Unnatural feelings

The week he found Tulip, it was the week after the second largest storm ever recorded. Again, it was at their town Novourse. The three biggest storms to have form happened in this town. Everyone including the people who lives here believes it to he some superstition, a curse perhaps. Because of this, other towns or even cities wouldn't take anyone from here in. People who did when the storm first happened 10 years ago were kicked out or looked down upon in their new town or city.

Anyway, it was the week after the second biggest storm that he had found Tulip. Noah's mother had warned him not to go out until 2 weeks had passed. Normally Noah would listen, understanding his mother's worries. That day though he had left his aeroplane, a toy his father had gifted him for his first day of elementary. Whatever storm wouldn't stop him from getting it back, so that was why he was at the market that was on the way home from the playground.

Tulip felt like a nuisance at the time, he didn't like how he felt like he was bullying her, he didn't like how she was mute to his words. She was confusing, Noah doesn't like to not understand things. Tulip was his age, why can't she understand simple words?

But even though he thought this, she didn't feel like someone he should be annoyed at, which annoyed him even more. He felt urged to help her. Not only because of her pitiful appearance and behaviour, but he felt a pull? An energy that had him both annoyed yet attracted. He didn't understand.

When she went back home with him, his fear of being called a bully wasn''t said, he was grateful. It sounds like nonsense, how can that be the reason for the switch up in attitude? Noah doesn't understand too, but he got an idea.

Noah liked how Tulip would look up at him with admiration, her curious eyes that would grow wide with amazement when he'd show and tell her new things. Noah liked how she would depend on him with things like this, it feels like taking care of a chick? Or the appropriate image would be a little sister.

Doing things his father used to do, and would do. Noah liked it. Noah didn't feel like a father to Tulip, more like a caretaker who is a friend? Whatever it is, Noah likes it, he wants to keep it this way.

With how much he teaches Tulip, he's always pleasantly surprised when he learns things about her that she gained through herself. For example, like now.

Tulip is different to Noah in this way, Tulip who follows after Noah doesn't copy his attitude for situations like this.

Tulip gestures to Piper when Piper doesn't say or do anything, signalling that the lunch is now hers to eat.

Noah breathes out, a breathy laugh follow suit. Then taking his hand off Piper shoulder and sits back down beside Tulip who frenziedly makes space for him like an excited pet.

The other three boys also take their seat, Lincoln sitting beside Tulip and Noah and Walter and Ronan on both sides of Piper. Walter looks at Tulip with a hesitant glance, Tulip who was watching Noah eat looks at Walter, feeling his stares.

"My name is Walter. Nice to meet you, Tulip."

Piper looks at him and his extended hand bewilderedly, and Ronan beside her also extends his hand.

"My name is Ronan."

Piper who sits in between them looks like she's about to deflate, sulking but doesn't stop them. Tulip confusingly looks at their extended hands, unsure of who she should shake first. Lincoln who sits beside her points to Walter, but Tulip doesn't notice until Noah does so too. Shaking Walter then Ronan hands.

"Tsk, you didn't even know their names?"

Piper who found the scene distasteful mutters loudly. Tulip only tilts her head with a grin. Piper aggressively bites a chicken tender.

Ronan takes a tender and Walter takes a rice heart out of Tulip, now Piper's, lunchbox. Piper looks at them stupefied but couldn't be bothered to make a fuss after dealing with Tulip.

"It's heart shaped..so cute."

"Mm, these are so good!"

That Friday passed like that, some Fridays were similar but most of them were only Tulip and Noah, occasionally Lincoln.