Erika – Aged 17

---

It was prom night.

I sat in the living room, a bowl of popcorn in my lap, and the remote in hand, ready for my Walker Texas Ranger episode. I’d looked forward to this all week, while dreading the night itself.

Of course, Marc and Noah would prepare for prom here, instead of at Noah’s place. Noah was always at our house, rather than his fancy mansion home, and it frustrated the living crap outta me. But what could I do?

Mom and Dad said it was fine. Never mind the fact that they weren’t even here tonight, but out at some function at the local golf club.

I shoved a handful of popcorn into my mouth and crunched noisily, watching an infomercial for the Wonder Mop while I waited for my scheduled viewing to begin.

“That’s an attractive look on you. Sweats, a face full of butter, and hair a mess.”

I looked up at Noah, standing in the doorway, dapper in his tux, with a carnation in his top pocket.

“You should wear that all the time.”

I rolled my eyes at him and kept chomping down, crunching as loud as I could to annoy him. I looked over and caught him grinning at me like a demented Cheshire cat.

“You can’t stand me, can you?” he asked. “You can’t even bear to have me in the same room as you.”

“Glad you noticed,” I said, between chews. “Care to leave?”

“Nah, I’m good right here.”

“Where’s Marc?” I asked.

“Showering or whatever.” Noah shrugged. “Shouldn’t you be reading a book or something? Studying? That’s what you do best, right?”

“Ever heard of the word multifaceted? No? Didn’t think so.” I turned the bitch mode on and kept chewing, narrowing my eyes at him. “It’s a wonder you can find your way to school in the mornings.”

“I got a fourteen-hundred on my SATs.”

I blinked at him, then shrugged. “Then you’re just dumb in person, rather than on paper.” I faced the TV again, praying for Walker Texas Ranger to save me from my misery. “Just leave, Noah. You hate me, and I hate you, why rub it in?”

“I like annoying you, what can I say? It’s just a talent I have, and it’s fun to work that talent for an unwilling audience.” He laughed. “Come on, Erika, I’m not an idiot. I know how you really feel.” He swaggered toward me and actually sat down next to me on the sofa.

The scent of his cologne, and his clean skin, washed over me. I didn’t look at him, but his stare burned into the side of my face.

“I know you think about me after the lights go out,” Noah said, softly. “I know you wish that I didn’t find you so annoying. I know all about it. I hear the rumors, Erika. I’m sorry you’re so disappointed that I don’t want you in that way.”

I looked at him then, burning up with anger now. “I don’t know what you heard, but whatever it was, you were misled. I have no interest in you, Noah. You’re nothing but my older brother’s annoying, boring, shitty friend. Shitty because you’re such an asshole to me for literally no reason. I’ve never done a thing to you. I’ve avoided you since we first moved to this damn street, and you’ve always been a dick to me. So, I have no friggin’ idea how you equate that with me thinking about you, but you’re sadly mistaken.” I lifted the remote and turned up the sound on the TV as Walker Texas Ranger started. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a night of viewing ahead.”

Just as I said it, the doorbell rang. Noah shrugged and rose from the sofa, sauntered off toward our entrance hall, trailing that ego as per usual. I ignored the influx of high heels, the girlish giggles and squeals, until they encroached on my space.

“Oh my god,” a girl screeched. “Is that Erika?”

I looked up and met the ecstatic glare from Nancy Tyler, slutbag extraordinaire. As per prediction, she’d chosen to wear a barely-there dress, clearly flouting the dress code for the evening. It was gold and stuck to her skin like glitter glue. She wouldn’t have been out of place in a strip club, honestly.

“It is. It’s Erika!” Nancy gave another squeal of laughter, and Noah tucked his hands into his pockets behind her, a frown starting up on his brow. “Oh my god, Walker Texas Ranger. Erika, you poor loser. No date for prom, even though your brother is best friends with the quarterback. I could just cry custard for you.” She laughed and laughed, and I stared at her like she’d lost her mind.

I wasn’t the only one either. Noah and Marc’s date, my bestie, Jessie, stared at her like her head had popped clean off her shoulders too.

“Oh my god,” Nancy said, and swiped a finger under either eye. “I can’t breathe.” She tottered into the living room, maintaining eye contact with me, but wiggling her butt for Noah’s sake. Noah didn’t so much as look at it. He said something under his breath to Jessie, who nodded and rolled her eyes. She mouthed something like “told you so” at Noah, who shrugged in turn.

“You’re so cute.” Nancy seated herself on the arm of the sofa, and actually touched the top of my head. “Look at you, aw, I almost feel bad for you, Erika. You’re so sweet and innocent. Life is going to be a real surprise for you when it finally catches up to you.”

“Have you been drinking?” I asked, tilting my head to one side.

Jessie covered a laugh with her hand. Noah kept his face impassive.

“You think you’re so special,” Nancy continued, this time draping an arm around my shoulders and pulling me into a half-hug. “You think you’re just part of the fucking rainbow, don’t you? High-school nerd, so good at all the book stuff. But you’re nothing really. You have no real value. Nobody even likes you because you’re such a bitch. Oh god, and you know what’s even funnier?” She lowered her voice and leaned closer, breathing the words into my ear. “I win. I win. I win! I got Noah, and you’ve got nothing. You’ve got popcorn and TV. So, you know what, nerdy girl? You can pretend like you’re better than me all you want, but you’re a loser. A fucking loser. Please, don’t ever forget that.”

“I’ll try to remember it when you’re serving me fries at McDonald’s ten years from now.”

“Ha, there you go again, being a bitch,” Nancy replied, then hiccupped and covered her mouth. “Whoops, haha. Look, hon, the fact is, you didn’t get what you wanted tonight, and I’ll bet my last condom that you won’t get what you want out of life, either. You’re going to be a failure.”

“What’s going on?” Marc asked and stepped into view.

“Nothing,” Nancy sang, and leaped to her gold heels. “I was just wishing your sister a good evening.”

“Putting on a show, actually,” I said, turning back to the TV. The lump in my throat remained, but I was determined—I’d never cry in front of Noah. And certainly not in front of Nancy.

Nancy walked off, giggling all the way, then looped an arm through Jess’s, who looked as if she’d just been assaulted. The girls staggered off—well, Nancy did—out of the front door and out of view.

“I didn’t even get a chance to give Jessie the corsage,” Marc muttered. “What the hell is going on?”

“Your guess is as good as mine,” Noah said, and I hated him even more. Nancy was a perfect asshole, but even she couldn’t hold a candle to Noah. Noah who made me feel things I shouldn’t then teased me for them. “Better catch up to her.”

“Right,” Marc said, and gave me a wave. “See ya, sis.”

“Have a good night,” I called back but kept my gaze on the TV.

The door slammed a couple seconds later, and I sagged, allowing a few of the tears to spill over. “Stupid,” I muttered, and grabbed for a tissue. I wiped them away, then crumpled it up in my hand and focused on the TV, though I had no idea what was actually going on on the screen.

A voice spoke in my ear, deep, sending a thrill down my spine. “For what it’s worth, Erika, I don’t think you’re a loser.” It was Noah.

I stiffened but didn’t turn around. Had he stayed back a few minutes, just to torture me? I didn’t answer him, but I clutched the remote so hard the plastic cracked and groaned. I waited for the insult to come, but it didn’t.

Instead, hair shifted from my neck as he brushed it back, exposing more of my ear. He kissed the lobe, ever so softly, and I sucked in a breath, eyelashes fluttering. “For what it’s worth,” he whispered, again, “I do think of you at night, all night long. And if you tell anyone that, I’ll fucking deny it.” Another soft kiss, and then he backed up and walked from the room, his steps quiet on the carpet.

I stared at the TV as the door slammed a second time. Outside, Nancy gave a battle cry of epic proportions. Her laughter rang out and traveled through the house, louder than the TV even, but it didn’t affect me this time.

My heart pounded against the inside of my chest.

The car started, and tires crunched on gravel. Finally, I was truly alone.

I blinked back wetness, lifted my hand, and touched a finger to my ear. It was warm but not wet from where Noah had kissed it.

Kissed it.

Why? Why had he done that? Why had he kissed me?

I’d never friggin’ kissed anyone. His lips on my ear… That was the first time any boy had touched me in a romantic sense. It was like he’d stolen something from me, and he’d done it because he wanted to play a game.

It couldn’t be because he liked me. He’d made it clear I annoyed him.

This had to all be a part of the game. Nothing more.

It would always be the same with Noah.