Chapter 28 #2
I blushed under his gaze and returned his smile. “You look pretty good yourself.” Good was an understatement. This boy really had too much going for him. Seriously. It only made me wonder what he could possibly see in me because his interest really didn’t make any sense.
My doubt was only highlighted when we emerged into the courtyard. There weren’t many people about, but everyone we passed stared at us, and they all seemed confused to see me at Noah’s side.
I’d had a strange mixture of attention on me after Veronica plastered posters of me all over the place.
There were some people who appeared to feel sorry for me, and some who rolled their eyes like I’d been asking for the attention.
Then there were others, like Veronica and her friends, who thought I couldn’t be trusted and didn’t belong here.
Whatever people thought about Veronica’s stunt, I felt certain going on a date with Noah was doing little to divert the attention away from me.
“So, are you going to tell me what you have planned yet?” I asked, hoping to distract myself from the many eyes that were on us. We were making our way toward the parking lot, but I still had no idea what to expect. “You haven’t given me any clues.”
“Don’t you like a little mystery?”
“No, surprises aren’t really my thing.” Especially not recently after my parents had dropped the wealthy long-lost father bombshell on me and then ambushed me with Weybridge Academy. My surprise quota was definitely full for the next couple of years.
“Well, I think you’re going to like my surprise.
” His expression had changed since we’d emerged into the courtyard.
His smile had disappeared, and his face stayed blank and neutral; his mask of indifference was well and truly back in place.
Yet, when he spoke to me, his eyes still sparkled slightly.
He was like a kid on Christmas morning trying to keep his composure but anticipating the day with a carefully contained excitement.
“Well, now you’ve got me intrigued,” I said, earning myself a brief smile.
We continued to garner attention as we walked, and I struggled to ignore it. I already felt like I wasn’t good enough for him, and the reaction of those around us certainly wasn’t helping.
“I’m not sure people approve of me stealing you away for the morning,” I said.
He frowned as he glanced around us, finally noticing the surprised looks we were receiving. “Just ignore them,” he said. “They’re probably just jealous I’m with the prettiest girl in school.”
“I doubt that,” I murmured back. I was hardly the prettiest girl at Weybridge, and the way people were looking at us made me feel like the exact opposite. It was like they were watching a troll date a prince, and they couldn’t quite believe their eyes.
It was hard to tell if Noah was bothered by the attention because his face gave little away.
His expression closed up like this whenever I saw him in crowded places, and I was reminded of how Cress had said Noah was different around me.
It made me sad to think he’d become so wary of the people surrounding him every day—to the point where he completely shut down around them.
I wasn’t sure why he opened up to me, but I was certain I didn’t want it to stop.
Noah remained tense until we entered the parking lot, and he unlocked an expensive sports car parked right by the school. It was white and sleek, and his eyes lightened as he opened the door for me.
“I heard guys that drive fast cars are compensating for something …” I said, lifting one eyebrow at him. I was trying to break the somewhat somber mood that had overcome him, and it seemed to do the job because he let out a laugh.
“I just like fast cars,” he said.
“That’s what they all say.”
He shook his head and closed the door after me.
He was still smiling as he walked around the front of the car and sat in the driver’s seat.
The car rumbled to life as he turned the engine on, and he pulled it out of the parking lot.
It was hard to believe only moments ago he’d been looking so gloomy.
“You act differently when other people aren’t around,” I said.
He let out a sigh, and I was sad to see his expression dim.
“Other people always want something from me,” he said.
“My grandfather is quite influential, and I guess people are always trying to gain status by associating with me. There’s nothing worse than people who are only friendly with you because of your last name.
I find it far easier to simply shut people out. ”
“Surely not everyone at Weybridge wants to use you.”
“You’d be surprised,” he replied. “I’ve learned it’s better to have a few good friends than a horde of false ones.”
“You’re talking about Kaden and Luther?”
Noah nodded. “I’m not sure I would have survived high school if they hadn’t been here with me.”
I couldn’t imagine growing up and not trusting the intentions of the people around me. Then again, I’d been completely screwed over by my friends back home because I’d been too trusting. Perhaps Noah was right to keep only a select few people close.
“You’re lucky you have them.”
“Very lucky,” he agreed.
My hand lifted to my neck as we spoke, and I traced my fingers across the star necklace Cress had given me.
I’d only met her and Anna a few weeks ago, but it felt like I’d known them for years.
If I’d realized anything this week, it was that these girls were keepers and that I should never be afraid of being anything but myself around them.
They accepted me no matter what, and it seemed similar to how Noah felt about Luther and Kaden.
Noah sped through the countryside along a winding road that cut between open green fields.
I’d only been into town a few times since I’d arrived at Weybridge, but we were driving in the opposite direction, so I had no idea where we were.
The sun was out, and the scenery was beautiful, so I didn’t mind waiting a little longer to see what Noah had in store for us.
Eventually, Noah slowed the car and turned onto a gravel path.
My curiosity only escalated as we drove alongside a high wire fence with nothing but open space on the other side.
At the end of the road was a large shed, and as we drew near to it, Noah turned the car through a wide-open gate and into the fenced off area.
Several small planes and a helicopter were sitting by the shed.
“Uh, Noah, where are we going?”
His face brightened with a beaming smile. “Somewhere very special.”
“That’s not an answer …”
“It’s all the answer you’re getting right now.” He winked. “I don’t want to ruin the surprise.”
Noah didn’t say anything else as he pulled up beside a small jet plane. The staircase was lowered to the tarmac, and my heart leaped with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. Noah jumped from the car and came round to open my door for me.
“I hope you like flying,” he said, still grinning widely.
I was too shocked to respond. He wanted to take me up in a plane? I mean, I should have figured as much considering he’d brought me to an airstrip, but it was only just hitting me now.
His expression started to fall when I remained in the car. “You don’t like flying?”
“I don’t know.” I hesitated. “I’ve never been in a plane before.” I realized I’d been stalling and stepped cautiously from the vehicle.
“Never? Seriously?”
“Seriously.” My palms sweated at the thought. I wasn’t afraid of the concept of flying, but I was a little nervous. “This is crazy. You know I would have been fine with just grabbing a burger at Toddy’s. It’s not too late if you want to change your mind.”
“I don’t want to change my mind,” he replied. “But if you don’t want to fly, we can go to Toddy’s if you like …”
He was being super sweet, and I imagined he must have gone to so much effort to organize this for me, so I quickly shook my head. “No, let’s go on the plane. You only die once, after all.”
“We’re not going to die.” He rolled his eyes and chuckled before he took hold of my hand to lead me toward the plane.
One of the crew walked down the stairs as we approached and shook Noah’s hand. “How are you today, Mr. Hastings?”
“I’m good, thanks, Arthur. This is my friend Isobel. She’s going to be coming with us today.”
The man gave me a warm smile. “It’s a pleasure to welcome you on board, Isobel.”
I smiled and nodded in response. I was still too nervous to decide if this was also going to be a pleasurable experience for me.
Noah led me up the stairs to the plane, where a hostess was waiting to welcome us.
I was struggling not to gape as we entered the cabin.
It was open and gorgeous with white leather seats and beautiful wooden tables.
There was even a flat screen TV on one of the walls.
Noah got us settled next to each other on a couch before the flight attendant brought us over a couple of glasses of champagne.
“I can’t believe you did this.” I struggled to contain my awe. “How did you organize a plane?”
“It wasn’t too difficult,” he replied. “It’s the company jet.”
Noah’s surname was everywhere. It was engraved across one of the walls and embroidered on the seat cushions.
Even the little napkins on the table had Hastings written on them in gold lettering.
If I hadn’t been so distracted when we’d arrived, I imagined I would have also seen Noah’s last name splayed across the tail of the plane.
“Wow, this is really incredible.” I was still in disbelief. I couldn’t fathom how much money a business needed to make to own a private jet, but it had to be a lot. “I guess your family’s company must be really successful.”
“Looks can be deceiving.” Noah replied in a low voice.
I wasn’t really sure what to make of his comment so I decided not to press him on it. His definition of success must have been very different than mine. He probably thought they needed a bigger plane.