Present Perfect (28 page)

“You will be severely punished later tonight.” An adorable devilish grin slowly appeared that sent shivers through me. He took a few steps back before turning and jogging back to Brooke’s side. She looked back at me with a smug expression that clearly said, “
He’s mine”
.

I watched them slid their hands down deep into each other’s back pocket. I was shocked. I couldn’t believe they were fornicating right in front of God and everybody. A burning sensation radiated throughout my chest and stomach. I turned my gaze back to the pond. I tried to get the picture of them groping each other out of my head. Looking down I started kicking the gravel with my heel. I felt someone walk up behind me. I turned and saw Emily holding two plates of food. I swung my legs over the bench to face her. She sat across the table and placed a plate in front of me.

“Thanks,” I said.

“What are you doing hiding over here?” she asked.

“I’m not hiding.” I fingered a potato chip before tossing it in my mouth.

“Brooke seems nice.”

“Yeah, she
seems
nice.”

“You don’t like her?”

“I don’t dislike her. I’m indifferent about her,” I proclaimed.

“Hmmm…”

“What?”

“Nothing, it’s just when it comes to Noah I’ve never known you to be indifferent. You’re usually black and white. There’s no gray area with you when it comes to him.”

“I’m a dark gray about her. Happy?”

“Ecstatic. Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Why isn’t that you?” Emily tilted her chin in the direction of Noah and Brooke. We watched as they sat beside each other several tables away eating. Brooke giggled or kissed Noah between almost every bite of her food.

“It’s not like that. We’re best friends.” My response sounded automatic as I continued to stare. Emily snorted slightly. “What was that for?” I asked.

“Whatever is between you and Noah is more than friendship.”

“Emily, don’t.”

“What? It’s pretty obvious.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Amanda, anyone with half a brain can tell how much you care about each other.”

“Of course we care about each other. Friends do that, you know.”

“Why don’t you want to be with Noah?”

“Why are you asking me this stuff right now?”

“Because I saw the look on your face when you and him were sitting here talking. Then I saw the look on your face when Brooke walked up.”

“I’m going to be honest with you. It’s a little creepy that you watch me that closely,” I said.

Emily shook her head. “Typical Amanda.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” She was beginning to annoy me.

“Whenever you get uncomfortable, you make a joke of things.”

“Well, there’s not enough laughter in the world.” I gave her a smug look. My previous annoyance started to shift to anger. I could feel my body start to tense and stiffen.

“Why are you and Noah not together, Amanda?”

“I’m not his type, obviously. Besides, I would screw it up in a heartbeat. I won’t risk losing him. There, now you know. I have felt like a failure and worthless for as long as I can remember.”

I just stared at her. When the last word left my mouth, I regretted it. I was already in a bad mood because of the PDA between Noah and Brooke, then Emily just kept pushing, I snapped and said more than I should have.

She took in a deep breath. “I know it hasn’t been easy being my sister. Growing up always being compared to me had to be a pain in the ass. Amanda, you’re beautiful, intelligent, kind, and talented. You’re perfect the way you are.” Glancing in Noah’s direction, she said, “You are so beyond good enough for Noah. I wish you believed it.”

“I wish I did too, but I don’t know any other way to be. Noah is with Brooke and he’s happy. That’s all that’s important to me. I’ve just been emotional today reminiscing about things. I’m sorry I snapped at you like that.”

Emily reached across the table and put her hand on the top of mine. “I’m here to listen, Manda, if you need me.”

“I know. Thanks.”

I knew Emily was trying to help, but both Noah and I had moved on. He had Brooke now and I was headed off to start my college career in a couple of months. He and I understood what our relationship was and we were good with it. It wasn’t perfect, but nothing ever is.

I spent the rest of the night talking with friends and family. I tried not to pay any attention to Noah and Brooke. It was a challenge with Brooke’s high pitched squeals of laughter piercing my ears. At times, my curiosity got the better of me and I glanced over at them. They were either kissing or hugging. Brooke always seemed to be sitting in his lap. Always. Like he was friggin’ Santa Claus. I was done. I was tired from the party, the reminiscing and especially watching Romeo and Juliet. I went around and said my goodbyes to some friends. Before I was able to make my escape, I heard one more blood curdling squeal from Brooke coming from the fire pit area. People were standing around the pit roasting marshmallows. When I glanced over, I saw Noah standing behind Brooke with his arms wrapped around her waist, kissing her neck. Yep, it was definitely time to call it a night.

I had been home for a couple of hours, hanging out on the sofa, channel surfing. Nothing held my attention except the thoughts of Noah and Brooke together. I couldn’t even get him alone long enough to give him his gift.

After getting my fill of the
Saved By The Bell
marathon, I turned the TV off and headed to my room. As I got closer, I heard my phone chime indicating I had a text. I grabbed it and looked to see who it was. I couldn’t help but smile at the picture. It was of me and Noah in one of those photo booths with our faces scrunched up, making a fish face.

Noah: Our spot. Now. Come alone.

I want u all 2 myself. ;)

I loved and hated when he sent flirty texts to me. They brought into focus what I couldn’t have with him. I typed out a quick reply.

Me: You’re not the boss of me.

I’ll come when I’m good & ready.

C u in a sec. ;)

Smiling as I hit send, I felt a rush of excitement. I couldn’t wait to be alone with Noah and give him his gift.

I sprinted to the park, slowing down as I got closer. I didn’t want to appear like the desperate loser I was, sitting home watching hours of old TV shows. I walked up to our spot. Noah was facing the pond. I stood there a second thinking about the time when I came here to help him practice kissing. Remembering how he had set up dinner for two as a surprise made me smile. I was such a sentimental fool tonight.

Without turning around, Noah said, “Are you going to come and sit down or look at my back the entire night?” I wouldn’t mind looking at his back the entire night. He had a really nice back.

“Quit your bitchin,” I said as I walked around the table and sat beside him.

I placed his gift down next to me, so he wouldn’t see it just yet. Noah took my hand and laced our fingers together. I snuggled close to his side and laid my head on his shoulder.

“Where’d you run off to earlier?” he asked.

“I didn’t run off. The party was winding down, I was tired, so I went home.

“You left without saying anything to me. I thought you were mad at me,” he said.

“Why would I be mad at you?” I was curious of his answer.

“I don’t know. I was just disappointed when I realized you’d left.” He squeezed my hand slightly.

“Well, you seemed to have had your hands full.” I didn’t have to look to know he was smirking. “By the way, you guys were a bit much, don’t you think? I mean, jeez, get a room.”

“We did.” I couldn’t believe he just said that to me. I lifted my head off his shoulder, jerked my hand back, and leaned away from him.

“Don’t joke about something like that with me.” I bit down on my bottom lip and stared at him.

“Are you jealous?” he asked, as if he were challenging me.

I had already had my serious gut spilling talk for the day with Emily. I wasn’t having this one with Noah.

“Brooke’s nickname for you is stupid,” I sneered at him.

A smirk slowly took over his face. “I know. And, you are so damn cute when you’re jealous.”

“It’s lame. In fact, after I got through being embarrassed for you, I felt sorry for you, and then I threw up.” I kept unwavering eye contact with him.

He placed his hand over his heart and said, “Oh baby, you’ve just gone from damn cute to smokin’ hot.”

“Bastard.”

“I love when you talk dirty to me. Say something else.”

“Asshole.”

He started moaning, “Oooh yeah. That’s the ticket.”

“You’re ridiculous,” I said.

“And you are beautiful.” Shaking my head I glanced away with a smirk on my face.

“Now that all that’s out of the way, it’s gift time.” He clapped his hands and rubbed his palms together. “Me first.”

He held in front of me a heart shaped dark blue velvet gift box with a white ribbon tied around it. I looked at him, stunned. I thought it was beautiful and it was just the box. I thought he must have made a mistake and picked up Brooke’s gift. It looked like a girlfriend’s gift.

“Um, I think you brought me Brooke’s gift by mistake.”

“I brought the right gift to the right girl. Take it.” I did and looked back up at him. “Open it, Tweet. It won’t bite you.” He gave me a sweet shy smile.

I untied the ribbon and slowly lifted the top of the hinged box. As I looked down and saw what was inside, tears started to gather behind my eyes. It was the most beautiful gold feather charm necklace. It was so delicate. I looked up at him with tears just starting to roll down my face. I was speechless.

Noah looked deep into my eyes. “I can take it back if you don’t like it,” he said with a smirk.

“It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. You’re not going to touch it except to put it on me.” I turned away from him slightly and moved my hair to one side.

As Noah clasped my necklace he whispered in my ear, “You’ll always be my number one girl. Congratulations Tweet.”

I closed my eyes. I was so overwhelmed with emotion I took a few seconds before turning back around. I finally was able to squeak out, “Thank you, Noah. I’m never going to take it off.”

I looked at him for a few more seconds before handing him his gift. He tore through the wrapping like a little kid. “I hope you like it,” I said anxiously.

My gift to Noah was a ballpark pendant and chain. The pendant was shaped like army dog tags and it was made from part of the original seats from Fenway Park.

His face lit up when he realized what it was. “Fenway, isn’t it?” he asked with awe evident in his voice.

The biggest smile appeared across my face as I nodded. “It has it written on the back.” I was beaming.

He flipped it over to read the words. He was completely speechless. He pulled the chain and pendant over his head then wrapped his arms around me as I laid my head against his chest.

“I love it. Thank you, Tweet. I can’t believe you remembered Fenway was my favorite.” He squeezed me tighter. “It’s the best gift I’ve ever gotten,” he said, kissing the top of my head.