Title: "What If" in High School Chapter: Chapter 3 Rating: PG Summary: Noah is invited to a party. Characters: Noah, Luke, Casey, Kevin Genre: AU, Homor Warnings: None Disclaimer: This site is no way associated with "As the World Turns", CBS, P&G, or Van Hansis and Jake Silbermann. This is not for profit. No copyright infringement is intended. Authors submit and write their own work.

Noah headed out to his truck after the last bell of the day rang. He was driving back to his apartment, reflecting on the day’s events. He decided it was definitely a good one. After all, there are only so many good days people have in a lifetime, and Noah didn’t have that many.

When Noah got in the apartment, he grabbed a snack from the kitchen and headed for his room. He put his book bag down and sat at his computer desk. He didn’t have any homework and didn’t know what to do with himself. Then he realized that his dad wasn’t home when he walked in the door, so he headed back into the kitchen to see if he left a note. Sure enough, there was one.

Noah,
Col. Truman called and said he needed my assistance. I will be gone this week and will call tonight. Don’t forget your chores and I trust you remember where the money is.
Take care,
Winston

Noah stared at the last two lines. ‘Take Care, Winston.” Not, “I love you, Dad.”

Noah sighed and headed back into his room. It was only four o’clock and he was already bored out of his mind. Maybe he should call Luke and see if the offer still stands to go to Al’s. But he doesn’t have his number. Then, Noah remembered they were showing “To Kill A Mockingbird” on AMC and went into the living room and turned on the T.V.

“Some life,” Noah said out loud.

He watched the movie, but it was still very early. He got out his laptop and checked his email, and AIM. No emails, but his friend Gabe was on. Noah met Gabe in Branson and he was one of the few friends Noah made while moving around, so he decided to IM him.

n_mayer: hey

bransonboi: Noah! How’s…wherever you are? Lol!

n_mayer: Good. I actually made friends.

bransonboi: GET OUT!! My Noah Mayer made friends?!

n_mayer: Ha-ha. I am capable. I just usually don’t.

bransonboi: Well, I’ve got to go. I’ve got to meet Josh. Tell me more about your friends l8r!

n_mayer: Ok, who’s Josh?

bransonboi: He’s a guy I’m dating.

Noah looked at the screen and paused for a moment.

n_mayer: Oh.

bransonboi: Things have changed a lot here since you left Noah. People don’t bother me anymore and I’m actually happy. Thanks for being there though. It was good having a friend through all that.

n_mayer: You’re welcome.

bransonboi: Alright, I gotta go for realz this time! Details l8r!

n_mayer: Ok.

Noah watched as Gabe signed off. He wondered if things have really changed since he left.

-------

The rest of Noah’s week went by faster than ever. He enjoyed his classes, teachers, and his new friends. The fact that Noah even had more than one friend at a school was something new and kind of weird.

It was Friday and the last block of the day. Noah didn’t know why he was so excited to leave, it’s not like he had anything to do or anyone to come home to. He almost wanted the school day to last longer, but was tired of staring at the backwards clock in his English class. The clock always threw him for a loop. He couldn’t help but wonder if kids with dyslexia would like it, or hate it.

The bell rang a few minutes later and Noah headed to his locker.

“Hey Noah!”

Noah turned around and saw Luke and Casey. Kevin was over talking to a girl named Liv, his girlfriend.

“Hey guys what’s up?” Noah was trying to be more outgoing and talkative because he didn’t want them to think he never talked. He was afraid he’d lose them if he did.

“Not much. Hey, tonight there’s gonna be this party at Liv’s place. Her parents are outta town and her house is humongous,” Casey said, emphasizing the size of the house by spreading his arms apart.

“Sounds like fun. Have a good time,” Noah said.

“Noah, we want you come,” Luke said with a laugh.

“Oh,” Noah said looking down again, almost positive his face flushed a little.

“Yeah man, it’s gonna be awesome! Starts at nine, so be there at tenish.”

“Booze will be provided,” said Luke. “You need a ride?”

“I should be fine. I’ve got my truck.”

“Alright,” Luke said while giving Noah a piece of paper. “My number’s on there by the directions in case you get lost.”

Noah looked at Luke’s handwriting. Not sloppy, but not fancy; it was legible.

“Uh, cool. Thanks. See you guys later.”

“Alright catch you later man!”

“Bye.”

Noah’s drive home was a very pleasant one. He was pumped to go to his first actual high school party with his first group of friends. Thinking about this and just taking in all the scenery…Noah was in love with this town.

Noah didn’t have anything to do for a few hours a decided to kill time on the internet. He really liked watching funny videos on this one website, or catching up with shows he misses during the day on message boards.

He went over to his buddy list again and noticed Gabe was on.

n_mayer: I’m going to a party. So ha.

bransonboi: No way! Seriously?!

n_mayer: Yes! What is so shocking about me being social?

bransonboi: Umm…maybe because you’re not! Lol.

n_mayer: Very funny.

bransonboi: So…how’s life? Interested in any people over there?

n_mayer: um

bransonboi: Um is not an answer.

n_mayer: It’s complicated.

bransonboi: I’ve got time. I’m going to a party tonight too, but not for a while.

n_mayer: I don’t want to talk about it. So things are good?

bransonboi: Noah, you know changing the subject isn’t going to work on me.

n_mayer: I said that I don’t want to talk about it.

Bransonboi: Ok! Chill.

n_mayer: Sorry.

Bransonboi: It’s ok. But you know you can talk to me. I have no room to judge anyone. What are on here for anyway?! I thought you had friends.

n_mayer: I do.

bransonboi: Then go be a good teenager and hang out with them! Bye, Noah!

Gabe signed off before Noah could respond. He didn’t know what to do so he sat on his bed. His eye lids became heavy, and he ended up falling asleep.

He woke up hours later, at about 9:45.

“Crap! I’m gonna be late!”

Noah took a quick glance in the mirror and fixed his hair while grabbing his keys and heading out the door.

He followed Luke’s direction’s word for word and had his number programmed in his phone just in case.

He pulled up to the house and could already tell it had been in full swing for a while now. Noah could even feel the vibrations of the music as he approached the front door. He couldn’t decide whether to knock or just walk in. His father in him told him to knock, but the teenager said to just walk in.

He followed his teen instincts and walked into what he thought was the set for a scene in an 80’s movie he’s seen.
Girls dressed in way less clothing than they do at school dancing with boys who all had red cups in hand. Noah walked around the room before spotting Luke who was standing over in a corner, also drinking from a red cup.

“H-hey Luke.”

Luke was staring at the living room which served as the dance floor. He seemed to be almost glaring. Then he broke his trance and looked up at Noah.

“Oh, Hey! Sorry, I was zoned out there for a minute there. Do you want a drink? I think I’m going to get another drink. Be right back.”

“Um ok.”

“Noah! There you are dude! We thought you bailed on us!” Noah didn’t even have to turn around to know it was Casey, but he did anyway to be polite.

“Yeah, sorry. This place is pretty far out in the country.”

“Which makes it even better, no neighbors to complain about the noise!”

Noah realized Maddie was with Casey so he waved and smiled at her and she returned the gesture.

A girl walked up to Noah and was swiveling her hips to the music as she approached him. “Hey cutie! Do you go to our school now?”

“Uh, yeah. We have Calculus together right?”

“What?!” she said over the music.

Noah shook his head. “Never mind!”

“Hey, you wanna dance?”

“What?!”

“Dance! C’mon!”

“Oh, I’m not a very good”—Noah tried to say, but the girl grabbed his wrist and led him to the middle of the dance floor. She put her arm around Noah’s neck and started dancing around him. He tried to move back and forth a little, but was obviously out of his comfort zone.

After a few songs, Noah told her he needed a break but she wanted to keep dancing so Noah found another boy for her to dance with while he went to get drink.

As Noah grabbed a water out of a cooler on the deck, he noticed Luke sitting on a lawn chair, staring out at the beautiful sky.

“Some party huh?” Noah said as he sat down on a lawn chair next to Luke.

“What? Oh, yeah. It’s ok. You having fun?”

“Kind of. I don’t really know anyone so I kind of ran out of people to talk to.”

“You wanna get out of here? I know a place where we can hang out.”

“Uh…o-ok.” Noah was caught off-guard and was stammering.

“Cool,” Luke said getting up. “I’m gonna grab a few beers for the road. You’re good to drive right?”

“Yeah, I’ve been drinking water all night,” Noah said with a laugh. “I’m pretty sure I’m the only one that has been drinking water.”

Luke smiled and started walking towards the house, Noah close behind.

Luke walked up to Liv and Kevin while Liv was grinding into Kevin and told them he was leaving.

“What?! The party’s just getting started! Plus, you’re drunk. You’re dad would kill me if you got hurt!”

Luke put his hand on Noah’s shoulder and said “Noah’s driving. “

After seeming to care for about half a second, Kevin shook his head in approval and went back to dancing.

Noah walked in front of Luke as they went to Noah’s car, but glancing back to make sure Luke was still vertical, and not lying on the ground puking.

As Luke climbed into Noah’s truck, Noah stood behind him making sure he wouldn’t fall.

“So,” Noah said, climbing into his side of the truck, “where are we going?”

“My grandma’s guest house. It’s about twenty minutes south of here. She never goes there.”

Noah started the engine and pulled the gear to back out. He looked over at Luke’s drunken state. “Ok. Sounds good to me.”