“I’m glad we came out tonight, Sadie.”
I hum my agreement. “We should do it again soon.”
“I hope so.”
Chapter
Ten
The next day, Sunday morning dawns through my window like a dream. Instead of pulling the pillow over my face with a groan like I usually do, I bask in the rays of light slitting through the blinds and listen to the birdsong outside of the window. Lazily I wind my arms around the only stuffed animal I brought with me from my New York apartment. It’s a purple lavender-infused bear my mom gave me that’s supposed to ward off stress and help people fall asleep. Until last night, it had never worked.
I’m disgustingly sentimental and bubbling with optimism, and it’s all his fault.
Honestly, I’m surprised to be up so early. Although Noah and I left the diner at a reasonable time, and I’d dropped him off at his house soon after—following a sweet and woodsy-scented hug goodbye—he kept me up much later than that. The first text arrived midway through my drive back to Liam’s.
Noah:
they’re having a really heartfelt discussion in the living room and I super feel like I should not be hearing it
sadieeeee
Sorry, sorry I just got back haha. What are you gonna do?
can I watch anime with you?
The thought had crossed my mind to invite Noah over so we could keep talking and he could have an escape, but it’s Liam’s house, and…well, whatever’s happening between two of his players, I should probably talk to him about it first. Soon.
I’m already in pjs, I cannot possibly be convinced to leave the house again, even for you
try this
He sent through a link to a website where we could watch my show—a supernatural anime about yet another high school fighting evil—while also typing our reactions and more with an included chat room add-on.
oh hell yeah. this works
do you want me to start the season from the beginning?
ofc not, just pick up wherever you left off. I’ve seen it enough times I’ll be able to follow along:)
I’d told him I had only enough energy in me for a couple episodes before the carb coma from the pancakes would inevitably take me out.
And yet, we binged the whole thing.
After an additional half hour of discussing theories for the next season and Noah begging me to share any fanart that the show inspired, I’d finally passed out.
This morning, I tiptoe downstairs, but there’s no sign of Liam yet. I check my phone again to make sure I hadn’t dreamed his late-night text to assure me he got home safe. In the kitchen, I’m greeted by Howard’s gravelly meow, and I prepare us both breakfast before scampering back upstairs with my spoils.
Over my morning coffee and my standard PB toast, I doodle a winking face—not Noah’s favorite pink-haired, tattooed villain, but a smirking Loren sipping a milkshake. It’s a messy sketch, but hell, I’ve drawn so many elves over the years that it barely takes me any time at all. I text it to him along withgood morning, bard,and immediately toss my phone onto the bed and jump into the shower before I can be tempted to wait for his response.
For the next half hour, I take my time getting ready, allowing myself a long shower and a thorough skin-care routine to follow it. I’m surprised I’d had the optimism to even pack all of my cosmetics, given how they’ve mostly gone ignored for weeks until now. After a refreshing mask, I run my fingers idly through my hair. Initially, the short hairstyle had taken a while to grow on me, but now I love how quickly my curls dry and effortlessly frame my face. I throw on some leggings and a cropped tee and do my makeup before finally checking my phone.
Noah:
my boy!
you’re right, vanilla would be too basic for him. he seems like a red velvet motherfucker
good morning
