Notebook
707 Words
The rest of the week passed more quietly than usual.
Although Noah continued to smile, Luna couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed.
She noticed the little things no one else seemed to see.
He coughed more often during class.
He occasionally lost focus while the teacher was speaking, staring blankly out the window as if his mind was somewhere far away.
Sometimes, he would press a hand against his chest before quickly lowering it when someone looked his way.
Everyone else believed he was simply tired.
Luna knew there was more to it.
Friday afternoon arrived with warm sunlight pouring through the classroom windows.
The final bell rang, and students hurried to pack their bags.
"Don't forget your project!" the teacher reminded them before leaving.
Noah stood from his seat, but as he reached for his backpack, his phone suddenly vibrated.
He glanced at the screen, his expression changing almost instantly.
"I'll be right back," he muttered before walking out of the classroom in a hurry.
In his rush, he left behind a black notebook on his desk.
Luna noticed it immediately.
She picked it up, intending to return it once he came back.
As she held it, a folded piece of paper slipped from between the pages and landed on the floor.
She bent down to pick it up.
It wasn't a letter.
It looked more like a hospital receipt.
Before she could read anything, Noah's voice echoed from the doorway.
"Luna!"
She looked up.
His face had gone pale.
He rushed over and quickly took the paper from her hands.
"I'm... sorry," she said. "It fell out."
For the first time since they met...
Noah looked frightened.
"It's nothing."
He shoved the paper back into the notebook and forced a smile.
"Just some paperwork."
"You looked scared."
"I wasn't."
"You've been saying you're fine every day."
"...Because I am."
Luna stared at him.
"Noah."
He looked away.
"I can't talk about it."
Those words hurt more than she expected.
Not because he refused to tell her.
But because she realized how much pain he must be carrying to guard it so carefully.
She nodded slowly.
"I won't force you."
A look of relief crossed his face.
"Thank you."
They walked home together in silence.
Halfway to the bus stop, heavy rain suddenly poured from the sky.
"Oh no," Noah groaned.
"I forgot my umbrella."
Luna sighed before opening hers.
"Come here."
He hesitated.
"We'll both get soaked."
"Then stop standing there."
They stood close beneath the small umbrella, their shoulders brushing with every step.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
The rain drowned out the noise of the city around them.
Finally, Noah broke the silence.
"You know..."
"What?"
"You're different now."
Luna looked at him.
"You smile more."
She lowered her eyes.
"...Is that a bad thing?"
"No."
His voice was gentle.
"I was just thinking..."
He smiled softly.
"...Your smile suits you."
Luna felt her cheeks grow warm.
No one had ever said something like that to her before.
She laughed quietly, trying to hide her embarrassment.
"You're embarrassing."
"I know."
"But it's true."
They continued walking beneath the rain, sharing one umbrella that barely kept either of them dry.
When they reached Luna's street, Noah stopped.
"I'll walk from here."
"It's still raining."
"I don't mind."
She looked at him with concern.
"You'll catch another cold."
He smiled.
"I've survived worse."
Before she could reply, he stepped away from the umbrella.
The rain immediately soaked his uniform.
He waved at her one last time.
"See you on Monday."
Luna watched him disappear into the curtain of rain.
For reasons she couldn't explain...
Her heart suddenly felt uneasy.
She looked up at the dark sky and whispered to herself,
"Please... let him be okay."
Far down the street, hidden by the rain, Noah stopped walking.
He pressed one hand tightly against his chest, struggling to catch his breath.
After a few painful seconds, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the folded hospital paper.
His next appointment was only three days away.
He closed his eyes.
"I just need a little more time..." he whispered.
Then, forcing another smile despite the pain, he continued walking alone through the rain.
- Writer
