DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN ANYTHING, SADLY NOT EVEN PATCH :( HIM AND ALL HUSH HUSH CHARACTERS BELONG TO BECCA FITZPATRICK

THIS CHAPTER: THIS IS PATCH AND NORA GOING BACK TO THEIR 'NORMAL' LIVES FOLLOWING THE INCIDENT IN COLORADO. WHAT ARE THEIR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS, OBVIOUSLY THEY LIKE EACH OTHER AND THEY HAVE PERFECT SEXUAL CHEMISTRY, BUT THEY'RE BOTH BEING STUBBORN AND STUPID AT THIS POINT. YOU CAN'T JUST 'PUT IT BEHIND YOU' AND MOVE ON AFTER SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND THEY HAVEN'T FULLY DISCUSSED WHAT HAPPENED SO IT SEEMS THEY MIGHT BE ON SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT PAGES WHICH WE WILL SEE OVER THE NEXT FEW CHAPTERS...SO HERE IT IS, HOPE YOU ENJOY IT :)

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IT ONLY TAKES A MINUTE AND IT HELPS KEEP ME MOTIVATED AND IT BRIGHTENS MY DAY

CHAPTER 11

NORA'S POV:

The second I got out of Scott's car I breathed a sigh of relief. Finally I can enter the confines of my bedroom and coil into a pathetic little ball without having to face Patch again. I hurriedly made my way up the stairs with my luggage grateful my parents won't be home until tomorrow so I can have at least one night of peace.

"Hey Trav." I knocked on my brothers open door, letting him know I was home.

"Hey, how was your trip?" He sat up and gave me a smile.

"Uh, it was good." I forced a tight smile. "I'm just tired."

"Okay, well you have a visitor." He smirked. "Vee Sky came over so I sent her to wait for you in your bedroom."

"Vee's here?"

"Yeah, she said she thought you'd need a friend tonight." He furrowed his eyebrows. "Is everything okay?"

"Oh yeah, Vee's just being dramatic. I'll see you later." I brushed it off.

I should have known Vee would be here, she's been worrying about me like she's my own mother. I suppose I should appreciate the fact that I have a new friend outside of Patch, it wasn't healthy how much I depended on him anyways, and now that he's the source of my problems I can't exactly go to him for help.

"Nora, you're home!" Vee said excitedly, jumping up from my lounge chair to hug me.

"Um, yeah, hi Vee." I dropped my luggage before hugging her back.

"I hope you aren't mad that I came, I can leave if you want. I just thought maybe you'd need someone to talk to." She said sheepishly as she pulled away from me.

"No, I'm not mad at all. I'm a little relieved actually." I smiled at her gratefully.

"I suppose you want to shower and change after your trip." She sat down at the end of my bed. "Maybe after that we can talk."

"Yes, I need to get the smell of airplane off me." When my bathroom door was closed I stepped out of my clothes, tossing them in the hamper before stepping under the hot spray of the shower, relieved by the feeling of the warm water cascading down my back. I hurriedly washed my long hair and body before stepping out and combing through my tangled hair and wrapped a towel around my body. When I walked back into my room Vee was gone so I changed into my pajamas before walking out into the hall, spotting her coming up the stairs with a pile of food in her hands.

"What's all this?" I gave her a questioning grin.

"I figured this talk would be better with junk food." She smiled and dropped everything on my bed. "Here, have a Oreo."

"Thanks." I smiled and sat down across from her on my bed and took the cookie.

"So what went down with you and Patch after we hung up?" She asked curiously. "Did you talk or was it just the awkward silence? I could see it going either way."

"We talked a little, but it was pointless." I took a bite of the Oreo. "We basically apologized and decided to put it behind us, but that's stupid since we both know that's never going to happen. It was a short conversation on the way to the airport and we hardly uttered a word to each other on the plane ride or drive home."

"I kind of figured it would make things weird." She said sympathetically. "This is one of those things that takes time. If you truly want to put it behind you and stay friends you're going to have to talk about it eventually, but sometimes you just need to spend some time apart before that happens. I know you're humiliated, I'm sure he is too, it isn't like he wasn't reciprocating from what you told me he wanted it too, he just decided to be a gentleman."

"Do you really think that's what it is?"I was confused about it all. "He was being a gentleman? Because I think he just came to the realization that he didn't want to be with me."

"Nora, if you say Patch doesn't want you one more time I will literally hit you upside the head." Vee rolled her eyes. "That boy has got it so bad he might as well write 'I'm in love with Nora Grey' across his forehead in neon. I know it, Scott knows it, hell the whole damn school knows it. Why do you think nobody was surprised to hear you guys were dating? No two people I've ever met have made it that obvious they want each other more than you and Patch."

"You're a very blunt, Vee." I smirked at her.

"I'm not going to lie to you, babe." She shrugged. "I get that you're scared, hell I'm sure he is too. You need to realize that he isn't only your friend, he's already so much more than that."

"He's been my best friend since kindergarten, Vee." I plead for her to understand. "Literally we've been through it all together and yeah, I've always had a bit of a thing for him, but what girl doesn't? He's totally drop dead gorgeous, he has those amazing onyx eyes that make you melt, and god...those abs."

"Babe." She smirked at me. "You're seriously in such denial it kills me."

"At least by being in denial I don't have to risk losing the best friend anyone could ever have." I say sadly.

"Look Nora, the best lovers are people who are also your best friend. The fact that you've been so close for so long and know each other so well would only make your romantic relationship that much better. If you're afraid of not having him as your friend remember you've got me."

"Really?" I ask shyly.

"Duh." She smiled and rolled her eyes dramatically. "We've gotten pretty close lately and I'd consider you to be one of my closest friends."

"You too, Vee. I guess it's just been a while since I've had friends that were girls. I kind of forgot how it works."

"Don't get me wrong I love boys, but they're also clueless creatures." She giggled. "You need another girl around. Plus, you can't really talk to boys about boys."

"Good point well made." I grinned. "Speaking of boys, how are you and Scott? I hope he's being good to you."

"He's amazing." She beamed. "Seriously, I never knew a relationship could be so perfect. He makes me feel so loved, and I trust him completely which I never had with Chauncey. Not to mention the sex is remarkable."

"I'm happy you're so happy, but I didn't need to know that last part." I scrunched up my nose.

"Oh come on, sex is an important part of any healthy relationship. Plus, it's always better when you're in love. It's a way to connect with someone on an intimate level, for the first time I actually understand where the phrase 'making love' comes from. I always thought that was so cheesy before, but I get it now."

"I've never had that." I lowered my eyes. "I've never been in love with any of the guys I slept with. I really liked Elliot and that's why I gave my virginity to him, but I didn't love him. All the other guys were merely distractions I guess, after what Elliot did to me I didn't want to be in a relationship ever again."

"What exactly happened with you and Elliot?" Vee asked, curiously.

"We dated for like four months freshman year." I grabbed another cookie. "I really liked him. He was my first everything. I thought he was great so after we'd been together a little while I decided I was ready to have sex with him. He dumped me a week later, and on my birthday none the less. He didn't care about me at all he told everybody he was using me the entire time."

"That's awful." She frowned sympathetically.

"I'd still take him over Dante." I frowned.

"Dante just sees you as a game. He likes the chase, and you present the greatest challenge of all the girls in high school. He thinks he'll eventually get you to want him and that gives him a sick satisfaction."

"That'll be a cold day in hell before I ever touch him." I scowled.

"Patch would break every bone in his body if you did." Vee said with a proud smirk.

"Patch would break every bone in his body no matter what the reason if he could."

"Nothing fuels a man's rage like jealousy, babe." She looked at me pointedly.

"Maybe so, but Patch doesn't get jealous." I stated the fact.

"Whatever you say, Nora." She gave me a smug smirk.

"Let's watch a movie and you can stop spouting nonsense at me." I flipped on the TV.

"Poor little naïve Nora Grey." She said with a sarcastic giggle as I glared at her.

Thankfully she didn't press the issue again and after a screening of Easy A and stuffing myself with enough junk food to last a lifetime we fell asleep. I woke up the next morning to the pounding of rain outside and Vee snoring softly with her stuffed pig clutched tightly in her arms.

"Hey, wake up." I shook her gently as she slowly started to stir.

"Ugh no, I hate Mondays." She groaned.

"I'm not too fond of them either." I yawned.

"Do you mind if I use your shower?" She slowly sat up.

"Go ahead, I showered last night so I'm not going to take one this morning." I waved her towards my bathroom before climbing tiredly out of bed and to my closet to try to decide on an outfit. I can't help myself from feeling nervous about going to school today, I'll have to see Patch, and the idea of having to face him makes my stomach churn. I pulled out a pair of black jeans with a long sleeve shirt, my leather jacket, boots and added a scarf and a hat. When Vee and I were both ready we made our way downstairs, grabbed a quick breakfast before she left and I waited for Travis so we could leave too. When he came downstairs he looked at me with a curious expression that stayed put until I was pulling out of our driveway.

"Care to explain why you're looking at me like that?" I asked him.

"I'm confused." He shrugged. "You had a sleepover with Vee Sky, and she said you needed a friend so obviously you were upset about something. What's going on? Did something happen in Denver? Did you and Patch break up? Are you pregnant?"

"Oh my god no, none of that Travis." My eyes were wide with shock. "Honestly, Patch and I just had a stupid fight in Colorado and I called Vee because I needed to talk to someone. You know how dramatic she is, she made a big deal about it and came over to make sure I was okay, it's really nothing."

"What did Patch do?" He frowned.

"I don't want to talk about it, honestly it was just a lame disagreement." I tried to get him to drop the subject.

"Okay." He eyed me skeptically. "You know if he hurt you I'll kick his ass."

"That's sweet Travis, but he'd kill you." I giggled.

"Maybe, but it's the thought that counts." He smirked.

"I appreciate the offer." I returned his smirk as we pulled into the school parking lot. It was still pouring rain with the occasional roar of thunder, my favorite kind of weather. Since we're already running late I open my umbrella before hurrying into the school, barely making it to my physics class as the second bell rang.

"You're cutting it awfully close, Ms. Grey." Mr. Holiday eyed me as I took my seat.

"I'm here on time, aren't I." I said, annoyed as I sat down and dropped my wet umbrella on the floor net to me. Patch was already in his seat and I could feel his eyes on me.

"Hey, Grey." He turned towards me as Mr. Holiday took attendance.

"Hi Patch." I smiled awkwardly as I tucked a stray curl behind my ear.

"You still in the clear with your parents and Colorado? They didn't find out did they?" His voice was filled with concern that showed on his face.

"No, they weren't even home, they get back today." I gave him a half-smile.

"Cipriano." Mr. Holiday called Patch's name for roll call.

"Present." He said with his signature smirk that I loved so much. I rested my head on my hand propped up on my elbow, unable to break my gaze from him. He has a blue Henley under his leather jacket and I can't help but think about how much it brings out the midnight black in his hair and eyes. No matter what he wears he's perfection, but I love him in blue, or black. Actually, I'd rather see him in nothing at all, but that won't be happening anytime soon.

"Ms. Grey." Mr. Holiday's voice pulled me from my daydream.

"Yeah." I quickly faced forward.

"I was asking if you could tell me what string theory is?" He looked at me while adjusting his glasses.

"Uh, I don't know." I bit my lip nervously.

"Maybe if you spent more time listening to the lesson and less time staring at Mr. Cipriano you'd be able to tell me the answer." He said smugly, eliciting a few laughs from the other students which has my face heating up ten shades of pink. I fucking hate Mr. Holiday.

"Sorry." I snapped, unable to stop myself from glaring at him angrily. I purposely made sure not to look anywhere close to Patch's direction for the rest of class. When the bell rang I hurriedly gathered my stuff and jumped up, but Mr. Holiday stopped me asking me to come to his desk.

"Look, I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention, it won't happen again." I sighed and gave him a pleading look.

"I certainly hope it won't. That's not all I need to speak with you about. Your grade in this class is inexcusable Nora, you're failing after that last test, and you need to pass this class to fulfill your eleventh grade science requirement. I'm sure you don't want to wind up in summer school, or taking it next year as a senior with all of the kids younger than you."

"I'm failing? I thought I had a C." I was disappointed.

"You did, before the last chapter test." He folded his hands. "You're grade was so low it brought you down to an F. I know this subject can be hard, but you need to study, or perhaps find a tutor. Either way, we have a quiz tomorrow so make sure you're ready for it."

"Okay, I'll figure something out." I said glumly before exiting the classroom. I ran into Patch who was standing by the door waiting for me, that was a good sign. If he was mad or uncomfortable with me he wouldn't have waited I didn't think.

"What did Holiday want? He wasn't seriously hassling you about not knowing an answer was he?"

"No, he was telling me that I'm failing his class and I need to raise my grade." I sighed.

"Oh." His smile faltered and he looked serious. "I can help you if you would like."

"Patch Cipriano, when have you ever studied?" I smirked at him as we made our way down the crowded hall.

"I don't study, but I happen to be really good at physics. I got an A on the last test and all I did was read a little the night before." He shrugged when I stopped at my locker.

"You really are miraculous, you know that?" I turned to face him. It's true, he's too smart for his own good. I don't know how he does it.

"I'm aware." He wiggled his eyebrows.

"I suppose I could use some help." I ignored his cockiness. "There's a quiz tomorrow and I'd rather not fail."

"Okay, I'll come by later. I have to get to class so I'll see you later." He said as I closed my locker door.

I watched as he walked away and made his way down the hall before he disappeared around the corner. I guess I'm relieved that things seemed a little less weird just now, but there's still a heavy tension looming around us. I wonder if it'll ever go away after what happened. Despite my failing grade my mood improved a little bit from the semi-normal behavior of Patch...Until I got to English and Dante took the seat next to me. I've been successfully avoiding him over the past couple weeks by sitting next to Gabriela, but she's absent today so unfortunately the devil himself has taken her seat.

"Nora, it really has been too long." Dante smirked at me.

"A million years wouldn't be long enough." I muttered as I pulled my notebook and pen from my bag.

"You and Cipriano break up yet?" He asked condescendingly. That's a good question; I have no idea if Patch and I are still in our pseudo-relationship. We haven't talked about that yet, baby steps I suppose.

"Why do you care? Even if we did I would never go anywhere near you, so it really doesn't matter now does it?" I was annoyed.

"You can only pretend you don't want me for so long, Nora." He drew out my name, elongating the sound.

"Were you dropped on your head as an infant?" I snapped at him. "Seriously, how many times do I have to tell you to leave me the fuck alone? I don't speak any other languages, but I have a translator app I could put to good use if you don't understand English."

"Okay everyone, I need you all to calm down." Our English teacher effectively silenced the class and thankfully took away Dante's opportunity to respond back to me. She took attendance quickly before getting back up to write on the whiteboard. After the bell rang I rushed out of the classroom and met Vee near our lockers.

"Hey, how's it going? Have you and Patch talked yet?" She asked.

"Yeah, we did in physics this morning, but not about Colorado, just normal stuff. It still feels a little weird though."

"That's to be expected. At least you guys spoke. Obviously he's making an effort." She gave me a soft smile.

"Yeah I guess." I took a deep breath. "Anyways, you want to eat lunch?"

"Sure." Vee closed her locker and followed me to the cafeteria. We sat down at a table in the corner and talked until the bell rang. My last two classes went by quickly and since my month of detention was finally up I actually get to go straight home after school. Travis met me by my car and we rode home together. When we walked in the door I saw the Louis Vuitton luggage sitting in the foyer, that could only mean one thing, my mom is home. My phone started playing the song that let me know that I had a new text from Patch.

You want me to come over now?

I swear I'm insane, I have to be. I obviously have feelings for my best friend, I threw myself at him less than forty-eight hours ago. I shouldn't be tormenting myself like this, but here I am. I can't not see him, and I really do need help if I'm going to avoid failing physics.

Ya thank you

PATCH'S POV:

I'm torturing myself, literally torturing myself. I'm in love with my best friend, and now I'm on my way to her house so I can help her with her homework when all I really want to do is kiss her, and be with her. Once again I find myself wondering why I'm such a fucking masochist. Patch Cipriano is not a masochist. I do things for myself; I do things that make me happy. I sleep with skanky over eager willing girls, I pull immature pranks simply for entertainment value, and in general I don't do anything unless I absolutely want to. I don't want to go to Nora's right now because I know I'm going to spend the next couple hours trying to explain physics to her instead of doing what I already know I 'll want to do. I can't even be in the same room as her without remembering how she looked the other night, all hot and needy in that black lacy panties set that barely covered her. I want her so bad it hurts, physically hurts, but I can't take her, so instead I'm going to help her pass physics. I should be making fun of myself, that's how utterly pathetic I've become. When I pulled up to the large farmhouse that's come to haunt me in many of my dreams and fantasies I quickly make my way towards the front porch before ringing the doorbell.

"I'm here for Nora." I said to the maid who greeted me with a plastered smile on her face. I'm sure she liked me more than the actual owners though.

"She's up in her room" The woman waved me in before walking away. I made my way up the stairs and back towards Nora's bedroom where I found her sitting on the bed surrounded by books and papers.

"You got started without me?" I smirked down at her.

"Yeah, I'm trying to comprehend this shit." She let out a deep sigh.

"That's why I'm here, we'll make sure you don't end up in summer school." I tried to sound enthusiastic.

"You really understand this bullshit?" She asked me skeptically as I sat down next to her on the bed.

"I have a good memory and science tends to come easy, but you know my inability to write an essay so I'm not good at everything. I know that surprises you." I wink at her and give her one of my cocky grins.

"Ugh, please put the ego away." She shook her head and laughed. She's so beautiful when she laughs, I love nothing more than to see her happy.

"Okay, let's take a look at the study questions." I smirk at her before diving in. After a very long and yes, torturous three hours she finally felt ready for the quiz, and I needed a cold shower. Sitting so close to her, seeing her perfect face as she slowly began understanding was the highlight of my day. If I could actually act on how I felt I'd be on cloud nine.

"You can stay for dinner if you want." Nora said as we got up off her bed.

"No that's okay, I have frozen pizza at home, but I wanted to ask you something."

"Okay, go ahead." She nervously tucked a stray curl behind her ear.

"Isn't that pageant thing coming up?" I eyed her.

"Yeah, it's a week from Saturday." She bit her lip. "Are you rethinking being my escort? Because I'd totally get it, I mean I don't even want to do it so I can only imagine how much you don't want to."

"No no no, I'm not rethinking it." I put my hand on her shoulder tenderly. "I just wanted to make sure we're still on."

"Oh." Nora's voice was filled with relief. "It's not like I've found someone else."

"Angel, I promised you I'd do it and I'm a man of my word."

"I know I just..." She trailed off.

"You just what?" I prodded her softly.

"I don't want you to be mad at me." Her voice was barely a whisper, but I caught what she said.

"Why would I be mad at you?" I stepped closer to her so I could rest both hands on her shoulders.

"After what happened the other night." She gulped and her cheeks flamed pink.

"I'm not mad at all." I was genuinely surprised that she would even think that.

"I guess I assumed you were upset." She stepped back from me and ran her fingers nervously through her somewhat unruly locks.

"I'm not upset, I promise." I stepped closer to her again and cupped her face between my hands so she had to look me in the eye. "You're my best friend and I have no intention of ever-changing that."

"Okay." She smiled, her big dove-gray eyes locking on my ebony ones as she looked up at me under her thick long black lashes. Unable to control myself I wrapped my arms around her tightly, she reciprocated immediately by wrapping her arms around my neck and resting her head against my chest. I could smell her shampoo, her perfume, and her amazingly perfect scent in general that was all Nora. When she's this close to me all I want to do is pull her lips to mine and kiss her, but instead I'm simply being a good friend. No matter how much I hate this, it's the right thing to do. I just don't know how much longer I'll last before I snap.

HOW LONG ARE THEY GOING TO MAKE IT BEFORE ONE OF THEM CRACKS? THEY CAN'T KEEP GOING ON FOREVER WITH THAT KIND OF SEXUAL TENSION, ESPECIALLY WITH ALL THE TIME THEY SPEND TOGETHER, PATCH IS RIGHT, SOMEONE IS GOING TO SNAP. I CAN'T WAIT TO GET TO THE LEMONY GOODNESS THESE TWO ARE SILENTLY BEGGING FOR, BUT ALL GOOD THINGS ARE WORTH THE WAIT, IF I GAVE IT TO YOU RIGHT AWAY WHERE WOULD THE FUN BE IN THAT? WE HAVE TO WORK A LITTLE FOR THE THINGS WE WANT THE MOST, BUT I PROMISE SOON WE WILL GET SOME PATCH AND NORA TIME IN THERE, I THINK THEY BOTH COULD USE A LITTLE RELIEF, COLD SHOWERS ONLY DO SO MUCH...

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