(𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊)

I stretch lightly before turning onto the other side of my bed to feel nothing but a cold space.

I open my eyes slowly, the sun piercing through my window and peeking out of a small bit of the curtain that wasn't closed.

I roll over to my nightstand which is followed by a small groan as I see the time.

It's the first time I've gotten any sort of sleep in the past three days.

I sit up from my bed allowing the oversized sweater to fully cover myself, I rub my eyes sleepily before hearing a page flip.

"Morning sunshine," I hear before looking up to see Tristan with a smile on his face and one of my old journals in his hand.

His clothes are different, I'm assuming he woke up early and went home before returning to my house.

I quickly rush over to him before grabbing my journal, "That is not okay," I nutter my voice still sleepy as I speak.

"It says it's from fifth grade, didn't think you'd be bothered if I read it," he says, and I can't tell if he's joking or not.

"These things are private," I say running a finger through my messy brown hair as I place the journal back onto my bookshelf.

"It was out on the bookshelf," he says in a playful tone which causes me to roll my eyes.

"When I no longer care about it, I put it there," I explain and he nods.

"You have five out here,"

"Thank you for stating the obvious Turtle," I state causing him to give me a stern look, his brows knitted together.

"Do you have one written about me?" He questions as I turn on my heels to enter my bathroom.

"About you, no but are you briefly mentioned, maybe," I state. He follows me to the bathroom and leans against the doorframe as I grab my toothbrush.

"Can I read it?" He questions.

"No,"

"Why"

"Because in those I felt a different way than I feel about you know," I mutter, laying a good amount of toothpaste onto my toothbrush after I had washed it off.

"And how do you feel about me now?" He questions, placing his left leg in front of the right as he crosses his arm.

I push my toothbrush into my mouth before pushing him outside. "See you in class," I mutter before closing the door.

── ·✩· ──

Forty minutes.

That's how long I've been staring at the fine words on the two-hundred-and-fourteen-page book.

I've re-read the third line on the tenth page about three times, and then I lose what I was reading because my mind gets the best of me, an example would be how I can't stop thinking about the kiss I had with Tristan last night. It also doesn't help that he's right next to me right now.

It's not that I find books boring, it's that I find books from school boring. I can sit and read about a fantasy with a mermaid and a bear falling in love for an hour but not get past the fifth line in a school book for the same amount of time.

I had approximately fifty more minutes left of this class and I'd rather rip out my eyes with a spoon. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for the big kiss in the rain but Noah is awful., especially in the movie. He spots her at a carnival where she's laughing and crashing a bumper car and he instantly decides she's gorgeous and wants her.

Not only does he do that but also convinces her to lie in the street with him, where they almost die because of stupidity. Oh yeah. And we can't forget him almost killing himself if she didn't yes to a date.

Then after they stop talking he decides to build her dream house, and he continues to write her letters after years of not speaking. The book would've been better if, in the end, Noah was a serial killer, that would've definitely shocked me and would possibly be higher in my rating for it, but nope it's just a love story, that gives off very unrealistic romance standards.

The whole situation gives off a toxic vibe, but I know I'm not one to talk so I'll keep my opinions to myself. . . for now.

My stomach rumbles and instantly want to slap myself considering Tristan is sitting next to me and he knows I skipped breakfast even though he told me not to.

He looks over me with a judgmental stare, "I'm fine," I assure him and he shakes his head before digging into his backpack.

He pulls out a nature honey granola bar from one of his many compartments, I take it from his hand before thanking him.

"Thanks," I mutter unwrapping the foil from around the very appreciated snack.

Soon Mr Clarke walks back into the classroom and sits on the corner of his desk, taking in a wide view of the class.

"Hendrix, what do you think about the book?" He questions as he stares at Tristan. I slow down chewing on the granola as I wait for the response.

"It's preposterous," Tristan says with his arms crossed.

"Why would you call it that, preposterous?"

"It's unrealistic, no woman in today's society at least, would ever pick a guy like this, or if they do, it wouldn't last, Noah is completely doltish," he explains and Mr Clarke nods.

"Any different opinions?" He questions sliding off the counter before buttoning the two small black buttons on his suit.

"I personally think it was cute he built her dream house," a girl from behind Tristan mutters.

"I guess all girls aren't very astute," Tristan mumbles under his breath.

"What does that even mean?" She questions, her brows knitted together, which causes me to laugh.

── ·✩· ──

"It was kind of hilarious watching you try to fit your entire vocabulary into one sentence," I tell Tristan as I sit on one of the seats at the bleachers.

"Haha, very funny but seriously that was my whole vocabulary of intelligent words," he jokes. I shake my head before looking across at him.

"Have you talked to Joshua lately, I had a weird encounter with him yesterday and I haven't seen him since," I mutter.

He shakes his head, "I haven't talked to him much since I moved out, I forgot to text him last night as well,"

"You moved out?" I question and he nods.

"I moved closer to the forest, if not in it, but it's a residential area slightly close to yours," he says.

I think I've heard of it before, my dad wanted to move there but my mom didn't like how all the trees hid the sun although all it ever does in Greendale is shine the burning sun, it also snows sometimes but only once every like four years.

The forest he's referring to is the ugly mess of trees we call The Greendale Forest, Greendale got its name because of that very patch of land.

I live very near to it, and he partially lives in it, the owners of the land decided to cut some trees and build houses, very big houses so everyone who wants to smell the bitter scent of trees can go there.

"And before you say anything, just because I do dangerous shit, doesn't mean I don't like to live safe," he says and I laugh softly.

"I wasn't going to say anything," I mutter.

"My parents live there in the area, so I just decided to move back, but not back with them," he says and I raise a brow involuntarily which instantly shows my curiosity.

"Why not move back into your parents' house, it's cheaper," I state.

He shrugs, "I know but, I don't exactly get along with my dad anymore,"

Chase walks up the bleachers before stopping in front of the two of us, blocking the little bit of sun peeking from the clouds.

"Are you going to flake on us again or are you going to come to the rehearsal?" He asks completely disregarding me.

"I told you, I have shit to do," Tristan says, crossing his arms tightly.

"Tritan, the show is this week," Chase bickers causing Tristan to roll his eyes.

I really never paid much attention to him before he seems to be irritated a lot by others.

"Okay, and I'll get there, calm down."

"I don't like this thing going on here," Chase groused, gesturing between Tristan and me.

"Chase, you and I both know I could care less about what your micro-size brain thinks," he says, Tristan's eyes are locked on Chase's blue ones.

They have a slight staring contest for what seems to be near to an hour when it's only been ten seconds.

Chase huffs softly before turning around to walk down the stairs.

"Pay him no attention, he's just acting a tad bit childish," Tristan mumbles.

"A tad bit?" I question and he chuckles before looking at the watch strapped around his wrist.

"The line should be less packed now," he says as he stands onto his feet, he swings his bag over his shoulder before looking down at me.

"Let's get you some food," he says with a small smile.

── ·✩· ──

𝗼𝗼. ⁞ 𝐀𝐒𝐇 𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐒!

Hey guys. This concludes chapter eighteen, I greatly do hope that you liked this chapter I'm trying to make the story have a reason for everything that happens so don't get upset that they're a lot of shiz going on. Anyway, let me know what you think in the comments. Chapter eighteen coming soon.

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