Thirty-Eight Days

by Len Webster

  She let out a sigh. No matter how beautiful Noel was, she needed to keep him at a distance. Whether he had a body of a god or not, he was out of reach.

  “Well, I’ll leave you to get dressed.” It was all she could come up with. She needed to be away from him. Their bodies were close, but barely touched, and she didn’t want to know what that would do to her. Without waiting to hear a word from him, she walked towards her room. There was a sense of need to walk faster, but her head told her to act normal.

  I don’t think I can act normal after that.

  In the safe and private sanctuary of her room, Clara looked around to see her blanket hanging off her bed and pillows thrown across the room. This was not a situation she wanted to be in. She leant against the door and let out an exasperated sigh. She never imagined that she’d find herself attracted to Noel, not in the slightest.

  This was trouble, and she knew it. Pushing off the door, she knew they needed to stay platonic. It would be easy for him, but hard for her. She walked over to the foot of her bed and picked up her blanket. Deciding that the best way to forget a naked Noel was to not think about him naked.

  Clara walked over to her bookcase and started to collect her thrown pillows off the floor. She had next to no sleep last night, caused by pure frustration. She knew the reason; he had come to town, and he had come to stay.

  Turning, she dropped her pillows on the bed and started to rearrange them back to perfection. Since she lived on her own, she had a certain way she liked her apartment to look. Moving out of home as an almost eighteen-year-old would have been hard for any teenager, but with her parents not caring, it was easier than she thought. Clara wanted her parents to care and ask her to stay, but they never gave her a second of their time.

  It was Alex’s idea for her to move out. Clara never argued. She felt like more of a burden than a daughter for her parents. She hadn’t heard from them since. Walking around her bed, she reached her large window and pulled the curtains back. The view was the reason why she chose her apartment. Although it was smaller than the ones Alex desired, it was the beautiful picture of the city that had her begging him for the apartment. It was worth every penny Alex spent.

  Like every morning, Clara lowered herself onto the window seat and pulled up her knees, wrapping her arms around her legs. The view was one that calmed her, made her forget about the ruins of her complicated life.

  Untangling her arms, she reached into her jeans pocket and retrieved her phone. She still hadn’t discussed Alex’s willingness to offer her guest room to Noel. It didn’t take Noel long to convince her to let him stay. They had one thing in common, and that was Alex. In the end, Clara had no choice but to show him the guest room. Whether or not she liked it, Alex sent Noel her way.

  As she unlocked her phone and pulled out her contacts, Clara looked out her window. Melbourne was offering yet another picturesque day; unfortunately for her, Melbourne couldn’t get rid of her roommate problem.

  She would have to find a way to adapt to her new lifestyle, one that included Nolan Parker. He had made it loud and clear that he would not be leaving until Alex returned. His loyalty to her brother was one thing, but his egotistic personality was another.

  I don’t know if I can tolerate Noel for two weeks.

  Straightening her legs, she pressed on Alex’s number and hoped he’d pick up. She wanted answers as to why Noel was here and why Alex insisted on him babysitting her. The phone rang a few times before he picked up.

  “Hey, kiddo.”

  “Hey, kiddo? Alex, I think you know why I’m calling!” She didn’t mean to sound annoyed, but she was.

  “Clara.” He sighed. Paper ruffled before silence.

  “Don’t ‘Clara’ me, Alex. I could have made it on my own for another two weeks. I’ve lived on my own for over a year. You know I have. Did you really need to send the asshole down?” Clara moaned. Alex sighed into the speaker, and she felt the guilt.

  “Clara, I couldn’t leave you alone on your birthday. Mum and Dad are on that cruise with the Parkers, and Noel was already going back home. So why not stay at your place?”

  “You could have had Rob check in on me. But Noel, really?” Clara bit her lip as she thought back to their kitchen fiasco.

  Alex definitely doesn’t need to know about that!

  She knew for certain she was blushing and she hated that more than anything.

  “Look, Clara, I know he can be an asshole, but he can be the good kind.”

  There’s a good kind of asshole?

  “But Alex!” She realised she sounded like a whiny child not getting what she wanted. “I don’t need him here.”

  Her brother let out the annoyed hum he did when he was frustrated. “Clara,” he breathed out exhaustedly.

  She knew her brother was working late nights, and she was adding to his stress. Clara let out her own sigh. They never fought or argued, so it was new for the both of them. She knew she had to let it go. Noel would stay, and she would not make a fuss.

  “Kiddo, I know you’ve been stressed with university and other things. I know I haven’t helped by just springing this on you. I’m sorry. But my career is on the line here, and if things in New York weren’t so hectic, I would have been there instead of Noel. You know I love you, Clara. But right now I can’t be there for you.”

  “I just wish you’d have told me about your babysitting plans. I could have, you know, prepared myself a little better. I’m sorry, Alex. I’ve added to your stress and I know I’m being unbelievably selfish right now. It’s not fair on you. I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me and…”

  “And?” he asked.

  Clara steeled herself and knew it would kill her to say it out loud, but it would make her brother happy. “I promise to be on my best behaviour with Noel.”

  “That’s my girl. I’ll be home after the court case, I promise. I love you, Clara.” She could sense the hope in his voice, and she smiled knowing that the rift between them had sealed.

  “I love you, too, Alex. Make this guy pay!”

  “You can make sure I’ll make this bastard pay! I better go. Just don’t kill Noel, okay?”

  Clara laughed and stared at her bedroom door. “I won’t kill the asshole. Bye, Alex.” She hung up the phone and placed it beside her. As she stood up from the window seat, Clara huffed out and shook her head. Looking out of her window one more time, she closed her eyes tightly.

  I can do this. It’ll be easy… just don’t think about him naked!

  Noel turned to his left to see the clock flash eight a.m. He had been up hours before and sat there waiting for the alarm to blare. He pressed the big button to turn it off and looked out the window. He enjoyed the view so much that he never closed the curtains.

  Two frustrating days had passed since the kitchen fiasco. His desire for Clara made it difficult for him to be under the same roof as her. For the past couple of days all he did was keep the conversations at a minimum. He made sure he was gone for most of the day and only back for dinner. He spent his mornings to late afternoons on the Yarra River and at the row club he and Alex used to go to as teenagers.

  He let out all his frustrations on his rowing. He didn’t care that his arms would burn like they had caught fire every time he made a movement. He needed to feel the pain; he didn’t need to remember the ache of not being able to touch her face or not being able to hold her. Noel was having trouble understanding what he actually felt for Clara, but he knew he had to stay away. She was making it difficult.

  But he had to push on. He learnt the night before that she had a job in a bakery. He was learning more than he should. She couldn’t know that he was physically attracted to her, no matter how much he tried to deny it. She didn’t need to know of the things he wished he could do to her and with her. He shook the thoughts from his head and started to make his bed. They had spent two days together and he wasn’t sure how much longer he was going to last pretending he didn’t want or need her.

>   I have to be the asshole she expects me to be.

  That was the only way he could survive the remaining amount of days they had left together. He would spend as little time around Clara as possible. And rowing was his answer. Knowing he’d sweat during his morning row with Rob, he decided against a shower. Noel changed into a pair of shorts and a T-shirt before he walked to the bathroom to brush his teeth.

  Walking into the kitchen, he grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl and noticed that Clara wasn’t awake yet. Noel went into the lounge to turn on the TV for the morning news. Flicking through the channels, he heard a knock on the door. Groaning, he got up from the couch, walked to the door, and opened it.

  “Delivery for Clara Lawrence,” the delivery worker said as he held out an electronic device for a signature.

  “I’ll just get her. Wait there a second,” Noel told him. The worker didn’t look much younger than him.

  Walking to Clara’s bedroom door, Noel contemplated whether he should even wake her. Believing it was an important delivery, he knocked on the door.

  “Clara?” He heard no sounds. “Wake up, Clara!” he yelled, getting a little annoyed with her.

  She let out a slight groan and then movement sounded. “What the hell do you want, Noel?” she yelled from the other side of the door.

  “You have a delivery,” Noel replied as he leant on the wall, waiting for her.

  He listened as Clara got out of bed, walked to the door, and opened it. The amount of times Clara looked hot as hell couldn’t live up to this exact moment. He was literally stuck in place as he looked at her. Clara wore a short blue nightdress that hugged her slender body perfectly. Her loose curls were messy from sleep, but only added to the appeal of her.

  He groaned slightly at the sight of her. Too attractive to be Alex’s little sister. Noel straightened his posture to make sure she didn’t see him check her out.

  God, what is she doing to me?

  “Are you serious? This early?” she questioned with an irritated tone in her voice.

  “I, uhh, don’t know. He needs your signature,” he stammered out, trying to control his voice. She pushed past him and walked to the front door, giving him the perfect view of her ass. He couldn’t deny himself.

  For a petite girl, Clara has one hell of a body. Damn those curves!

  He noticed the delivery guy’s eyes run down her body as she walked towards him. He had the right idea, but jealousy stirred inside Noel. He was ready to run up to the guy and punch him in the face for checking her out. He couldn’t blame the guy for appreciating her body. It had just awoken a possessive trait Noel never knew he had when it came to Clara.

  That short blue nightdress would make any man weak.

  Noel needed out of there and fast. He quickly walked to his room, grabbed his gym bag, and made his way to Clara. He needed to make it clear to the delivery guy that she was hands off. He promised Alex that no guy would touch her, but it was selfishly for him. He needed to show the guy he had no chance. No guy did.

  “I’ll see you tonight for dinner,” Noel said, smiling at her, only to see her send a heavenly grin right back at him. She made him a little breathless, but he managed to control himself. The delivery guy eyed him as Clara inspected the box standing in front of her.

  “I’ll see you tonight then,” she replied to him as she started to sign the electronic device.

  He looked at her one more time before he pushed past the delivery guy and his cart. Looking at the large box, Noel saw that the sender was Alex and remembered that he was sending her a birthday present.

  “Lucky bastard,” the delivery guy hissed under his breath as Noel walked away from the both of them. That one hiss brought a satisfied smile to Noel’s face.

  I am one lucky bastard indeed.

  “Have a nice day,” she said to the delivery guy as he collected the device from her.

  “Are you sure you’re gonna be able to push this inside?” he asked, not looking at her face, but instead at her body.

  “I’ll be fine,” Clara replied. The disappointment was clear on his face.

  “Thanks again,” she said, dismissing him. He gave her a disgruntled smile and wheeled his cart towards the elevator.

  Clara walked out to the hallway and smiled the moment she saw that the sender was her brother.

  She wouldn’t move the box until the elevator doors closed and the deliverer left her floor. He started to creep her out. The delivery guy was decent, but he didn’t attract her. The elevator doors opened and there stood Liam, dressed in tight jeans and a light blue top. The smile on his face made her a little breathless; it was hard not to stare at him.

  “Morning, Clara! You need a hand?” Liam asked as he left the elevator.

  “I’m okay.”

  “Nonsense,” he waved off, and approached her with a boyish grin. The delivery guy muttered something before he pressed the button for the lobby.

  “I can see why that guy was checking you out. Nice PJs.” Liam winked at her.

  She looked down at her short blue nightdress and smiled. Clara knew she looked appealing in it. Darren had made it clear when they dated, and that made her feel good about her body. When she pulled the dress out of the drawer last night, the need to make Noel want her was consuming. It was a stupid thought. Clara was out of Noel’s league and she didn’t stand a chance. She pushed thought away and slipped the material on. She wanted to feel attractive and if Noel found her to be, then it would be a boost to her self-esteem.

  “I really like your PJs. No wonder that guy looked like he was ready to pounce.” Liam laughed. “But seriously, you look damn hot!”

  Oh, my!

  “Stop that!” she playfully scolded. She had to remember he was a playboy. He’d had many women in his bed, and she wasn’t going to be another one of them.

  “Only because you asked,” Liam replied with a wink. “Now, where do you want this?” he asked as he looked into her apartment.

  “Anywhere is fine.” Clara stood back and gave him the space he needed to push the box inside.

  “Your bedroom?” he asked hopefully. Clara rolled her eyes.

  “You wish!” She laughed.

  “You have no idea, Clara,” he breathed out heavily.

  Liam pushed the box into her apartment with such ease that it made her envy his strength. Clara imagined how those arms would feel wrapped around her. She shivered at the thought. Once the large box was in her apartment, Liam stood up and dusted his hands, curiously looking around the room.

  “So, this is what your apartment looks like,” he noted as he finally looked at her.

  “Yeah.” Clara nervously laughed as she saw his chest rise and fall with every breath of air he took in. “Did you want to sit for a second? I’ll grab you a bottle of water?”

  “No, I better go. I can’t keep helping out a beautiful damsel in distress like you all day. Unfortunately, I have things to do and I’m late, as much as it kills me to have to leave,” Liam replied and made his way to the door.

  “All right, thank you for helping me with the box,” Clara said as he turned and leant on the doorframe.

  “Any time, but I have to ask…”

  “Uhh, okay?” she questioned as he looked her straight in the eye.

  “Maybe one day soon, you could wear that for me?” Liam asked with no hint of humour. He was dead serious. Clara flinched a little, but she didn’t want him to think she was easy.

  “You’re late for whatever it is you’re late for,” she said as she pushed him off the doorframe.

  “You will say y—“ he started to say.

  “I will say yes one day. Yeah yeah, Liam, you’ve said this to me before. Remember? But I haven’t yet, so keep dreaming,” she mocked as he smiled a very sexy smile at her.

  “Clara, you have no idea,” he said as he made his way out of her apartment, Clara closing the door behind him.

  It was quarter to six and Noel still wasn’t home. She wasn’t sure if she should
be worried, but she had to remind herself that he was a grown adult. Since her interaction with Liam earlier in the day, she had been a bunch of nerves. Liam did this to her. He made her forget about Noel, and she liked that.

  The box she received in the morning still sat in her lounge room. She decided to open it on her birthday on Friday. She was curious, but she managed to leave it unopened. Clara sat in her apartment all day, watching pointless afternoon soaps on her TV. The sound of a key inside the lock and the front door opening alerted her; Noel was home.

  Clara thought about greeting him, but she decided against it. Twenty minutes later, she was about to leave her bedroom and see what was for dinner when her phone buzzed. Walking to the dresser, she saw that it was a message from Stevie.

  Stevie was the campus Queen Bee; she was more popular than Annie. In the sense she knew everyone’s secrets, it was better that she was an ally than an enemy. Thankfully, Clara and Stevie were on good terms. She opened it and saw what she dreaded. On her screen was a photo of Darren and a blonde kissing.

  Stevie: They’re at the end-of-year university party that YOU organised. I swear, Clara, you need to come down here and punch the bitch’s face in!

  With her recent mopping, the days morphed together and she forgot that the social party of the year was tonight. Clara had spent the year organising which club they would attend and the guest list. The picture was a slap in the face. The pain she thought she had gotten over returned, fiercer than ever. She was about to reply and tell Stevie she wasn’t going to make it when she got another message.

  Stevie: You thought he was a nice boy! He is the worst kind of nice boy. He was a fake! HE CHEATED ON YOU WITH THAT BITCH!!

  Clara: Stevie, don’t work yourself up about it. You have fun tonight. I’m not coming.

  Stevie: WHAT! Don’t you dare give them the satisfaction, Lawrence. Get yourself HOT and get that beautiful ass of yours, that I know boys drool over, down here. You don’t need a nice boy!

  Clara wasn’t sure what to do. Stevie was right, though; she didn’t need a nice boy. What she needed was to attend the party she planned.