As they stepped out of the cafeteria, the buzz of conversations and the clatter of trays faded behind them.
The afternoon sun filtered through the tall windows, warm against the marble floor. Noel walked beside Lina, a book cradled under his arm, his pace naturally matching hers.
Neither of them spoke at first.
Lina finally sighed, She's something, huh?
Noel's lips twitched. Emily?
Yeah.
She's... persistent.
And confident, Lina added, almost to herself.
Noel glanced sideways at her. You gave her your number.
Lina gave a small shrug. "Felt rude not to."
"Rude?" he teased, raising an eyebrow. "Or… curious?"
She looked up at him with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Maybe both. But don't read into it too much."
He hummed in response, the sound quiet, thoughtful. Then: "You know Alex left because of her."
"I noticed," she admitted.
"Are you going to call Alex?"
Lina's silence was enough of an answer.
