Behind Tulip a high pitch voice too familiar to be someone they can call just another person from town, is heard.
It's Piper. The tingling sensation is still felt, and Tulip's mind that's overstimulated attempts to gather itself, ends up slumping down Lincoln face to the crevice of his shoulders.
A hand cradles her head and Lincoln arm continue to hold her, compressing her in a protective manner.
Inhaling and exhaling, only when his lungs that feel energized enough does Lincoln speak, a clear voice that facade his precise condition, conveyed.
"Piper."
"I knew it was you. Doing that outside so late at night, I didn't know you were the type."
Piper said in a teasing tone, if Tulip could see her right now, she's definitely raising her eyebrows up and down like how she would. Lincoln made a disapproving sound, sensitive, the vibrations has Tulip shudder and twitch in his embrace. Noticing the brief reaction, Lincoln arm that wrap around her positions itself on her back caressing her soothingly.
The gesture is intimate and Piper watching them squeaks, her definition of a scream. In a pointless whisper that's more of an undercover shout, Piper in an overly expressive voice expresses her surprise.
"You have a girlfriend?! Is that your girlfriend? It is right? Since when!!"
The sentence that could've ended with a question drag on, each word slurred showing how she is visibly processing the situation.
"Is this your guys secret hide out? It's close to Noah's house. Does he know? Oh don't tell me he doesn't know…"
As if it's her business, Piper questions pile not giving Lincoln time to answer. Finally, the question of Noah quiet her down.
Lincoln given time to speak, puffed his chest Inhaling and deflated when exhaling. His hand that carresed Tulip found it's way around Tulip like it was before.
"She's nobody you know, don't make her uncomfortable."
Piper only then takes notice of her quiet state and huddled form.
"Oh, sorry. I was being too much."
Apologising, then laughs and takes out a handful of lollies out the pockets of her dress.
"Here, it'll have the kisses taste good. Try it."
Inspecting the lollies then taking them, Lincoln gives her a odd look and questions.
"What are you doing walking with handfuls of lollies here at night?"
Tulip who has been listening in while cradled in Lincoln's arms, had her ears perk up also curious as to why. Looking down, she saw the lollies that Piper had given them.
"Don't ask, Thank you."
Piper responds sharply, it sounds like one of her usual sassy replies but Tulip who sees the lollies Piper is carrying furrows her eyebrows now aware of her reason for being here.
A mix of lemon and grape lollies, the hard ones that Noah loves.
Tulip hand that's against Lincoln's chest close slightly, wanting to bundle his shirt up in a fist.
Of course, just like she and Lincoln had been doing, that is probably what Piper and Noah will be doing to. Tulip had seen it after all, the reason of being unable to pick her up this Friday.
If they could do it after school after lying to Tulip the whole of this year, it's not unthinkable that Noah would do that with Piper under the roof she and his Mum would be sleeping too.
He had sneaked out with her without hesitation multiple times, of course, he'd do that with Piper too who he likes, some other type of way.
"Tulip?"
Lincoln calls out to her, tapping her back to gain her attention. Tulip looks at him, then notice that he said her name and looks around conscious that Piper would be there.
"She left, don't worry."
Fortunately, Piper had left while Tulip was in thought. Tulip slumps down against Lincoln again, and he gladly holds her. Nuzzling himself into Tulip unbothered by the lack of air, as if she was air to him. Unbeknownst to him, Tulip was thinking of another.
"I don't know."
"I don't too."
In the back of the class sits Noah and Lincoln. The lesson some science topic that both Noah and Lincoln has no idea about. They've been stuck on what their classmates told them is the opening of the problem.
Space and science, the two go together, or at least that's what the adults is telling them. In order to even think of applying to SE;TA, excellent grades in science is a must.
For the two boys, their grades aren't horrible, but not excellent. The upcoming test that's worth half of a half of their grades though, will change that completely. So far with how they are dealing with the equations, they both see the nearby future.
"We won't be passing, Lincoln."
"Thanks for the reminder."
The hopeless boys are doing anything but the problem in front of them. Lincoln has a novel open and Noah conversing with their classmates behind them. Lincoln knows how crucial this subject is for his report, so he feels irritated that Noah is so negligent about it when a few days ago he talked as if he understood so too.
The thought might seem ironic when he has a novel open, but Lincoln did so as a way to not lash out at Noah.
Closing the book and putting it back in his bag, Lincoln sighed, his annoyance visible.
"What's up?"
Noah turns around hearing his loud sigh, their classmates behind them silent and look at each other knowingly.
Lincoln is known for having a temper, although placid externally, he made people uncomfortable when he makes it obvious he's bothered and upset.
"Do you really want to apply to SE;TA with me?"
Genuinely curious, Lincoln asks visibly confused of Noah standing in this plan of theirs. As usual, Noah unaware that he is s feeling this way although he made it obvious at every science and other classes when Noah would disregard doing their work let alone exhibit above-average effort.
"What's with that? I told you, I want to be wherever you are man."
Noah laughs, attempting to ease Lincoln spirit that now Noah sees is hitting solid ground. Placing his hand on Lincoln shoulder with a thump, patting it as if to reassure him.