59

Ow ! He cried, rubbing his arm and smirking at me. Something I said ?
I could feel myself blushing, so I bit my lip and ignored his question, turning towards Jen instead. So I guess I’ll see you in five days ! I smiled, stepping forward and wrapping my arms around her. Try not to burn down the apartment while I’m gone, I’m kind of fond of it.
She laughed and hugged me back. Don’t worry, me and the apartment will be here when you get back, she said. Are you sure taking Thursday and Friday off college won’t get you in trouble ?
Are you kidding ? Noah laughed behind us. My professor practically tried to kiss me when I handed in my assigment two weeks early. Same with Lily’s.
Yep, I agreed, shuddering at the memory. So I don’t think it’ll be too much of a problem and anyway, there’s no way we’re gonna miss Jackie and Rich’s wedding.
Make sure you tell those two congrats from me then, she smiled, dropping her arms and stepping back slightly. They seem like they’re gonna be so happy together.
Yeah, say the same thing from me, Dean said, throwing his arm around my shoulder and kissing me on the cheek. And tell Dick I miss him already.
Great, Noah mumbled beside me. I’m sure he’ll love that…
Smiling up at Noah, I took hold of his hand and squeezed it gently. When he looked down at me and grinned, I could tell that his excitement was barely contained. So, I figured it was time to hit the road. Well guys, I said, pulling Noah towards the door. We’ll see you in five or six days.
Dean, you coming out ? Noah smiled, as we stepped through the door.
Actually, uh, he mumbled, glancing at Jen out of the corner of his eye. Me and Jen were gonna hang out for a bit, before going to our afternoon lectures.
Yeah, Jen muttered, staring intently and the floor and nodding to herself. Just for a bit, you know, as friends do.
Noah and I looked at each other and grinned, the realisation hitting us that slowly but surely, they were both getting over their stubbornness regarding their feelings that were so obvious to everyone around them, but themselves.
I fought to keep a straight face as I stared at them both looking so awkward. Sure, I nodded. Well whatever you guys get up to, have fun.
Oh we will ! Dean smiled, winking at Jen who just muttered something under her breath.
Ok well we’ll leave you to it then, Noah said, reaching out and beginning to close the door. But just before it closed, he peeked around and smiled. Make sure you stay safe kids, if you get what I mean.
Jen and Dean both snapped their hands up and gaped at us as we shut the door on their embarassed faces. I leant against the door and burst out laughing, looking up at Noah in amazement.
I can’t believe you just said that to them, I giggled. Did you see their faces ?
I did, Noah nodded happily. Well I thought I might as well get the ball rolling. Someone’s got to help those two along, otherwise they’d just ignore it and keep insulting each other instead.
I smiled as he reached down and cupped my cheek before brushing his lips against mine. We better get going gorgeous, we’ve got a long drive ahead of us.
We have, I agreed, kissing him lightly before heaving my bag over my shoulder and walking down the hallway towards the Harley parked out at the front of the building.
When we reached the bike, we managed to squeeze the bags in to the holding compartments and smiling at Noah, I tossed him the keys and nodded to the bike. Really ? He grinned like a little kid.
Yep, I nodded, watching with amusement as he hopped on to the bike and stared at it lovingly.
Smiling softly, I got on the back of the bike behind him and wrapped my arms around his muscled chest that was straining against his grey shirt. As he looked over his shoulder and checked when it was safe to pull out, he winked and me and grinned, his excitement palpable as he increased speed and dodged the traffic, sending us on the start of our roadtrip towards Michigan and the family I was dying to meet.
*9 Hours later*
The weather had slowly been getting worse the further North we drove. Glancing up at the sky, all I could see were grey clouds. A storm was coming and seeing as it was getting darker, Noah and I needed to check in to a motel before things got worse. We had both taken turns driving, but Noah had been driving for hours now, so when I saw a sign for a motel, I tapped him on the shoulder and pointed towards it .
He nodded and followed the signs, them letting us know that it was about two miles away. But as we got closer, the weather decided to let all hell break loose, and the rain poured down in one swift movement, getting us soaked through to the bone in a matter of seconds. We were both dressed in summer clothes, with only a jacket protecting us from the cold so I breathed out a sigh of relief as the Motel came in to view.
Noah signalled and reduced speed, turning in to the parking lot and parking in the space located closest to the office. Shutting of the engine, he grabbed my hand and we ran inside, both of us absolutely soaking wet and shivering.
We need a room, Noah said breathlessy as he stepped up to the counter and looked at the teenage guy sitting and watching a small TV.
Sure, he nodded, still not looking away from the TV programme he was studying so intently.
Dude ! Noah said frustrated, smacking the counter. We’ve been driving for basically nine hours straight and we need a room now so could you get off your ass and give us a key !
Yeah, sorry about He trailed off as he looked up and caught sight of us, dripping wet in his office. Jesus, you guys are wet through.
No ! I muttered sarcastically, glancing down at myself in my shorts and blouse. You don’t say, because we hadn’t even noticed.
Noah glanced at me and chuckled softly, shaking his head. Turning back to the guy, he handed over some money and I. D and we waited for him to process the information. After a brief wait, he smiled and handed Noah a key.
Here you go sir, sorry about that, he said apologetically. Your room is up the stairs at the far side of the car park. It’s room 23, in the corner.
Great, thanks a lot ! Noah smiled, before walking over and taking my hand. Jeez, it’s still pouring out there. I guess we should have actually checked the weather forecast before we left, huh ?
Would have probably been the sensible thing to do, I laughed softly. But hey, when have we ever been smart or sensible ?
That’s a good point, he smiled, kissing me on the top of the head. So you ready to grab the bags and make a run for it gorgeous ?
On three, I whispered, the rain almost drowning me out as it pelted against the glass window of the office. Ready ? One, two…
As soon as I said three, we both opened the door and ran for the Harley, swearing as the rain caused our teeth to chatter and our bodies to shiver uncontrollably. Opening the carry compartments, Noah grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder. I reached in to grab mine but he grabbed that one too and starting running to the stairs at the opposite side of the lot, water splashing up as he did so.
Come on Lily, he yelled over the rain, as I shut the compartment door and ran over to him, trying desperately to shield myself from the onslaught of water, but finding it an impossible task.
When I reached Noah at the bottom of the metal stairs, he grabbed hold of my hand and pulled me up, making sure I didn’t slip as the rain continued to hammer down. I looked over the surrounding area, amazed as a flash of lightning broke the skyline and lit up the darkening skies for a brief minute before fading away in to the night.
Did you see that ? I whispered, as Noah walked us past the doors until we came to the number 23.
This is us, Noah breathed heavily, dropping my hand and slipping the key in to the lock and swinging the door open.
But as another flash of lightning illuminated the darkened sky, I stood on the balcony, mesmerised at how quickly the weather had changed. The rain continued to pour down, plastering my hair to my forehead, but the amazing sight held me transfixed.
Lily, what an earth are you doing out there ? Noah said, pulling me inside. You’ll catch pneumonia.
I just watched as he threw the bags down and pulled the curtains shut. Glancing around the room, I saw that it was surprisingly nice for a roadside motel. It was painted a pale yellow, and had a pattern of blue running around the edges. There was a vase of flowers sitting on the desk, as well a small lamp that seemed to be one of the only sources of light.
Damn it ! I heard Noah curse behind me, as he switched the main light on. It flickered for a second, before the bulb faded and plunged the room in to darkness once more. I’m gonna go back down to the office and get it sorted.
No, don’t w-worry about it, I shivered, running my hands up and down my arms to try and get myself warmer, after throwing my jacket on the bed. Try the lamp in the corner.