As I entered the cozy little bookstore, I smiled, seeing the boy, and I sat on the couch, next to him, smiling as he wrapped his arm around me, adjusting his grip on the novel in his hand so I had a good view of it too. No, he wasn't my boyfriend, though I do wish at times that he was. I sighed, waiting a moment before lying my head on his shoulder, and he allowed me to, leaning his head on mine, and pulled me slightly closer so there was less space than we were used to having between each other. My heart pounded, trying to concentrate on the book, and I looked up at him, noticing he was trying to say something to me, and he chuckled nervously, a blush appearing upon his cheeks. I smiled at him comfortingly, letting him know that he could tell me anything. He nodded slightly, half-smiling, and my eyes showed a look of concern, knowing what he was going to say was probably important, and he put the book down.

"Noah, what is it?" I asked, my voice soft.

The brunette male sighed, looking down, then straight back into my eyes, blinking, "I…" he started, but paused, looking ashamed for a moment, "I love you." he murmured, but made sure I heard, and I did, loud and clear.

I was shocked, at first, though, he'd said those words to me before, never meaning it the way I'd always hoped, and this time the meaning in his voice was different, but I refused to let myself believe he meant it the way I wanted him to. He didn't, he just, didn't. Sure, I'd always tried to show a few hints about my feelings, but never once, did I ever lead myself to believe he would ever feel anything for me back. "O-Of course you do…" I started, blushing, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, "I mean, I love you too. Y-You've told me before,"

Noah sighed deeply, and I looked down, feeling terrible, and awkward. "No." he lifted my chin up so I could look straight at him, and it was hard for me to look away. His eyes seemed to intimidate me, and he didn't stop his gaze. "I love you. Not just love, like a friend or sibling, but I think I'm in love, with you." he corrected me. I'd never seen this newfound confidence in him, and it was manipulating.

I opened my mouth to say something, searching his eyes for some kind of explanation, but he interrupted, pressing his lips to mine, and I blinked, surprised, then eased into it, shutting my eyes, and smiling through the kiss, and sighing when we had to pull away for breath.

I should probably tell you how this all started, first off, before I continue on further to what had happened. I'll start from the beginning. Summer had just started, I had gotten out of school, and thank God for that, I've been wanting to get away from all the drama and such with adolescents, hormones, and all that junk that you have to deal with as a teenager. I don't know, I disliked being a teenager sometimes, girls were so judgmental sometimes (girls usually picked on me for, well, having dark brown hair, with side bangs that kept falling in front of my face, and a bleached red streak). Did I mention that I got sent to juvenile detention only two times this school year? That's a whole lot less than my record, though, it was alright, considering I didn't have to see my stupid ex, Duncan, who practically calls it home. Don't get me wrong, I mean, Duncan's changed since our break up, ever since he was on that reality show, Total Drama Island. It was hard to believe, let me tell you, he's such a sweetheart now. All he ever wanted to do when he was with me, was, well, sneak to my cell to make out, and scare people on the street whenever we were released. That was a year ago, however, and surprisingly, he's been so sweet to that not-so-new girlfriend of his, Courtney. Anyways, about a day into summer break, I decide, that I don't want to waste my vacation stuck in my house. I mean, I've already read every single book I own, at least, the ones that interested me at all. So, I decided I'd get dressed, leave the house, and look for a decent book store. And I meant, no Barnes & Nobles, no Borders, just a simple, small, bookstore, with a decent variety of books and such. I don't know, I just, find myself feeling so relieved whenever I read a good book. Of course, reading has actually made me, well… smarter, so I never had a problem keeping up in school when at juvie, and nobody dared call me a nerd for it, since, well, you know how stereotypes go and all. I would never consider myself a delinquent of any kind, I mean, I've been to juvie only five times, for months each, but, I never really did anything so terrible compared to any real criminals. And well, being smart, or a nerd even, I'd never think of myself to be one, though, I've taken an interest to online video games, and that's something nobody would expect if they'd never gotten to know me. I guess you could say I'm just a lost soul in an endless ocean of labels.

Since my parents don't trust me with a car, I had to walk to find a bookstore. I was used to walking by now, however, so I didn't mind, and looked around. Toronto was pretty quiet, and it wasn't all that hot in the summer, but hot enough for me to feel the need to wear a pair of shorts. I kept walking, looking around the street I was on, searching for a store, quietly. I stopped when I saw a quaint little bookstore. It didn't have any name, the sign only said 'Books'. It was unusual, but it was good enough for me. I entered, glancing down when I heard a bell ring as I opened the door, and proceeded to look around. I made my way to E-F section, and paused when my eyes came across a particular book, 'East of Eden'. My fingers brushed against the spine of the book, and I took it off the shelf to look at it, then looked up when I heard someone else entering the store, being greeted by the owner. Clearly he'd been there multiple times before, and was well known to the employers. I lowered my eyes, and saw that he'd looked familiar, like I'd seen him somewhere, and held a gaze upon him as he walked around the bookstore, making his way to the couch near one of the windows, then he paused, turning around, and looking in my direction, and I gasped, turning back around, hoping he hadn't seen me. Then, I heard a voice from behind me, "It's rude to stare, you know."

I felt my cheeks warm, and I turned around, "S-Sorry." I said, then looked at the boy, and froze for second, surprised, but recollected myself quickly, "Noah, right?" I asked, though I already knew I was correct.

"Recognize me from a certain show that tortures teens?" there was an arrogant, cocky, but… cute, smile plastered on his face, and I giggled slightly.

"Ah, how could I forget you? You were my favorite contestant, and I wanted you to win, too." I admitted, "But, you're also class president at my school, so, either way I'd still remember who you are."

Noah looked amazed that I'd remembered him at all, and laughed at my comment about him being my 'favorite'. "Ah, so you're my number one fan. I get it. I hope you aren't here to stalk me." he joked, and I laughed.

"Worry, not." I shrugged, "I had no idea you went here, anyway. But you'd like that wouldn't you?"

"Well, I'd have to learn your name first before I decide that, now wouldn't I, stranger?" Noah crossed his arms, looking down at me, and I blushed more, and looked away.

"I-I'm Lizz. Elizabeth to be more exact, but I prefer Lizz." I explained, feeling my cheeks cool again.

Noah took a look at the book I was holding, and raised an eyebrow, "East of Eden, interesting choice, I'd never have thought that someone like you would be interested in those kind of books…" he paused, lowering his eyes, realizing that he may have said the wrong thing, "I mean, uh…"

I smiled, lowering my eyes, then looking back up at Noah, putting a hand on his arm, "It's okay. I seem to get that a lot." Noah glanced back down at me, then to my hand on his arm, and I blushed again, letting go, "So, uh, what did you mean by, 'someone like me'? A, delinquent? Punk?" Noah just grinned awkwardly in response, scratching the back of his head, nervously. "Don't worry, I get it. But you're going to have to get to know me before you decide any of that, don't you?"

Noah sighed, but seemed happy that I seemed okay with the whole situation, "I wasn't going to say any of that." he started, "I, well, I'm used to thinking lower of people, and I'd never think a pretty girl would be interested in reading books like that. Or reading books at all. N-Not that I think you're pretty, but not that I think you aren't, you're- uh,-"

I interrupted him, putting the book back on the shelf, and placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "I get it." I said simply, giggling, semi-consciously brushing off an imaginary piece of lint on the sleeve of his shirt, looking back up at him.


AN: I sooo suck D: