Chapter 117: Not Your Girl
"Noelle? Is something wrong?"
I went back to reality after Ericka talked to me. "N-No, I was just thinking about something."
No matter how much I think about that, I won’t know it since it’s grandpa Kenta’s business. He’s kind to me, but I can’t really read what goes inside his head.
’I’m still confused as to why he’s helping me but wouldn’t let me talk to my parents.’ Even though I don’t want to doubt someone that’s helping me, I can’t stop myself.
"Let’s go, Noelle."
I slapped both of my cheeks. This is not the time to be distracted or else I’ll drown again. With that, I focused on the training and forget about the questions, I’ll think about it later when I’m done with the training.
"Everyone, listen." Coach Samantha called for our attention after training. "Since the semifinals are just around the corner, I’m sure you all are ready by now." She said with a smile.
Next week will be the semifinals and I sure am ready to be part of the championship. "Do not forget to eat well and rest well. What’s the use of training all day if you guys are just going to sleep late and skip eating?"
I nodded as I agreed. "Let’s do our best again this time." Everyone cheered after I said that. It made me smile widely, and this really makes me happy.
The smell of chlorine, the look of happiness on my teammates’ faces, and the sound of the water splashing. It’s all the things I love and I’m slowly realizing how precious these moments are.
’If I chose to join this club the moment I started high school, would I be able to make more memories with them?’ I’m regretting, the fact that I didn’t join before despite being persuaded by Ericka. It was a bad decision.
"Hey, don’t sleep too late." I felt Leslie’s hand on my head. "Your eye bags are getting more prominent." She added as she bid me goodbye. I’m not even staying up that late, but I guess these eye bags are proof that I kind of lack sleep, I think?
"I didn’t know you and Leslie became much closer," Ericka said as we changed clothes in the locker room. "This is great, we should go to the same college and be part of the swimming team again." She’s already thinking of the future, huh? That’s great.
While here I am, I can’t even think if I’m going to survive after what happened. ’Should I just give the ring to Z? But that doesn’t prove that he’ll stop bugging me and my family.’
I sighed.
"Is there something wrong? You didn’t like that idea?"
I quickly shook my head after seeing Ericka’s gloomy face. "I-I don’t hate that idea," I said making Ericka tilt her head.
"Then, is there something else bothering you?"
I scratched my cheek as I closed my locker. "It’s just... I haven’t thought about college." I totally forgot about it because of the things I need to focus on in the present. "I’m focusing on winning the championship to be able to graduate with everyone."
Ericka smiled as she pulled me into a hug. "Of course! You’ll graduate with us because you’re our sweetest angel." She said.
Why does she always give me such nicknames that don’t fit me at all?
"I wish to see Noelle walking on stage holding her diploma with confidence." She added making me smile.
We went out of the locker room and we were greeted by Night that was standing in front of the indoor pool’s door.
"What are you—"
"Oh? Are you here to accompany Noelle?" Ericka’s tone changed and she was literally stopping herself from screaming. "I didn’t know Night’s courting our Noelle right here. How come I didn’t know that?" She said as she looked at me with her eyebrows moving up and down.
’She’s assuming something again.’
"That’s not it. Night Fuentes is not courting me."
Night nodded with a smile. "That’s right. I’m not yet courting Noelle." He mentioned my name making my eyes go wide.
’I’m not getting used to being called by my name. Most especially when it’s Night. How does he even call me before?’
That makes me wonder... ah, right. This guy doesn’t call me by my name or surname, but he calls me by ’you’ and that’s it.
"I don’t remember letting you court me," I said as I walked towards the hallway.
Ericka suddenly shook my whole body after I said that. "Why would you say that? I thought you were madly in love with Night Fuentes?" She whispered as if Night couldn’t hear it when he was literally just standing beside us.
"Night even wanted to court you himself, it’s not the other way around anymore." She added. Why does she think I’ll court Night though? What does she mean by ’not the other way around anymore?’
"I’m going to work hard for our team, and dating is only a distraction."
Ericka suddenly pulled me to her and made me face her. "What’s with that? Don’t you trust yourself? You’re already good enough to have fun and date, someone, you really like." She said with a desperation which made me confused. Why does Ericka want me to date Night so bad?
"But I don’t want to date anymore."
Surprise and confusion were all over Ericka’s face as if she couldn’t believe what I said. "I-Is that really what you want?" She asked and I nodded. "Fine, I’ll support you in everything you want to do." She sighed and said that.
Ericka bid me goodbye and said that she has something else to do. ’That was kind of tiring.’ I thought as I walked to the car with Night. Weirdly, he’s accompanying me instead of Kaoru.
"Where’s Kaoru?" I asked when we arrived near the parking lot.
"He went home."
"Without me? I thought he was my bodyguard?"
Night’s usual snob and emotionless eyes looked at me. "Do I look weaker than Kaoru?" Why does he sound so pissed?
"I’m just asking. Why are you getting mad?"
Night rolled his eyes. "I’m not mad."
"Did you just roll your eyes at me?"
"I did not."
"Yes, you did!"
We arrived in front of the car but I didn’t go inside because I could still feel Night’s annoyance. "What did I do this time?"
"This time?" Night scoffed as he shook his head. He opened the door for me but I only stared at him. "Aren’t you going in? Or do you want me to call Kaoru for you?" I couldn’t believe what I was hearing and I blinked lots of times.
"Are you serious?"
Night rolled his eyes again. ’How could he be so handsome and sassy and petty all at the same time?’ I thought.
"I’m serious."
I sighed as I entered the car. Kenji was suppressing his laughter, making me annoyed which caused me to kick his seat. "M-Milady, you’re being violent." He said but I ignored him.
I’m starting to feel annoyed with how Night is acting. ’It’s like he’s the one on his period.’ That reminds me, I hope next week I won’t suffer from menstrual cramps since we’ll be competing. ’Or just let me have my period later.’ I wished.
"Uhm, milady, aren’t you going to answer your phone?" I heard Kenji say, that’s when I realized that my phone has been ringing nonstop for a while now.
I was so ashamed that I didn’t bother looking at the caller and just accepted the call with no hesitation. "Hello?"
"Hi, Ellie!" I dropped my phone due to surprise. ’Why do I keep forgetting to turn off the loudspeaker?’ I thought as I reached for my phone? "Ellie? Are you there?" It was El’s voice, and I could already feel Night’s gaze on me.
"Y-Yeah, I’m here." I was about to get my phone, but Night picked it up before me.
"Excuse me? What are you doing?’ I whispered to Night, trying to not let El know that I’m with this guy. It might just be my imagination, but I think El isn’t fond of Night like how Night is easily annoyed by El.
"So, I want to tell you that I’m coming home," El said as I tried to reach for my phone, but Night stopped me by pushing my forehead and he’s raising his hand holding the phone.
"About the date in the aquarium before, can we do it after your competition?" El asked, and I immediately saw Night’s dark aura.
I gulped. ’Is he getting mad at me?’ I thought as I tried to reach for my phone again. "Ellie? What do you say?" El asked but I couldn’t say anything while I’m struggling. "You’re not ignoring me because you want to reject my confession, do you?" My eyes went wide open because of that.
Night suddenly brought the phone in front of him. "Don’t call my girlfriend anymore." He said which made me gasp. That’s so petty!
"Who are you calling your girlfriend!?"
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