The Cool-Off That Became Forever

EPISODE 31: Misunderstandings

The Friday afternoon sun shone brightly over Riverside Heights College, casting patches of golden light across the tree-lined pathways that connected the different academic buildings. Students streamed out of lecture halls in lively groups, some discussing assignments while others hurried across campus before the next class began.

Near the Faculty of Arts, Noah Bennett and Ava Whitmore emerged from their classroom, walking side by side.

Noah had changed little from the morning. His light-blue oversized shirt was neatly tucked into his black jeans, while the sleeves remained rolled just below his elbows. His backpack hung loosely over one shoulder as he listened to Ava animatedly complain about one of her lecturers.

"I swear Professor Langley enjoys watching us suffer," Ava groaned dramatically. "How can one person give three assignments in one lecture?"

Noah laughed.

"I think he calls it 'building character.'"

"It's building stress."

"You'll survive."

"I don't want to survive. I want a refund."

Noah shook his head, unable to stop laughing.

"You really are dramatic."

"And proud of it."

Without warning, Ava suddenly broke into a run.

"Noah!"

Before he could react, she threw both arms around him in an exaggerated hug.

The unexpected impact sent Noah stumbling backwards.

"Whoa—Ava!"

His foot caught against the edge of the pavement.

For one terrifying second, it looked as though both of them were about to crash onto the ground.

A firm hand caught Noah by the arm.

Another steadied Ava by her shoulder.

"You two alright?"

Noah looked up.

Standing beside them was a tall young man wearing the navy blazer reserved for members of the Student Council. A silver council badge gleamed against his chest.

He had sharp features, neatly styled dark hair, and carried himself with the calm confidence of someone used to responsibility.

Ava quickly regained her balance.

"Oh!"

"I'm so sorry."

Noah straightened himself and let out an embarrassed laugh.

"Thank you."

"I almost became today's entertainment."

The young man smiled.

"It happens."

"No injuries?"

Noah shook his head.

"None."

"Good."

He extended his hand politely.

"I'm James Holloway."

"I'm the Student Council President."

Noah accepted the handshake.

"Noah Bennett."

"It's nice meeting you."

"The pleasure's mine."

James smiled warmly before glancing at Ava.

"And you must be Ava."

"Guilty."

She grinned.

James chuckled.

"I've heard your name more than once from the student committee."

"I'll pretend that's a good thing."

"It usually is."

They all laughed.

As Noah and Ava excused themselves to avoid being late for class, James remained where he stood.

His gaze unconsciously followed Noah's retreating figure until the pair disappeared around the corner.

Only then did he quietly continue walking in the opposite direction.

Not far away...

Ethan Carter had witnessed the entire exchange.

He stood beside Drake Morgan and Dante Brooks, books tucked beneath one arm.

Drake glanced between Ethan and the direction Noah had disappeared.

"You know him, don't you?"

Ethan looked away.

"...Yeah."

Dante noticed the distant expression on Ethan's face but chose not to comment.

The three continued toward their classroom.

---

Classes finally ended just after four in the afternoon.

The campus slowly emptied as students headed home.

Near the student parking lot, Ava leaned casually against her car while scrolling through her phone.

"I'll wait here," she muttered.

Meanwhile, Noah exited the main building carrying a few library books.

He spotted Ava's car in the distance and began making his way toward it.

He had only taken a few steps when someone stepped into his path.

"Ethan?"

Noah stopped walking.

His expression held more surprise than emotion.

"I didn't expect to see you."

Ethan slipped his hands into his pockets.

"We need to talk."

Noah sighed quietly.

"I'm actually on my way home."

"It won't take long."

There was something unusually hesitant about Ethan's voice.

Noah remained silent.

Ethan finally asked the question that had been haunting him.

"...Have you replaced me?"

Noah stared at him.

For a moment...

He genuinely couldn't believe what he had just heard.

"You replaced me that quickly?"

Ethan continued quietly.

The corners of Noah's lips curled into a humourless smile.

"You asked me for space."

"I know."

"You said you needed time."

"I know."

"You walked away while I stood there begging you not to."

Ethan lowered his eyes.

"I remember."

Noah took a slow breath.

"Ethan..."

"What exactly were you expecting me to do?"

"Wait?"

"I wasn't asking for a breakup."

"I just needed time to figure things out."

Noah laughed bitterly.

"And while you were figuring things out..."

"What was I supposed to do?"

"Put my life on hold?"

"Spend every day hoping you'd eventually choose me?"

His voice remained calm.

But every word carried months of hurt.

"You know what hurt the most?"

"I begged you."

"I threw away every ounce of pride I had."

"I asked you again and again if there was something we could fix."

"You never changed your mind."

"You watched me break apart..."

"And still walked away."

Silence settled between them.

Ethan couldn't find a single word to defend himself.

Noah adjusted the strap of his backpack.

"I don't hate you."

"I don't even resent you anymore."

"But I'm done waiting."

He stepped around Ethan.

"I hope you find the answers you were looking for."

"But please..."

"Leave me alone."

As Noah walked away, Ethan instinctively reached out.

His fingers wrapped around Noah's wrist.

"Noah..."

Noah slowly pulled free.

"There isn't anything left for us to talk about."

Without another glance, he continued toward the parking lot.

Ethan remained standing exactly where Noah had left him.

His shoulders slumped.

For the first time...

He truly understood that Noah was no longer waiting for him.

---

Across the road...

A sleek black sedan had just pulled into a vacant parking space.

Inside sat Liam.

A small smile rested on his face.

He had decided to surprise Noah with a late lunch after classes.

His smile disappeared the moment he looked toward the school entrance.

He watched Ethan stop Noah.

Watched the two talking.

Then...

He saw Ethan reach for Noah's wrist.

From where he sat...

He couldn't hear a single word.

All he saw was Noah standing there with Ethan.

Liam's grip tightened around the steering wheel.

His chest tightened with a feeling he immediately recognised.

Jealousy.

A sharp...

Uncomfortable jealousy.

He swallowed hard.

"So..."

He whispered bitterly.

"He's still choosing Ethan."

Unable to bear watching any longer, Liam quietly started the engine.

The car made a slow U-turn before disappearing into the afternoon traffic.

He never noticed Noah walking away moments later.

---

An hour later...

Falcon Hayes opened the door to his apartment.

"Liam?"

He frowned.

"I wasn't expecting you."

Liam managed a tired smile.

"Can I come in?"

Falcon stepped aside immediately.

"You never have to ask."

A few minutes later, the two friends sat on the living-room sofa, mugs of coffee resting untouched on the table between them.

Falcon studied Liam's unusually quiet expression.

"What happened?"

Liam leaned back against the sofa and exhaled slowly.

"I went to surprise Noah after class."

Falcon smiled.

"That's a good—"

"I saw him with Ethan."

The smile faded from Falcon's face.

Liam stared down at his hands.

"They were talking."

"Then Ethan grabbed his wrist."

"I couldn't hear what they were saying."

"But..."

He let out a humourless laugh.

"I drove away."

Falcon remained quiet.

Liam rubbed a hand across his face.

"Do you remember what I told you?"

Falcon nodded.

"You said that if Noah chose Ethan in the end..."

"You'd respect his decision."

Liam smiled bitterly.

"I meant it."

"At least..."

"I thought I did."

He looked up.

"But seeing them together..."

"I realised something."

Falcon waited.

Liam's voice softened.

"I don't think I can accept losing him that easily."

"I've come to like Noah so much that seeing him laugh with another man..."

"Seeing another man touch him..."

"It made me jealous."

"So jealous that I couldn't even think straight."

He laughed quietly at himself.

"I didn't know I could feel like this."

Falcon leaned forward.

"Liam."

"You love him."

Liam didn't deny it.

Instead...

He smiled sadly.

"I think I do."

Falcon placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Then don't give up because of one thing you saw from a distance."

"You don't even know what they were talking about."

Liam remained silent.

Falcon continued,

"If Noah truly chooses Ethan after knowing everything..."

"Then respect his decision."

"But don't surrender because of assumptions."

He smiled encouragingly.

"If you want Noah..."

"Fight for him."

"Give him reasons to choose you."

"Don't lose before the race has even begun."

Liam sat quietly, letting those words settle in his heart.

After a long pause...

A determined smile slowly returned to his face.

"...You're right."

"I owe both Noah and myself that much."

Outside, the evening sun dipped below the horizon.

Neither of the two men knew it yet...

But one misunderstanding had just set the stage for an even bigger conversation waiting to happen.