Noah
The apartment felt different in the morning.
Quieter. Like a home that has been abandoned for years.
I woke up on the couch with my neck feeling like it was stuck in one place and my mind already racing,while thinking of the event of last night,Lena's voice sharp,cruel and ruthless , Mila's hyperventilating and shaking like her body had betrayed her, the way my hands shook in anger when I realized she wasn't okay.
I scrubbed my face and stood up slowly, listening for any form of life.
But there was nothing. No crying,no moving,not even the tap dripping. Dead silence
I walked down the hall and stopped outside Mila's door. It was closed now, a small but very much needed boundary kept us apart(or more like me away from her). I lifted my hand to knock, hesitated, then lowered it again.
She deserved space to think and collect herself.
The kitchen gave me something to do with my hands. I poured batter, flipped pancakes, squeezed oranges until my arms could barely move. My routine was the only thing keeping me grounded.
When I finally knocked, it was gentle,trying my best not to alarm her.
"Mila?" I said. "I made breakfast. You don't have to eat it now or anything." Why am I nervous
Nothing.
Then the door opened just enough for me to see her.
She looked… steadier. Still tired, eyes still swollen, but standing.
"Okay," she said. "I'll come out."
She sat at the counter, not the couch. Another boundary. I stayed on my side of the kitchen, pretending that didn't matter,while trying to ignore that sharp pain in my chest.
"This smells really good," she said.
"Good," I replied. "Because I made way too much."
She smiled faintly and I couldn't help but notice that tiny dimple she has on her left cheek.
We ate in near silence. Not awkward,just careful. Like two people trying not to cross the line.
After a while, she finally spoke.
"You didn't have to do all that last night."
"I know." I said
"But you did anyway."
I nodded. "Yeah."
She glanced up at me, studying my face for a reason. "Why?"
The question wasn't accusing or annoyance. It was just genuine curiosity.
I chose my words carefully. "Because you needed my help."
"That's not the whole truth."
I swallowed a hard lump in my throat.
"No," I admitted. "It's not."
She didn't push. That somehow made it worse.
When she finished eating, she stood. "I'm going to campus early. I have group projects to work on"
"Okay," I said. "I'll see you later."
She stopped at the door and stared at me for a bit before saying.
"Noah?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. For… not making me feel stupid."
Something warm and dangerous spread through my chest.
"Anytime," I said.
She left before I could say something I'd regret.
The day dragged.
Every lecture felt longer than and more annoying than the last. Every new message made me jump with excitement just for it to die down when I realize that it's not her. Practice helped a little,muscle memory drowning out my thoughts,but even then, I kept replaying moments.
The way she'd looked when Lena insulted her.
The way she tried to stand her ground even while falling apart.
The way she trusted me enough to let me see it and help her.
That trust sat heavy on my shoulders.
After practice, my phone finally buzzed with the message I'd been half expecting and half dreading.
Lena: We need to talk!Today.
I stared at it for a long moment.
Me: Okay.
We met at a café off campus. Neutral territory. Her choice.
She looked perfect, as always. Not a hair out of place. Like last night hadn't happened.
"I overreacted," she said immediately.
That surprised me and definitely took me off guard.
"But You embarrassed me," she added. "But I shouldn't have said what I said."
I waited.
She sighed. "I'm not apologizing to her."
There it was.
"She lives with me," I said quietly. "She deserves respect."
Lena leaned back, crossing her arms. "You're acting like this is about her. It's about you pulling away."
"I didn't pull away," I said. "You crossed a line."
"She's temporary," Lena snapped. "I'm not."
The words landed wrong.
I thought of Mila lining up her books, of the way she spoke about robotics like it was a lifeline, of the panic she tried to swallow down so no one would see.
"She's not nothing," I said.
Lena stared at me with an unreadable expression.
And in that moment, I knew.
"You like her,don't you.," she said flatly.
"I didn't say that."
"You don't have to," she replied. "I know you."
Silence stretched between us.
"I'm not cheating on you," I said finally.
"But you're thinking about it."
I flinched.
She stood. "Call me when you figure out what you want."
She walked away without looking back.no yelling,no threats. Nothing.
When I got home, the apartment lights were off.
Then I heard voices.
I froze.
Mila's door was open, light spilling into the hallway. She was standing inside with a guy I didn't recognize. Tall. Dark-haired. Leaning way too comfortably against her for my liking.
Something sharp twisted in my chest.
I cleared my throat.
Mila looked up, surprised. "Oh,Noah. This is Aaron. He's on my robotics team."
Aaron grinned. "Roommate, huh? Nice place."
"Thanks," I said shortly without even glancing at him.
Mila glanced between us. "We're heading out. Study session."
"Right," I said. "Have fun."
She hesitated like she wanted to say something else, then grabbed her bag and followed him out.
The door closed behind them.
The apartment felt empty again.
And suddenly, the thought hit me clear as clear as day and as undeniable as her beauty.
I was falling for my nerdy roommate.
And if I didn't get my head straight soon, I might lose her before I ever really had her.