A short one, I'm getting bored, and lazy...and I actually have a life!!!!

In case you have trouble picturing Noah, I'll tell you how I see him. He's like Chad from 2gether, the actor's real name is Noah (wonder why I chose that name) I think he was so gorgeous, and so funny, I was like in love with him. Too bad they canceled that show, it was really good. I guess they couldn't continue because of QT. I felt so bad for him, it was the saddest thing ever.

I'm doing gigantic biology homework while simultaneously writing three stories at once. My hands are kind of tied, but I've got the perfect poll for the story. Okay...seriously, these questions make NO freaking sense to me! Poll for the weak...I mean week...here goes...



Why does a reduction reaction always accompany an oxidation reaction?

I don't know...A

Because I said so...B

Because...C

Because reduction reaction is afraid oxidation reaction might be cheating on him...D

Because reactions that are transferred between atoms are known as reduction- oxidation reactions, or redox reactions. In an oxidation reaction, a reactant loses one or more electrons, thus becoming more positive in charge. In a reduction reaction, a reactant gains one or more electrons, thus becoming more negative in charge. Redox reactions always occur together. An oxidation reaction occurs, and the electron given up by one substance is then accepted by another substance in a reduction reaction...E

Eh. Another one of your stupid polls...F





Chapter 3

Noah sat at the bar of the diner, a cup of tea in front of him, and an order of salad being prepared. He felt lonely on this particular afternoon. Helga had gone to see Phoebe, refusing to take him with her under the excuse that it was a "girl-thing" and since he was tired of getting room service, Noah decided to explore the city.

First, he visited the art museum, looking at the paintings with his artistic eye and acknowledging the artists grip. Afterward, he wandered throughout, looking at sights, wondering about the urban decay, glancing at his bypasses. America differed from England in many ways, but he liked the simplicity, cheery barbarism that it presented. There was youth, radiating within. Noah had a good relationship with youth.

Across from the bar, sat a leggy brunette, her eyes radiating, not leaving his frame. He disregarded it. Helga was so much more beautiful in every way.



Helga smiled, seeing her friend for the first time in a while. They broke into laughter and rushed into one another's arms. Phoebe looked healthier now than she did last year. Her body was more full, and her face was colored in a beautiful pink tint. Her smile was wide, revealing white, straight teeth, and he eyes were glistening with radiance. Helga loved seeing this, in comparison to Phoebe's sickly image only a year ago.

After the greeting was complete, Phoebe sat Helga onto the beige couch inside of her stylish loft and poured a glass of Martini to celebrate the arrival. They looked at one another without a word for a few seconds and then once again broke into laughter.

"You sure are giggly today," said Phoebe, "You never used to be like that."

Helga began playing with her hair, folding one long leg under her bottom, "I never used to be quite so happy."

"Happy, huh?" Phoebe smiled and took a sip of her drink, "happy how?"

"I've told you all about it, Phoebe, over the phone," Helga smiled.

"I know, but you don't think I've ever actually listened," Phoebe smiled and the two broke into laughter.

Noah pecked at his food, slowly chewing, enjoying the afternoon, but feeling a little bit perplexed by loneliness. At this moment, he wished greatly to have someone to talk to. In England, Noah had many friends, he was quite likeable, and everyone enjoyed his company. It seemed almost frightening for him to be in a new place where he knew no one, where he could talk to no one except for Helga. Though she was amazing, Noah longed for the male understanding that women were simply unable to provide. He could not believe his luck when Arnold sat next to him and ordered a drink.

Arnold lit up a cigarette, a cloud of smoke filled around the two, and Noah looked at Arnold with a pleasant smile.

"Are those things enjoyable?" he asked.

Arnold turned to him in confusion, trying to figure out, for a moment, what it was that this strange man was talking about. Noah's smile brought him a little bit at ease, although he generally hated happy people.

"What things?" Arnold asked.

"Oh," Noah said, "fags."

Arnold looked at him for a moment, trying to understand.

"Cigarettes, I'm sorry," Noah continued, "I am not well accustomed with American slang and I see you are the same with mine."

"Cigarettes?" Arnold asked, "They're generally pleasant, but highly addictive."

"Maybe that's why I've never tried," Noah smiled, drinking his tea, "because I'm afraid I wouldn't be strong enough to quit when necessity compels me."

"I don't see quittage in my near future," Arnold said, "so it doesn't really bother me much."

"I wish I were like you, then, you seem quite brave of a fellow."

Arnold widened his eyes, this man that was speaking to him now was quite strange, "Thank you, I guess."

"Yes, you're welcome," Noah smiled, "are you all alone then?"

"What?" Arnold asked.

"Is there perhaps some gentleman you are here to see?"

Arnold felt nervousness creep over him, and moved into the farthest corner of his seat, "No," he said, "No gentleman."

"Great!" Noah smiled with excitement.

Arnold backed farther away.

"You know," Noah said, "I'm here alone too."

"Oh, no kidding..." Arnold stumbled.

"Yes," Noah smiled, "my girlfriend is off somewhere, and I don't know anything about this town, I really wanted somebody to talk to."

"Talk?" Arnold said, relaxing for a moment, "Girlfriend?"

"Yes," Noah said, "The reason I asked about the cigarettes is because she smokes too, and she says she enjoys it a lot. I just wanted to know if it was true."

"You're missing out," Arnold smiled, positioning himself properly in the chair, "It's good, it's good while it lasts." His cigarette was slowly burning down. He reached into his pocket and took out a pack, handing it to Noah, "You want one?"

"Maybe someday I'll try it," Noah said, "but not today."

"Suit yourself," Arnold smiled and placed it back into his jacket, "so, do you like it here?"

"It's nice," Noah smiled awkwardly, "very exotic compared to my usual surroundings."

Arnold nodded, "I rarely leave the city myself, so the rest of the world seems that way to me."

"I would think you were quite well traveled by the way you dress, you most certainly do not resemble a naivete'."

Arnold grinned for the first time, "Maybe I'll travel the world someday. Truth is though that it's not very fun unless you do it with someone else. There's no one else for me."

"That's sad," Noah sighed, "I almost can't imagine being without someone else. I've always been with someone else."

"I have until a certain point," Arnold paused, "I used to have the world...I don't know why I'm saying this to a complete stranger..."

"A girl I've once been with used to say that I had that sort of face, made you want to talk and talk until you were all talked out."

"Yeah," Arnold sighed, "maybe that's it."

"So, tell me then, whatever it was that you wanted to say. You've had the world and..."

"And then it all just went away," Arnold reached for another cigarette, "and for a while, I blamed someone for it. And then that someone moved on while I dwelled about it. And then that someone returned, and I wanted them to care that I still cared, and I tried to make them care by making them lose their whole world too. But, in the end, I was the one who lost everything. Again. Or maybe I didn't...maybe I just had nothing to lose."

"Was that someone a woman?" Noah asked.

"More than a woman," Arnold sighed. Suddenly, his phone rang and he picked it up. After a fifteen second talk with his boss, Arnold flipped shut the contraption and placed a crisp bill on the table.

"I have to go," he said, "Can't get a decent lunch break even on a Saturday. It was nice meeting you."

Noah looked into the man's weary eyes and knew that he would talk no longer. He wanted to help, he wanted to make things better for this stranger, this intriguing, sad stranger. He was the sort of man who liked helping people, even if it brought nothing to him, even if it caused agitation. That was just the kind of man Noah was. Upon seeing Noah, Arnold almost winced of a strange familiarity.

"Listen," Noah said, "How would you like to meet for dinner once? While we're still in town?"

Arnold contemplated it for a moment, already knowing the answer, "Okay, sounds good."

"Do you know the Golden Autumn hotel? In the center of town?" Noah asked, "it has quite a lovely restaurant. How about we meet before it at eight on Monday?"

"Great," Arnold smiled, "I have to go." He began walking away but found himself stopping, "What is your name, by the way?"

"Noah."

"Okay," Arnold hurried away before Noah had time to ask his.