DARE to DREAM.

   

Chapter Seventeen

The next few days leading up to New Years Eve were normal besides the fact that my dreams were getting more and more involved. The last one I was in a warehouse looking place, alone, that’s it though. Joe had spent every waking hour with me, well, every waking hour he could spend, was with me. It was final though, we were leaving New Years day. I would come home from the Jonas’ New Years Eve/Day party and get my stuff for the trip with them. My parents and Wyatt would all come for the ride to the airport and that was it, we’d be gone again. Everyone, except Joe, would think we were dead. I couldn’t do that to him, I’ve never felt like this towards anyone in my life. He’d have to keep it a secret from everyone and I trusted him with that fully. I wished I could tell everyone, but that risked people overhearing them if they talked about it and that was a risk I couldn’t take.

“Let’s go, you bum.” Dillon said, tossing me my jacket as I sprinted down the stairs. It was like a replay of the other night except this time we were all on our way to the Jonas’ place.

“Come in” rang Mrs. Jonas’s voice from nearby. I did as I was told and opened the door. I was greeted by a huge mass of fur sprinting towards me, Elvis. The most adorable dog I’d ever seen. Joe quickly followed, grabbing his collar and holding him back as everyone made their way into the living room. I couldn’t help but to notice the dark circles under his eyes which were definitely all my fault. I felt horrible now. Ever since I told him I’d wanted to take it all back. He smiled at me, I guessed, trying to break the silence that I didn’t notice because I was thinking too much.

“Everyone’s downstairs already.” He finally said.

“Let me guess… Nick and Piper are attempting a game of darts or pool maybe and Ellie, Kevin, and Frankie are playing something on wii? It’s just a guess though.” I laughed.

“A pretty good one.” He said, taking my hand and pulling me towards the door, turning down, and gliding smoothly down the stairs.

“Ahh! Noa! Aren’t you PUMPED for tonight… well tomorrow morning actually? We’re going to New York!” Ellie shrieked.

“Are you kidding? Of course!” I shouted back with a huge smile on my face… if only she knew. Nick and Kevin laughed at our excitement.

“You guys really don’t get out much do you?” Nick asked.

“Sorry we’re all not rock stars like you guys.” Piper said sarcastically, there was a hint of a smile on her face before she rolled her eyes and sighed to cover it up.

“You’ve got a point there.” Nick laughed.

“I know.” She said, lining up and then tossing another dart at the large circle, of course, surrounded by an extremely large piece of cork board for those few, or not so few, stray darts. Not that I’ve ever thrown one like that.

Joe’s P.O.V.

All I could hear was her laugh and all I could see was her smile and it hurt so bad to know that this would be the last night I would ever, ever see that. This was the last night I’d ever be with her. I just always wondered if she felt the same way about me. She was always so careless and free about the whole thing, but when she looked at me I felt something.

“Joe! We’re going to rock band it up now and you’re the singer, so i’d definitely get over here.” She said as she took hold of my hands and pulled me towards the couch. She put the familiar microphone in my hands and picked up one of the guitars and slung it over her shoulder.

“So, let’s see we’ve got Piper on drums, Nick, Ellie, Kevin, and Noa as guitar or base, and me on vocals.” I laughed. “Sweet”

“I didn’t know having so many people playing was like possible.” Ellie said playing with all the buttons on her guitar.

“Oh, in the Jonas house everything is possible.” Kevin said, pressing the green button to join the band.

“BALLROOM BLITZ!” Noa screamed. It was her favorite one to play and she always sang along. Maybe she didn’t know it, but she has a really good voice. Every time we play she always sang in this goofy voice maybe so no one new, but I was too smart for that.

“Are you ready, Steve? Andy? Mitch? Alright fellas! Let’s gooooooooooooooo!” I yelled into the microphone. Piper almost fell over laughing on the couch, clapping her hands a little. Noa didn’t look away from the TV, but there was a huge smile on her face, until it got into the song and then the smile faded as she tried not to miss a note.

Of course, this was us, and no one could go through a whole song without getting hurt, so towards the end of the song Ellie took a dive over the drums wires while she’d been bouncing up and down. Everyone just stared at her in complete seriousness until she raised her arms up and shouted “I’m okay!” … then we all started laughing, hysterically.

“Wait, wait!” Noa shouted. “Ellie! We’re failing… we need you to get up.” She laughed.

“Oh my god Noa, I fell and now you want me to get up and finish the song?” Ellie joked.
“Yeeah” she took Ellie’s hands and pulled her up, by now the whole TV was blinking red, but we finished the song.

“I can’t do this anymore!” Piper yelled, falling over on the couch.

“We just played one song.” Nick said, sitting down by her head.

“I know, but my stomach hurts from laughing so hard. Guys, I hate you… go be boring.” She joked.

“Yeah, and how do you expect that to happen?” I asked. “This is us you’re talking about.”

“Yeah we’re just too awesome to be boring, sorry girl.” Noa said to her.

Piper laughed. “Whoa! We’re definitely missing out on the good dessert and Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Years Eve!” she said, looking about ready to sprint up the stairs.

“Then let’s go!” Kevin laughed as we all sprinted around the corners and up the stairs. When we got up the once almost empty kitchen and living room was filled with people. A bunch of little kids ran around the house screaming and the six of us made our way into the living room, grabbing a few cookies on our way.

After another hour of hanging around it was just five of eleven and everyone had gathered around the TV, champagne and sparkling cider in hand.

“FIVE, FOUR, THREE, TWO, ONE!” Everyone screamed. Couples kissed and the six of us raised our glasses together yelling “cheers!” and then taking a sip.

“Do I have the honor of being your first kiss of the New Year?” I asked Noa, turning towards her with a smile on my face.

“I think so.” She giggled, biting her lip the cute way she always does when she’s embarrassed and then leaned in. When our lips met it was that same spark, same feeling.

When I looked up I saw Nick leaning in towards Piper. Their lips met and she blushed. I always new he had a think for her.  

Noa’s P.O.V.

I couldn’t believe it when I saw Nick and Piper together. I always knew Piper had a thing for him though. I was so happy for them, they were good together.

“So girls… it’s about that time. You should probably get your bags together and then head over again so we can get going. Noa, we’ll meet you at the airport.” Mrs. Jonas said, peaking her head back into the living room.

“Alright.” I said my voice was a little shaky. I was scared, just like last time. I didn’t know why I had such a bad feeling about tonight though. I took my time hugging everyone before I left, telling everyone I loved them and even though they looked at me funny when I did because I was just going to see them when I got to the airport, little did they know they wouldn’t be seeing me ever.

“I’ll walk you to the trees.” Joe said, lacing his fingers through mine, he pulled me closer and I rested my head on his shoulder as we walked. “What are we going to do, Noa?”

I sighed. I felt my voice get shaky, like the tears I was holding in the whole week were about to burst out, “I don’t know. I don’t want to let you go, I don’t want to leave, Joe. If there was any way to possibly stay here I would’ve found it, trust me.” I told him. “If I wasn’t such a screw up…” I mumbled, staring at the ground, I couldn’t look at him without crying.

“Don’t say that.” I whispered, wrapping his arms around me as soon as we got to the trees separating our yards.

“I guess this is it.” I said, finally getting myself together enough to look up in his perfect eyes.

“I love you, Noa” he said, I could hear the shakiness in his voice too, he kissed me again.

When I pulled away, I couldn’t find any words to say. “goodbye” was all I managed and then I backed up, keeping my hand laced through his until I couldn’t reach and then I turned away and bursted into tears. I felt his eyes on my back the whole way to my porch. I wanted so badly for him to run over and hug me again, but he didn’t. I finally heard him turn on his heel and walk away, tiny rocks crinkling under his sneakers.  

I touched the handle on the door, but stopped. For some reason I felt like I should turn around. It seemed to dark, too quiet. Wyatt, Ashley, and Dillon couldn’t be home. There was only one light on in the kitchen and I know they left just a few minutes before me. I ignored it and let myself in and shut the door behind me. I immediately flipped on the hall light and threw my jacket on the small bench in front of me. I turned to head up the staircase, but stopped because I heard something around the corner.

“Hello?” I shouted, figuring it was Dillon coming from the office or something.

“So you finally decided to join us, Noa? You know what we want and if you give it to us everything will be fine.” A male voice said, getting closer until I could see his figure in the shadows, I grabbed the nearest umbrella and held it in front of me, walking forward. I felt a rush of adrenaline that made me feel like I was going to be sick right there. It was the worst feeling you could imagine. “Don’t be shy princess.” He laughed turning the corner so I could see his outline. This guy was huge. He lurched forward, but I opened the umbrella tossing it towards him it must’ve hit him because he sighed in pain, I ran into the dining room to the right of me, but was thrust to the ground by another man coming in the other direction. I screamed as loud as I could, quickly stopping. I forgot that I didn’t want anyone following me. If they had Wyatt already that would be bad enough. Maybe they got away though, maybe they were smart, but then again, if they didn’t wouldn’t they have told me?

“Good, Luke. Now take the little brat to the car.” A woman’s voice snarled, somehow it seemed familiar. “Jay! Get over here, we’re leaving!” She shouted harshly. Someone tied a cloth over my eyes and my hands and feet were tied together. It was hard for me to believe that this was actually happening, right now. This wasn’t in the plan. I wriggled in the man’s arms, but he was too strong. I couldn’t use all my energy now. I could feel him run across the lawn, then the neighbors, turned, and then we were on the street. Next thing I knew I was being launched into the back of a van. I tumbled down, landing on my elbow, I felt a searing pain up my arm causing me to yelp.

“Noa? You’re okay?” I heard Wyatt’s voice, he sounded horrible.

“Yeah” I whispered, all of a sudden another person tumbled into the back sort of rolling on top of me. “Hello?” I asked.

“Noa? Noa, is that you? It’s me… it’s Joe.” He whispered, actually sounding happy.

“NO!” I almost shouted, but I caught myself.

“I heard you scream, I was about to walk in the house. No one else knows where I am though. I didn’t have time…” He started explaining.

“This is bad, Joe… I’m sorry.” I cried.

“I couldn’t just let you go. I know you didn’t want me here, but…”

“No, you obviously didn’t. Do you know what’s going on Joe? Don’t you understand that I may have to watch you die? I won’t survive that! I won’t!” This time I was shouting. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled. I’m just… I can’t do this.”

“It’s okay. We’ll do something… we have to.” He sighed.

“But what?”

Chapter Sixteen

Whoaaaa. Another chapterrrr. Hopfully i can keep them going like this. ahah. Hope you love it and i think it's kinda funny because it's Easter and this chapter takes place on Christmas, so, it's kinda weird. But to all of those who celebrate Happy EASTERR!!!!! Hope you have an amazing day... xoxo Nicoleeeee

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“Whoa, Noa… it’s okay. Are you alright? Calm down. Calm down. Are you going to be okay?” He said, trying to comfort me.

“I’ll be fine.” I cried. “I just need to tell someone and I thought it should be you.”

“I’m listening… I have tons of time; I’m always here for you, Noa, you know that right?” He asked. Just hearing him on the other line calmed me a little bit.

“Yeah, of course. I just can’t tell you over the phone. It’s too, uhm, too dangerous I guess.” I told him, trying not to scare him too much.

“What? How could it be dangerous?” He asked. Great, way to blow it there. Now he’s never going to be able to be around me once I tell him when he gets back.

“Because.” I breathed. “There’s more to me than you or even I thought. When I moved here, it wasn’t because of my dad’s job. That’s all I can say right now. I’m sorry. I have to go, but when you get back call me and we’ll talk right away, I promise.” I told him.

“Okay. If anything happens, I’ll be back in Wyckoff right away.” He said. I could tell he was worried. I should’ve just waited to tell him, it probably would’ve been better that way.

“Bye Joe.” I said about to hang up the phone.

“I love you Noa.” He whispered, but hung up before I could say anything else.

“I love you…” I sighed, shoving my face in my pillow and tossing my phone across the room. I curled up in a ball and fell asleep right like that, still in my clothes from the party.

<><><><><><><><><> 

When I woke up the next morning I was shivering. I grabbed my blankets and pulled them up to my neck. Sunlight was pouring in through my sheer curtains and then I remembered, it was Christmas morning. It was already 10am too.

I shot out of bed and changed into sweats and ran into the bathroom to take of the makeup that had somehow gotten spread all over my face. After brushing my teeth I slid on my favorite fuzzy socks and sprinted downstairs.

“I’m surprised!” Ashley exclaimed. “Sleeping Beauty finally awakens.” She laughed.

“Oh my god. Do you realize how lame that was?” I asked, rolling my eyes.

“Yeah, maybe it was, but it’s so unlike you, usually on Christmas morning you’re up at six or earlier, who knows?” She smiled. “I made cinnamon buns! They’re pretty good and I would suggest that you grab one before Wyatt eats them all.”

“I’ll get on that.” I smiled, taking a plate and plopping one down onto it along with some fruit salad and a glass of milk. Then, I ran into the living room to open my stocking.

I sat next to Wyatt on the couch and poured out all the contents of my stocking on the floor. It was the usual nail polish, new fuzzy socks, chocolate (of course!), and some other little fun stuff like earrings and hand cream.

“Present time!” Wyatt screamed like a little girl.

“What was that supposed to be?” I asked.

“Oh, that was supposed to be you.”

“I don’t even sound like that, but good try.” I smirked.

“Actually… he was kind of dead on with that.” Dillon smiled. I just shook my head, trying not to laugh and followed them into the other room with the Christmas tree.

After opening all the presents we sat there talking and laughing. We’d never done that before. It seemed like no matter how much we had fought through this whole thing that in the end it brought us all closer. I started telling them things that I never had before and it felt… good.

“Oh Noa! I almost forgot!” Ashley shouted, giggling a little bit. “We’ve got a surprise for you waiting the driveway!” All thoughts were going through my mind. It couldn’t be a car, no way, not a car. That’s the only thing I could think of that they would put in the driveway.

I stood up and ran to the front door, Wyatt was racing me, which I didn’t get because even if it was a car he wouldn’t be getting it anyways, but I kept going. I flung the door open and ran out to see Joe standing there.

“Aww man.” Wyatt said disappointed. “I thought it was going to be something cool like a car.” He laughed. I kept running until I reached Joe’s arms. He wrapped me in a huge bear hug and we stayed like that for a couple minutes.

“How did you get here so fast?”  I asked. “I thought you guys had things to do all week?”

“Well, that’s the beauty or rescheduling and a private jet and your girlfriend’s mom to help plan things perfectly so that you’d know when I got here.” He laughed. I just smiled at him. “Do you want to talk now?” He asked, looking at me with his perfect deep brown eyes that make you melt every time.

“I guess I should.” I said quietly, taking his hand and walking to the backyard. I almost forgot that I’d called him last night; I was scared to tell him, I was afraid he wouldn’t love me anymore. It was too late to chicken out now though.

“Just take your time and we’re going to figure everything out, it’s all going to be alright.” He said. I almost smiled because how could everything be alright and there’s no way that we’re going to figure everything out, it’s impossible, but I was ready, ready to tell him, not so ready to how he was going to react. He was so unpredictable sometimes, it killed me.

“I should probably start from the very beginning. So, here it goes.” I sighed. “My parents aren’t really my parents… my real parents are the king and queen of some country I can’t even remember the name of right now. They have this huge fortune, it’s one of the top ten in the world and it gets passed on to the first born female in the family, which would be me. There’s a code you need to access it, but as of now only my real mom knows it. Anyways, two days after I was born someone tried to kill me and that was it. They staged a fire and the whole family was supposedly dead. My parents went into hiding and my brother and I came here, to Montana and have been living with my aunt and her husband. We’d lived there with no problems for years, but then my dad died from lung cancer and his records were released. The people that were after me came back after me again and we moved here. Somehow, they found out we were here and now this is basically it. We’re supposed to move again after New Years. I just want to stay here though.” I cried. “I don’t want to leave again. My old friends think I’m dead! Everyone, family, everything! I can’t tell them though, I can’t tell anyone, but I trust you and I had to just tell you, I’m sorry for dragging you into this, you should probably just leave. It might be easier this way, for me anyways. You probably…” I started ranting, but he stopped me.

“You aren’t going anywhere.” He whispered, kissing my forehead.

“But I am Joe!” I shouted kind of trying to shove him away.
“Noa don’t just leave!” He yelled, catching me and leading my back to where we were sitting.

“I don’t think you were quite finished telling me your story yet.” He said.

I sighed. “I tried to tell Ashley that we should just stay here and end it all, let them get me and then somehow get them locked up, but I can’t do that because that puts you and Nick and Kevin and Piper and Ellie and everyone, Wyatt, just, everybody in danger because they’ll stop at nothing to get that code they think I know, but I don’t! They won’t kill me, but they’ll kill everyone I care about to get to me. I can’t do that.” I cried.

“How do you know you’ll have to?” He asked.

“Because they already know my friends here and the only thing we can do to keep everyone safe is to keep going. If we keep moving maybe no one will get hurt.” I told him.

He sighed. “What happens when you run out of places to hide?” I didn’t answer him.

“I’m not even supposed to be telling anyone this; you don’t know how much trouble I’d be in if my parents knew.” I said.

“I know.” He breathed, wrapping an arm around me and pulling me in closer. “I can’t even imagine how scared you are right now, what if this is it, Noa?”

“It can’t be.” I told him. I don’t know where this whole positive outlook came from, but it definitely made me feel better.

“All this was the last thing I was expecting to hear. What are the odds that the girl I fall in love…” He laughed.

“Has this many problems.” I finished, smiling a little bit. He leaned down and kissed me, sending sparks through me like fireworks, perfect.

“That wasn’t exactly where I was going with this, but…” He smiled weakly. I could tell no matter how brave he was trying to seem he was worried. I just had this scary feeling that the next few days were going to lead to something none of us would be able to handle.

Chapter Fifteen

So, i finally posted, sorry... i am soooo extremely sorry it's been months! : ( I promise it's going to get intense really really soon, so just hang in there. ahaha. Love -Nicolee      p.s. enjoy!

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The next week went by faster than expected. It started off waking up at 2am to say last goodbyes to the Jonas’ and then they were off until New Years Eve and now it was Christmas Eve. I spent the week with the girls which helped ease my mind away from all the worry. I laughed so hard I completely forgot sometimes. I was surprised my parents actually let me out of the house for school, let alone over to Ellie’s or Piper’s.

I dragged my feet down the cool pavement of our short side street, almost home, finally. Wyatt had stayed home “sick” for the day when really he just didn’t want to go to school on Christmas Eve. Yes, I know it’s horrible; they forced us all into school on Christmas Eve! So I was of course freaking out. Every single noise I heard I turned my head and there was absolutely nothing there. It didn’t help that there was a thick streak of fog low to the ground. It was eerie out already, on top of it all knowing someone’s out to get you because you’re some kind of rich princess of some place you’ve never heard of. My life is so messed up… I knew that before, but for any of this to happen to me is so completely unreal. I am the last person on this planet, no, in this universe that should ever be any sort of princess let alone holder of some insanely huge fortune.

“Finally, I was starting to get worried.” Ashley sighed as I walked into the house. It’s been awkward the last week between her and me and Dillon and me too. I still called them mom and dad, but it just didn’t feel right. My real dad was dead and my mom’s still in hiding. I don’t remember anything about them, I can’t even think about how much I wish I did though.

“Well, that’s what happens when you’ve got a paranoid teenage girl walking home alone from school three blocks away when there’s fog everywhere. It’s not exactly my kind of weather. I don’t really like it… at all.” I said simply, tossing my backpack on the bench in the family room and stopping to admire the tree.

“So, I made the salad for Piper’s tonight!” She enthused. “I made a pretty awesome looking apple pie too.” She giggled.

“That’s great mom.” I said giving her a funny look before plopping myself onto one of the bar stools.

“Noa, what’s with you?” She asked, not exactly in the friendliest tone.

“I don’t know; how would you feel if you were in my place right now?” I asked her. She didn’t say anything. “I can’t tell anyone why I’m leaving or even try to explain to them what’s going on because I’m too confused with who I even am. Apparently there are people after me because they want to kill me because I’ve got too much money to even count! What else? Oh, uhh, my real dad’s dead. I’ve never had a chance to meet him except maybe when I was one or two days old, same with my real mom except she’s still out there somewhere. Did I mention that I’ve got new friends here? Friends I can count on, better friends than I’ve ever had before. I asked you too, I asked you if it was okay to get close to people and you told me that it was, but you were definitely wrong.” I said coldly. “I’m sorry.” I barely squeaked out when I realized everything I just said. “I’m just scared.”

“It’s okay hun… I know.” She whispered, wrapping her arms around me. “I know it’s hard and I’m sorry that I was wrong. Dillon and I are doing our best to keep you and your brother safe and we can’t do that if we stay here much longer.” She explained as I wriggled my way out of her arms.

“I just don’t see why it matters anymore. Everywhere we go they’re just going to follow… whoever they are. Why not just wait it out? Why not let them find me, but get them when they do?” I asked.

“That’s way too dangerous Noa. We can’t let that happen because to get to you they could do a lot of damage. I said they wouldn’t kill you before having the code for the fortune, but they will kill anyone close to you, or at least threaten to, to get that code.” She said a tear trickling down her cheek. “These people aren’t nice people Noa; you’ve got to understand that. They’ll do whatever it takes. They are money hungry and money hungry people will do whatever it takes to get what they want. Your fortune is at the top of their list and they’ve wanted it for years.” She explained.

“Don’t you want it all to be over though? I know I don’t want this. Maybe if we just faced it I could meet my mom, everything would be better, and you could live the life you never got too. I mean, you’re still young, so is Dillon. Don’t you want a family of your own instead of lugging around someone else’s kids, your older sister’s kids, every day of your life?” I said. I didn’t even know where that came from. I’d never really thought of it that way before, until now. I don’t think she did either.

She paused. “I… I… well, Noa, umm” she sighed. “I guess when you’ve been living a certain way for so long you forget.”

I didn’t say anything more to her, I couldn’t. I made my way upstairs. Still nothing made sense to me. I just didn’t get it. I decided I’d better start getting ready for Piper’s.

After I took a shower I got dressed in the outfit I’d been excited about wearing to the party ever since I found out. I put on a black scooped neck short sleeved dress. It was a thick cotton material and the back of it scooped low with a knot resting on my lower back. I tied a silver skinny belt around my waist and the fitted dress. Once it was dry I let my freshly cut hair fall in neat curls to my shoulders and my bangs hang neatly over my forehead. I took a few pieces of hair and clipped it back in a silver pin that I was told was a family heirloom and now I knew why. I double checked in the mirror to make sure my make-up and everything was done right, added a silver necklace that hung low and then slid on a pair of black pumps.

When I finally got downstairs everyone else was waiting, may I add very impatiently, for me by the doorway. Dillon handed me my American Eagle, gray, striped pea coat and we were on our way to Pipers.

“I hate winter, I hate snow, I hate winter.” I mumbled all the way to Piper’s. Every single time I felt a light smack on my shoulder from Wyatt who was keeping up next to me. I was practically running. I didn’t notice until I stepped outside that there was practically a blizzard going on and my “parents” being the eco-friendly freaks they are wanted us to walk through it. Nice, huh?

“NOA’S HERE!” I heard one of the girls shriek from Piper’s room. There was some pounding and then the door swung open with revealing Piper, Ellie, Gwen, and Ava.

“Hey!” I said enthusiastically, giving all of them hugs and then running into the kitchen to put down the salad I had. After greeting everyone else I followed the girls all upstairs where they were hanging out and left Wyatt with Piper’s older brother and sister who he got along with pretty well.

When we got to Piper’s room I kicked off my heels and flung my coat on her bed, taking a seat on the edge of it so I could join the little circle we had going on.

“So, Noa, I could not wait to tell you what happened!” Piper smiled. “I couldn’t tell you over the phone because it’s way too important for that. Anyways, this morning, I got a phone call from Nick and he, for our Christmas present, invited you, Ellie, and I to go to New York City with them on New Years! We’re staying over-night at the Crown Plaza and we’ll be back on the 2^nd! We’d leave right after the New Years Eve party at their house!” she explained with her normal over-the-top energy she always gets when she’s excited.

“Are you serious?” I asked. I didn’t know whether to be happy or upset because from the looks of it now we’d be gone my then.

“YES!” Ellie shouted. I laughed watching Gwen and Ava roll their eyes. They weren’t Jonas Brother’s fans at all, but since they know the boys now they like hanging out with them at parties and everything.

“It’s a major bummer they couldn’t be here though.” Piper sighed. “How are things with you and Joe?” she asked.

“Good. I mean it’s kind of weird because since we’ve been officially together I only saw him for a couple hours, but we talk a lot. He wrote me an actual letter because he told me he remember how I had told him that I thought that getting a letter from a guy was the most romantic thing ever. I thought it was cute except I could only read like two words out of the whole thing.” I laughed. “I told him he needs to work on that.”  It was so cute though. I remember getting the mail that day. He had even stuck a few Polaroid pictures in there for me to see where they went.

“Hey, he tried.” Ellie said, everyone laughed.

Soon after it was time for dinner and then, traditionally, right after dinner Piper and all the kids in her family would go outside sledding which was definitely interesting. We all came in soaking wet with snow all over our hair; basically, my curls were all gone because the sledding… turned into a snow ball fight. Obviously something always goes wrong with snow ball fights and sledding, someone always gets hurt. This time it was Piper’s little cousin and we all ended up coming inside, changing into sweats and sitting by the fireplace to open a few presents, time had flew by and it was already ten.

After presents were done and everyone got a little dessert Ashley and Dillon decided it was time for us to say goodbye and we left.

“It’s only 10:30 you know?” I said on our way back home, all four of us were bundled up walking in a straight line in the middle of Piper’s street.

“Yeah, but do you honestly think we’d be walking home at one in the morning?” Wyatt said.

“No” I mumbled, and that was that. I walked the rest of the way home in silence. I was feeling really alone lately. It’s not like I could just talk this out with someone, Piper and Ellie couldn’t know. Neither could Joe or Nick or Kevin. Any one of them I wish I could talk to. You know that feeling that you get when you’ve got a huge secret and you just HAVE to tell someone, you can’t keep it inside you any longer… that’s been me for weeks. When I finally got upstairs and plopped down on my bed, I picked up my cell phone, stared at it for a while, then dialed.

“Hey Joe… I just, I really need to talk to you…”

Chapter Fourteen

I had this awful feeling in the pit of my stomach, it wasn’t sick, it was pain though, intense pain that made me keel over on the couch. They were kidding, they had to be kidding. This couldn’t be real. At that point Ashley had burst into tears. “Mom” I said, trying to comfort her. I wasn’t sure it was right to call her that anymore. “I’m okay” I whispered after a quick pause. “I just- I just want to know why people are after me? Why do I need to be protected?”

Dillon looked down at his feet and then quickly back up at me. “There’s a fortune, Noes. Your parents were filthy rich. Your parents are the King and Queen of, well, a small part of Norway actually, Ballentyne. That’s your last name, it was shortened to Byrne when we moved here.” He explained.

“Fortune?” I asked. They had to be kidding now.

“Yes, Noa, more money than you can imagine. It’s about twice the size of the richest man’s fortune.” He was so serious, they really weren’t kidding. This was who I was, a rich princess, whoa. “Your real first name is Nohana by the way, Wyatt’s never was changed.” I could handle Nohana, but Ballantyne I still wasn’t so sure about. It didn’t have a Norwegian ring to it at all.

“Wait a second, doesn’t a fortune usually go right to the oldest son? Why aren’t people after Wyatt?” I asked. My head was spinning; all this was beginning to be too much.

“This one is different. This one gets passed down to the first female in line. After your mother, it goes to you, you get the fortune and the thrown. But, if something were to happen to you, it would go to Wyatt and then Ashley, and then your other aunt who no one has seen since the fire.” Dillon said, leaning back on the couch to put his hand around Ashley’s back.

“So there are people after him too.” I said. I placed my palm over my forehead as if to cool down. “You said something about a fire?” I asked.
“Well, the whole thing started when your parents were at work as usual and your nanny was heading upstairs to give you your bottle. On her way up she tested it like she usually would and was found dead a few minutes later, still on her way to your nursery. Someone was trying to poison you. After that your parents got nervous, planned a fire at a family get together and after that everyone was said to have perished. But, your parents just went into hiding and Ashley and I took you and Wyatt here. Last year, your father died of lung cancer and the records were leaked, people found out that your mother was still alive, so you must be. That’s when we left. It wasn’t because of my job.” Dillon explained.

I gulped. “So whoever’s after me is trying to- to kill me.” I said, I felt myself shiver as I looked around the room. I definitely wasn’t going to be able to sleep tonight.

“Yes” was all he managed to whisper back.

“This isn’t fair, I don’t even want this stupid fortune! I don’t care about taking care of the thrown or whatever!” I shouted.

“You don’t understand. You can’t just give it away. You and your mother are the only one with the key. No body knows what it is. Your mother only gave Ashley a hint if she really needed it. If anyone can get close enough to you they won’t hurt you until they know the key, you can’t just give it away. Do you know what would happen if you just gave away the thrown?” Dillon warned, his tone turning angrier than before.

“No, I don’t, but I just want to be normal, I like it here. I want to stay here.” I cried. Just then my phone started buzzing in the back pocket of my jeans. I sniffled a little and then put it up to me ear.

“Hello?”
“Hey, Noa, just checking up on you.” Joe’s cheerful voice rang through the phone. I smiled and sniffled again.

“Yeah, thanks, I’m okay. It was just my brother being over-protective again. He didn’t want me to be home late.” I lied.

He laughed a little. “You sound like you got a cold or something, are you alright?”

“Yeah. I just- I have to go. I’ll call you later though.” I told him. “Bye” I hung up the phone, leaving him hanging on the other line.

“I can’t leave; you told me it was safe to get close to people here; that we’d stay here. But I guess you lied, I guess you didn’t think I’d find people or something? Well, I did and I might even love them.” I hissed before getting up from the couch and walking away.

“Noa” Ashley called; I stopped and turned around to face her. “We’re staying at least until after New Years.”

I looked down and shook my head before turning around again, grabbing my coat and walking out onto the front porch. I thought I’d be happy once I knew what was going on, but I was anything but that. I figured I should probably be scared, but I wasn’t. I wasn’t feeling anything, absolutely nothing. I looked at my phone and Piper and Ellie should be heading over in a few minutes for dinner. I decided I’d go back inside now; it probably would be safer there anyways.

When I returned it was like nothing had ever happened, light was shining in the huge glass windows lining the back of the house and Ashley was cooking pasta for us.

“NOA!” Piper and Ellie screamed letting themselves in as always. I laughed and ran over to give them both hugs.

“Upstairs!” I shouted, putting on what probably the worst fake smile ever. I was a really, really bad liar. They followed me upstairs throwing themselves down on my bed as I shut the door of my bedroom.

I told them everything that happened, not leaving out a detail. I was hesitant about telling them that Wyatt sort of ruined it, but I told them I wasn’t mad.

“I can’t believe he took you out racing and you WON!” Ellie laughed.

“Yeah.” I smiled. “It was pretty great.” I could replay it in my head, being thrown into the hay. Just reminding me of it could turn my mood right around.

“So, Christmas is in exactly one week! Are you excited or what?” Piper asked.

No. “Yeah, really excited.” I lied, every day that passes brings me closer to the day that I have to leave here.

“You know you’re welcome to come to my house, Ellie always comes because her family doesn’t live here either.” Piper offered, she was scribbling some hilarious note on my tiny white board like she always does.

“Thanks” I smiled, that actually did sound really fun.

“mhmm. We always have a big thing and something crazy happens every year. Like last year… nevermind. You probably don’t want to know.” She laughed.

“Let’s just say that only one person was injured and no one was sent to the hospital.” Ellie said before cracking up and falling off the bed.

After dinner and a movie the girls left and I was ready for bed. I got a text from Joe asking me to meet him between our houses for just a minute. I decided I better just go.

I pulled my fleece on over my over sized T-shirt I wear for bed and slipped on my clogs.

“You came” He said once I got close enough to hear him.

“Yeah, I wasn’t just going to let you stand out here waiting for me all night, don’t worry.” I laughed. “So, what’s up?” I asked, sort of hopeful that he would say something along the lines of ‘I hate you get out of here.’ that way leaving in a couple weeks would be a bit easier. Deep down I knew I didn’t want that though.

“I just wanted to let you know that we are going to Cali. For a week starting tomorrow, so I’m not going to be here for Christmas, but we’re having a New Years Eve party when we get back.” He smiled.

“And you couldn’t tell me this over the phone because…?” Okay, I was being a little harsh.

“Because- well- that wasn’t all I had to say.” He said. I just looked at him, and waited. I could tell by the way he looked at me he knew something was a little off; he was good at sensing that sort of thing. He gulped. “So, I just wanted to see if you might consider being my girlfriend?” He asked. I started to say something, but he put his hand over my mouth. “I know it was only a date, but I just really like you and I have to know if you do too.”

“Joe” I frowned. “I do, I really like you, but I don’t know. I have to think about it.” I told him.

He pouted and nodded his head. “I just don’t understand what there is to think about if you like me too.”

“It’s complicated.” I told him.

“But it’s not.”

“You don’t know!” I shouted.

“It doesn’t matter does it? If you like me and I like you there’s nothing complicated about it.” He said. He was right and I knew it.

“You just don’t understand. It’s not like that, it’s not even about that.” I told him

“Then what’s stopping you from saying yes?” He exclaimed.

“Something I can’t control!” I shouted back.

“Why let something you can’t control stop you, whatever happens, happens right?” He said, softly.

“I don’t know” I whispered, I felt a tear trickle down my cheek. I really liked him, I wanted to scream yes, but I couldn’t, I just couldn’t. He leaned over and kissed me softly.

“Think about it.” Was all he said and then he turned around.
“Wait!” He stopped. “Joe… I will.”

“Will, will what?” He asked, walking over to me again with a huge smirk on his face.

“You know what.” I couldn’t help, but to smile back.

“You have to say it.” He told me.

“I hate you.” I smiled.

“I know, but you still have to say it.”
“I will… be your… girlfriend.” I told him. He smiled and wrapped me in one of his famous bear hugs. I felt safe, whole, in his arms.

Then reality hit me, what had I done. I gave in, I was weak and I gave in. He was my weakness. I knew what I was doing was stupid and wrong, but I was happy. I was selfish. I knew I would have to go and I knew now, how much danger we would be in but I didn’t care because I was happy, so vulnerable.

 If he knew, only if he knew, I wonder if he would still feel this way.

Only if I knew what was to come, would I still have said yes?

Maybe everything would be fine. Maybe being with Joe would fix everything.