Page 9 of Two Weeks to Fall in Love

Two Weeks to Pay the Price

I spent most of the ride home rewinding earlier events and trying to understand what had actually happened.

Lily’s comments about how being with Noah was like living in a different world were starting to make a little more sense.

He clearly didn’t see the world, or even love, in the same way I did, but unlike my dear friend, I wasn’t going to be swept up by this tidal wave that was Noah Archer. No way .

While still in a daze, I watched him pull up next to my house and approached on wobbly feet. Circling the car, I stopped in front of the now open driver’s window and glanced down at him, not really sure what to say. See ya later, buddy? Nice meeting ya, pal? Thanks for the extra clothes, friendo?

It’s not like we were actually friends. Thanks to my brilliant plan we’d sailed straight past that and entered the dreaded relationship zone . Figuring I could just go with the regular ’kay, bye , I opened my mouth, but before I could say anything, Noah interjected.

“See you tomorrow, babe .” He leaned through the window, that irritating smirk ever present on his smug face.

Ugh, these nicknames were starting to make me feel queasy.

“Whatever.” I turned around, planning to escape into my house as soon as possible, but then decided that no . No freaking way .

I wasn’t just going to dance to the rhythm of his drum.

He wasn’t the Pied Piper and I wasn’t under his little spell.

That was why, instead of gracefully turning around and walking to my front door, I ended up doing a much less graceful pirouette that almost landed me face-first in the uncut grass.

His eyes widened as he looked at me, visibly confused by my erratic behavior.

Not that I could really blame him for that.

Once I’d regained my balance, and my composure, I pointed one determined finger at him.

“Also, you’re wrong about love. There’s no algorithm for it, okay?

It’s not something that can just be predicted by asking a few questions.

” At that moment, I felt like a warrior fighting in the name of love, this beautiful thing that I refused to believe anyone could just dissect into a simple formula.

Only it seemed like Noah seemed to perceive me as more of a clown than a warrior maiden. “Guess we’ll have to see whose hypothesis is correct,” he said, the corners of his lips quirking up in amusement.

I rolled my eyes at him, spreading my arms in a gesture of what are you even talking about, dude ? “I just told you, I don’t subscribe to your little science thing.”

“But you said you’ll go through the questions, right?

Then we’ll see if you change your mind by the time we get to the last one.

” Noah braced one forearm against the car door, leaning closer to me.

The half smile on his face made it obvious he wasn’t lacking in confidence, and I let out an exasperated sigh.

“Yeah, well, I doubt it,” I muttered, shooting him a brief glare before I spun around and stomped to my house.

Before I reached the front door, though, I heard him yell from behind me, “By the way, you look hot in my clothes.”

The breath I inhaled caught in my throat, and I turned back around in a panic.

Even from a distance the snicker on his face was more than visible .

To my complete and utter horror, what was also visible were my shocked neighbors walking down the sidewalk, staring at me before whispering to each other. Oh. My . God .

“ I hate you ,” I mouthed to him, realizing that yelling anything back at him would only cause more of a scene.

Noah just shrugged before putting up his window. I heard the sound of muffled music from his car as he sped away.

I can’t believe that guy! He was torturing me on purpose .

*

It was time for Operation Sneaky Sneak .

After all, I really didn’t want my mom to notice the fact that I wasn’t exactly wearing the same clothes I’d left for school in.

What I wanted her to notice even less was the fact that the clothes I was wearing were about three sizes too big on me.

Hoping for the best but preparing for the worst, I rehearsed a string of possible excuses as I clutched the door handle.

Opening the front door, I was instantly hit by the smell of homemade pizza, which was good, because it meant my mom was busy in the kitchen.

“Is that you, Sky?” I heard her voice as soon as I walked in. “You’re late today, your—” With every word she was getting closer, and I instantly sped to the stairs, stopping her midsentence in the process.

“Yeah, it’s me, Mom, but I’ll be right back because I really need to pee,” I yelled at her, running up the steps and tripping at least two times.

“Sky, but your—” My mom tried again, but I was already at the top of the stairs now, and exhaled in relief.

“No time, Mom, it’s a bladder emergency,” I added, hoping to stop her from trying to strike up a conversation before I was able to change back into my clothes.

Swinging open the door to my room with force, I quickly slammed it shut behind me and leaned my forehead against the wood. Letting out a deep breath, I felt my body start to slowly relax.

That was, until I heard a loud shriek come from behind me.

“Uh, new clothes much? What the heck are you wearing?” a shrill, familiar voice yelled a little too loudly.

I turned around, wide-eyed and horrified. There on my bed sat Melissa, hand pressed against her mouth, shock obvious as her eyes darted all over my new ensemble.

“Don’t tell me you already—” I could see where this was heading, and by her tone, I knew it wasn’t going to end well, so I quickly interrupted her, waving my hand manically in front of me.

“No, no, no, no, no, this is most definitely not what you think!” I exclaimed, throwing nervous glances at the door and just hoping my mom hadn’t heard us. “I just got wet,” I explained. Her eyes bulged and I quickly elaborated, “With water! Salt water! I fell into the ocean!”

Melissa blinked a few times and stared at me like I was speaking gibberish. “What? Just what are you even—how are you even wearing Noah’s clothes?” Again, her voice rose an octave with each word.

I quickly shushed her and rushed to my bed, pressing a hand on her lips. “Mel, please, not so loud. My mom . . .” I whispered, gesturing at the door.

“Well, excuse me for not containing my emotions when I find out my best friend is keeping secrets from me,” Melissa hissed at me, her eyes narrowed as she motioned at my body. “And then she comes home wearing a boy’s clothes. Not just any boy’s clothes, no , no , her new boyfriend’s clothes.”

Oh, she was pissed. In fact, at that moment she was probably the most prominent inhabitant of Rage Town. What Melissa hated the most was being kept out of the loop. She was the one who needed all of the tea , and to have it while it was flaming hot.

“Mel, you know it wasn’t a secret, and I told you I’d explain everything once we’re not at risk of being overheard,” I muttered. I walked to my closet and pulled out a comfortable set of clothes I could change into, along with a pair of fresh underwear.

“Well, then start talking. Like now,” Melissa demanded, crossing her arms over her chest in a manner that stated this was nonnegotiable.

I swallowed hard and offered an innocent smile. Nothing. Her face was ice.

“Um, let me just take a quick shower and change.”

She raised a dubious eyebrow, clearly thinking I was trying to avoid the conversation.

“Seriously, Mel, I’m salty, and not the same way you are,” I said, sticking my tongue out at her playfully. Melissa just rolled her eyes at me.

“Fine, go, but you better be back in ten minutes. I’ve been waiting all day to hear about this.” She did a dramatic wave toward the door with her hand, and I blew her a few kisses before rushing out.

*

We were lying on my bed in silence, stomachs full of pizza.

Every few seconds Melissa’s lips would open, as if she wanted to say something, but a few seconds later she’d just close them again.

I had told her everything.

“Are you sure you know what you’re doing, Sky?” she finally asked, sitting up on the bed and looking down at me with concern.

I chewed the inside of my cheek, trying to figure out an answer. If she had asked me that this morning, I would have replied with a resounding yes . After today, however? I wasn’t so sure anymore.

“Probably,” I replied, not even convincing myself, really.

Melissa shook her head. “I’m worried, Sky. This just doesn’t sound very thought out, and I don’t want you getting hurt. You know he’s infamous for his two-weeks thing.”

“Yeah, and that’s exactly why I’m doing it!

” I replied with renewed vigor. “Because it’s not fair that he breaks all these girls’ hearts and then he just dates a new one like it’s no big deal.

Noah Archer needs to pay the price for his actions, and since no one else will be his debt collector, it’s up to me .

” Sure, things weren’t going exactly according to plan, and sure, that wasn’t exactly great, but I had a noble goal.

And the hero always wins in the story, right?

“I just hope you don’t end up paying the price instead,” Melissa mumbled, rather ominously, and I scowled at the thought. “I thought you were focusing on your early application to NYU?”

“Already done,” I said, and grinned.

“Damn, girl, way to bury the lede! I didn’t even know applications were open.” Melissa groaned, pouting.

“You still have time, they just opened a few days ago, but you know me. Now it’s a waiting game until December and honestly, I need some kind of distraction at this point or I’m going to spiral.” Spiraling was definitely among the many “useful” things I excelled in.

“Well, dating the guy you hate is definitely a type of distraction,” Melissa said as she jumped off the bed and yawned.

“You gonna stay over tonight?” I asked, rolling onto my stomach and kicking my feet.

Melissa shook her head, making little noises as she stretched.

“Nah, I can’t, promised my sis I’d braid her hair for tomorrow.

” She quickly glanced at her watch and let out a small gasp.

“Speaking of that, I should get going before she kills me.” Melissa clenched her teeth, looking a lot like the grimacing emoji. I chuckled and shook my head.

Jumping off the bed, I walked Melissa downstairs. Opening the front door, I bit down on my lower lip and clutched the door frame. “So, uh, are we okay now?” I asked, my voice still dripping with guilt.

Melissa looked at me, her face serious, before a huge, silly grin consumed it. “Of course, you goofball. But you better keep me totally in the loop from now on,” she exclaimed, pointing her index finger at me and narrowing her eyes.

I squealed in response and threw my arms around her.

*

Just as I’d gotten ready for bed and was choosing a movie to watch on Netflix, my phone buzzed with an incoming message from the last person I wanted to talk to.

I should have just ignored him. Pretended like I never saw the message or was sleeping, but in the end, I just couldn’t help myself as I pulled up the Messenger window.

Noah : when should I pick you up tomorrow?

Sky : um what?

Noah : for school

Sky : why would I go to school with you???

Noah : cuz we’re dating? I want to spend more time with you babe

Sky : nope, no way. I don’t need to spend every second of my time with you just cuz we’re dating!

Noah : hmmmm, scared you’d fall madly in love with me? and then I’d win our little hypothesis bet

Sky : UGH, not even! FINE. Just pick me up at 7:15 and DON’T be late

Noah : wouldn’t dream of it. might dream of you though

Sky : PLEASE DON’T

Well, after that conversation, I was definitely going to have nightmares.

I threw my head against the pillow, suddenly wide awake and dreading tomorrow even more than I already had been.

Even though every part of me wished I could just pretend I was sick, I knew the guilt would eat me up inside. I really wasn’t the type of person who just missed class, especially during the first half of my senior year. There was no way I could not go to school tomorrow.

I quickly shot off a text to Melissa, telling her she didn’t have to pick me up tomorrow because Noah insisted on driving me. She sent back a slew of emojis and Good luck.

Taking a deep breath, I set my phone aside and closed my eyes. It was just a car ride. I’d been through this before, I could go through it again. No big deal.

Unless he spontaneously decided not to drive us to school and instead drove us to some mountain area to gaze at a stream. Groaning, I pressed my second pillow against my face and screamed.

This was going to be a long, quite possibly sleepless, night.