Piper and Noah

Tulip can't focus on their words like how she use to be able to, but the fact there are people chattering nearby is enough.

"There's people."

Lincoln looks surprised, his expression has cooled his eyebrows raised.

"Adults?"

Tulip shakes her head, she unwraps his arm that is around her and slips from his embrace, then makes her way through the alley. Avoiding the glass shards that she was then aware of thanks to Lincoln.

After she makes her way out of the narrow alley, she heads forward to where the voices were, Lincoln following behind her. If she didn't mention before, they were both Inquisitive and prying if needed.

"….you know how I….and you.."

Tulip ears twitch, the voices now close enough for her to hear their words. This voice, isn't this someone she knows? Tulip squint her eyes slightly, attempting to fixate on these voices.

Lincoln behind her is clueless as to what Tulip is trying to do. She has only done this with Noah so it was understandable, hearing voices from so far away? It would cause doubt. Yet he stays still and listens with her, as if he could pick up on anything to help her.

"Piper."

Tulip says after distinguishing this voice. Yes, that is Piper's voice. What is she doing so late after school and with who? Her tone sounds serious. Is this something she shouldn't pry into? Someone of her age conversation, it's a bit much. Tulip can't imagine its of any importance to her.

"How can you do this to me?"

Here.

Tulip stands still behind a wall, by this point Lincoln could also hear their chatter, though it's probably mere murmurs to him.

"I like you, dont you get that?"

Like? Is this a confession?

Tulip eyes grew wide and she snaps her head to Lincoln who is still blindly following her. He mouths a 'what?' When her eyes that are wider than usual don't recede.

"I can't Piper. I can't return these feelings you have."

Another voice spoke.

No, this isn't just another voice, this is someone she knows very well. Unlike Piper's voice that Tulip hears after a while, this voice is a voice she hears every day. Being here so late after school and talking about something with earnest tones. A confession.

Piper was confessing to Noah.

What's this? Tulip feels like her insides have dropped. Or are dropping.

Tulip casted her eyes down to the ground, not knowing where her eyes should be, all her focus going into her ears that try its best to pick up their conversation. Lincoln noticed and wanted to ask what has her looking like that.

To him her appearance right now is one he hasn't seen before. Small changes in her deer like expression is noticeable to Lincoln, her wide eyes are wider and don't dwindle down, pressed lips that are slightly sucked in by Tulip teeth, hands that clench and fiddle with the brick walls. Tulip isn't someone that is strong physically but emotionally he believed she is. So her appearance right now is almost pitiful to him, worrying Lincoln.

"You can't? Is that it? You're not going to explain?"

"…"

"I've had these feeling for years! I've waited for your answer, I've stayed patient, understanding, but now you're not accepting or rejecting?"

"…"

"How cruel can you be..? Reject me."

"…"

"Reject me!"

It sounded like only Piper was talking, Noah not responding at all to her remarks. She insults him, pleads with him. Tulip eyebrows furrow, she can't imagine how Noah looks like right now. It doesn't feel like him, but that is his voice. Is this how he acts with Piper, no is this how he usually is without Tulip in sight?

As she thought this there came a thud. It didn't come from where Tulip and Lincoln is faced nor above, but where Piper and Noah is. Lincoln heard it too, his expression surprised then wary.

Another one, then came more after that.

Tulip is alert but doesn't go to rush where they are. If it was 3 years ago, or if she came late and didn't realise it was a confession, then she might've. The other reason is also Tulip is frozen in place. Even if she had the thought of doing so, she can't, her body wont listen to.

For a while it was quiet, then came a gasp.

What was that? It's too quiet, but she can hear sounds. What's happening? Tulip hands fidgets with her shirt and teeth chewed on her lips unconsciously. Snapping out of it when Lincoln gave her a light push when noticing her dazed expression and swirling eyes.