"Then POW! I hit her straight in the face and she dropped crying like a little bitch!" Bella exclaimed, miming the punch with a proud grin stretching across her face.
Elara leaned in with genuine fascination, her chin resting on her palm as she listened like it was the most entertaining story she'd heard all week. The way her eyes sparkled told me she was fully invested.
"Then I threw her out of the bus," Bella continued, laughing a bit too cheerfully. "She passed out. I think I killed her, actually."
Elara blinked, clearly unsure whether to laugh or be horrified, then settled on an amused smile. "Wow, that's... certainly something. But seriously—thank you, Bella. Noah's a dumb boy who can't defend himself for shit."
"Hey, I can defend myself! I did that today," I said proudly, sitting up a little straighter. "This morning on the bus some lady tried touching me — and I tased the shit out of her!"
Elara's eyes widened, shock turning to excitement. She shot up from her seat, her lips curling into a proud grin before pulling me into her arms. The warmth of her body against mine made my chest tighten — a mix of pride, comfort, and the soft sense of safety I only ever felt with her.
"I'm so proud of you, Noah..." she whispered, lifting me off my feet effortlessly, her voice vibrating against my ear. When she kissed me, it wasn't just passion — it was relief, like she was thanking me without words.
She sat back down with me in her lap, my head resting against her chest. Her heartbeat was calm and steady, and for the first time today, I felt grounded.
"There's more, sadly" Bella said suddenly, her voice slicing through the peaceful quiet.
Elara looked towards her, one brow raised, her hand absentmindedly brushing through my hair. "More? What do you mean?"
I shifted to get more comfortable, gazing up into her eyes. "Sara, she's been spreading lies about me and her—saying we're dating, claiming I did all kinds of explicit shit with her..." My voice cracked as I stared into her, my eyes shimmering with tears on the verge of falling.
"That fucking bitch..." she growled under her breath, her tone sharp enough to cut through steel. I could see the fire in her eyes, like she was ready to tear someone apart. "Hey, it's okay, baby. None of this is your fault. We'll talk about this later at night, okay?" She leaned in, pressing her lips to mine, our tongues intertwining in a heated dance. Bella sat there, watching with an awkward posture, but I didn't give a damn. I deserved this moment with Elara.
Our kiss stretched on far longer than it should have, and when we finally broke apart, I was breathless, my face flushed in a way that could make any girl drench her underwear.
"Don't look at me like that, baby. We've got company," Elara murmured, her voice shaky as she tried to pull herself together.
I let out a small whine, collapsing back onto her chest, nuzzling into her warmth.
"Would you like to stay for dinner, Bella?" Elara asked, her tone softening as she glanced over.
I reluctantly slid off her lap, my stomach growling loudly. "I'm grabbing a snack. I'm starving," I muttered, making my way toward the kitchen, the faint hum of the refrigerator greeting me as I opened it.
"Yeah, I'll stay," Bella replied, her calm, serene expression fixed on me as her eyes quietly followed my movements.
"Perfect, hey Noah, can you cook up something for us?" Elara called from the living room, her voice playful but firm. Even if she hadn't raised it, I could hear her perfectly.
"I mean... I can try," I said, peeling a banana that I grabbed from the counter. Its sweet aroma filled the small kitchen as I took a bite and returned to the table, sitting beside Elara. The warmth of her presence made the simple act of sitting down feel... comforting, almost like I'd never been anywhere else.
Elara's eyes softened as she watched me, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Try?" she teased. "You're the best cook here."
"Yeah, well... I'm also the only cook here," I muttered, taking another bite of the banana as Bella shifted slightly, still watching us with that quiet curiosity.
-
"Something smells good~" Elara murmured, wrapping her arms around me from behind as I arranged three plates of chicken over rice on the counter. The warm aroma of seasoned chicken and steaming rice filled the kitchen, comforting and familiar.
"Help me carry these, won't you?" I asked, balancing the plates in each hand and the salad in the crook of my arm.
"Of course," Elara replied, her eyes lighting up as she stepped forward. She took two plates from me with ease, her hands steady and sure, while I carried the rest. Together, we made our way to the table, her presence warm and grounding with every step.
Bella hadn't moved from her spot since she arrived, quietly watching us with that calm, curious expression.
"Yummy," she muttered softly, her eyes widening slightly at the sight of the food.
Elara smiled, setting the plate down beside mine. "Alright, here we go. Let's eat!"
I grinned, sliding my own plates into place. The heat from the food mixed with the warmth of having Elara right there beside me, making the simple meal feel... perfect.
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Short chapter sorry :( busy day