Best of Friends 30 - Tickets

Rachel held her phone in one hand and Noah's in the other. He guided them through the crowd amassing in Godfrey's center plaza. It was the annual country festival, and they were braving it to get a pair of tickets to the semi-final game. But at the moment, Rachel’s attention was focused on Ethan’s endless, snarky texts.

Ethan: So… I’m still waiting for that round two??

Rachel: I told u. I’ll let u know.

Ethan: Yeah suuure. Oh also, Mike wants to know when he’s up to bat.

Rachel: You told him???

Ethan: uhhhh was I not supposed to? We’re in the Rachel fuck club now.

Rachel: Ethan…

Ethan: RaCheL

Rachel: I have to go, don’t tell anyone else ok?

Ethan:

Rachel rolled her eyes. Ethan had become such a cocky goofball since they had been together. The goofball she liked, but the ego she could do without. If nothing else, it was a step in the right direction.

“Ahhh shit,” Noah said. Stopping dead in his tracks.

“What?” Rachel said, looking up from her phone.

“They’re sold out…” Noah tapped the ticket booth's sign.

SEMI-FINAL TICKETS SOLD OUT!!!

The text was in bold red. Rachel re-read it several times, hoping that she was misinterpreting something.

“No…” Rachel said.

“Sorry babe, looks like we’re out of luck.” Noah patted her shoulder. She turned to him with wide eyes.

“Noah! No!!” Rachel turned back to the sign in disbelief.

“It's alright, maybe we’ll get the next one.”

“But I really wanted to see this one! It's our very first playoff game! Shit…” she stamped in a huff.

Noah chuckled.

“It’s not funny,” Rachel said.

“The tantrums are kinda funny,” he replied.

Rachel might have laughed if it hadn’t been for that obnoxious voice sneaking up behind her.

“Aw, what’s got the baby upset today?” Mel asked. Of course, she found them. The woman never seemed to miss the opportunity to nudge her nose into their business. Rachel turned to find Mel waving playfully.

“Oh, hey Mel!” Noah said. He promptly gave her a side hug, and Mel shifted to ensure it was a full one.

“Hey there, Noey! So what’s the deal?” Mel said with a grating, overbearing laugh.

No, cackle was more appropriate. Mel was a fucking cackler. And Noey? It took every ounce of Rachel’s self-control not to roll her eyes.

“Oh, nothing much,” Noah said. “We were just trying to get tickets to the basketball game, but they’re sold out.”

“Oh noooo, is that why you were getting upset, Rachel?” Mel asked. The condescension in her voice made Rachel bristle. But she certainly wasn’t going to let Mel know that.

Rachel let out a dull, vapid laugh.

“Oh no, it’s not that big of a deal, really. Didn’t even really want to see this game, so…”

“It’s ok, Rachel,” Noah interrupted. “She’s just being polite. We really wanted to see this one, and it looks like we just missed it.”

“Aweee,” Mel said with an over-exaggerated frown. “Well, I happen to have two tickets here that I was going to use, but… my date canceled. You two could have them, if you want.”

Mel held the tickets out. Rachel’s jaw clenched. That fucking bitch. Of course, Noah, being as sweet as he was, laughed and smiled wildly.

“What?! Mel, you don’t have to do that,” Noah said.

“Really, it’s not a big deal!” Mel said, offering him the tickets.

Noah looked at Rachel. She simply smiled. It was all she could manage without completely losing her composure.

“What do you think?” He asked her. Rachel shrugged.

“It’s her tickets...” She muttered. Noah looked back at Mel.

“Are you sure?” He asked her.

“Of course! Here, take them seriously.”

“Well, at least let us pay you.”

“Oh no, I couldn’t.”

“Come on Mel, we have to do something for you!”

“Well, I won’t take your money, but you could… oh no, it’s stupid.”

“No, tell us. What could we do?”

“Oh well, there’s this wedding and…”

“Yeah?”

“Well, I need a plus one and… since I’m not really seeing anyone, it’d be nice to just go with a friend.” Mel stared at Noah with the most obnoxious puppy dog eyes Rachel had ever seen. “Do you think you could keep me company, Noah? It’d keep my parents off my back for a weekend.”

“Oh, that’s it? One wedding? Do they have an open bar?”

“Yup!”

“I’m in! This is a no-brainer. Babe, what do you think?”

Rachel’s cold gaze was framed in a perfectly manicured smile. She already knew there was no reasonable reason for her to deny the tickets. If she did, she’d be the one coming off as the insecure girlfriend. Mel had played it perfectly, and that stupid smile on her face made it clear she was aware of that fact.

So, with the most nonchalant laugh Rachel could manage, she stepped to Noah’s side and promptly snatched the tickets from Mel’s hand.

“Of course, Mel! That honestly sounds like SUCH a good idea,” She said.

“Oh, does it?” Mel countered, bobbing her head like a drunken bird.

“It does!! Noah looks so good in a suit, too. Your parents will think you won the lottery.” Rachel turned to Noah and pinched his cheek.

Noah laughed brightly. Rachel could never forget that laugh. Or the way those little wrinkles curled in his eyes. He was a beautiful human being. Inside and out. It made complete sense why Mel would want him as much as she did. And for that, Rachel couldn’t blame her.

But Noah was hers.

She turned back to Mel, this time with a real smile.

“Just let us know the date,” She said.

Mel cleared her throat and fixed her hair.

“Great! I’ll get back to you two. Or actually, Noah. I’ll just text you, ok?” Mel glanced at Rachel.

“Sure!” Noah said.

“Alright, bye you two! Have fun at the game,” Mel waved at them, but never took her eyes off Noah.

If Rachel could have one free punch in her life, she’d use it right now. Mel walked off into the crowd, and Rachel promptly directed Noah in the exact opposite direction.

“She is so nice, isn’t she?” Noah said.

“Ohhh yeah, so nice.” Rachel quickly changed the subject as they neared an ice cream truck.

- - -

While she hated how they had gotten their tickets, Rachel had to admit that she was the most excited she had been since coming to Godfrey. It was her first time going to a basketball game, and the semi-finals no less. She wanted it to be perfect. Her father had never let her go to school games. Not unless she was involved in sports. And even then, he would watch her the entire night like a hawk. She double checked her cheerleader outfit one more time. It was cute, and fit Godfrey’s colors perfectly, she just hoped it wasn't too much.

"Hey Noah, is this too much?" Rachel stepped out into the living room and found Noah placing the last of his black paint under his eyes. He wore a school jersey also. He looked so cute. Rachel would have to find ways to get him to wear that more often. As she entered the room, Noah glanced over at her, and his eyes went wide.

"Wow!" He said. "You look amazing!"

"Haha, thanks, but is it too much?"

Noah looked at her for a moment. "Hmmm, I don't know, pose for me."

Rachel rolled her eyes.

"Noah…"

"I need to see every angle to know for sure."

Rachel sighed and did a quick spin, already knowing exactly what Noah was going to say.

"Yeah, you look amazing."

Rachel laughed. "But is it too much!"

Noah approached her and grabbed her hips in his usual way.

"Not in a million years,” He said.

Rachel smiled. “You know, you look pretty cute in that jersey.”

“Oh, do I?” As Noah spoke, there was a knock at the apartment door.

Rachel turned to it. "I'll get it. Can you double-check that I turned my curler off?"

"You got it," Noah said, making his way to the bathroom.

Rachel opened the front door and found Mike on the other side, holding a bouquet of flowers.

"Oh, Hey Mike!" Rachel said, looking down at the flowers. Something about them made her heart race. It might also have been the puppy dog look Mike was giving her.

"H-hey! I was in the neighborhood and like uh… they were selling these bouquets on the corner for the festival, or whatever and… so anyways I saw them and I was like, hey! Maybe we could hang out and…" Mike began to trail off as he saw Noah come around the corner.

"Yo! It's Mike!" Noah said, walking up behind Rachel. Mike cleared his throat and glanced between the two nervously.

"H-hey man!" He said, promptly handing Rachel the flowers. He then stepped in and gave Noah a bear hug. "Sorry, I was uh… really horny. Was going to see if Rachel wanted to fuck."

"Is that so?" Noah looked over at Rachel with a smirk on his face. She, in turn, shook her head while mouthing a wide-eyed no. "Well… I don't know about that, but... how have classes been?" He asked.

Mike grunted. "Shit, as always. I'm like… failing two classes, so I gotta get it together, or they're not going to let me play. I got a few months, though."

"Shit, I'm sorry to hear that. Do you need some help or…"

Mike shook his head and waved him off.

"Nah man, it's cool, don't worry about it. It's fucking… stupid classes anyway. I’ll be fine.”

"Alright, fair enough." Noah looked back over at Rachel, who kept gesturing to the front door. "Uh… listen, Mike. We're actually about to head out. So, I don't know if that's going to happen today.”

Mike looked over at Rachel and frowned. "Shit, really?"

Rachel nodded. "Yeah, sorry Mike. We can't tonight. We're heading out to the game."

"Oh, Ethan's game?"

"Well, Godfrey's game, but yeah," Rachel said. She could see Mike's eyes dim.

"Fuck, I can be quick though." He spoke like he'd been wounded. Rachel prayed he wouldn't make a scene like Jack. She was beginning to wonder if any man was actually capable of keeping things casual.

"Sorry Mike, I just got all done up. I don't want to ruin my hair or makeup. Rain check?" She said sweetly. That seemed to do the trick. Mike's hurt expression shifted into a confident smirk. He let out an over-exaggerated sigh. Rachel laughed. She had to hand it to him, Mike could be funny when he wanted to be.

"What about like a handjob or something?" Mike said.

"Mike…"

"Right, sorry, is it cool if I, like... take one of your panties at least? I wanna jack off with it," Mike said.

Rachel stared at him for a moment.

"You look fucking hot as fuck by the way,” he added.

Rachel laughed softly as she walked back to her bedroom and returned with a pair of red-laced panties.

"Here." She said. Mike took them promptly and inhaled deeply.

"Ew, Mike!"

"Oh my god, you smell so fucking good," He looked Rachel over hungrily. Eyes fixating on her legs and tits. Rachel knew that look very well. It had been a while since they fucked, but she knew exactly what he would have done to her if they were alone. Mike was an animal in the bedroom, and Rachel wasn’t sure she would’ve said no.

"Will you stop it! We have to go!" Rachel began to usher Mike away.

"Fiiine, I'll go. Thanks for the jack off material," He went in for a kiss. Rachel promptly pushed him back.

"Mike! Makeup!"

"Oh, right, sorry, fucking… I'm just so fucking horny. I gotta go." Mike stuffed the panties into his pocket and promptly turned to the apartment door. "Later, Noah!"

"Later," Noah said. When the door closed, Rachel turned and found Noah staring intently at the bouquet of flowers Mike had brought. He wasn't smiling anymore.

"He is something else," Rachel said, stepping towards him. Noah nodded slowly. She also glanced down at the flowers.

"What? What is it?" She asked.

"He gives you gifts now?" Noah picked up the bouquet and examined them more closely.

"Well, yeah, I mean, we're getting to know each other," Rachel said.

"He got your favorite flowers too…"

"Yeah, he did."

"Did… you tell him what your favorite flowers were?"

Rachel cleared her throat. "I mean, I might have mentioned it. But it wasn't intentional."

Noah paused. "And you gave him your red panties…"

"Yeah?" Rachel said, watching Noah intently. He looked hurt. “Is something wrong?”

“Oh, it’s nothing, I’m being stupid,” Noah said, dropping the bouquet onto the table.

“No, it’s ok, you can talk to me.”

Noah looked away bashfully. “It’s stupid... really stupid. But those panties were actually my favorite.”

Rachel felt a chill swim over her.

"Babe, I'm sorry. I didn't know. I can get them back."

"No, it's fine…" Noah said, forcing a smile. "It's not a big deal."

"Hey," Rachel walked up to him and placed her hands on his shoulders. "If it's a big deal to you, then it's a big deal. I'll get them back, ok?"

Noah smiled. "Ok."

Rachel let out a breath and felt her shoulders relax.

"Are we good?" She asked.

"Yeah, we're good," Noah said softly. "Are you good?"

Rachel wanted to tell him that she wasn't. She wanted to tell him about Mel, about Jack, and about how stressful this was all starting to become. But she couldn't. The fear she felt in that moment was simply too great. She told herself she'd get over it. Told herself that it was a blip in time and would pass. She would figure this out. She didn't need to stress Noah out about it. Everything was fine.

"I'm perfect," She said, kissing him softly. "You ready to go?"

Noah nodded. "Yeah, let's get this night started!"

– - -

Ethan closed the distance to the rim with a slam dunk. Noah watched, dumbfounded, as Ethan dropped off the rim and raised his hand to a screaming audience. The man was an absolute machine on the court, and like everyone else, Noah was in awe.

As was Rachel.

“Yes Ethan!!!!” She screamed, jumping up from the bleachers with the rest of the crowd. The buzzer hit zero. Ethan had won Godfrey their semi-final match. Rachel began dancing, twirling in circles as she swayed her hips. The Jumbotron played her on the screen. Noth watched as Ethan looked up to the screen and blew a kiss before placing a hand over his heart. Rachel hadn't seemed to notice. She was too busy enjoying the moment.

This was her first game away from that sleepy old town and her strict parents. Noah couldn't be happier to be by her side through all of it. She looked at him with the widest smile he had ever seen and jumped into his arms.

"We did it!!" She screamed, kissing his cheek. Noah lifted her and kissed her back.

Those lips never tasted so sweet.

"Oh my god, babe, look! We're on the screen!" Rachel shouted, pointing at the Jumbotron. Noah looked and saw them framed in floating hearts.

That's when Noah remembered that this wasn't just her memory. It was his also. He also had escaped that town. He'd clamored his way into this school through grit, luck, and hard work. And now, he was sharing this moment with the most beautiful woman in the world. He wished he could take that screenshot of them and keep it forever. But even if he did, it would never compare to the feeling of that moment. Of having all of Godfrey witness how genuine their love really was.

Noah glanced down at Ethan on the court. He had promptly looked away from the Jumbotron.

The stadium began to empty. Noah guided Rachel out, who was still dancing behind him.

"There's a party down at the Commons, do you want to go?" Rachel shouted over the crowd. Noah shrugged.

"I feel like there won't be any **** at the commons, don't you think?"

"Hmmm, true, might be more civil. Let me text the group chat and see what people are doing."

Ah, yes, the group chat. Jack's group chat. The one that had all of Jack’s entourage in it, including Mike and Ethan. He wondered which of them would try to reach out first. They passed into the halls, down the stairs, and into the cool evening air outside. The rowdy crowds began to thin as the stadium's beating drums vibrated in the background.

"Ok, soooo… Mike is out. Jack isn't answering…" Rachel trailed off. "Two girls answered, but I don't really know them at all. Should we try Low Landing? It usually has a big crowd."

"That might be our best bet. We'd better hurry, though, it's going to get packed," Noah said.

"Oh, wait! Ethan got back to me. He wants us to meet him in the locker room."

Noah's heart froze. He turned to her slowly.

"Where?"

"The locker room?" Rachel said again, looking up from her phone.

She couldn't have known the terror those words would create in Noah, and he certainly wasn't going to open up about it now. They had enough drama going on in their lives. Besides, it was just a locker room.

This wasn't Brian, and Rachel wasn't Allie.

Noah hadn’t been silent for long, but Rachel was too good at reading him.

"Hey, is everything alright?" She asked. Noah nodded.

"Oh yeah, totally I…" He fought to get the words out. "Is he wanting to… You know..."

Rachel tilted her head, and then her eyes widened.

"Oh my god! You think?"

Noah shrugged. "Maybe."

"Jesus, in the locker room though?"

"There are weirder places," Noah joked. Rachel bit her nails for a moment as she thought. She always looked so cute when she did that.

"Hmmmmm. If he did… would you be interested?"

Noah cleared his throat and looked away. That was, in many ways, an impossible question.

"Would I be there?" He asked. Rachel promptly stepped forward and took his hand.

"I will never let him kick you out again, if that's what you’re asking."

He smiled and squeezed her hand. Rachel really had a way of making Noah feel calm.

"Well, let's at least see what he wants first, then go from there, deal?"

Rachel nodded. "Sounds like a plan! Besides, if I'm being honest, I just want to see what the locker rooms are like!"

Noah laughed. Of course she did.

"Then let's go check it out."

--

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