Rising Levels Of… 18A

Otto gently steered Noelle into Wendy's waiting arms. His eyes searching for Sawyer who had now disappeared into the darkness. But he knew where he would be. "Take her to her room would you Wendy?"

"Okay, sure. But what happened?" Still very confused. No one had explained anything to her.

"Stay with her. I'll come meet you there." He waited for Wendy's nod before stomping off. His mind was searching for a reasonable explanation. It was the most out of nowhere thing ever. Sure, they've always known that Noelle was saying something she wasn't really saying. Or implying. But they'd never been curious to find out because knowing her, if it were important, she'd tell them. She does have that no miscommunication thing. Maybe she did talk about what happened with Emi and Perla like it was super exciting and maybe it was. Maybe the girls had been looking at them or maybe she just thought they were. He never really bothered to look but Sawyer said they weren't. And maybe, sure even, they did wait until they, he anyway, waited until he was sure Wendy truly did like him to ask her out. But that hasn't worked when- never mind that. Sawyer had no right to yell at her. She did nothing wrong.

He stomped his way through campus. Looking around just in case Sawyer took a different turn or went to one of the stores. His search all the way through one path led him back to Sawyer's hostel as it was supposed to. He stopped before Sawyer's room door, inhaled deeply and started banging on the door. Sawyer had been reckless enough to yell at Noelle. He'd be reckless enough to draw attention. Not exactly a smart decision. But he's too upset to do anything but.

Meanwhile, inside the room, Sawyer snapped his head at the door when the banging began. He could hear Otto calling his name. If it wasn't clear during his walk, it was clear now that he'd done something stupid. He was still angry but truly not at her. And with Otto now at his door- in fact, he didn't want to have to explain himself. He didn't know what to say. Instead he put on his headphones, turned his music almost ears bleeding loud. Cancelling the banging and the name calling. A deep scowl on his face, he changed his into his pajamas, turned off the lights and got into bed. At some point he would have to face this. He can't stay in his room forever. But for now, tonight, he would shut it all off. He closed his eyes and let out a deep breath. Thinking but, not checking to see if Otto had given up and left.

When the banging and yelling didn't do anything but make him look insane, he decided to call him. On the off chance that his phone was on. It wasn't. But then again, even if it were, would he pick up? If he's not opening his door, why would he answer his phone? There was no other choice. He would come back tomorrow. If he didn't open his door, he knew his classes. This is far from over. He rubbed his forehead, turning away from students who'd come out of their room to see the drama. Great. Now everyone will remember this door. He remembered Raina's message to watch Sawyer. What did she know that they didn't? Did it have something to do with what just happened? That seemed most unlikely. Could be truly, that she just wanted them to do what she can't. With his anger fading away for now, he left the hostel, heading for Noelle's. Noelle's laptop is in Sawyer's room. Unless he plans on holding it hostage, he would have to let them in tomorrow.

On some level, it could be seen as cowardice on his part. Locking his door right after yelling at his friend and closing his eyes to it all. But now, with morning on a Saturday, he couldn't help but realize all of this. Including the reason for yelling at Noelle. Truly, really, he had none. There is no excuse. And while he can happily avoid having to talk about it by indeed playing the part of a coward and staying in his room all day. Which of course wouldn't help cause he would at some point in time have to leave. Say, maybe late evening, for something to eat. It would be much better to get it over with now.

He got ready and left his room as quickly as possible. Hannah had a habit of showing up at a certain time on Saturdays and he didn't want to have to tell her to go back or explain anything. He had no idea what he would say. Once again, nothing beyond the most used three words in apologies came to mind. The whole thing made him anxious. Nevertheless, he got to her hostel, got to Noelle's door and knocked.

Wendy opened up. A scowl on her face. Surprised that it wasn't Noelle, he swallowed and waved. "Hi. I want to see Noelle."

"You're lucky you're here Wade. Otto just left to go grab his pitch fork and blazing torch."

Sawyer smiled. Not the time for that actually. "Can I come in?" Wendy nodded and let him pass.

Noelle had been stretching her head from her bed to see her friend. But the moment she knew he was coming in, she looked away. She had no thought on how this all would go. But when Wendy said he name, she thought he'd give a speech about really needing to apologize. A sudden and exaggerated fantasy or sorts.

When Sawyer saw her down cast face, he felt even more guilty. But at the same time… aren't they blowing this all a little all out proportion? She looked like a victim of something other than a yelling. "Hi Elle."

She turned to him very quickly. "Why did you do that?" Fury on her eyes.

"I don't know." He moved closer to her and bent beside her bed. "But I'm so so sorry."

"How can you not know?"

He looked back at Wendy who was watching with folded arms, then back to Noelle. "I just lost it. But it wasn't at you. I promise."

"Oh yeah?" She folded her arms. "It looked pretty much like it was."

"Nothing I say will make a good enough explanation. Because it doesn't make sense to me either." He sighed. "Okay, yeah, you've always made those comments and said things that honestly I've never really understood. But I've never found it annoying."

"Until last night."

"Elle, you've got to believe me, it wasn't about you. I didn't even understand half the things I was yelling at you about. Please believe me."

She sighed. "Wade, one second you were laughing. Everything was fine. Then you literally just flipped."

"Does that even sound like me?"

"No. But-"

"I can't figure it out myself. You can ask me and ask me and my answer will be the same. I have no clue. You were with me for about four hours. I had no reason to just flip like that."

"Then something must be wrong somewhere."

"I'm fine. As you can see, I'm fine. Maybe I drank too much. School's also got me a bit frustrated. It could be a mix. But what's actually important here is that I yelled at you. And I'm so very sorry for that. Forgive me."

She assessed him. They did get separated at some point during the party. He must have been drinking. But he wasn't like that the last time he got drunk. And why would he get drunk after getting black out drunk the last time? Maybe something happened with Hannah. Or his school work which he's said has him frustrated is the reason why. That made more sense. She let out a breath with a nod. "I forgive you." But, the anger in his voice… the way he yelled…

He smiled. "Thank you." So much relief. But not enough. Otto isn't here. He'd have to do most of this all over again. He stood up and turned to Wendy. "You stayed with her all night?"

"Yeah." She nodded. Her hands falling by her sides. "Otto didn't want her alone. We both stayed actually."

Okay, did he haunt her or chase her down? Cause… "Thank you Wendy."

"As long as you don't do that again. Plus we saw a movie and talked about more than just what you did. It was fun."

"Too bad I missed out."

There was a knock and the door opened. "Okay so I grabbed your- Wade." Otto's voice turned cold on saying his friend's name. Ten minutes later, they were all friends again and heading out for breakfast.