CHAPTER 4: A KNOCK AWAY
1321 Words
Roderick walked Emma home again.
For the second time, she found herself strolling beside him, silently wondering if this was just kindness—or something more. She tried not to overthink it—tried not to let hope get ahead of reality—but the thoughts crept in anyway. His presence was calm, steady, and comfortable. He didn’t say much, and neither did she. Somehow, that silence didn’t feel awkward.
But once again, when they got to her gate, he didn’t ask for her number. No contact. Nothing.
He just gave a small smile and said, “Take care, Emma.”
She returned the smile, but her heart sank a little. “You too.”
Inside her room, she sat on the edge of her bed, replaying the walk. Again. Why wasn’t he asking? He clearly enjoyed her company. Or maybe she was reading too much into things. Maybe he was just being polite.
'Where are you when I need you?' she thought inwardly. Yet there was still silence. Her inner self said nothing this time—and most of the time, it was that part of her that helped her get back on track, make sensible decisions.
With no other options, she opted to silence the thoughts of whether or not Roderick was interested, and focused instead on how good the day had felt overall.
She reminded herself that this was her healing phase and she wouldn't rush into anything out of disarrayed emotions. Instead, she would take her time and heal properly. With that, she went to bed, anticipating a better tomorrow.
---
**
The tomorrow came. It was morning already.
**
Emma woke up with a lightness in her chest. For the first time in a while, she felt good—really good. She stretched, yawned, and smiled to herself. No overthinking today. No guessing games. Just… peace.
By noon, she figured it was a good time to grab some groceries. She threw on a hoodie, tied her hair back, and headed to the mall.
The trip started off great. She moved through the aisles easily, tossing items into her basket, trying to remember if she was forgetting anything, and humming to the soft music playing overhead. But just as she turned into the snacks section, she spotted him.
Roderick.
He was dressed in a black tank. His biceps were very visible. He wasn't alone—he had company. Two other guys. One was not too tall, bald and beardy. The other seemed taller than Roderick but not as muscular. He was clean-shaven with jet-black hair. They seemed to be having a good time, talking and laughing.
Roderick had his hands in his pockets, completely at ease. Emma’s heart skipped, and before she could think twice, she smiled and lifted her hand in a small wave. The wave ended up more enthusiastic than she intended.
But he didn’t wave back.
He gave a little smile that was almost not there—and a nod. It felt so dismissive, almost uninterested.
The smile froze on her face.
She quickly looked away, pretending to inspect a shelf of cereal boxes she didn’t care about. Her ears burned. What just happened?
As if on cue, the boys erupted in laughter.
'Was it at me?' she couldn't help but wonder.
She could feel her cheeks redden in embarrassment. Her heart was pounding so fast, she was afraid they might hear it.
She forced herself to keep shopping, but her head had stopped working. She couldn't remember anything else on her list. She headed straight to the counter to pay and get home as soon as possible.
The moment she got home, she dropped the groceries on the kitchen counter and headed to the couch to sink into it.
She sighed.
What just happened?
Whatever it was, she wasn’t going to waste time pondering about someone who couldn’t even acknowledge her properly. She reminded herself that she wouldn't reduce herself again—let a man decide her worth.
If he wasn’t interested, that was fine. She would no longer force an energy that wasn’t there.
She curled up on the couch that night, made some tea, and promised herself she was letting this go.
---
**
Saturday morning rolled in, fresh and bright.
**
Emma dressed in her jogging gear, slipped in her earbuds, and hit the pavement. She needed a reset—a real one.
She jogged at a steady pace, her mind gradually clearing. A few minutes in, she spotted someone up ahead taking a water break.
It was Roderick.
Dressed in a grey tank top, black shorts, and boots, he stood just a few meters away, bottle raised to his lips, eyes on the trees ahead.
She didn’t stop.
Didn’t flinch.
Just kept jogging right past him like she hadn’t even seen him.
She sensed the moment he turned. Heard him call her name faintly. She didn’t turn.
'He’ll give up after seeing I’ve got earbuds in,' she thought to herself.
“Emma!” he called again.
Still nothing.
She felt the jogger’s version of a smirk tug at the corner of her lips.
A moment later, she felt a light grip on her wrist.
She slowed, turned her head, and pulled out one earbud.
“Oh. Hi,” she said, voice flat.
“You didn’t hear me?” he asked.
“I did,” she replied simply.
His brows lifted. “Oh… okay. Thought the music was too loud.”
“I keep it low.”
There was an awkward pause. He jogged beside her now, matching her pace.
“How are you?” he asked.
“Fine.”
He looked sideways at her, then ran a hand through his hair.
He needed to get the words out but didn’t know how to say it.
“So… I was thinking... INTO THE GALAXIES 2 is out, and I bought tickets for two.”
She gave a small nod, still jogging. “Cool.”
“You know I mean, tickets for like… you and I, right?”
Emma was silent. She just gave him a look.
“You don’t like INTO THE GALAXIES?”
“Of course I do. I’m just wondering why you'd buy two tickets randomly.”
“Randomly?!” Roderick sounded offended.
“Pardon me, so tell me how you were planning on inviting me,” she said, sarcasm dripping from her tone.
“Uh... knock knock, would you like to join me in watching BEYOND THE FACE 2 tomorrow?” he said in an obviously practiced tone.
“I planned to show up this evening, though.”
Emma had stopped jogging.
Her door.
He planned to show up at her door.
He wasn’t uninterested as she had thought—he knew her address. He had been paying attention, just not in the way she’d envisioned.
“So..?” He looked hopeful.
Emma, still trying to process her thoughts, nodded briefly before finally mouthing, “Yes.”
“I’ll be ready by six,” she said softly.
He smiled.
He was delighted she agreed. He hadn't been too sure.
He was even more pleased he didn’t come off as weird as he feared.
“I’ll pick you up then,” he said, smile still on his face.
She simply nodded.
He relaxed now that it was out of the way, ready to joke—maybe throw in a playful comment—but Emma had already started jogging again.
“Hey,” he called, catching up.
She looked at him briefly. “That’s enough for today. I’m heading back.”
She was exhausted. All she wanted was the comfort of her space.
“You sure?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Okay. See you tomorrow then?”
She gave a slight nod and turned down the path that led home.
This time, she didn’t look back.
Right behind her was a satisfied Roderick, a smile plastered on his face.
- Writer
