“First off, rude.” Because honestly! “My head wasn’t up Harry’s bum. Was it?”
“I apologize,” Mohammad concedes. “But seriously, did you not realize that Noah is, like, the shit? Because if you didn’t know before, I’ll tell you now. He is. Which is why I find this whole thing so entertaining.”
“This is ridiculous. I think it’s just a power thing with Noah. It’s probably his attempt at breaking me apart from Harry, so he doesn’t have to be around me as much. I doubt he even cares about me,” I huff.
“You know that’s not true,” Mohammad cuts in.
“I know. But if he likes me, why tell me now? And why in that way?” I ask, feeling desperate. Desperate to know the answer.
“Because he had to get your attention,” Mohammad replies simply.
“I think it’s more likely that he just enjoys taunting me. He wants me to think that I made the wrong decision.”
“And have you made a decision?” Mohammad asks. “Harry was happy when we left last night, but he didn’t really say.”
“I’m not officially his girlfriend yet, but we’re together. I’m with Harry.”
“Noah probably thinks this is his only chance. Harry asked you to be his girlfriend, and you said no. Noah must think you said no for a reason.”
“But I said no because I want to give Harry and me a little time. So much has happened since we met that I know him, but I don’t really know him. Like, what is his favorite color? What does Harry like to do when we aren’t out or dealing with drama? Stuff like that.”
“Well, there’s your answer then. Guys don’t think like that. Noah probably thinks you wouldn’t commit because you aren’t sure. And that’s an in.”
“Would he really risk his friendship with Harry like that though? I mean, this whole time, he’s been concerned about me coming between them. And now, he’s knowingly putting himself into it?”
“I was thinking the same thing,” Mohammad admits. “We’ve been friends forever. He would never jeopardize that. Which can only mean one thing. Noah must really like you. He would never let something come between him and Harry. It’s just not Noah.”
“Oh shit. That’s it,” I reply, my breath catching. I’m overwhelmed, like I can feel the blood pounding through every vein in my body.
“What are you trying to say?”
“I’m saying that we know that Harry and I made up last night. But Noah must not. The last he heard, Harry and I were over. I was pretty upset after seeing Harry and Olivia together at the pub. And after, I made some strong declarations to Noah about how I obviously didn’t mean anything to Harry. That we weren’t anything.” I swallow hard, knowing that I’m really in over my head.
“Oh fuck,” Mohammad breathes out. “This is bad, Mallory. This is really bad.”
“I realize that! But I need your help,” I say, trying to figure out what to do.
“No, no, no. This is on you. You have to tell Noah. Like, immediately. Now.” Mohammad’s voice is stern but laced with concern.
“I’m not sure that’s going to go over well,” I reply.
Because I know I can’t do it. Things are already going to be weird. And I don’t know how to just throw that in there. Like, Oh, hey, by the way, I know you practically had your lips on mine this morning, but in case you don’t know, your best friend was over here last night, and his lips were on mine, and we’re now officially dating. Yeah, right.
“Mallory, you need to tell Noah before he finds out from someone else. And Harry can’t know about this.”
I nod my head in agreement.
“I know,” I admit. “I’m sorry I’ve put you in this situation, Mohammad. Are you okay with, well, keeping it a secret?”
I cross my fingers, hoping his answer is yes. If he isn’t, I could not only lose Noah and Harry, but I could lose Mohammad too.
“I’m not going to tell Harry because I don’t want to hurt him. But you need to decide, Mallory. Noah or Harry. And if you choose Noah, you should understand that you will probably destroy his friendship with Harry in the process. You’re only here for two more weeks. Is it really worth ruining everything, just to leave us?” His words are harsh and cold.
“I won’t do that. I promise.” I let out a shaky breath.
Mohammad’s right. I care about them both too much to ruin their friendship.
“Good,” he states with a sigh of relief. “I’m sorry. I just got worried.”
“I know. They’re your best friends,” I reply, not sure what else to say.
“You’re my friend too, Mallory. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought up you leaving.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I tell him, swallowing hard. “It’s the truth.”
“It won’t change our friendship though. You’ll have to come visit over the holidays. The boys’ club won’t be the same without our main girl,” he says, sounding happier.
I push out a little laugh. I want to be optimistic, but the thought of leaving has my stomach in knots. “Hey, on a side note, have you talked to Sarah at all?”
“Nah,” he says.
“Couldn’t keep your interest?” I ask, thinking back to the party Wednesday night.
“Like I said, I’m not looking for anything but fun,” he replies. And I swear I can hear him grinning through the phone.
“Always on the hunt.” I laugh.
“Exactly. Maybe I need to have a chat with Noah. Sounds like he’s got some good moves on how to get a girl … worked up.”
“I’ll never live this moment down, will I?” I ask, rolling my eyes.
“Nope.”
“Well, thanks for the advice anyway. I’ll see you at school tomorrow.”
“Anytime,” he says, hanging up.
I throw myself onto the bed, trying to decide what to do. After talking with Mohammad, I just feel more confused. I can’t do anything about what Noah said, except ignore it. I have to pretend that he never said it and hope that’s the end of it.
I mean, it’s not like he sat me down, took my hands in his, and romantically professed his love for me. He made it a joke, a game even. I’m sure he wasn’t even being serious about it.
I think about what Mohammad said.
About telling Noah.
I probably should. But at the same time, why should I have to? Is it my job to police their friendship? I don’t need to take what he said so literally.
Besides, maybe he was still sleepy.
Or he was just teasing.
Or maybe I’m just telling myself that.
I decide what I need to do is stop thinking, so I get up off the bed and go down for some breakfast. I’ll scope things out and see how Noah acts.
Maybe I will casually slide the fact that I’m dating Harry into a conversation, and Noah won’t blink an eye, sparing us both the awkwardness.
But the idea of telling him sends a pain through my chest. One that I can’t dwell on.
“Morning,” I greet, walking into the kitchen to find Gene making toast.
Helen is sitting at the table, the newspaper held open in her hands.