Acquainted

Noah's socials have a picture of him riding on a horse. After that, there are more of nothing but green forests, clear skies, and ocean views. All those from weeks ago. That's why the notification of a new follower made him tick ready to see which family member was going digital.

To his surprise, a verified account had followed him, it was funny how he saw the blue verification before the name of his follower.

When he realized it was from Amelia his heart skipped a heartbeat. He rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't dreaming and the nightmare was true. Amelia was now following him with a hundred and seven others.

He was excited, the joy reached his face, and Amelia from inside the cafeteria saw that. She felt relieved that he had appreciated her gesture and a ghost of a smile formed before clearing away.

How could Noah believe that his savior now cared enough to follow him, even his friend Cate doesn't follow him after she had directly told him to make his socials come to life. She couldn't talk about reviving because it was never alive.

Still excited, Noah sent a hi emoji to his most recent follower which Amelia had calculated would take up to three minutes, he sent it in record-breaking seconds.

She didn't open her DMs because she knew he would get the wrong idea that she was hoping he would text. He sent his thanks and an OMG emoji still not believing what was on his screen before he walked towards the hostels kicking the air.

Amelia wasn't able to be modest about that, she was all smiles until he disappeared. She had to time herself before replying, so she decided to reply to it at night before going to sleep.

Occasionally, that's when she checks her DMs and sees how crazy people can get out there with things she had never seen before.

She mostly gives her driver Mr. Jackson her phone to delete every irrelevant email, DM, and everything she doesn't need to see, which he is happy to do.

She taught him how to be social. And it's not like she has much to hide, just her boyfriend's chats and those of lustful creepy people in her life.

Amelia was hooked on the page, she had started reading a novel The Midnight Library. Mostly she reads philosophical books, but at times she switches it up to novels. Even so, Amelia is a sweet girl on the outside, inside of a serial killer. She likes to read thrillers and crime writings and is a fan of Joe on YOU.

Out of the blue, Noah walked into the cafeteria ordered a coffee chocolate, and walked toward her. He had hesitated because of how intimidating Amelia looked from afar, that's why nobody walked her way like ever.

"Hi, follower."

Noah greeted with a smile on his face, that smile he hadn't been able to wipe off his face since Amelia followed him

Already, he has thirty-seven more followers, and he knows it's all because of Amelia. He just hopes that she will not make her wealthy boyfriend slide into his DMs.

Amelia hid her surprise, " Hi"

Noah was all smiles that Amelia had to ask, "What's so funny about me following you?"

"I just can't believe it, you are huge online. Haven't you seen you are the only verified account following me?

At first, I thought of it as a scam, until I pressed on it a couple of times. Thanks." Amelia, being modest, replied," no need. We are acquainted, and you have followed me."

"You've seen the pony? ", Noah said jokingly which made Amelia drop her guard and let an inverted C form on her lips an indication of a suppressed smile.

"Tell me about it. I have seen the horse and a lot of geography."

Amelia replied, closing her book momentarily to focus her attention on Noah for once. She had been paying divided attention since he showed up to waste her valuable time.

"I know, terrible idea", Noah smiled wide unable to close his mouth.

"No actually, now I know where you come from.

Just make sure you remove the one with the pony before I see it." Amelia joked.

Amelia was about to get up, it was about time for her to head home. She looked at the time on her clear phone screen before folding it back.

"Was I late?", Noah asked knowing the obvious. Amelia closed her book, "I'm afraid so. Sticking around?" She asked rhetorically, to which Noah replied.

"I can walk you to your car."

Amelia is too shy to receive help from Noah like that because it means that she is using him, and she is not the one to use people. She likes to firm genuine friendships without the other party feeling like she is dimming their light because it looks like that even if she has genuine intentions.

But, Noah is not a friend, and they haven't been acquainted for long, even though they had been keeping tabs on each other secretly.

Amelia's excuse is that she isn't able to forget, and Noah's are always bad ones. He let go of his coffee chocolate and followed her .

It was a cold evening, Noah had his black denim jacket and Amelia still had her light flowery dress with legs and arms exposed. Noah guessed she was feeling cold. Noah offered to give her the jacket for prevention, but Amelia told him how much it didn't matter because hers was in the car two minutes away from where they were standing, outside the cafeteria.

"I haven't seen you around since last time, glad you are alright." Noah made his way to awkwardness like he always is by trying to be sweet. Anything to make use of his golden time with her.

Looking into his eyes as they were walking side by side, she saw his big brown eyes all dark under the darkening evening.

" Have you been looking? ", Amelia flirted unintentionally.

Noah's face lit up with a smile," yes"

"Then you weren't looking hard enough", she said without giving her words more thought. Amelia knows just how filtered and noble she talks, but around Noah she finds herself falling for his flattery.

Their eyes met for a split second and was enough for Amelia to take a photographic image of the moment while Noah relied on the little perfect he had collected.

After that, they fell silent as he walked her to the car and started talking his mind out.

"I think I have seen this same Bentley before."

Amelia knows when and how because her mind can still see him from that day standing there all pretty on his bicycle and talking on the phone while she waited for the traffic to open and again as she waited for the traffic lights to turn green.

But, she played the fool.

"Really? Where?"

Noah tried to recall. "I was talking on the phone by the road. That day I thought that I had seen it before, but maybe it wasn't this one."

"Of course ", Amelia asserted," and don't go talking on the phone in the City absentmindedly."

" Yes… but", Noah wanted to ask how she knew he was in the City. He just said on the road.

" How did I know you were in the City? Because you are a small-town boy in the big city, of course, you have to stop walking to take calls. "

Swinging the information like that made Noah stop doubting her because she said he was walking, but he was cycling. And they both know that.

"Have a good night", Noah said finally as she jumped in the car. Her driver looked at Noah less angrily than the last time, maybe given a chance he would cut off his hand and not kill him today.

"See you around Noah", Amelia said as the windows rolled.

Noah watched as they pulled out with satisfaction in his heart. Only one ingredient was missing from her day to be perfect, he had been with Gabby, Amelia and now he was thinking about Cora. That's the order his best day takes.

Amelia's eyes were still on his mind, and it wasn't like he was running away from anything. He isn't feeling feelings for Amelia, because he knows she will never let him hug her. Not even the friendly hug.

He isn't delusional about Amelia, he knows better than to waste his energy on her and end up breaking his own heart.

But with Cora, he can see a future, one that which she might let him sleep with her just to tell him how terrible he is in bed. He likes her already, but is too afraid of her atomic reaction that he is willing to keep it to himself

She has tried to get him off her back, but he is so delusional about her that he thinks if he gets to spend time or even sleep with her then have his heart shuttered it will be worth it.

He texted even though he knew she would turn him down again. Alex had texted him an address to a sophomore party he was at, but Noah never gave it a thought as he saw Cora's incoming phone call.