CHAPTER ELEVEN
THE LIbrARY DOORS WERE slightly ajar, sending a cool draft from the air conditioning that tickled her legs.
Even days after the interesting weekend that featured her visit to Noah’s home, she still considered it a kind of out of body experience. She and Evelyn had brainstormed all week on new ways to engage Noah with the students. Evelyn had offered to come over but with her mom packing up to leave for a trip, she hadn’t wanted to spring any surprises or new friends.
Amber stepped into the library and shut the door soundlessly behind her. A huge oak wood desk bearing the school crest greeted her, its seat unoccupied. On the wall beside it was a mounted TV, the screen displaying their interview with the Press club.
It had been on constant replay the whole week.
The staff loved it. The students ate it up. The amount of reception it had gotten was crazy. Noah had been approached by so many students who said they loved the interview or wanted to talk to him about some of the points he’d made. A few of the junior girls had started a Noah Rhodes fan girl club. Noah had been looking over his shoulder the past few days, attempting to dodge their squeals when they saw him.
She’d tried to be the middleman when she saw his struggle at being the focus of attention. She backed him up at important cues in conversation, helped him write down a few student reports and steered him away from the adoring fan girls. Those were his least favorite and the temptation to leave him to their mercy just once was a daily battle.
“The Press club wants to apply for addition of new equipment. We’ve been doing well enough to expand. What do you think?” Kael asked.
“I think it’s an incredible idea. You give your time, effort and skill into keeping us informed about local events, the school curriculum and important matters around us. We rely on the Press club and you always deliver. It’s amazing that what I see here isn’t just a club, but a family.”
It was safe to say there had been a few misty eyes in the room. Kael had taken a pause, his eyes wide and smile even wider. He looked behind the camera for a moment.
“Thank you, Noah. On behalf of myself and the entire club, we’re happy our efforts aren’t in vain.” He segued into another topic. “We’ve all heard about the recently damaged History section of the library. A lot of us need those textbooks daily. How are we going to fix this issue?”
Noah nodded, his hair swishing with the movement as though responding to the frown now on his face. His hand flexed on the table like he was resisting the urge to run it through his hair. “The damage was caused by a rust in one of the water pipes no one was aware of,” he started. “It’s upsetting but the school staff have been on top of the situation.”
He paused for a moment. “It would also be helpful if we could get current recommendations of history titles from students. The books can be included in the order and will be shelved for everyone when they arrive. History is an important part of the…”
“That boy’s got a good head on his shoulders.”
Amber jerked her eyes from the screen, suddenly aware she wasn’t alone. Mrs. Filch, the school librarian stared at the screen, her silver streaked hair framing an aging face and her eyes hidden behind the gold rimmed spectacles she had on. It was common knowledge that Noah spent a lot of time in the library, but over the past few weeks, Amber has seen it for herself. Whenever they met up after school for lessons or to browse literature texts, he hung back to stock new books, organize the shelves or replace the books students left on the tables. No wonder Mrs. Filch adored him when she liked to scowl at everyone else.
The older woman scrutinized her from head to toe. “You’re the one who got him in front of the screen, aren’t you?”
“Y-yes. It might have taken some convincing.”
“Good,” Mrs. Filch groused. “He needs to do more than sit in this room for hours.”
“He is the school’s top student. Doesn’t that show the hours of studying are paying off?”
The librarian scoffed. “He’s young. He has years of studying ahead of him. A bit of fresh air and scenery won’t kill the boy.”
She turned back to the screen and Amber did too. She was in the frame now, answering Kael’s question. Digital Amber leaned forward, her hand on Noah’s shoulder as she redirected the question to him. She looked his way but he was already staring at her. Noah kept his gaze steady on her as he answered. Real Amber recalled the fluttery feeling that went through her then.
Which was ridiculous.
He had simply been answering her question. It was only polite that he faced her while doing that. So why couldn’t she calm the butterflies in her stomach? She tightened her hands against her binder, unwilling to head deeper into that line of questioning. “Bye, Mrs. Filch.”
Amber took the stairs to the second floor of the library, her feet leading her to the table she and Noah had used as a meeting point since the first day. Whispers caught her attention as she drew closer to the table. Evelyn was there, leaning over Noah’s shoulder as he scribbled in a notebook. He’d once again discarded his uniform jacket over the seat, his sleeves rolled to his elbows. The bell signaling the end of the day hadn’t rung more than twenty minutes ago. It was like he was allergic to his uniform.
Emmett spotted her first. He was in the seat opposite Noah and Evelyn, his chair pushed on its hind legs as he munched on a chocolate bar. A little smudge had gotten on his cheek. “Our missing link is here,” he announced around a mouthful.
“Hi guys,” she greeted.
Evelyn and Noah looked over at the sound of her voice. Evelyn squinted. “School’s over and not a hair out of place. What’s your secret?”
Nothing but some gel and a handful of bobby pins.
“Inside voice, Eve. We’re in the library.”
“Inside voice, Eve. We’re in the library.” Evelyn mocked her twin. She moved over to his side of the table and poked his bag on the empty seat. “Move it, meathead.”
Amber hesitated, seeing the last free seat was right beside Noah. At the questioning look from Evelyn, she quietly dropped in the seat. Noah watched her as she sat, his gaze following the book binder suspiciously.
“Don’t tell me…”
“Yep. Our great big list of ideas to make Noah the best student body President of Redmington Academy.” Her smile broadened at the blanched look that took over his face. Those freckles of his were making the appearance of a lifetime.
“We’re still working on the title.” Evelyn smirked.
“Please don’t tell me I have to face those junior girls again.”
“Why not? You’ve gotta give the fan girl club what they want, Noah.” Emmett’s smile was positively evil. “It’s not every day you get something made in your honor.”
Noah glared but Emmett barely noticed as he snickered at his friend’s misery. He frowned at Amber. “You agreed to this plan?”
“Originated it, actually.”
“We’re supposed to be on the same side here.”
“There are no sides, Noah. There’s you, me, the work we both have cut out for us and the screaming fan girls willing to chase you down the halls.”
He put down the pen and leaned back. “Don’t forget this is a two-way deal. Did you read the chapter I asked?”
“Yes sir.” She saluted his unamused look. Amber dug into her bag and pulled out one of the textbooks he had given her. “I made my notes too.” She showed them to him, her expression smug. “You’re the only one dragging your feet, boy genius.”
He pulled her note toward himself and ran through it. The tiny smile on his face gave away his approval but he said nothing. Instead, he opened up the next chapter and they got started. For the first time since their lessons began, they studied together with the twins. She and Noah started on writing out the summary. As time wore on, Evelyn provided distraction when Amber felt her brain would implode, Emmett tugged on his sister’s hair to annoy her and kept asking random questions.
Amber watched the camaraderie between the siblings in amusement and longing. A pang hit her chest as they conversed, shoving each other and joking around. She had never known what it was to have a sibling. Someone who would always be there. Someone she could rely on or talk to when she got tired of the loneliness. Beverly and Lexi had usually kept her mind off wishing for a sibling. The three of them had been close for years and Amber had been content in their company. Lately though, their conversations had been minimal and lackluster. Something felt missing. Amber was hopeless as to what it was but something had shifted between them.
She couldn’t help thinking it was her fault. No. She knew it was her fault.
Turning her back on them had been the last straw. It had broken their trust in her. The gulf that sat between them widened every time she looked back at it.
“I want to go. Come on, guys. It’ll be fun.” Evelyn’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts. She looked up from her note.
“What’ll be fun?”
Evelyn turned to her, a sparkle lit in her dark green eyes. “Coney Island is reopening in a few days. I’m trying to convince them to come with me but they’re being big babies about it.”
Emmett groaned. “It’s below ten degrees outside. The weatherman said so.”
“No, he didn’t. He said there would be clear skies all week and the sleets are melting.”
Emmett groaned again. Amber laughed and glanced at Noah who stayed quiet, watching the exchange. “Why don’t you want to go?”
“I never said I didn’t.”
“You didn’t say you wanted to, either.”
He hummed in response, his hand reaching for his hair. It was a complete mess now but Amber didn’t have the strength to keep him from repeatedly touching it. She recalled Mrs. Filch’s words from earlier. A bit of fresh air and change of scenery won’t kill the boy.
“It sounds like a nice trip. Clear your head from school stuff, go on rides with your friends and let loose a bit. You’d be refreshed by Monday,” she said.
He tilted his head. “You could use all those things too. Why not come with us?”
“M-me? What?” she sputtered.
Evelyn jumped in. “That’s an amazing idea. Come with us, please. I promise you won’t even notice the guys cramping our style. It’ll be so much fun.”
“I don’t want to be in the way.”
“You won’t be. Not at all,” Noah answered with a calm certainty.
Evelyn immediately backed him up. “He’s right. You won’t be a bother. You’ve been working hard on this project too. Some time off would be good for you.”
“You’re welcome to join us, Amber. It would be a lot more fun if you came along. Well, that and you wouldn’t have to subject yourself to Ev’s whining before you eventually say yes.” Emmett laughed.
Evelyn shot her brother a look, then doubled down on asking Amber to join them.
Amber had always thought of herself as a resolute, strong-minded person or at least she would’ve been when a particular situation ever called for it. If Evelyn was a store clerk, Amber would have somehow bought out the store on a single trip. They hadn’t been kidding about the guilt trip magic. By the time she headed out of the library, a decision had been made.
Amber was going to the Coney Island Fair.
At the sound of the doorbell, she clutched her bag tighter. A damp palm swept over her attire. She’d chosen a pink sundress that flowed down her body. Its straps tied up at her shoulders, leaving her arms bare. Soft as cotton, it wouldn’t be able to keep her warm if the temperature changed so she’d stuffed a sweater into her tote.
Her makeup was light, her hair clipped back with the largest hair clip she owned, the sandals on her feet were perfect for treading the boardwalk and the beach. She’d fussed over bringing a novel, wondering what they might think if they saw her reading for leisure and not education. But she was dying to know the ending. Reading at midnight wasn’t nearly enough when she was dead on her feet from working on a pile of notes and assignments.
“Amber, your friends are here.” The call jolted her from her thoughts. Throwing a thumbs up at her reflection, Amber headed for the door. Her hand paused on the knob as another swirl of nervousness raced through her. On a whim, she swiped the novel from her bag and dropped it into her bedside drawer. She could wait to know what happened next.
She heard Evelyn first. Her bubbly voice poured from the kitchen, her excitement reaching Amber through the walls. Dottie murmured something and Evelyn burst out laughing.
“Hey,” Amber greeted as she stepped into the kitchen. Dottie looked up from the pot over the stove, her cheeks red. Amber wasn’t sure if it was from the steam or from laughing. Evelyn spun to her, a beaming smile on her face.
“Hi!” She hugged Amber, barely able to keep still in her excitement. “You look cute.”
“So do you,” Amber returned the compliment. Evelyn looked lovely in a pair of denim blue dungarees and a long sleeved shirt patterned with flowers underneath. Her brunette hair was up in two buns, her eyelids sparkling with a glittery eyeshadow and her lips coated in pink gloss.
“Are you ready? Dottie said you were all over the place looking for what to wear this morning.”
Amber eyeballed the older woman who was suddenly acting like she wasn’t there. “Dottie’s a bit of a gossip. Don’t listen to her.”
“Hey now,” she objected. Flicking the spoon at them, she narrowed her eyes. “It’s not gossip if it’s the truth. You were running around here like your hair was on fire.”
“Dottie,” Amber whined, trying to get the older woman to stop embarrassing her. Beside her, Evelyn burst out laughing again.
“I think it’s cute. You should have seen Noah. He chased us out of the house. As if doing it the last time wasn’t enough.”
“Last time?” Amber asked.
“You know, that time you asked him to come early for the press interview. It was chaos then too.”
“Oh.”
“Here you go.” Dottie dropped three bottles of orange juice before them. “You’ll need to keep hydrated throughout the day. It’s a long walk around Coney Island. Amber, did you pack sunscreen?”
Amber dipped her hand into her bag and waved the bottle at Dottie.
“Alright. Off you go then. And say hello to the boys for me,” Dottie called out.
“Where are the boys anyway?” Amber asked as she stuffed the bottles into her bag.
“Outside. They’re holding the taxi for us. Emmett was too lazy to drive and Noah thought we should take the train so we don’t have to look for parking.”
Amber nodded, a smile climbing onto her face. “I haven’t taken the train in years.”
Evelyn’s eyes widened. “And you call yourself a New Yorker? Thank God I made you come with us, then.” Swinging her arm over Amber’s shoulder, she threw the front door open. “The world is our oyster today. Let’s go explore it!”