IRIS CLAIRE'S POV
"Pack lightly. My place has got no room for all your things."
"Well, mister, my luggage is fine. One more bag and —" he cut me off.
"Luggage? Bag? You will be needing only one!" he messed his hair, looking so irritated.
"Do you suppose I could fit all my clothes in one bag? And stop shouting! My mom's gonna hear you!" I panicked and continued to fold my clothes.
"Just bring your favorite ones. You can borrow some of mine."
"There is no way I will wear a boy's shirt— no, scratch that, I won't wear your shirt." I crossed my arms with pride.
"Oh, yeah? Will you be able to carry all those by yourself?" he raised his brow and it's obvious that he is having the pleasure in tormenting me. He's got a point. Gosh, he's such an asshole. I had no choice but to unpack.
"Will you just please hurry up? You're wasting my time." he demanded.
What a fucking boss. I hate how he always win. "So, what did you tell your mom?" he sat down on my bed while watching me pack my toiletries.
"That I'll be having a sleepover to Bonnie's house and that I won't be home for three days."
"And who the hell is Bonnie?"
"My friend from the publication. My mom knows her and she trusts her more than she trusts me."
"Of course she does. Look at you, packing your things to stay over a random boy's house." he sarcastically mocked me.
"This was your idea."
"And you took my bait. How much do you trust me? Huh, Iris Claire?" he took one of my Bunny plushies collection and squeezed its tail.
"What made you believe that I trust you?" I tried to sound cold. He wants to play this game, I'm giving it to him. Sadistic, dumbass!
"You came for my help." he said proudly.
"And you are willing to do so because you found yourself crashed between the threats and realities of a poor sweet girl like me." I smirked.
"No, I need to do my revenge with those pigs. I'm not here to help you." he scoffed.
Of course, I cannot even expect that he actually cares about me. He's an asshole who only looks for mindless fightings and troubles. He was so different last night. We fucking kissed and now he's gone to being a jerk again. I can't believe I gave up my first kiss!
I'm all set. With one bag. I heaved a sigh. This is torture.
"Bid your goodbye to your mother. I'll be waiting for you outside." he held my cheek. I stopped for a moment and gently shook my head. How dare he touch me that way?!
I watched him walk over the terrace and climbed down by the tree like a ninja. I shook my head in disbelief. What an ass.
---
"Give me your bag," he demanded. I didn't flinch and pay attention.
"You looked like you're gonna pass out. I told you to pack lightly." he grabbed my things.
There he goes again. Good thing it's Saturday. Because I already am feeling tired. When we come home, I will just chill as if my life is not on the verge of death.
"Come on." he turned right and walks slowly towards the roadside grocery store.
"I'm out of supplies." he explained and grabbed a basket and started filling it with different snacks.
"You had the guts to invite me over but you're out of grocery?" I rolled my eyes.
"It was a last minute decision, alright? Why can't you just say thank you?" he retorted and grabbed cans of Monster and some of those alcoholic drinks. He smokes and drinks. Geez, he's really looking for his death.
I took strawberry filled biscuits and yogurts. He also grabbed meat, vegetables, and fruits. Like there will be a grand feast.
We went to the counter and I was about to take out my wallet when he motioned his hand. "I'm paying," he insisted.
"Hand me three packs of that Marlboro." he bossed around and showed his identification card to the cashier.
My eyes widened, "You're in legal age? But we're both on the same grade level." I was shocked. He's a year older.
"I'm a repeater. What do you expect from me, Iris Claire?" he hissed.
He should be in college now. He shouldn't be out there fighting. He should be thinking of a good university to attend to. I suddenly felt bad for nagging him a lot.
"Why the fuck are you staring? Move!" he spat out while carrying the groceries.
I waited for us to reach his apartment before I dropped the question. He turned on the lights and removed his jacket. "So, where are your parents?" I asked while removing my shoes.
"And suddenly you're curious?" he smirked.
"I just don't wanna shock them when they saw me here with their son."
"They don't come here. Hell, they don't even talk to me." His voice has got no traces of loneliness but anger and disgust.
"You're better off alone."
His expressions changed and suddenly became playful. "Yeah, it's a good thing we can do everything here. No distractions. Just us." he grinned. I smacked my jacket right on his face. "Jerk!" I scowled at him.
I grabbed my bag to unpack and ease the tension.
"Uhm, where's my room?"
"Your room? Baby, there is only one room. And that's mine." he opened another door.
I stared and let that sink in. So, we will be sharing his bed? Damn, I survived last night, but for three days?! I messed my hair out of frustration and marched inside hugging the heaviest bag.
"Just stay here. I'll be in the bathroom. Then after, we will have a business to do."
"Whatever you say." I rolled my eyes and started taking out my things from the bag. I opened his wardrobe and made space for my clothes.
I went to the kitchen and initiated on taking out the groceries as well. Damn that boy, he had just found himself a caretaker of his house. He should be the one stacking the cupboard and fridge, not me! I am the visitor here! I marched back to his bedroom and was about to change the sheet when I was left dumbfounded by the doorstep.
My mouth dropped open, while my cheeks are steaming up. I screamed in shock and covered my eyes with both of my hands. He's half-naked. "What the hell is your problem?! There's a girl here!" I panicked and faced him back.
I sat down his bed where I won't be seeing his face. His lower body is wrapped with a towel while his toned upper body is showing, trickling with droplets of water. I couldn't forget the look of his chest down his abdomen. God, he must be a lunatic in working out.
I just heard him chuckling. I'm literally frozen on the mattress. "This is a very normal thing to do." he retorted.
"Not anymore. I'm here now." I snapped back, still not facing him.
"You can look now." he sounded serious. No way, what if he's just messing around with me?
"Not until you're decent!"
"Stop overreacting, Iris." This time he sounded sincere. Blunt but real. So, I turned to him and stood up.
"You're still blushing. Come on now. You're too obvious." he touched my face, while his thumb gently stroking my delicate cheek.
"I'm furious, Noah. I ain't blushing!" I rolled my eyes and pushed his shoulder.
He wore his trucker jacket and without a word opened one by one his drawer, looking for something. "There you are," he remarked, smiling like a maniac while staring at a bunch of keys.
"Let's go!" he cheered.
"What is that? Where are we going?"
"I told you, we've got a business to do." he clicked his tongue.
I was caught of guard when he leaned closer to my probably dumb-looking face. "Forget about being uncomfortable around me, Iris Claire. Because whether you like it or not, you'll be riding that goddamn motorcycle with me." He dangled his keys right in front of my face and headed out, leaving me.