#I only caught glances of Noah 🥲

[lilhobgobbler]

“Ugh look at all these phones in the crowd. Why can’t they just put them away and live in the moment???”

Short people in the crowd who have to use their phones to see the band in front because they can’t see beyond all those tall people:

[tikosblogg]

FREE FALL// pt 4.

Summary: Roxanne lived her life in foster care, after her parent’s lives were ripped away. Leaving her alone. She’s lost all hope, her will to live…until she meets him.

Warnings: talks of suicide. Depression, anxiety, abuse, mention of death. Please do not read if that triggers you. Smut (eventually) angst.

A/N: I apologize for taking so long, and being MIA. I’ve just had so much going on 🥲 I’m trying to slow everything down so I can just BREATHE. I also have a child. 🧍‍♀️ anywho hope you guys enjoy this kind of short chapter! I love you all, and thank you for your support❤️

Roxanne’s pov

A groan tore from my throat, a sound of raw, aching protest. My body, a patchwork of bruises and throbbing muscles, felt like it had been run over by a truck. The metallic tang of blood still lingered in my mouth, a familiar taste that had become my morning routine.

Sunlight filtered through the dusty window, illuminating the cold, metal cuff that bound my wrist to the radiator on the wall. It was a tight, unforgiving grip, a physical manifestation of Jamie's fury.

ever since I was caught sneaking out, a dark metamorphosis had taken place. Jamie’s words were even more bitter, her usual hateful looks became sneers,The cuff was only the latest addition to Jamie's repertoire.

I shifted, a jolt of pain shooting through my arm. I was trapped, a prisoner in my own room, bound by a metal chain and the weight of fear. But fear wasn't the only emotion burning within me. Anger, a seething, all-consuming rage, was building, threatening to consume me like a wildfire.

I glanced at the door, picturing Jamie's face, twisted with a mix of anger and righteous indignation, as she made her rounds. The thought of Jamie's voice, laced with venom, fueled the embers of my anger. Today is my seventeenth birthday. I’m supposed to be meeting Noah tonight, but I can’t if I’m literally cuffed to my bed.

The slam of the door echoed in my small room, the sound followed by Jamie’s heavy footsteps. Her shadow fell across my bed, the disgust radiating off her like heat. I knew what was coming before she even spoke.

'Get up! You think this is a holiday?!' She snarled, unlocking, and yanking the cuff off my wrist, the metal biting into my skin with an unpleasant scrape. 'Don't just sit there, Get to work. I want this place clean.' she continued, her voice dripping with venom.

The hours that followed were a blur of scrubbing, dusting, and endless chores. I worked till my hands ached and my back screamed in protest, all the while Jamie, fueled by an endless supply of alcohol to “celebrate” MY birthday, kept barking orders.

By evening, the house was spotless, and Jamie, her face flushed and her speech slurred, had passed out face down on the couch. I was exhausted, my muscles screaming for rest. The cuff, forgotten in the chaos of the day, lay discarded on my bedroom floor.

This was my chance. I want to salvage what few hours of my birthday that’s left, spending it with Noah. My heart hammered as I snuck into my room, my eyes scanning for Jamie’s blurry silhouette. She was out cold, snoring softly.

It took all my strength to pry the window open, the rusty hinges protesting with a grating screech. I climbed out, the cool night air a welcome relief against my sweaty skin. The sidewalk stretched before me, a dark, beckoning expanse promising a great night ahead.

I ran toward mercy hospital, the sound of my own ragged breaths echoing in the quiet street. My mind was a whirlwind of emotions: fear, excitement, hope. I was running until I made it to the familiar old building.

As I reached the top of the stairs, I shoved the door open. The silhouette of Noah materialized in the moonlight. He greeted me with a smile, his eyes filled with an understanding that warmed me from the inside. He had his usual black hoodie, and sweats on.

“You made it,” he said softly, his words a balm to my weary soul.

We stood there for a moment, the weight of the world slipping away, replaced by something lighter, something more hopeful. I’m so happy I met Noah when I did. I don’t know what I would do without him. My meeting him has to be a sign that I was supposed to be here. That my life has a reason. I knew this was just the beginning, that our journey was just starting. But for now, in the quiet embrace of the night, I felt free, and for the first time in a long time, I felt safe.

he took a step closer, his hood casting a shadow over his face. Anticipation mingled with trepidation as he slowly lowered it, revealing his features. My breath caught in my throat. His long, flowing hair, once a bohemian cascade, was gone. In its place lay a clean, short cut that framed his handsome face and deep brown eyes. The transformation was striking, as if he had shed the youthful exuberance of the past to embrace a more mature, enigmatic persona.

'You like it?' he asked, his voice soft and slightly amused. I couldn't speak. Words failed me. He looked...amazing. The new haircut accentuated his features, giving him an air of both vulnerability and strength. 'I thought you'd be disappointed,' he said, a hint of self-consciousness lacing his tone. 'I know you always liked my long hair.' I shook my head vehemently, finding my voice at last. 'No, Noah. You look...you look incredible.'

A small smile played around his lips. 'Thanks, Roxy.' For a moment, we stood in silence, the wind whistling around us and the hospital crumbling beneath our feet. The past and the present intertwined in this unexpected reunion, creating a tapestry of unspoken emotions. And as I stood there, gazing into Noah's transformed appearance, I couldn't help but feel a stirring within me. It was a feeling of something new, something exhilarating.

Me and Noah sat down on the edge of the roof as usual. It will always be our spot. A place we could go to escape the world and just be ourselves. 'How are you feeling?' he asked. His eyes focused in front of us.

'I'm doing a bit better,' I said.

He listened as I told him about some better things that had been going on recently. I decided not to tell him EVERYTHING. He was always such a good listener. He never interrupted and he always seemed to understand exactly what I was feeling.

'That's good Roxy,' he smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. We sat there in silence for a few minutes, just enjoying the peace and quiet. Then, Noah spoke up. 'I have some news,' he sighed. My heart started to race. I could tell that it was something big.

'My and the guys got signed to a record label,' he said. I gasped. 'That's amazing! 'I'm so happy for you!' I pulled him into a hug. I was so excited for him. His dreams of being a musician were coming true. But then, his expression changed. He looked sad. 'What's wrong?' I asked, now feeling nervous.

'I'm going to have to move to LA,' he said. My heart sank to my ass. 'Oh.' Was all I could reply with. 'The record label is based there,' his eyes never met mine. 'I have to go if I want to pursue my music career.'

A surge of selfishness flooded me, my mouth opening before I could stop it. 'But what about me?' my eyes glossed over. I tried so hard to keep from crying. Noah deserves this. Who am I to stop him? 'Roxy I will come back for you.” his eyes finally met mine. ‘I don't want to leave you, but I can't pass up this opportunity. I mean me and Keaton worked so hard for something like this. He would want me to do this.”

I fought back tears. I didn't want him to go. He was my best friend. The only person I could always count on. The only person I had.

I nodded my head, letting a few tears slip. 'I'm happy for you Noah,' I said. 'But it's going to be really hard without you.‘ I croaked. He pulled me into another hug. 'I know,' he said. 'It's going to be hard for me too Roxy. But we'll make it work. I’ll come back.'

I nodded, but I didn't know if I believed him. How could we make it work when he was going to be so far away and I was stuck here. He’s gonna be so busy, and we have no way to even communicate. I’ll just be a distant memory. I would be a horrible person to try and stop him. So that’s why I didn’t.

We sat there in silence for a while. The sun was starting to set, casting a warm glow over the abandoned building. 'We should probably go,' Noah said finally. I nodded and we stood up, making our way back down. After another long hug, we went our separate ways.

As I walked home, I thought about everything that had just happened. I was happy for Noah, but I was also sad to see him go. I knew that after he leaves I’ll never see him again.