Knock. Knock.
( I opened my eyes, unsure whether it was my alarm or someone knocking on my door. I groaned softly, my eyes still half-lidded. Of course, my stupid thoughts had refused to let me sleep at night, only to finally calm down when morning arrived. No wonder I felt exhausted.)
[ I reached out and turned off my alarm, but the knocking came again.]
I sighed, pushing myself up on the bed.
"Who is it?" I called.
From the other side of the door, Noah's voice answered, "Aira, it's me. Can I come in?"
"Yeah, come in, Noah."
[ The door opened, and Noah stepped into my room.]
"What is it, Noah? Why are you disturbing me so early in the morning?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.
She scratched the back of her head awkwardly. "Aira… actually, I wanted to—" She paused, then suddenly straightened up. "Sorry! I forgot. Good morning, my big sista."
I stared at her, confused.
( Since when had Noah started acting so… well-behaved? Or was it me? Had I been so caught up in my own mess that I hadn't noticed how much she'd grown up also?)
"Good morning," I replied slowly. "So… what do you want? And why are you being so nice? Did someone cast a spell on you?"
She frowned dramatically.
"Aira! I'm not under some dark magic."
I raised an eyebrow. "Then who taught you to be this polite?"
She huffed. "My teacher. She said we should respect our elders and always greet people properly in the morning."
My eyebrows twisted in realization.
"So that's why you knocked instead of just barging in?"
She smiled proudly. "Of course! That's why I knocked. I'm being a good girl now, right?" She giggled.
"Oh—forget everything I said," Noah suddenly blurted out. "Just come with me."
I looked at her, confused.
"Where?"
She rolled her eyes like I was the slow one. "Of course, to my room."
"For what?" I asked.
Noah let out an exaggerated sigh. "Aira, you ask so many questions. Okay, I'll explain."
She folded her arms dramatically. "Today my class is going on a picnic—to the park. And I want to dress properly, but I can't decide what to wear." She huffed. "That's why I came to you. You always look pretty in whatever you wear. So please, come and help me decide."
I stared at her. "So you want my help now?" I teased. "And who told you I always look pretty?"
She grabbed my hand without hesitation. "I see you every day. You are pretty, sista." Then she tugged my arm. "Now come on, I need to get ready for the picnic. Pleaseee."
( I sighed, pretending to be annoyed, but I got up from my bed anyway and followed her out of my room.)
( My room was on the upper floor, tucked away at the quieter end of the hallway. Noah's room, on the other hand, was downstairs, just a few steps away from Mom's room—close enough for her to run to Mom whenever she wanted, and far enough from me to feel like her own little world.)
In last we reached her room, and Noah pushed the door open excitedly.
I stepped inside, and a small smile tugged at my lips.
( Her room was small but cozy, filled with quiet little details that screamed Noah in the cutest way. The walls were painted a soft, neutral shade—not pink, not blue—just warm and calm. A single shelf near the window held a mix of things: storybooks stacked beside a tiny basketball, a few soft toys sitting next to neatly arranged notebooks, and a small globe she loved spinning whenever she was bored.)
( Her bed was messy in the way only a kid's bed could be—blankets half folded, pillows scattered, one stuffed animal tucked near the headboard like it guarded her sleep. Posters weren't flashy or dramatic—just simple ones: a cartoon character, a park scene, and one poster that read Dream Big in bold letters.)
( Near the mirror, clothes were draped over a chair—shorts, jeans, a hoodie, and a simple dress—as if she herself hadn't decided what she wear yet.)
[ And her room look like simple and free, just like Noah.]
She turned to me with a proud grin. "So… help me choose."
I sighed softly, already smiling.
"Alright, fashion emergency first," I said. "Show me everything."
Noah clapped her hands and rushed toward her cupboard.
"Okay, help me choose!"
( She pulled the doors open with way too much excitement and started throwing clothes onto the bed like she was on some dramatic fashion show.)
"First outfit," she announced seriously.
She disappeared into the bathroom and came out a minute later.
I blinked.
"Noah…"
She was wearing a bright yellow hoodie, striped leggings, two different socks, and—on top of everything—a sparkly cap tilted sideways.
I crossed my arms. "Are you going on a picnic or auditioning for a circus?"
She pouted. "It's colorful."
"It's… confusing," I corrected.
She groaned and ran back inside.
"Second outfit!" she shouted.
This time she came out wearing a floral dress over jeans, sneakers, and a belt hanging so loose it was doing nothing.
I stared at her. "Why is the dress on top of the jeans?"
"So I can run," she said proudly.
I sighed. "You can run without traumatizing people, you know."
[She laughed and stuck her tongue out before disappearing again.]
"Third outfit," she announced, clearly not giving up.
(She stepped out wearing a denim jacket three sizes too big, shorts, and sunglasses indoors.)
I squinted at her. "Are you going on a picnic… or rob a bank?"
She gasped dramatically. "This is fashion!"
"This is chaos," I said, laughing despite myself.
[ She finally plopped down on the bed beside me, exhausted.]
"Fine," she huffed. "You choose. You always look pretty anyway."
I softened and ruffled her hair.
"Alright, picnic queen. Let's make you cute without making you ridiculous."
She grinned. "Aira?"
"Hmm?"
"If I look bad, I'm blaming you."
I chuckled. "Deal."
( I nodded to myself and stepped closer to her cupboard, pushing aside the mess she had created. Dresses, hoodies, jackets—everything was everywhere. I searched carefully, ignoring Noah's dramatic sighs from the bed.)
Finally, my hands stopped.
"Found it," I said.
( I pulled out a soft grey skirt, simple but neat—not too long, not too short. Then I picked a black fitted top, clean and comfortable, perfect for running around without looking messy. From the side shelf, I grabbed a light grey overshirt—something she could wear open if it got windy.)
I turned toward her.
"This," I said confidently.
She tilted her head. "That's it?"
( I walked to her shoe rack and picked up white sneakers with just a hint of black detailing.)
"These too."
( Then, from her drawer, I found a small black sling bag—big enough for snacks, tissues, and her little treasures. I added a simple hair tie and held it up.)
"High ponytail. No drama."
She stared at the outfit for a second… then her eyes lit up.
"That actually looks… cool," she admitted.
I smirked. "Of course. You're my sister."
She jumped off the bed, grabbing the clothes.
"If everyone says I look cute, I'm telling them you styled me."
I laughed softly. "Just don't tell them about the circus outfits before this."
[ She giggled and rushed toward the bathroom.]
( As the door closed, I leaned against the cupboard, smiling to myself— because fixing Noah's outfit felt easier than fixing my heart… but somehow, it helped anyway.)
MINUTES LATER
[She stepped out of the bathroom, fidgeting with the hem of her skirt.]
I turned—and paused.
[ She really did look like a doll. Not overly dressed, not childish either. Just… right.]
Noah tilted her head. "So?"
Then, nervously, "Is it okay?"
I smiled. "It's more than okay. You look beautiful."
Her eyes sparkled for a second, but then she groaned. "But my hair looks boring."
I sighed dramatically. "Come here."
( She hopped onto the bed and sat cross-legged while I stood behind her, gently combing on her hair.)
So, "Do you want braids or a ponytail?" I asked.
"Hmm… ponytail," she said, then added proudly, "And you know aira Today we're going to the big park near my school. Miss Clara said we can play games and have ice cream."
"That sounds fun," I said, tying her hair neatly. "Who are you going with?"
"With my friends. And we're taking the school bus," she continued, talking nonstop. "Oh—and I'm sitting near the window this time."
I chuckled. "Of course you are."
She glanced up at me through the mirror. "Aira… will you come to my school someday?"
My hands paused for just a second. Then I smiled softly.
"Of course. Anytime you want."
I finished her hair and stepped back. "Done."
She jumped off the bed, twirling once. "I look perfect!"
[ Before I could reply, a familiar voice came from the doorway.]
"Noah?"
We both turned.
( Mom was leaning against the doorframe, a soft smile on her face as she looked at us. Her eyes settled on Noah, warm and proud.)
"You look so pretty, Noah," she said gently.
Noah beamed. "Aira helped me!"mommy
( Mom's gaze shifted to me, affectionate and grateful, before she looked back at Noah.)
"Have fun today, okay?"
Noah nodded eagerly.
"So Aira helped you, Noah?" Mom smiled as she stepped into the room.
"Yes!" Noah nodded proudly.
Mom turned to me. "Thank you, Aira." Her smile was warm, genuine.
I smiled back. "It's okay, Mom."
Noah looked between us. "Mom, don't you think Aira has really good taste?"
Mom chuckled softly. "Of course. Your big sister has a great sense of style. She always chooses the perfect things."
I tilted my head playfully. "I learned it from you, Mom. You always choose the best—that's where I get it from."
She laughed. "My genes, obviously."
Noah's smile slowly faded into a dramatic pout. "So… does that mean I'm not really your daughter? I can't even decide what to wear. Only Aira knows how to style clothes."
( Mom's expression softened instantly. She knelt down so she was at Noah's eye level and held her hands gently.)
"Noah, my love, of course you're my daughter," she said warmly. "Just because you don't know how to style clothes doesn't mean you didn't get my genes."
She smiled wider. "Aira is good at styling, and you—" she tapped Noah's nose lightly, "—you love cooking. Just like I did."
Noah's face brightened. "Yeah… you're right, Mom."
Then she turned toward me with a mischievous grin. "And Aira doesn't even like cooking. She always burns the toast."
Mom laughed and kissed Noah's cheek. "True. Aira and her burned toast."
I rolled my eyes dramatically. "Wow. If you two want to insult me, at least do it behind my back. I can hear everything, you know."
Mom chuckled. "Aira, sweetheart, I'm just telling her the truth."
I sighed, smiling despite myself. "Yeah, Mom. I know."
Her eyes soft as she looked at both of us.
"Come on," she said gently. "Family hug. It's been so long since we did that."
( I sighed but knelt down beside Noah, and the three of us wrapped our arms around each other.)
And in that quiet moment—held between warmth and laughter—my heart felt lighter than it had in days.
( After our hug, I went back to my room to freshen up—and, of course, to get ready for college. Once I was dressed and ready, I headed downstairs for breakfast.)
( Everyone was already at the table—Noah, Mom, my stepfather, and Rylan. As usual, Noah's chatter never stopped. She was excitedly talking about her picnic, and my stepfather listened with an amused smile, nodding along as if every word she said was the most important thing in the world.)
Breakfast ended quickly.
( I stepped outside, half-expecting to see Luka leaning against his bike with that stupid smirk and unfairly good looks. But he wasn't there.)
A strange heaviness settled in my chest.
( Of course he was hurt. Why wouldn't he be? I'd ignored him. And for what? He hugged me—friends hug each other all the time. So why was I pushing him away?)
I sighed and started walking toward the driver's car.
"Aira."
That voice.
( My steps froze mid-stride. Every time he said my name, my heart forgot how to beat properly. I didn't even know why.)
I turned around.
( Rylan stood there, dressed in his usual expensive clothes, sunglasses on—every inch the rich heir he was. Effortlessly intimidating. Effortlessly him.)
"Y-yes, Rylan?" I said.
( He walked toward me in slow steps and stopped in front of me, leaving a respectful distance between us.)
"Aira, actually our driver is busy today," he said calmly. "Dad asked me to take you to the university. I'll pick you up and bring you back home too. Are you coming with me?"
My eyebrows lifted in surprise. What was he saying?
"It's okay," I replied quickly. "I'll take a cab."
"Aira," he said, his tone patient, "it's rush hour. People are heading to work and college right now. You won't get a cab easily—and you'll be late for your classes."
I glanced at my watch.
He was right.
I would be late.
He looked at me again, this time without the sunglasses, his eyes soft… concerned.
"Come on," he said gently. "I'll drop you. Really."
I let out a slow breath.
"Okay," I said quietly. "Let's go."
( We both walked toward his sports car. He opened the passenger door for me, and I slipped into the seat beside the driver's side. He closed the door gently, then moved around to his seat, fastening his seat belt as he started the engine.)
"Aira," he said, a little hesitant, "c-can you put the seat belt on?"
I looked at him, confused. "W-what… oh. Yeah."
I started searching around, my fingers fumbling. "W-where is the seat belt, Rylan?"
He unfastened his own seat belt and leaned toward me to help.
And suddenly… he was too close.
Our eyes met.
( I noticed things I had never allowed myself to notice before—his long lashes, those beautiful eyes filled with warmth, his pale skin, and the way a few strands of his hair had fallen onto his forehead. My hand twitched, an unconscious urge to brush them back.)
I stopped myself.
( He clicked the seat belt into place around me and slowly leaned back into his seat.)
"Are you ready?" he asked.
"Y-yeah… r-ready," I replied, my voice betraying me.
( Heat rushed to my cheeks. I quickly turned toward the window so he wouldn't see my flushed face. Why was I blushing like this? Just because he leaned close? I could still smell his cologne—rich, spicy… so him.)
And my mind, stupid as ever, kept spiraling.
What must he be thinking of me?
A girl who doesn't even know how to wear a seat belt in a sports car.
(The engine roared to life, and as the car pulled onto the road, I realized—
The distance between us might have returned… but the silence felt louder than ever.)