The following story is about my previous story "COMING TO TERMS", but told from Noah's point of view. I've had quite a few personal messages asking me to do this, so I thought I'd give it a shot. I really hope you enjoy the added details to the, in my opinion, already great story. Feel free to leave any questions, comments, or concerns you may have, as they are always greatly appreciated.

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Noah Larson had been on the fence about going to his 10 year High School reunion since he got the invitation two months ago. He had hated those years, save for a few pleasantries, but he ultimately decided to go, since he wanted to see how everyone else was doing, and kind of hoped a few weren't doing too well.

Noah pulled his new sports car, which he had just gotten washed right before showing up, into one of the parking spots of Woodbridge High School. He wasn't a flashy person normally, but he wanted to make a point to some of the assholes who had picked on him, that he was doing quite well for himself.

He checked his reflection in the mirror to make sure he looked his best before he got out of the car. His short, sandy brown hair was trimmed to perfection, as was his matching beard. He adjusted his thick, black glasses so they sat evenly, framing his rich green eyes. He adjusted the sports jacket over his thin, athletic, 5'7 frame before assembling his wheelchair and transferring into it.

He propelled himself across the parking lot, and noticed the few stares he received from former classmates, as well as their significant others. First he thought it was because of the wheelchair, something he had grown quite used to since his accident, but was surprised to see he was wrong. Their looks were different, impressed, jealous perhaps. Inside, nerdy Noah cheered happily as new, successful Dr. Noah Larson entered the campus.

Noah signed in and received his nametag before entering the gymnasium. It was simply decorated, with banners of the school colors were casually strung about. He had hated the gymnasium ever since freshman year when a couple jocks pushed him out of his chair and left him in the middle of the floor.

"Wow Noah, you look great." A few people he didn't really like told him.

Noah made casual small talk with some of his former classmates, and was surprised how well everyone was doing. Almost all of them had a nice job, a wedding ring, or kids, or all of the above. Despite Noah's fancy job, one thing he had been missing for awhile now was a boyfriend.

Noah was considering leaving, since he wasn't having that much fun, when he noticed HIM. Oliver Lovelace, Noah's ex best friend, and felt internally conflicted. Part of him wanted to hide in shame and avoid him all night, while the other part wanted to catch up, and maybe bury the hatchet. Noah decided to bite the bullet when they made eye contact, although he thought it looked like Oliver was conflicted as well.

"Oliver Lovelace, it's been awhile." Noah told him, unable to think of anything else to say.

Noah remembered when he first met Oliver in the first grade, when Noah saved him from a bully. He thought it was ironic, since after that, Oliver had been the one saving Noah from bullies. Still, Noah was glad to have Oliver in his life, since the two became instant best friends.

Oliver had been one of the few people who didn't pick on or ignore Noah in high school, after his accident, and was always grateful for him. Noah was a little envious of Oliver sometimes though, since he was the prom king, quarter back, and just beloved by all. Noah on the other hand, depended on academics to get him into college, which was very difficult to do.

The thing though, that ruined their friendship, was Noah, and how he put too much pressure on Oliver. Noah confessed his love, something he had been hiding for years, hoping Oliver would feel the same way. Much to Noah's disappointment though, Oliver didn't feel what Noah felt, and cut Noah out of his life, which he never blamed Oliver for.

"Hey man, what's it been, 10 years?" Oliver joked as he reached down and gave Noah a hug. Noah knew it wasn't a fully invested hug, but the small sentiment behind it was well received.

"Yeah, 10 years seems about right, this being our 10 year reunion." Noah casually joked back, wanting to keep the mood light and friendly. "So fill me in on what you've been up to lately."

Noah was surprised when Oliver lead them to the bar instead of answering his question, but followed him nonetheless. Noah lustfully looked at the beer Oliver had ordered, but Noah ordered a water, then followed Oliver to a secluded table in the back.

"What's with the water man, you pregnant?" Oliver asked Noah while sipping the beer.

"No, but not from a lack of trying." Noah winked, then immediately grew to regret doing so, since he and Oliver were on shaky ground. Noah calmed himself and regained some composure. "No, I just don't drink."

Noah felt a weird sense from Oliver, and wondered if his earlier sexual remark had made him uncomfortable. He hoped Oliver didn't think Noah wasn't trying to hit on him again, because he wasn't. He still had feelings for Oliver, but he knew he could control them better, and hoped they could be friends.

"So, how's life been going man?" Noah asked Oliver, hoping to change the subject.

Oliver told Noah how he had graduated from UCLA, which Noah thought was impressive, since Oliver's school work was less than average. Ironically, Oliver had gotten a teaching degree, but Noah decided to reserve judgement, since he wasn't sure Oliver was teaching material. He had always pictured Oliver coaching football, so he thought it was somewhat better when Oliver mentioned he was a PE teacher.

"What about you, what have you been up to?" Oliver asked him.

"Well, I actually managed to work through college and Med School, and I am now a psychiatrist. I actually just opened up a small clinic nearby with a few former Med School friends of mine." Noah explained, but noticed the weird look Oliver had, and wondered what he was thinking about. "So teaching must be pretty hard, I know I definitely couldn't do it."

Noah gave Oliver a confused look as he spaced out. Noah was wondering if Oliver was quickly growing bored with their conversation, or if he was just uncomfortable around Noah still.

"Is it hard?" Noah asked, which snapped Oliver back into reality, his face was red from embarrassment. "Are you daydreaming Oliver? I was asking if teaching is hard."

"It was at first, but after awhile you get used to it, like working out." Oliver explained to Noah as he weirdly fidgeted in his seat, which threw Noah off, especially when he asked "Are you seeing anyone?"

Noah felt a little uncomfortable talking about his ex, who had become a stalker after Noah broke up with him. He had to get a restraining order to finally get Jake to stop following him around. Noah had always had bad luck with the guys he dated, for some unknown reason.

"I was, up until a couple months ago, but he got too clingy." Noah said, not technically lying, just altering the degree of clinginess Jake had. He didn't know why he kept talking, but Noah found himself adding. "Sure I want to settle down one day, but there was no spark between us. I want passion for a change."

Noah watched Oliver awkwardly squirm in his chair again, like he he had trouble containing himself. Noah wondered if Oliver wanted to get up and leave, but didn't know how to do so. Still, Noah felt he deserved to hear him say it if Oliver didn't want to talk anymore.

"Sorry, I tend to say too much." Noah apologized, then added. "So, are you seeing anyone special?"

"No." Oliver blankly said, like he wanted to add more, but decided against it.

Noah was glad to sit with Oliver and make casual small talk, even though Oliver seemed like a fidgety mess. Noah and Oliver swapped stories about what they had been up to for the last couple years, and genuinely had a nice talk. Noah liked watching Oliver laugh, since he had the kind of smile that made everyone smile.

"I'll be right back, need to take a piss." Oliver said as he stuck his hands in his pockets and stood up.

Noah felt the water hit his bladder suddenly, and followed Oliver. "Hold on, I need to go too."

Noah and Oliver navigated down the empty hallway leading to the bathroom. Noah tried to talk to Oliver, but he seemed a little preoccupied, walking behind Noah for some reason. Noah decided to not let it bother him, since his bladder was in charge by then.

Noah went into the stall to relieve himself, since he couldn't reach the urinals, which Oliver decided to use. When he exited, he was met with Oliver, who had a very weird expression, one Noah had never seen before, across his face. Suddenly, he walked up to Noah, leaned down. and kissed him, first tenderly, then passionately.

It was an amazing kiss, probably one of Noah's best kisses, which is why it took him a moment to break it off. Despite how much he had always wanted Oliver to kiss him, the dirty bathroom and lack of romance made things clear he only had a hookup in mind. Noah pushed him off, which was one of the hardest things he had ever done in his life.

"Get away from me!" Noah yelled as all of his locked away feelings kept rushing back to him, and felt that twinge of disappointment he had towards Oliver.

"I thought." Oliver tried to explain, but Noah wasn't done yet, years of pent up feelings surfaced like a wave crashing into the shore.

"No, you didn't think." Noah said. "Listen Oliver, I like you, a whole lot more than you can imagine, but that doesn't mean I want you like this, some cheap hookup in the bathroom, I know I'm worth more than that."

Noah rolled as fast as he could go out of the bathroom and took the side exit out into the parking lot, wanting to avoid everyone, including Oliver Lovelace. Noah got into his car and peeled out of the driveway before Oliver had the chance to catch up. Noah drove home in record time and felt the sudden mix of emotions take their toll.

He couldn't help but cry as those old feeling surfaced, how much he had loved Oliver, and how coldly he had treated Noah afterwards. Noah knew it was partially his fault for what had happened between them 10 years ago, and he accepted that, but he felt that Oliver never accepted his part of their ended friendship.

Noah had been so cool, calm, and collected for the last couple years, but suddenly, he felt like the confused, damage teen he was before. He felt so disappointed, he finally got his kiss from Oliver, but it did more harm than good. Why, Noah wondered, did Oliver have to do it THAT way? He also wondered what it meant for the two of them, and if they were just not meant to be friends, or anything for that fact.

To be continued...