+chapter.sixteen+

“Not to long, Ike. Noelle needs her rest,” Diana replied.

“Alright, Mom,” he said and kissed her on the cheek before she left.

Once everyone was gone, Isaac walked slowly to Noelle’s room. When he entered, she was asleep. “Noelle, you look so angelic when you sleep,” he spoke softly.

Noelle’s face put a small smile on.

Ike grinned slightly to himself. Seeing Noelle’s hair was beginning to get in her face, he gently put his hand up and brushed it away.

He then brought his face near hers, coming in for a kiss. Almost like in “Snow White”, she awoke.

Smiling, she spoke, “Hey.”

“Hey,” Ike replied, returning the smile. “How you feeling?”

“Really good,” Noelle responded.

“That’s great,” Ike smiled, hugging her.

“Ike, thanks again. I don’t know how I could have felt this way so soon without you.”

“Noey, I still don’t get what you’re saying. I took the pain for you? I just don’t get it.”

“It’s like a spiritual thing, I think. Like, you know how when you hope and wish for something real hard and you do something to help that thing come true, it usually does?”

“Yes,” Isaac said, understanding her a bit.

“Well, you really hoped I would get better. You wanted that so badly that you took some of my pain to help me get better,” Noelle explained. “Understand?”

“Yea. I think,” Ike replied. “Just one more question. How did you know about this?”

“I dunno. It sorta just…came to me,” Noelle spoke.

“It just came to you?”

“Yea. Like, when they took me to the OR again, I…never mind, it’s stupid,” Noelle said.

“No, no, no. Nothing you ever say is stupid. What happened?”

Noelle sighed slightly. “I felt your presence. Like, you weren’t there physically, but I felt you there.” Noelle took a deep breath. “To tell you the truth, Ike, I was scared. Really scared. I just want to go home.”

Isaac stepped up to the bed and hugged Noelle. “I know, I know.”

“Ike, do me a favor, please. Stay and hold me until I fall asleep? Please?” Noelle asked, scooting over, making room for him on the bed.

“Sure, Noe. Anything,” he smiled gently and got next to her on the bed. She cuddled in his arms, hoping they would keep her safe. Isaac rested his head on hers and smiled to himself.

Before long, Noelle’s breathing evened out. Her body went lip in Ike’s arms. He got up and kissed Noelle on the forehead. “I love you, Noelle Adams.” With that, he left the room.

Sighing, knowing he would be able to sleep tonight, Isaac exited the hospital. ‘If she needs me, she’ll call for me…I have a feeling that’s she’s fine now,’ Ike thought, getting into his car. Still having a slight headache from the horrible migraine, he started the car and turned on the radio. The boys’ latest single, “Where’s the Love” started to play. “It’s back in that hospital. I think I’ve finally found the love,” he spoke to himself. ‘I wonder how long she has to stay there. I hope we don’t miss her coming home…I wanted her to come with us, but it doesn’t look like she’s going to be going anywhere.’ Isaac sighed as he pulled up in front of his house. The usual scattered fans were walking past the house. ‘I swear, if they even think of coming up to me…’ he thought.

“Um, excuse me, can I, um, have your autograph?” a girl asked from behind.

Ike turned around, about to tell this one off. He suddenly lost all words. She looked so much like Noelle. He couldn’t say those things he had planned on. “Sure,” he sighed. “What’s your name?”

“Holly,” the girl answered. “I’m sorry, did I catch you at a bad time?”

“In a way. A close friend is sick,” Ike replied as he scribbled his autograph.

“Are they…”

“No! No where near that! Thankfully.”

“Oh, I’m glad to hear. Send them my best. Same to you,” the girl said politely.

“Thank you. Bye.”

“Bye.”

And Isaac walked into his house. “I’m home,” he called.

“Hey, Ike,” Zac greeted.

“Hey, where is everybody?”

“Mom and Dad took Jess, Avie, and Mac to the park. Tay went with Kevin to the pool.”

“Ohhh!” Isaac replied. “Home alone then?”

“Well, duuuh! Of course!” he smiled. “Playing video games, piggin out on chips, and guzzling down Dr. Pepper. It’s the life.”

Isaac smiled a bit. “I bet.”

“Hey, what’s the matter?” Zac asked, his expression suddenly serious and concerned.

“Nothing. Really,” replied a spacey Isaac.

“Nooo, something’s wrong,” Zachary persisted.

“I’ve got Noelle on my mind,” Ike replied quietly.

“Ohh, I’m sorry. But she was doing better after that little…episode she had.”

“Yea. I’m glad about that. Really, really relieved.”

“Man, you really dig this chick, huh?” Zac asked.

“You could say that.”

“Well, to get your mind off the depressing stuff, I am going to beat your butt at a numerous amount of Play Station games.”

“Zac, you can’t beat me,” Ike replied.

“Prove it.”

Ike sighed. “Fine.”

Ike and Zac headed to the basement. Zac got three various one on one combat games. They got comfortable on the carpet and started the games up.