Lina was leaving her last class of the day when she noticed someone waiting for her near the outside stairs.
A boy, his head slightly bowed and his hands in his pockets.
She recognized him immediately.
Noah.
She felt her heart race. She hadn't seen him for two weeks, not since he'd left for his family home.
He had always been there, a reassuring presence. He was like the pillar she leaned against without even realizing it.
"Lina!" he exclaimed, looking up, a genuine smile lighting up his face.
Before she could reply, he pulled her into a hug.
A warm, familiar, simple embrace.
"It's been a long time," he continued, letting go of her. "I missed you." "
She smiled, embarrassed but happy.
"You too."
He looked at her as always.
Tenderly.
With something she didn't dare name.
"Can we walk for a bit? I have so much to tell you."
"Yes," she replied, nodding. "Let's go downstairs."
They were being watched. Across the street, a black car was parked. Ethan. It wasn't even 7 p.m.
He was still there.
And he was watching them.
Not the scene.
Lina
Always her.
"You didn't reply to my messages," Noah said softly. "Were you busy?" A knot formed in Lina's stomach.
"Yes... a little. A lot of work."
"That wasn't entirely true," she said.
" She simply didn't know what to say. How to talk about Ethan.
She didn't understand why it bothered her to talk about him.
Noah turned to her, his smile flickering for a moment. "Are you sure everything's alright, Lina?" "Of course." Her voice trembled slightly. They paused for a moment by the gate.
"I know you," Noah replied. "When something's bothering you, you fiddle with your fingers."
She looked down.
She nervously rubbed her fingers together.
"I... I think I'm talking to someone," she admitted.
Noah's expression changed.
For a moment.
A shadow.
"Someone... how?" he asked.
"Just... someone." She'd never had so much trouble answering.
Noah took a slow breath.
"Does he treat you well?" She opened her mouth to answer, but before she could say a word, a voice interrupted her.
He appeared behind them without her noticing he had gotten out of his car.
Noah turned to face him, surprised.
Ethan held out his hand.
"Ethan Keller..."
Noah shook his hand hesitantly.
"Noah Benard. I'm a friend."
Ethan smiled.
A forced smile.
Too polite.
"A very close friend, apparently."
Noah didn't appreciate the tone.
"Yes. Very close."
Lina felt a silent tension settle between them. Like two opposing forces aware of each other's presence.
"I'm serious, Lina," he continued, his voice a little louder, a little dry. A simple gesture. Yet, it was heavy with meaning.
"I was just about to pick her up," he said. "We had plans." Lina opened her mouth to protest, but Ethan looked at her with an expression that said, "Don't contradict me."
She froze.
"See you later, Noah," she said shyly.
Noah nodded, but his gaze remained fixed on Ethan.
"Take care, Lina."
Ethan smiled again.
But it wasn't a smile.
They drove in silence for several minutes.
Ethan finally spoke.
"Who is Noah to you?" She felt her stomach clench.
"A friend. Just a friend."
"He doesn't see you as a friend." She swallowed hard.
"Ethan... there's nothing between us."
He slowly turned his head toward her.
"Could there have been something?" She shook her head.
"No. Never," Ethan smiled, satisfied.
But this time, it was a smile that sent shivers down her spine.
"Perfect. I don't like competition."
"What is it?" Lina asked, looking...
She felt a strange chill.
As if a door had just closed behind her.
Without her being able to reopen it. And without knowing yet.
—Whether Ethan wanted to protect her, or keep her.