Blood Money (1) | The Inheritance Games

XXXV. i knew you were trouble

"No apologies, he'll never see you cry, pretends he doesn't know that he's the reason why you're drowning."

Noah slept the entire bus ride, his head nestled on my shoulder as I people watch. I have many talents, I can play four instruments, I excel in five sports, I'm skilled in three arts, I have the best tech skills around, and I'm a professional when it comes to knife and gun handling. I spent hard working time on those skills, forcing myself to be good. But the one thing that always came naturally to me is people watching.

Tristan is sitting with his latest fling, Daniel. They're sharing headphones and watching something on Tristan's phone. I'm pretty sure they're holding hands but I haven't got a good enough look yet to tell.

Jameson and Maja are sitting next to each other, but they aren't talking. Jamie's been distant and quiet for the first time in his life ever since he found out this whole mystery he's been solving has basically been revolved around Emily. 

I'm not entirely certain of whether he's spoken to Maja or not, but based off this interaction, I'm guessing not. But I notice the subtle brushes of fingertips every now and then. I notice him offering her snacks silently, communicating through their eyes. And I noticed how he carried her bags despite her profuse protests of not wanting a man to do things for her.

Xander sits with Amelia, not for any particular reason, just because I stole his best friend. He's always been a social butterfly, he's never had issues making new friends. The conversation flows between them the entire ride. They talk about things from politics to music, from puppies to the economic state of the world. They're both so well spoken but also passionate about everything they say.

Avery is sitting next to some sophomore girl. They aren't talking much, and Avery is sort of just staring out the window with music playing. Her thoughts undoubtably running marathons. I can imagine right now she's thinking about the inheritance, Jameson, Grayson and Taylor Swift.

Thea is a little harder to read. She's sitting alone, gazing out the window with her bag on the other seat so nobody could take the seat next to her. She spends the whole journey on her phone, her face unwavering the entire time. I can venture a guess that it's Rebecca she's texting, based purely off the occasional curve of her lips, and the soft gaze in her eyes.

Noah stirs beside me and captures my attention. His atmosphere suddenly changing from calm to something I struggle to decipher. Noah's always been the hardest to read. He's the definition of kind, which for others would suggest that he's got a perfect life. That he's not got a single weight on his back. I originally thought that until we started dating. I've seen a side to him he doesn't show to many people, but I know it's not the entire perspective. And it kills me that he's so reserved. Not just because I hate not being able to read him, but more so because I can tell there's something troubling him. 

 I reach out a cautious hand, delicately caressing his cheek. Initially he flinches in his sleep, tensing at my touch. But he relaxes himself once more when he realizes it's me. 

Unconsciously, his hand drifts to my knee, circling his thumb gently. I plant a gentle kiss on his messy mop of soft hair.

We spend the whole drive like this, and it kills me to have to wake him up when we arrive.

"Hey Noah?" I whisper softly as everyone else starts filing off.

He moans a little, clearly not awake or even close. Everyone's now off the buss and Mr Jenkins is approaching us.

"Noah?" I say a little louder now, nudging him slightly more aggressively because I don't trust Ant Jenkins to be alone with me for a second.

He jolts awake, looking at me with alarm, then he stands up, grabbing his back pack from under his seat and then offering me a hand up.