Notice Me (22 page)

Chapter 31: Sleep
I awoke to the swaying movements of a bumpy car ride. Opening my
eyes I noticed it was no longer light out, the sun having set over
the horizon at least a couple hours ago. It was dark and I was in
the back seat of Tristan's Navigator in Tristan's lap. The soft
sound of his breathing against the top of my head told me he was
asleep too. Poor thing was probably exhausted from having to rescue
me. I wondered who's driving seeing how Luke is right next to us
with Anya in his lap.
Her arm was bandaged from her elbow up to her shoulder after having
to get twenty stitches. That's the last thing I remember hearing
Tristan murmur before losing consciousness. Let me stop being so
dang dramatic, I didn't lose consciousness, I actually fell asleep
from exhaustion. That was the utmost traumatic experience I've ever
dealt with in my entire life.. Let's just say I'm never going
whitewater rafting ever again!
To be honest with you, I have no recollection from the time we were
pulled from the water up, until now. The most I can tell you is
that I lost it completely. All I kept replaying over and over again
in my mind was the way the raging waters seemed to be alive, having
a mind of its own. It was relentless in the way it kept pushing me
under as I struggled to hold Anya afloat. She wasn't even able to
fend for herself with that huge gash in her shoulder and I sure as
hell wasn't leaving her to drown.
I may not be the best of swimmers, but I could tread water with the
best of them and doggy paddle. However, I don't think that would of
been able to get us both back alive. Yea, yea, I know I said I know
how to swim, which I do. Enough to save my own life and get from
point A to point B, but when you throw another person into the
equation that's a whole new story! I thanked the high heavens that
the weather is still warm out and that the water wasn't freezing.
It was cold, but not to the point of giving us hypothermia.
There must have been someone looking down on us from above allowing
the raft to be there for me to hold onto. I don't think I'd have
the strength to keep us both above water...it seriously would've
been a total Titanic Moment. Which leads me to wonder...why
couldn't Rose move her big behind over on that plank of wood and
share it with poor Jack? Did she really have to hog it all up and
let him hang onto the side like that and freeze?
Guess it wouldn't have been such a great love story if she did. I
shuddered at the mere thought of dying like that, not a way I'd
want to go! Tristan moved his chin from the top of my head and
leaned his face down to look at mine. Guess I woke him up with my
movements. "Cold?" He asked with his voice still husky from sleep
as he tugged at the fleece blanket that was covering me.
Shaking my head slightly I answered, "No, sorry for waking you."
Leaning my head back onto his shoulder, I kissed him gently on the
neck.
"Thanks for saving us today." I mumbled, remembering that I never
got the opportunity to thank him for not giving up and leaving us
there.
"You're welcome." He replied tilting his lips to kiss me on the
forehead as I suddenly got tired again and fell back to
sleep.
When we got home, I gave Troy a huge hug goodbye making him promise
that he'd text me as soon as he got home safe. He thanked Anya and
I for a great birthday weekend, apologizing again for everything
that happened. Of course it was out of his control, none of it was
his fault.

Troy was driving back home with Lance while Sal
rode in Andre's car. Max was going to drive Anya's car back to her
house while Luke borrowed Tristan's car to drop her off. Then the
two of them could ride back here together where they'd just stay
over Tristan's and we'd all go to school together tomorrow.
Being overprotective Luke refused to let Anya drive back alone even
though she's right handed and it was her left shoulder that got
injured. I didn't want her driving back alone either, so it's a
good thing he suggested taking her. Being extra careful to not
touch her shoulder I gave her a gentle squeeze.
"I'll call you tomorrow after school." I told Anya as I held onto
her not wanting to let go. Today was a wake up call that life is
short, I could've lost my best friend as well as my own life! "I
love you." This thought sprung tears to my eyes as I tried my best
to hold back a sniffle, but you know once the tears well up in your
eyes, the snots come running out!
"Thanks for being the best friend a girl could ever have." Anya
croaked as tears dripped from her eyes. "You saved my life today. I
love you." She held onto me giving me a kiss on the cheek. We held
each other for a few more minutes before I finally peeled myself
off of her and advised them to go...it was getting late and it's an
hour back to Anya's house.
Walking me up to my door, Tristan looked me fiercely in the eyes.
"You going be ok?" He asked concerned.
"I'll be fine." I promised, knowing I really wouldn't. I'm sure
I'll be either having flashbacks or nightmares of what occurred
today, but I didn't want to sound like a chicken. Leaning over he
kissed me as though it were the last time he'd ever see me again.
It was so thorough, just the simple thought of his lips against
mine caused me to blush.
He pulled away and sighed. "Would it be too much to ask you to
leave your window open tonight?" He suggested biting down on his
bottom lip.
I stared at him in confusion, not understanding why he'd want me to
leave my window open. "What for?"
"I don't think I'll be able to sleep without you in my arms
tonight." Tristan admitted with a sad expression. "I need to know
your safe after what happened today and in order for me to do that,
you have to agree to me sneaking into your room tonight." His
fingers trailed against my cheek and his voice was full of
seriousness.
What? Did I hear him right or is my hearing obscured from way too
much water in my ears? Tristan wants to sneak into my room...to
sleep with me tonight? Eeek! "If you don't want me to, you don't
have to..." Tristan began a bit unsure of himself as he looked away
uncomfortably. "But I'd really like to."
Is he out of his mind? Why wouldn't I want him to hold me in his
arms? Of course I need him to be there for me. You all see how
peacefully I napped in his arms during the car ride. The only time
I had flashbacks were when I was wide awoke. Chewing on the inside
of my cheek, I glanced up at his handsome chiseled face and nodded
once.
"I want you to." I confirmed with a small grin. "I'll leave my
window open." With that said, I turned towards my door and headed
inside to face my parents.
Of course me being a minor and with the events that happened, the
guide had to call and notify them of my near drowning. Thankfully,
my parents only fussed over me for the duration of five minutes,
making me promise them I'd never go whitewater rafting again. Which
I whole-heartedly agreed to, trust me I never plan on doing any
form of extreme sports in my lifetime.
Upon my agreement, they allowed me to go up to my room to shower
and get ready for bed. Taking a nice hot shower, I stood under the
spray allowing it to massage my tense muscles. How did I go from
imagining I was a character in the books I read to experiencing
such crazy excitement in my life all in such a short period of
time?
As I dried off and got dressed in my black yoga pants and matching
cami, I came out of my room to find Tristan sitting on my bed.
Gasping from surprise, I jumped back a little. "I thought you'd be
over a little later on." I whispered as I headed over and locked my
bedroom door. Sure don't need my parents walking in on us, now do
we?
"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." Tristan stood from the bed and
pulled me into a hug. He smelled fresh like he just got out the
shower too and rushed over here.
"How'd you get up here anyway?" I asked pulling away and walking
over to gaze out my window. There's a tree outside my window but
it's a bit away from my ledge.
"I climbed the tree and jumped in the window." He smirked, his
hands shooting out on either side of me to close the window. "Ready
for bed?" Tristan asked hugging me from behind.
Yawning, I used my hand to cover my mouth. All of sudden I was
exhausted again, probably from getting beat the hell up by the
raging rapids. "Yea, I'm tired." I responded turning myself in his
arms to hug him back. I fell asleep in Tristan's arms snuggled
closely to his chest. I don't think I'll be able to fall asleep any
other way from now on.

Chapter 32: Unfortunate
Mate
It was after school and I was sprawled out on the grass, sitting up
against a big oak tree watching Tristan and the boys practice for
the upcoming game on Friday. My usual after school ritual, Tristan
wanted me to hang out and wait for him to drive me home. The season
was transitioning to Fall, causing the leaves to change and the
weather to get cooler.
The big game seemed to be all everyone was talking about, the
rematch of our school against Troy's. I really don't see what the
big deal is, the boys are getting along just fine now. So far, our
school is undefeated having won the last three games we played.
Yes, I've been a good girlfriend attending all three games to cheer
the guys on. Jewel, Lana, and their usual crowd were all perched on
the bleachers, hence why I'm sitting here far away from the
drama.
I know they’re sitting there shooting me dirty looks, but I tried
my best to pay them no mind. Her punishment was completed and she's
free again, so I've heard. It's been a few weeks since that whole
whitewater rafting incident and things have been relatively calm.
Let me cross my fingers as that thought crosses my mind.
Can't be too sure that they aren't plotting against me in their
evil ploys. It would be nice to know why they really despise me so
much, besides the whole Tristan thing, they hated me long before
that. Anya's shoulder is completely healed only leaving a slight
trace of a scar. Luke didn't want her to drive down so we went up
to visit Anya for the past couple weekends, it was a nice change of
scenery.
As I leaned over to scribble down the answers to my math homework,
a shadow cast down upon my books. Gazing up I was glad to see it
was only Axel. Tristan explained to me that Axel being my protector
only really applies to when I'm full-fledged Luna, which is why I
haven't been around him so much. Of course the pull will always be
there and he'll feel the need to protect me regardless, but it
won't be at it's full power until after I become Luna, which is
still three years away, when Tristan becomes Alpha.
In the past couple weeks I've tried to make an effort in getting to
know him better by talking to him whenever we all hang out, but he
seems content with being quiet and withdrawn. Can you blame him
though? I wouldn't be too trusting of people either if I had to
endure the horrifying things his family did.
"Hey, mind if I join you over here?" Axel asked taking a seat next
to me without waiting for a response. Any form of him opening up to
me was a good sign, wasn't it?
I shrugged my shoulders and continued with my work. One more
homework problem and I'm done! "Sure, why not?" I mumbled looking
back down at my textbook. "Going to the game on Friday?" I
questioned trying to make small talk and not be completely
anti-social.
"Yea, Jett's coming too." He responded plucking up a few strands of
grass and tearing them to shreds in between his fingers.
"Mm." I nodded, not knowing what else to say to him. "Max is
throwing a party at his place afterwards, think you guys will come
to that?" I glanced over at him and noticed he was busy looking out
to the field.
"Yea, he invited us to the party also." He answered with a look of
longing in his eyes, which caused me to wonder. Did Axel play
soccer at his old high school?
"Do you play?" I asked shutting my books after finally finishing up
and shoving them into my messenger bag. "You should ask if you can
try out, it's still not too late."
A small smile crept onto his face as he turned to face me. "Used
to." Was all he disclosed before changing the subject. "They're
really good I can see why they made it to the championships."
I just nodded my head in agreement. The shrill sound of the whistle
being blown, was my cue to stand up and make my way onto the field.
Practice is finally over. Axel stood up next to me brushing off the
back of his pants before offering his hand to help me up. I smiled
up at him in appreciation.
"Thanks." I said taking his hand allowing him to yank me to a
standing position. We both made our way onto the field,
unfortunately the girls had the same idea.
"Axel." Lana began flirtatiously as she approached us. "Just the
person I was looking for, want to be my date to Max's party?" She
asked with the fakest smile plastered onto her lips as she wrapped
her arm around his.
The rest of the girls made their way over to the guys and I watched
as Jewel made a beeline for Tristan and Luke. I was torn between
running over to my man or staying with Axel. Being the goodhearted
person that I am, I decided not to abandon Axel with Lana. He had
that look of desperation in his eyes basically begging me not to
leave him alone. Oh lord, I hope Axel's smart enough to not fall
into her trap. She must have some sort of goal in life to try and
get with all the wolves in the pack.
Axel smiled politely and tugged his arm free of the death grip.
"Uh, thanks but I already have a date." He answered which caused a
look of shock to cross Lana's expression.
"Who is it, anyone I know?" She asked somewhat pissed off. As if
the thought of someone not wanting to be her date was absolutely
absurd.
"My brother." Axel smirked grabbing me by the arm and dragging me
over to Tristan who was watching us in amusement as we left a wide
mouthed Lana standing there on the field.
Jewel was standing in front of Tristan talking about something, but
his eyes were too busy being trained on me to focus on what she was
saying. Taking a dismissive step around her Tristan came up and
stood in front of me. He was drenched in sweat, but that somehow
made him seem more appealing to me. Yea, call me a sicko all you
want.
"Hey Axel, how's it going man?" Tristan greeted holding his hand
out for a fist pound. In return Axel held out his fist to return
the gesture.
"Good, good." Axel smiled. "Hey listen I have to get going, big
brother duty. Need to pick up my sister from school. See you
tonight at patrols." He directed towards Tristan.
Axel turned to give me a friendly squeeze on my arm, "It was nice
talking to you, see you tomorrow Lise." It sent those tiny familiar
tingles up and down, but thankfully I know what they mean now so it
wasn't alarming.
"Same here." I answered at the same exact time Tristan said, "See
ya tonight." His intense gray eyes landed on me as he spoke.
"I just need to get a quick shower and then we can go." Tristan
announced giving me his trademark grin. "Want to come wait for me
in the locker room?"
"Hmm as tempting as that sounds..." I began while using my
forefinger to tap on my chin as I stared up at him thoughtfully. "I
don't think my nostrils can handle the smell of stinky sweat socks,
so I'll wait in the car." I said holding out my hand, palm side up
for his keys.
He grinned down at me dropping the keys into my hands and giving me
a quick peck on the lips, before running off toward the locker
rooms. "Be out in a jiffy." He called out over his
shoulder.