“When are you going to give Kurt a chance?” His friend was due to arrive any minutes. At first, Kurt wasn’t going to come to the Christmas prom. It was lame, which Noah agreed with. However, once he learned that Kim was going to be there, Kurt had made sure that he was going as well.
“This is really none of your business.”
“He’s not hurt you, or bullied you. I’m just trying to figure out what the problem is.”
“There is no problem.”
“Yeah, there is. You won’t give him the time of day.”
“You’re being unfair, Noah. He was a bully.”
“He’s trying, Kim. Give him a chance.”
Kim sighed. “I talk to him, Noah. I’m nice to him. You and Elsa have something special. Others, they don’t.”
Noah stared up at the ceiling before returning his gaze to her. “I tried.”
“Did he put you up to that?”
“No, he didn’t. Kurt, he’s an asshole, but he’s a good friend. I care about him.”
“That’s nice to know. I’m not going to hurt anyone, Noah. I’m just not going to fall for a guy I’ve spent most of my life being afraid of. I don’t expect you to see it from my side, but that’s it.”
Noah nodded. “You’re right. I’ve never been bullied before.”
Kim smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m going to go and see my mother.”
He watched her leave and wished he’d kept his mouth shut.
“She’s struggling to get over the name-calling and the bullying,” Elsa said, coming round the corner.
Noah saw how beautiful she looked in the prom dress that molded to every curve. “Hey,” he said. “You were stood there the whole time?”
“Not the whole time but I heard enough. She needs time.”
“I’m getting that.”
Elsa smiled. “What do you think?” She gave him a little twirl, and he grabbed her hand, pulling her close.
“You’re so beautiful. I want to take you home right now.”
“We can’t go home right away. We’ve got to enjoy this party.”
Noah groaned, pressing his face against her neck. “Fine, we’ll stay and dance for you.” He kissed her lips and took her out onto the dance-floor.
He noticed how she couldn’t stop smiling.
“What is it?” he asked.
“This is the first time I’ve been to a dance. I never go to them, and technically, this is my first date with you.”
“Come on, we’ve been on loads of dates.”
“Not really.”
Noah sighed. “Really?”
She nodded.
“Fine, you’re going to make me get all mushy. Elsa, I consider every single moment that I spend with you a date.”
“You do?”
“Yeah, I do. You’re smart, funny, beautiful, and you make my world complete. Every moment with you is special for me. I never thought it was possible to fall in love but when I’m with you, and when I’m away from you, you’re the only person I can think about.”
“You love me?”
“I’ve told you that I do plenty of times.”
Elsa reached up and kissed him. “You said you thought you were falling in love with me.”
“Oh, well, I know I’ve fallen in love with you. Can’t you see that, feel it when I’m around you?”
“I love you, too.”
He sank his fingers into her hair and locked his lips with hers. She opened her mouth, and he went on inside, taking possession of her lips. To him she was his world, and he wouldn’t change a thing. Noah had found her, and knew he’d discovered a real gem, and he wasn’t going to let her get away, not now, not ever.
Noah danced with Elsa in his arms, and couldn’t believe how lucky he was. When he spotted Kurt entering the country club, he and Elsa made their way toward the table where Kim sat.
“Hey, man,” Kurt said, shaking his hand. “Hey, Elsa, Kim.”
They all smiled at him, as did Kim. She wasn’t mean to Kurt. Kim just didn’t give him anything more than friendly interaction.
Sitting around the table, they all started talking about their futures.
“Are you both excited that you’re going to the same college?” Kim asked.
Noah took Elsa’s hand and nodded. “I wouldn’t dream of going anywhere else.”
“What about you, Kurt? What are you going to do?”
“At first I was just going to rely on football to live my dream. Since talking with this guy, I’ve decided to make sure that I’ve got a backup. I’m going to college that also has dramatic arts.”
“You’re an actor?” Kim asked.
“According to my parents I’m a bad one, but our careers’ professor seems to think I’ve got a flair for it. What about you? What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to art and design school.”
“That’s fantastic. You like drawing?”
“Pretty much. I like sculpting as well.”
Noah smiled as he watched the two start to hit it off. When Kurt asked Kim to dance, she accepted.
“Well, that is a little progress.”
“Kim’s not a bad person. He’s got a long way to go for her to trust him, if she ever does.”