Noah and Kate sat on the couch and continued talking for about another hour. They just talked about anything that Kate could come up with, and Noah just went right along. Right as they started about the pros and cons of using Saran Wrap, Noah got another phone call from Luke.

“Noah!”

“Yeah?”

“I need to talk to you.”

“Uh, ok. Go ahead.”

“No, I mean, in person.”

“Ok, when?”

“Right now.”

“Um…ok…Luke, is everything alright?”

“Meet me at the park in five minutes. Bye.”

“See you—“ Noah started, but Luke hung up.

“That was really weird,” Noah said flipping his phone shut.

“What’s up with him?”

“I don’t know…but I got to go. He said he needed to talk to me on person, and he sounded kinda freaked.”

“You need a ride?”

“Would you mind?”

“Not at all. Besides, I kind of want to know what happened. Even if Luke isn’t telling me, I can watch your body language. It’ll be like a silent movie!”

“Yeah,” Noah said grabbing his bookbag and opening the door, “Charlie Chaplin eat your heart out!”

Noah and Kate laughed as Kate locked the door behind them, and they headed for Kate’s car. Since she only lived a few miles away, it again only took about 3 minutes to get there. When they arrived, Noah saw Luke sitting on the swings, kicking his feet in the dirt and making circle patterns.

“You stay here,” Noah said to Kate, getting out of the car.

“I know I know,” she said rolling her eyes. Noah knew she would probably stay in the car, but he thought he should say it to get across that he really wanted her to stay.

He walked up to Luke and noticed that there weren’t any kids there. Maybe it was too cold, but it was only fall.

“Hey. You sounded really stressed on the phone.”

“I am,” Luke said getting up and looking at Noah. “You know how I had it planned out to tell them in a few weeks? Well, the schedule got changed, and the thing my sisters are going to is this weekend.”

“So…”

“So! It means that my parents changed their schedule so their going out next weekend.”

“Luke, I don’t understand.”

“Everything’s going wrong,” Luke said, holding his head. “I had it planned, and now it’s moved up two weeks. I…I don’t know…”

“Luke, you were going to tell them in two weeks, what’s the big deal?”
“It’s not part of the plan!”

“Why are you so freaked about the stupid plan?”

“Because,” Luke yelled, then closed his eyes. “I’m sorry,” he said softly, opening his eyes again. “It’s just that…the rest of my life has been so sparatic hectic, I just wanted control over one thing in my life. Especially something as big, and life changing as this.”

“I know,” Noah said, rubbing his hand in Luke’s arm. Noah tried to look at Luke’s eyes, but Luke was looking at the ground, so Noah put his hand on Luke’s chin and lifted it up. “Hey, everything’s going to be fine okay?”

Noah looked into Luke’s eyes that were on the verge of tears, and waited for Luke to say something.

“I thought you said you weren’t good with words,” Luke asked with an attempted smile.

“I’m usually not,” Noah said grinning, still looking in Luke’s eyes.

“Well, you did a pretty good job. I almost believed you.”

“Luke, I’m serious. Everything will be ok. Your parents are 100 times better than my dad, and they love you. And if for some reason they have a hard time with it, I’m right here.”

“That’s…really cheesy. But really sweet. Thank you,” Luke said with a smile.

“See…there’s a smile. Come here,” Noah said, bringing Luke closer for a hug.

Noah felt Luke slide into his arms, and loved the contact with his boyfriend. He loved how Luke fit almost perfectly with him.

After a few moments, they separated.

“Thank you Noah. You’re really a lifesaver.”

“I do what I can.”

“I just…I still don’t know what to do.”

“What if you tell them a few days after we get back from Branson?”
“But then they’ll think—“

“Luke, they’re going to know we’re dating sooner or later.”

“Yeah…ok,” Luke said with a nod. “I’ll tell them when we get back. I will. I promise.”

“You want me to be there?”

“No, I think it’s something I need to do by myself.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah. And I mean, it’s not like I can screw it up more than you did,” Luke said playfully as they walked towards Kate’s car.

“That’s true,” Noah replied laughing. “See there you go, just that more motivation.”
They finished walking up to Kate’s car and Luke turned to Noah.

“You know, despite all this, I’m really looking forward to Branson.”

“Me too.”
“Well, I’ll see you at school.”
“Uh, bye.”
Noah didn’t know what to do. Do they hug, nod their head…what does he do with his hands? They just waved goodbye and Noah got in Kate’s car.
“So…”
“What?”
“Oh, don’t you even play dumb with me! Tell me what happened!”
“Well,” Noah laughed. “Luke’s going to come out sooner than planned, and everything’s actually going to be alright for the time being.”
“That’s it?”
“Yes! Why doesn’t anything impress you?”
“Your gossip isn’t nearly as good as it ought to be, that’s why.”
“Sorry.”
“I’ll let it pass. So, Casey’s place?”
“Actually, my dad’s at work right now, so I want to go to my place and get the rest of my stuff.”
“So, you’re really moving out.”
“Yep.”
“And…you’re okay?”
”Never better.”
“You don’t think everything’s happening too fast,” Kate asked driving along the highway.
“No, I know everything’s moving fast. But, I guess I just needed this because I’ve been looking for it for so long.”
“Care to elaborate?”
“Um, not really.”
“Ok. Turn here?”
“Yeah.”
Noah got out and looked at the apartment complex. The last time he was here, he was more angry and complex than he had ever been.
He did just what he planned to do. Got in, got out, and drove away. He and Kate continued their conversation about Saran Wrap, like nothing ever happened in the last forty minutes. Noah was thankful Kate was so off the wall sometimes.
They drove back to Casey’s and Noah thanked Kate one last time before going in.
As Noah walked in the house, he looked around, but only Margo was home.
“Hi Noah. I was just on my way out. I have some paperwork to finish at the station. Don’t ask me why I need to go in for that, but apparently the new guy can’t handle it.”
“Ok. Um, is it ok if I go to Branson this weekend? I’m paying for it, and I’m going with my friend because she used to live there too.”
“Well…I guess I don’t see why not. When will you be back? I don’t want you to miss school.”
“I’ll be back Sunday afternoon, 5 at the latest.”
“That’s fine. Ok, gotta go. The fridge is full of food, and I think Tom bought some soda the other day.”
“Thanks, for everything.”
“It’s not a problem. Bye!”
“Bye.”
Noah watched as Margo closed to door.
------------------
The next two days went by faster than Noah had ever anticipated and that was fine. He and Luke already had their bags in Kate’s car, and they were leaving as soon as the bell rang.
When it did, it was the three were magnetically drawn to Kate’s car, and they showed up at almost the exact same time.
“Whoa,” Kate said as she looked at Luke and Noah. “This is so totally like in the movies.”
They laughed and climbed in the car. Noah automatically turned on the radio and turned up the volume.
They filled the time by playing the game where you ask a question, then turn the radio on, and the first song to come on answers your question.
Noah went first.
“Will Branson be as good as the last,” he asked with a grin looking at Luke in the backseat.
Now I had the time of my life, and I owe it all to you…

I guess that answers that question!” Luke laughed. “Me next.”
“Are Noah and I a good couple?”
She’s bittersweet, she knocks me off of my feet, and I can’t help myself. I don’t want anyone else.
They all laughed so hard they all had tears in their eyes, and Kate almost swerved off the road, which made them laugh even harder.
Once she regained her composure, Kate asked the next question.
“Will my relationship with Wyatt still be as good as a few weeks ago?”
We’re on the highway to hell

The car got silent, and Noah bit his lip and looked at Luke, whose eyes had gotten extremely wide.
“Um...this is just a stupid game anyway,” Luke said, trying to fill the void.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s just as stupid as the Magic 8 ball. It doesn’t mean anything,” Noah said trying to help.
“Yeah…I guess,” Kate said, suddenly very focused on driving.
They sat in silence for a few more minutes before they started talking again, and Noah was happy it wasn’t as awkward as it could’ve been.
They arrived in Branson, then Noah thought of something.
“Um, Kate? Where are we staying exactly?”
“My aunt’s. She said we could crash there.”
“Oh…ok.”
They arrived at Kate’s aunt’s house and Josh answered the door.
“Hey sis,” he said giving her a hug. “Hey guys, come on in.”
“Thanks,” Noah and Luke said at the same time, causing them to look at each other and grin.
They walked in, and Noah suddenly knew where Kate got her messy, artiness. Paintings and drawing were everywhere along with a piano covered in music sheet paper.
“Aunt Karen’s at and art opening tonight, but she says she can’t wait to see you, and meet you two,” Josh said, offering them some drinks.
“So what are you doing tonight,” Kate asked, plopping down on a bean bag.
“Actually, Gabe’s going to come over and we’re going to watch a movie.”
“Ahuh. ‘Watch’ a movie.”
“Shut up,” Josh said blushing. “Is she like this to you guys too?”
“Oh yeah,” Luke said with a laugh.
“Some things don’t change,” Josh said smiling at Kate.
“Well, Loah and I are going to Rabbit’s Foot tonight.”
“Loah,” Noah asked
“Oh, that’s what I named you two. Every couple needs a name. Like Josh’s is Gosh. Anyway, I better change and get ready. I got to look hot for Wyatt,” Kate said getting up. “Be down soon.”
“Loah,” Luke asked with a huge laugh.
“I guess,” Noah, said laughing too.
Noah, Luke and Josh sat and talked about a few things, and Josh explained Rabbit’s Foot was a club Kate used to sing at and was a regular.
Kate merged from the stairs and did a ta-da pose. She was wearing a long black shirt and her bright red lipstick again. Noah figured it was her trademark.
“So?”
“If Noah wasn’t here, and I like girls, I’d date you,” Luke said with a smile.
“Thank you!”
“No problem.”
“Ok, let’s go!”
They headed out the door, and shortly arrived at the club.
Because Kate had connections, they got in with no questions asked, although they were stamped so they couldn’t drink.
Noah grabbed Luke’s hand as they followed Kate in the crowd. One reason being he didn’t want to lose Luke to the mob, the other being he simply wanted to hold Luke’s hand.
Kate spotted Wyatt and started walking up to him with a smile, but stopped suddenly, causing Noah to almost trip and fall.
“What did you—“ Noah started to say, but then looked where Kate had her eyes fixed. He didn’t know what Wyatt looked like, but from Kate’s expression on her face, he was the guy on the couch making out with another girl.
“Wyatt!”
“Wh---Katiekins!”
“What the hell are you doing?!”
“Well, you moved.”
“I was gone for a week and a half!”
“You still left.”
“I can’t believe you!”
“Baby, baby, baby,” Wyatt said getting up. Noah knew he was obviously drunk, and probably high. “I missed you.”
“Apparently not.”
“Can we t-talk,” he said putting his arms on Kate’s hips.
“No! get off me!”
“But babe—“
“Hey,” Noah yelled over the music. “She said get off!”
“Who’s this?”
“This is Noah,” Kate said folding her arms, still taking in what she had just seen.
“Is he your…your boyfriend,” Wyatt said lazily.
“Maybe,” Noah said stepping closer to Kate. Really, he just wanted to make sure she wouldn’t fall because she looked like she was ready to pass out. He looked back at Luke who nodded in approval. Noah knew he would understand.
“What’s he got that I don’t?”
“A heart,” Kate said bitterly.
“God, I always knew you were a bitch!”
It took everything Noah had to keep his cool and not punch this guy.
“I bet he’s not half as good at anything I am,” Wyatt said, walking towards Noah, making his chest bigger.
“Really,” Noah said.
“Yeah, really. Prove me wrong! That’s right, you can’t!”
Noah looked back at Luke again, and Luke nodded again, as if reading Noah’s thoughts.
“Yes, I can,” Noah said, cupping Kate’s face and kissing her on the lips. Nothing like he does when he kisses Luke, but he made it look convincing.
“C’mon. let’s go,” Noah said, looking at a dumbfounded Wyatt.
They walked out of the club, and Noah grabbed Luke’s hand, and looked over at Kate.
He waited for any kind of response, and she finally broke her trance, and looked up at Noah.
“You’re a good kisser,”
Noah sighed relief and looked over at Luke and smiled.