landing next to her laptop that was by the pillows.
Graceful, I chuckled, walking over and sitting next to her, peering over her shoulder as she sat up and typed something in to the computer.
As I caught a sneaky glance I saw my name on the screen and I placed my hand on the small of her back, leaning further forward ; curious as to what she was doing. Is that my name I see ? I whispered in to her ear, laughing when she cried out and threw her arms over the screen.
Don’t look, she muttered, giving me a dirty look over her shoulder. And no, that wasn’t your name, it was, uh, umm…
I chuckled as she tried to find an excuse, but she just sighed and frowned at me, a look of resignation in her eyes. I’m sending an email to my aunt Flo in Indiana. She, uh, kind of asked me about you.
Really ? I smirked. And what are you telling her about me ? Impossibly handsome, charming, debonaire
Oh jeez, Lily rolled her eyes, shaking her head at me. Actually I was telling her that your rather messy, you tell bad jokes etc…
I shook my head in mock anger as she pressed the send button and put the laptop on the floor. As soon as she turned around to face me, a sly grin on her face, I pounced. Shooting forward, I pushed her down on the bed and leant down over her, a smile of satisfaction on my face.
I took a breath as I looked at her, the way her golden hair was spread out under her, the rose coloured tint on her cheeks. Leaning down, I kissed her on the lips for a brief second before pulling away and smiling at her.
Play something for me Lily, I whispered, leaning over her.
Now ? She asked, a look of surprise on her face. We’ll wake the neighbours. Jen as well, and trust me, you do not want to wake her up or she’ll go all incredible hulk on you.
I laughed softly and brushed a strand of hair away from Lily’s face. Suddenly, an idea popped in to my head and I jumped off her. Then we’ll have to go somewhere else, I smiled, walking over to Lily’s jacket that was on her desk and throwing it to her.
I can just play for you tomorrow, Lily smiled, a slightly bemused look on her face.
No, I shook my head, taking a hold of her hand and pulling her off the bed. I need to hear you play tonight Lily.
I smiled at her and nodded towards the guitar sitting in the corner of her room. You take that, and I’ll take this.
Reaching behind her, I grabbed hold of the blanket lying on top of the bed and pulled it off in one swift move. Tucking it under one arm, I watched as Lily grabbed the guitar and walked up to me. Okay, so where are we going ? She asked.
Taking her hand, I led her through the darkened apartment and out in to the deserted hallway. We’re going to the place that I first knew, I smiled.
Knew what ? She asked, looking up at me curiously.
That you were my girl, I whispered, looking in to those grey eyes that made me catch my breath every time I looked in to them.
I just watched as she reached up with her hand and stroked my cheek softly, her eyes misty. I’m always your girl, she smiled, standing on tiptoes to kiss me on the lips gently.
As I kissed her, I took her hand and entwined our fingers. Without another word, I led her up to the roof, the place that had become very special to me. Opening the door, a gust of wind shot past, causing me to shiver.
Taking a breath, I pulled Lily over to the battered old couch that was at the far side. Placing the blanket down, I reached behind and switched on the fairy lights that someone had put up here. The lights flickered on and dimly bathed the space in a faint light.
Just like I remember, I smiled, looking over at the last place Lily had been, but she wasn’t there.