EPISODE 11: An Unexpected Ride
1137 Words
Monday morning arrived with clear skies and a cool breeze that drifted through the streets.
For the first time in days, Noah stood in front of the mirror without forcing himself to smile.
The sadness was still there.
It hadn't disappeared overnight.
But it no longer felt like it was crushing him with every breath.
He grabbed his backpack and headed downstairs.
His mother was already in the kitchen packing away the breakfast dishes.
The moment she saw him, a gentle smile spread across her face.
"You look much better today."
Noah smiled softly.
"I do?"
"You do."
She walked over and adjusted the collar of his shirt like she always had since he was little.
"I was beginning to miss this face."
Noah chuckled.
"I'm okay, Mom."
She studied him for a few seconds before nodding.
"I know."
She didn't ask about Ethan.
She knew her son well enough to understand that if he wanted to talk, he would.
Just then, Noah's phone vibrated.
Ava: Your favorite chauffeur has arrived. Kindly bring your handsome self outside before I start charging waiting fees.
Noah laughed.
"I've got to go."
His mother smiled knowingly.
"Ava's here?"
"Yeah."
"Tell her I said thank you."
Noah knew exactly what she meant.
"She'll be happy to hear that."
After hugging his mother goodbye, Noah walked outside and climbed into Ava's car.
The moment he closed the door, Ava looked him up and down dramatically.
"Wow."
Noah raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"You actually look alive today."
He rolled his eyes.
"Good morning to you too."
She laughed before pulling away from the curb.
The drive began with their usual teasing.
Noah had barely finished telling Ava about his mother's comment when—
Cough... Cough...
The engine made an unpleasant noise.
Ava frowned.
"...Did you hear that?"
Noah blinked.
"I wish I didn't."
A second later...
The car jerked forward before slowing to a stop.
Ava tried the ignition again.
Nothing.
She tried again.
Still nothing.
"Oh, come on!"
She rested her forehead against the steering wheel.
"My car seriously picked today?"
Noah couldn't help but laugh.
"I think it's protesting."
Ava shot him a look.
"Not funny."
"It was a little funny."
She sighed dramatically before pulling out her phone.
"I know exactly who to call."
A few seconds later, Liam answered.
"Morning."
"Liam..."
There was a suspicious pause.
"...What happened this time?"
"My car has decided it deserves early retirement."
Liam sighed.
"Where are you?"
After Ava told him their location, he replied,
"Stay there."
"I'll be there in ten."
---
True to his word...
Ten minutes later, a black SUV pulled over beside them.
Liam stepped out wearing a fitted black shirt with the sleeves rolled neatly to his forearms, dark jeans, and white sneakers.
His backpack hung casually over one shoulder.
His neatly styled black hair moved slightly with the morning breeze.
Even Noah couldn't help but admit...
The man looked unfairly handsome.
Liam walked over to Ava's car.
"So..."
He glanced at his stepsister.
"What did you do to it?"
Ava gasped.
"I did nothing!"
Liam smirked before checking under the hood.
A few moments later, he closed it.
"It'll need a mechanic."
Ava groaned.
"I hate this car."
Liam looked toward Noah.
"You two will be late if you wait here."
"I'll drop you off."
Noah scratched the back of his neck.
"You've already helped me so much these past few days."
"I don't want to keep troubling you."
Liam met his eyes.
"It's not trouble."
The words were simple.
But for some reason...
Noah believed him.
A few minutes later, the three of them were on their way to campus.
---
The atmosphere inside the car was surprisingly comfortable.
Ava glanced at Noah through the rearview mirror.
"So..."
"Have you officially divorced alcohol?"
Noah covered his face.
"Please."
"I'm trying to forget that night."
Liam let out a quiet laugh from the driver's seat.
Noah looked up.
It was the first time he'd heard Liam laugh.
It was soft.
Warm.
Without realizing it...
Noah smiled too.
"I can't believe you still have the confidence to laugh."
Ava grinned.
"Do you know you tried convincing the bartender to give you a loyalty card."
"No..."
"Yes."
Liam chuckled again.
"I think she was making that part up."
Ava looked offended.
"I would never."
The three of them laughed together.
By the time they reached the university, the awkwardness between Noah and Liam had almost completely disappeared.
Liam parked near the entrance.
Noah unbuckled his seatbelt before turning toward him.
"Thank you... again."
Liam gave him a small nod.
"Have a good day."
"You too."
Noah and Ava climbed out before making their way toward campus.
Liam waited until they disappeared into the crowd before driving toward his own university.
---
Not far away...
Ethan stood beneath a large oak tree with four of his friends, waiting for their lecturer.
One of them suddenly nudged his shoulder.
"Hey..."
"Isn't that Noah?"
Ethan instinctively looked toward the university entrance.
His eyes immediately landed on Noah.
Then...
His gaze shifted to the black SUV driving away.
His expression subtly changed.
He didn't know the driver's name.
But he recognized the face instantly.
The same man who had caught Noah before he fell at the club.
The same man who had carried Noah away in his arms.
The same man who had looked at Ethan with a cold glare before leaving.
Another friend folded his arms.
"So..."
"Your boyfriend already has someone taking care of him."
Ethan kept his eyes on the departing vehicle.
"He probably just gave him a ride."
One of his friends gave him a knowing look.
"That's not all he did the other night."
Another nodded.
"Yeah."
"We all saw him carrying Noah out of the club like he didn't want anyone else touching him."
Ethan finally looked away.
"Noah was drunk."
"Someone had to help him."
"Maybe."
His friend glanced back at Noah, who was laughing at something Ava had whispered.
"...But he doesn't look like he's helping Noah because he had to."
Ethan frowned.
"What do you mean?"
His friend shrugged.
"Call it intuition."
"The way he looked at Noah..."
"...didn't look like someone helping a stranger."
Silence settled over the group.
Ethan didn't respond.
But his eyes unconsciously found Noah again.
Noah was smiling.
It wasn't the broken smile he had worn the last time Ethan saw him.
It looked...
Lighter.
His chest tightened for reasons he couldn't explain.
Just then, one of his friends clapped him on the shoulder.
"Come on."
"We're going to be late."
Ethan nodded absentmindedly and followed them toward their lecture hall.
But even as he walked away...
His mind remained at the university entrance.
On Noah.
And on the unfamiliar man whose face he couldn't seem to forget.
- Writer
