The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 3

Xaden's POV.

I don't stop smiling for the next few days. Things are going great with Noelle; she even agrees to another date after school on Wednesday.

Instead of dropping her home school, I take her back to my house. My parents have taken Malika and Talon swimming, meaning it will only be my sixteen—year—old sister in the house.

'Malika probably has her mate over, so they'll stay in her room the whole time,' I tell Noelle as I let her into the house.

As expected, all you can hear is giggling as we pass Malika's room. I lead Noelle to my bedroom and suddenly feel self—conscious.

I'm glad I tidied a bit this weekend, the room is usually a dump. I grab a couple of t—shirts off the floor and throw them in the laundry basket. Noelle slowly walks around the room, looking at my photos and trophies.

I sit down on my bed and turn on the TV, flicking through channels until I find something to leave on in the background.

Noelle comes over and hesitates, obviously reluctant to sit on the bed with me.

'How many girls have you uh…slept with in this bed Is it safe to sit down' She says only half—joking.

I wince and my heart fills with regret again. I wish I could go back in time and tell old me what an asshole he was being.

'When I told my mum about you, she went out and brought new sheets. She said she understood how you'd feel and that you'd probably be more comfortable staying over in 'untainted' bed sheets,' I explain to her.

She smiles and sits down next to me. 'I think I'm gonna like your mum.'

'I'm sorry, Noelle,' I apologize quietly as I crack my knuckles.

She sighs heavily and lays down on the bed.

'I know you are, and you are making up for it, so thank you.' She gives me a brief smile and then changes the subject. 'Where do you want to eat tonight'

'Axel and Grace are always raving about this food van in the park, but it's gonna be cold later and it's not very romantic.'

Noelle shrugs. 'I don't mind. What kind of food is there'

'They say that the burritos are the best,' I reply, and Noelle looks interested.

'I like burritos.'

'Okay, so we'll go to the burrito van,' I tell her with a laugh. 'What else Should we get milkshakes'

She nods eagerly. 'Sounds good to me. Are there any movies on at the cinema'

We have a look on my phone and choose a couple that looks good. After checking the screening times, we pick one at just before seven.

We hang out in my room for a bit, watching TV and talking. I offer for us to leave before my family gets back, but Noelle shyly declines, saying that she would like to meet my parents.

They get home at about half five. The noise generated by my two youngest siblings alerts us of the fact they're home.

Noelle follows me downstairs, looking nervous. I take her hand and she gives me a grateful smile.

'Mum, Dad, I'd like you to meet my mate,' I tell them as we enter the kitchen. 'This is Noelle.'

Malika and Talon look up from where they're sat eating their snacks at the kitchen table. Dad is in the kitchen prepping dinner, whilst Mum is faffing about with their school bags and swim kit.

'Noelle, honey! It's so nice to meet you,' my Mum gushes.

She pulls Noelle into a hug, who promptly hugs her back.

'This is my mate, Rixon,' Mum introduces Dad to Noelle.

He gives Noelle and brief hug and then introduces my siblings, Talon and Malika.