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As Noah walked outside, she glanced around for familiar faces but couldn’t find any. Or well, not any that she wanted to speak to, anyways. She wondered if Erik had already arrived, and Seb. Lucas? But her priority was food, right now. She was starving and had nothing in her dorm room yet. Passing by a line of people waiting for their room assignments and keys, Noah glanced towards Edgebaston’s gates. Alistair was standing there, hurling insults at whoever came in through those gates. Noah rolled her eyes and walked on towards Cavendish Hall. She was hungry, and hungry meant cranky. Her father’s call didn’t help, either. She was barely away from him for 24 hours, and he was already all up in her business. At the very least, she could ignore her phone more while at school. Pretend to be busy, or running, or literally anything but have time to call. She wanted to punch a punching bag at the gym soon, though. 

She got lost in thought, walking the familiar paths towards the cafeteria, but a voice she knew all too well startled her out of her trance. He even said [i]boo[/i]. Noah put on an annoyed face as Sebastian moved in front of her. She looked up at the man before her. Her ex. He was smirking down at her and Noah raised one side of her upper lip in a snarl, but after, a small smile played on her lips anyways. [Color=SpringGreen]"Missed me?"[/Color]

[i]Yes, very much.[/i] [color=E59866]”No. Who are you, exactly?”[/color] she teased. But then, he held up a box in front of her. Her facade immediately fell and her eyes sparkled at the sight, recognising this particular container, and who’s home it came from. Did he say [i]cookies?[/i] She’s had the pleasure of eating his mother’s cookies before. They are beyond divine and Noah didn’t think she could find cookies like these elsewhere in a store.

He raised an eyebrow at her snarl. Even cranky, she managed to look cute. [Color=SpringGreen] “Cranky much already?” [/Color] His tone slightly teasing.  It was only the first day of the Academic Year and already his ex was in a foul mood if he ever saw her in one. Chuckling at her joke, he pulled a face in her direction. [Color=SpringGreen] “Haha, very funny Noah.” [/Color] His eyes rolled slightly; If he didn’t know she was joking; he would have taken offence to that comment and his right eye would have been twitching like crazy. [Color=SpringGreen] “Let me guess, your dad put you in a bad mood with one of his phone calls?” [/Color] Taking a guess. 

She put her phone and wallet between her legs and took the box from Seb’s hands. [color=E59866]”Oh my God. You have no idea how much I needed this right now.”[/color] Not willing to wait, she opened the container and eagerly took out a cookie, taking a bite from it right then and there, and she didn’t care who saw. [color=E59866]”Ugh. Bless your mom.”[/color] she said as she gave a satisfied moan at the wonderful taste, and took another bite. 

Sebastian watched with a slight amusement expression as Noah practically dug into the cookie box right in the open.

He cautioned lightly; [Color=SpringGreen] “Slow down, don’t need you choking on me.” [/Color] Seb was glad that the cookies hit the right spot. Knowing full well how her dad kept her on a strict running diet. Sebastian thought it was full of bull shit. Which is why he always brought her the ‘good stuff’ that she wasn’t allowed to eat. Luckily her parents haven’t met him…not really.  Let’s just say it wouldn’t go down well if they had. He’s not someone that most parents would approve of. And there was the fact that Sebastian brought Noah food that her father forbade her from having. Another black mark against him.

Noah swallowed another bite before putting the half-eaten cookie back in the container and closing the lid, clearing her mouth before speaking. She took her phone and wallet from between her legs and placed them on top of the box, holding the items against her with her right hand. A soft smile tugged at her lips. [color=E59866]”I won’t give you the pleasure of choking and having you save me. You wouldn’t let me live it down.”[/color]

[Color=SpringGreen] “That and Erik would probably kill me, if I let you choke on my watch.” [/Color] Having been concerned about her quick eating; he didn’t fully take notice of what was different about Noah. Not until she was closing the cookie box. It was then that he noticed something glistening against her arm in the sun-light. Tilting his head slightly; his eyes widened in excitement. [Color=SpringGreen] “Noah Park! You rebel you!” [/Color] Seb chuckled as he clapped his hands together [Color=SpringGreen] “You got a tattoo!” [/Color] He was grinning like an excited small kid at their favourite candy store. Impressed that she had finally been brave enough to get one herself.

A flash of her tattoo caught her eye, and Noah still wasn’t used to the black text adorning her arm. She locked eyes with Sebastian, gazing into his differently coloured eyes. The young woman couldn’t help but smile about it. She’s not used to people being able to see it. She nodded in confirmation.

[color=E59866]”Yeah, me and Erik got a matching one over the summer. It was a spur-of-the-moment thing, but, I love it.”[/color] Gazing at her tattoo, something clicked in Noah’s mind. She raised the hand that wasn’t holding her items and slapped Seb on the chest before he could cover. Her strength wouldn’t hurt him, anyways. [color=E59866]”You told me it didn’t hurt! But it did, a lot!”[/color] With an exaggerated pout, Noah looked down at her arm once more.


Sebastian liked the look of a tattoo on her arm. It suited her. [Color=SpringGreen] “It suits you. I was wondering how long it’d take you to cave in and get a tattoo yourself.” [/Color] He said honestly. Knowing she had been toying with the idea partially, when they were still together. As she playfully slapped him across his chest, he just chuckled. An amused look on his face. [Color=SpringGreen] “Oi..” [/Color] Even though it didn’t hurt, he still gave her a ‘what for’ look. Shaking his head, Seb tried not to look too amused. [Color=SpringGreen] “Correction. I said it didn’t hurt me, when I was getting mine done. Think you misunderstood.” [/Color] He said teasingly. But he was sure Erik was there to help her get through it. [Color=SpringGreen] “So…do momma and papa dearest know you got it?” [/Color] Seb questioned with a raised eyebrow, wondering if she was honest with her parents about it or not.

Noah rolled her eyes playfully. She knew it was going to hurt but, she didn’t expect to cry. Luckily Erik only chuckled at her a little and held her hand. [color=E59866]”No, they don’t know. I kept it hidden from them over the past week. Thankfully my mom is all ‘sunlight bad, coverage good’, so I could cover up without being questioned.”[/color] Noah answered, shifting her weight to her other leg as she looked up at him.  [color=E59866]”You had it right, though. It was my father calling before. At home was a difficult week.”[/color] She told him. Details weren’t needed, Seb knew how her father was. [color=E59866]”Speaking of terrible dads, how’s yours?”[/color] She asked him. Noah wasn’t one to beat around the bush. She didn’t like his father and wouldn’t hide that. She knew he wasn’t telling her the full story when they texted over the summer, too. So, she couldn’t help but find herself worrying. 

[Color=SpringGreen]“That bad huh?” [/Color] He asked with a slight sigh. Sebastian could only imagine that Mr Park was constantly bothering her about ‘running’ and more diet requirements and such. Sebastian wasn’t sure if he was expecting her parents to know about the tattoo or not. His original guess would have been a no. And it seemed like he was right. [Color=SpringGreen] “You’re lucky you got away with it.” [/Color] He spoke with a warm chuckle. 

As Noah mentioned his own father; he made a face. Clearly, she always knew when he kept something from her. Even now when they were broken up. [Color=SpringGreen] “Urgh.” [/Color] Huffing slightly. Guess he couldn’t keep his annoyance to himself any longer. As much as he wanted to tell Noah, he didn’t want to make her first day more stressful by telling her about his own father issues. But finally gave in, knowing she wouldn’t let him off without telling her the truth. [Color=SpringGreen] “Just gets worse and worse. He managed to turn Charlotte’s early birthday party into a total utter disaster.” [/color] His face couldn’t hide his anger and annoyance that he felt when it came to the man that had helped raise him. Or was it lack of raising him, with how much he had been absent due to his job? His fist curling in his anger. Knuckles turning white with his tight grip.

A sigh left her as she raised her left hand, placing it on his bicep and squeezing it in a way of comfort before letting it fall to her side again. [color=E59866]”I’m sorry Sebbie. I can rough him up a little, if you like?”[/color] There was a mischievous grin on her face. She has offered this many, many times before. [color=E59866]”I’m sorry for Charlotte too. She’s transferring here, right?”[/color]

Feeling her warm touch against his arm; he managed a soft smile. Her touch was always soothing to him. His fist slowly uncurling for a few seconds. But a slight groan escaped him at the sound of an all too familiar nickname that he hated…[s]yet loved.[/s] Not that he’d tell her that. It’d ruin his ego. Yet he somehow always let her get away with it, despite his complaining. [Color=SpringGreen] “Do you have to keep calling me that? Makes me sound like a Golden Retriever.” [/Color] Sebastian told her playfully. Hearing her offer, he knew how often she joked about doing that. [Color=SpringGreen] “I might have to take you up on that offer, especially after the latest bombshell he sprung on us.” [/Color] Just thinking about that dinner made him angry. His fist once again curled tightly. 

At the mention of his sister, he nodded. [Color=SpringGreen] “She’s in your Junior Class. Charlotte’s just grabbing her dorm key and other information from the teachers.” [/Color]

Noah nodded enthusiastically when he groaned about his nickname. Yes, she would keep calling him that. She knew Sebastian didn’t like to be called Sebbie, but it was [i]her[/i] nickname for him, so it was special. He always let her say it, anyways. And she had spied a smile tugging at his lips sometimes when she used it. Looking up at him through her lashes, she searched his face when he spoke about this father. Seeing the anger flash through his face, his jaw clenched just like it does when he was particularly angry about something, and went a little too hard at the boxing bag in the school’s gym. 

Then, she hummed in acknowledgement that Charlotte would be a Junior like her. She’d be sure to check in on her, knowing Seb would worry a little. Noah didn’t exactly know what Charlotte thought of her, but she and Seb were friends, and she hoped Charlotte would be nice to her at the very least. She found herself curious as to what kind of news his father could have dropped on him, but Noah glanced around. They were in a very public place, and she didn’t know if Sebastion would want to discuss it here, if at all. She’d maybe visit in his room, later. Still, her curiosity got the best of her. [color=E59866]”What did he say?”[/color]

A slight chuckle left him, as he saw her enthusiastic head nod about his nickname. He swore he'd get buried with it one day. Knowing that the nickname had pretty much stuck. For Noah, he’d put up with it. Sebastian had almost forgotten that they were in the open grounds of Edgebaston. But he was too pissed off with his father, to care if anyone else overheard at the moment. He’d deal with it later. [Color=SpringGreen] “You know the woman he got caught cheating with last year? Married…they’re getting Married! And he’s not even fully divorced yet. And he has the fucking audacity to get engaged to that other woman and drop that bombshell during my sister’s early birthday dinner. Can you believe him? How dare he get engaged…and how dare he think that'd we’d be okay with being invited?! Oh and to top it off, he didn’t even get her a present. And no, 4000 in money does not count! It’s just him trying to buy Charlotte’s affections back with the lump sum!”[/color] As he spoke, he was getting more and more worked up. His tone raising with his frustrations.

Shifting her feet, Noah looked up at Sebastian with sympathetic eyes as she told him about his father and… that woman. The situation made her agitated. What kind of a person does that? She didn’t know Charlotte, but to have that dumped on you on your birthday? Must’ve been on purpose. Her eye usually already twitched at the mention of the woman Seb’s father cheated with, but now she had to swallow back her own anger. [color=E59866]“Okay, I don’t know how to get rid of a body… yet. I’ll take care of it.”[/color] She stated, scanning his face to see if it lowered his temper. But when it didn’t, she did the only other thing she knew to do. Taking a step forward, she put her items in one hand and wrapped her arms around his waist. He was so much taller than her, and Noah momentarily placed her cheek on his chest. [color=E59866]”I’m sorry Seb. It’ll be okay.”[/color] She promised. 

Some people walking by caught her eye, as they glanced at the pair, and Noah cleared her throat, stepping back to her previous position, her stance a little more awkward than before. [color=E59866]”We can talk more later, yours or mine. You should probably get settled in, okay?”[/color]


Hearing one of Noah’s familiar threats in regards to his father, he shook his head slightly. [Color=SpringGreen] “I don’t need you getting caught trying to commit a murder.” [/Color] Though he knew Noah had a tendency to joke about such things. It didn’t stop him from worrying about her. And the more he found himself worrying, the more confused he was with his own feelings. His anger slowly seemed to melt away again, when Noah embraced him. It felt warm and familiar. Her scent surrounded him, in almost a blanket of comfort. His arms wrapped around her petite frame. Holding her small figure against his chest. His chin slightly resting against her hair. [Color=SpringGreen] “Sorry, I didn’t mean to vent your ear off. I know it’s a bit to take in.” [/Color] Instantly apologising for him dumping so much on her in the span of a few moments. Sure their embrace might have turned a few eyes in their direction. It was rare for Seb to be seen like this. Most had seen him always walking around all ‘tough’ or ‘throwing come-backs at Alistair’ not a soft puppy version of him. Besides a few select people, that knew he was a softie deep down.

Letting his own arms fall back down to his side. He nodded slightly. [Color=SpringGreen] “Yeah, we’ll catch up more later.” [/Color] He promised her. Seb knew there were plenty of things still left to do in the day. Unpacking could wait till later. He always hated packing and unpacking; so found himself procrastinating on either account. [Color=SpringGreen] “I am sure we’ll cross paths at the Assembly anyways.” [/Color] He added with a light shrug.

Noah felt the air between them become charged with something Noah both didn’t expect nor could put her finger on. There was a tug in her chest, as it heaved softly up and down. His scent around her wasn’t anything she wasn’t used to, it had always been comfortable, calming. Now it was something that made her jaw tick and her heartbeat rise. 

She shook her head, stray hairs coming free from behind her ears. [color=E59866]”Don’t be sorry. It’s what friends are for, right?”[/color] She flashed him a short smile, her neck craning to look at him. Her stomach made a churning sound, and she folded her arm over it, her free hand wrapping around the arm at her side still holding her items. Clearing her throat, she searched his face before her head made a curt nod. [color=E59866]”Ok. It’s a da- deal. Text me. And, if Charlotte needs someone in her corner this year, let me know. I won’t mind.”[/color] Her smile reached her eyes, which made her slightly chubby cheeks bunch up the skin next to her eyes. With a purse of her lips, she sidestepped out of his way. [color=E59866]”See you later, Sebbie.”[/color]