Falling for my Best Friend’s Bully

Noah tilted his head, his expression shifting subtly. In the brief seconds it took him to assess the situation, I felt a thin wall of distrust rise between us—sharp and unfamiliar.

"Did you really not hear me calling you, Ellie?" he asked, his voice quieter now but edged with disbelief. "Were you that distracted?"

I glanced around, avoiding his gaze. The classroom had mostly emptied, and the few who lingered were too engrossed in their own conversations to notice us. But their obliviousness didn't make the weight of his question any lighter.

"If I knew it was you I would have answered," I said.

"You mean if you cared to know it was me," Noah said.

I didn't know what to say so I kept quiet and packed up my books. I avoided looking at both boys who I was sure were locked in a staring match.

I stood up and shouldered my satchel. "Let's go. We can talk outside about-"

The words dried in my mouth when Aiden stood up right next to me and tapped my shoulder with his phone.

"Can I have your number Ellie?"

Oh heck no. This could not be my life.

"We need to communicate about the project remember?"

I let out a sigh of relief. That was true.

"And I want to talk to you more."

Oh heck no!

"Gimme your phone," I mumbled as I avoided Noah's face. I typed in my number shakily and thrust Aiden's phone at him.

"This is to talk about nothing else but the project and don't call me. Just text."

Aiden smirked at me. A smirk that screamed my rules weren't going to be followed. He slowly turned away, picked up the same tattered notebook and pen before leaving the class.

I had a gut feeling he wouldn't come for the second lecture of the day.

"Are both of you done?" Noah asked.

"D-done?"

"Yes done. With your high tension, lovers tug of war. All you do is blow hot air Ellie. He obviously likes you and you're allowing him and yourself to fall."

I stepped back. His words hit me like bricks. "What are you even talking about Noah?"

Noah shook his head, his face downcast. "I'm not a fool Ellie. You want to know why I wanted to beat Aiden in the Dining Hall on Sunday?"

I nodded slowly.

"Because after he apologized to me a day earlier, he asked for your number and when I asked him why, guess what he said?"

I shrugged.

"He said he wants you."

A thrill of excitement coursed through me at Noah's words. I bit my lip and lowered my head because if anyone could know how I was feeling, it was Noah.

"That's so…bizarre," I said.

Noah stared at me. "Bizzare? Not creepy or disgusting but bizarre? I guess pretty privilege really does exist. Forget he's the guy that bullied me for an entire year. Since he's dark and brooding, if he wants you then it's at most bizarre right?"

"Wrap up the sarcasm Noah and let's not fight. I just don't know how to process all this. There's just something about Aiden…"

Noah ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah. Whatever. I'm not an idiot. You both will only get closer since you're already damn close in class everyday. Plus, he has your number now."

"Noah—"

"And obviously what will happen is my bully and my best friend will do the hunky dory and he will finally be satisfied."

My breathing was becoming more shallow as I entreated Noah with my eyes not to say anymore.

He ignored me.

"That's obviously all he wants, maybe because it will be a final get back at me. My bully sleeping with my best friend."

I slapped Noah.

The slap rang out, startling the two students still lingering in the classroom. They exchanged uneasy glances before quickly pretending to focus on their notes. Red welts bloomed on Noah's cheek, but he didn't react—no flinch, no blink. He just looked at me, his expression unreadable.

"Ellie," he said quietly, his voice steady but strained, "what happened to us?"