THE MAN I WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO LOVE

CHAPTER 3: SOMETHING QUIET

CHAPTER 3: SOMETHING QUIET

Caroline spent most of the next morning in her room. She didn’t feel like talking to anyone in the apartment. Every time she heard Noah’s voice downstairs, something in her chest pulled tight for no clear reason.

She checked her phone instead.

There was already a message from the stranger.

**Morning. Are you surviving?**

She stared at it for a few seconds before replying.

**Trying. You?**

**Same. Work is boring. Distracting myself by bothering you.**

Caroline almost smiled.

**You’re not bothering me.**

**Good. Because I was going to keep doing it anyway.**

She locked her phone and put it face down. It felt strange, looking forward to messages from someone she didn’t know. Safer somehow. Easier than dealing with the people actually in her house.

Around midday she went downstairs to get water. Noah was in the kitchen, leaning against the counter with a coffee. He looked up when she walked in.

“Hey.”

“Hey.”

Silence sat between them for a moment. Not uncomfortable exactly, but not easy either.

“You sleep okay?” he asked.

“Fine.” She opened the fridge even though she didn’t need anything. “You?”

“Yeah.” He took a sip of his coffee. “Justin had to go into the office for a bit. Said he’ll be back later.”

Caroline nodded. She could feel him watching her. Not in a weird way. Just… noticing.

She grabbed a bottle of water and turned to leave.

“Care.”

She stopped.

“You sure you’re alright?” His voice was quieter. “Yesterday you seemed off when we got back.”

She kept her eyes on the bottle. “I’m fine, Noah.”

He didn’t push. Just gave a small nod. “Okay.”

She went back upstairs. Once the door was closed she let out a breath she hadn’t realised she was holding. Talking to him felt different now. . She didn’t know why. But she didn't want to dwell on her thoughts.

Her phone buzzed again.

**You disappeared.**

**Sorry. I had to go downstairs.**

**Is everything good?**

Caroline hesitated, then typed:

**My brother’s friend is staying with us. It’s… a bit weird having someone else in the house.**

She watched the typing bubbles appear.

**Weird how?**

**I don’t know. Just weird.**

**Want me to insult him for you? I can be very creative.**

This time she smiled a little.

**Maybe later.**

They texted on and off through the afternoon. Nothing deep. Just small things. Random questions. Bad jokes. It made the day move faster.

When Justin came home in the evening, the three of them ended up eating together again. Noah was quieter than usual. Every now and then Caroline caught him looking at her, then looking away like he hadn’t meant to.

She told herself it didn’t mean anything.

Later that night, lying in bed, she opened the chat one more time.

**Thanks for today. For just… talking.**

The reply came after a minute.

**Anytime. I mean that.**

Caroline put the phone on her chest and stared at the ceiling. She felt Ari's absence more than anything.But the sudden appearance of the stranger made it a little less sharp.

Down the hall, Noah sat on the edge of the spare bed with his phone in his hand. He read her last message twice.

He didn’t know why he cared so much about a girl he’d never met. He shrugged off the feeling, it could be nothing serious.