Noah woke slowly as sunlight warmed the edges of Rachel’s bedroom. Rachel was tucked against him, her golden hair a tangle on the pillow, one leg draped across his. She had wrapped herself in the comforter like a burrito, with only her bare shoulder peeking through.
Noah smiled to himself, then leaned forward and kissed her forehead gently.
She stirred, murmuring something soft into the pillow, and curled deeper into the sheets.
He watched for a moment and smiled.
There was a beautiful purity in the way she slept. Her lips were slightly parted, hair tangled across her cheek. It was as if the entire world dropped away when she dreamed, and so became a dream herself.
It felt like a privilege to know that only he got to see her like this.
And yet, against his will, the unbidden image of Ethan surfaced in his mind.
He remembered Ethan taking Rachel from him, glaring down with an evil smile as he pulled Rachel into that small private bathroom, and closed the door on Noah’s face.
He could still see the way Rachel had glanced back at Ethan when they left the bar, too.
He hadn’t asked what happened in there. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know.
His stomach twisted as his cock swelled.
Noah stared at Rachel as his mind raced. As he wondered what parts of her Ethan had taken. Then, Rachel’s voice cut through his mind with those simple words.
“I love you.”
She had said it and meant it. And Noah knew, deep down, Ethan would never have her like this.
Noah exhaled through his nose as the knot in his chest began to ease.
Eventually, Noah slipped out of bed and, wearing only boxers, walked into the kitchen. He scanned the counters and sighed. Clutter and trash riddled the place.
Rachel had never been the best at cleaning.
But he didn’t mind. It gave him something to do, and he liked caring for her in small, invisible ways.
He loaded two empty coffee mugs into the dishwasher. Tossed a crusted pizza box into the trash. Wiped away dried smears of shredded cheddar from the counter with a damp paper towel.
Then turned and noticed an oversized hoodie over the back of the couch.
Noah’s pulse slowed. He stared at it a second longer than he meant to.
There was no doubt it was Mike’s.
He tore his eyes away from it and opened the trash can lid, only to be greeted by a pile of crushed beer cans.
It was Mike’s brand.
Noah just stared, the silence of the apartment deafening as reality hit like an incoming tide.
Rachel hadn’t just messed with Ethan. She had also been with Mike. Like, really been with him.
He’d been here. He’d hung out in this apartment. He’d slept over. Maybe even more than once.
Maybe he’d watched Rachel sleep the same way Noah had just done. Perhaps even held her afterward. Kissed her shoulder as she awoke in the morning light.
And if Mike had that too… what was special about him?
The sharp, irrational pain of insecurity overwhelmed his nerves.
Noah took a breath in an effort to clear his mind and did his best to remember the sincerity in Rachel’s eyes as she said the words.
“I want to be with you forever.”
Not Mike, not Ethan. Him.
But it didn’t seem to be enough. Certainty shifted under his feet as he leaned over the counter.
He hated the thought that they had wasn’t special anymore. That if Mike had seen her like that, that if Ethan had taken her in a way he’d never had, then what was left for them?
He glanced over at the sink as a sudden memory flickered in his mind.
It was when Mike passed through last week. He’d been roped into looking at the busted garbage disposal and was crouched under the sink. Half-soaked from a leaking pipe and swearing in frustration.
“Did you fix it?!” Rachel called from her bedroom.
“Working on it!” He shouted back before looking at Noah and rolling his eyes. “I’m not built for manual labor, man. But Rachel gives me that look, and suddenly I’m Bob the Builder.”
Noah smiled despite himself.
Because Mike was… Mike. Yes, he was a fuck boy. He spoke too loudly, drank too much, chased every girl he could find, and laughed at fart jokes too often.
But, he was also handsome. Kind in his own way. Down to earth and confident. And more than likely, loved Rachel just like Noah did.
That bothered Noah more than anything else. The only saving grace was the fact that he seemed to respect Noah and Rachel’s relationship.
Ethan was different. Ethan didn’t care who got burned. But Ethan also wasn’t spending the night at Rachel’s apartment.
Noah took a breath, doing his best to put it all out of his mind as he tied off the trash bag. He walked over to the front door and slipped into a pair of flip-flops. With a quiet pull, he stepped outside, gently closing the door behind him.
“Early riser too, huh?”
Noah looked down the hall and found Mel leaning against the wall outside her apartment, a half-empty coffee cup in hand. She wore an oversized hoodie and joggers. Her long, brown hair draped over one shoulder.
Noah gulped. Even in her casual attire, Mel was attractive.
“Morning, Mel,” Noah said timidly.
She stepped toward him, eyeing the trash bag at his side.
“I think domestic boyfriend is my favorite version of you so far,” she said.
Noah gave a sheepish smile. “Thought I’d clean up a little.”
“Come on, I’ll walk to the dumpster with you.” Mel fell into step beside him as they headed for the stairwell.
“So…” she said, “Did you two have a big night?”
Noah exhaled through his nose, a small grin forming. “Yeah.”
Mel’s lips pursed as she looked forward.
“Good for you.”
They walked to the dumpster, and Noah tossed the bag as Mel sipped her coffee in silence.
“Thanks for the company,” Noah said. Mel’s teeth sank into the lid of her cup.
“Wanna get breakfast?” she asked.
Noah blinked. “What, together?”
Mel laughed. “Yes, together.”
Noah nervously looked up toward Rachel’s apartment window.
“Uh… I don’t know…”
Mel followed his eyes to the window.
“What, is she up?”
“No, she’s a late sleeper,” Noah admitted.
“Then she’ll be fine,” Mel said with casual indifference.
Noah nodded with tense shoulders.
Mel tilted her head and smiled. “You are insanely loyal, you know that, right?”
Noah laughed uncomfortably. “I just want to be there when she wakes up.”
“You will be,” Mel said, stepping toward him. “And even if you weren’t, you’re allowed to have your own life, right? Your world doesn’t stop just because the princess wants to sleep in.”
She stared into his eyes long enough for Noah to blush.
“Right…” he finally said.
“So, are we going?”
Noah shrugged with a bashful smile. “Yeah. Sure. Why not?”
Mel smiled brightly.
“Then let’s go.”
–
The Commons Cafe sat nestled beside the library, its historic brick exterior covered in ivy. As always, the Cafe was packed. Students and locals bustled between one another, the scent of espresso mixing with the sound of countless conversations. Warm lighting pooled across reclaimed-wood tables, and orange-tinted interior windows imbued the space with a modern cottage-core feel.
A student with a classical guitar strummed through a smooth series of chords in the corner. A waitress passed carrying a tray full of eggs, waffles, and coffee mugs.
Mel pointed at a corner table near an artful stack of old books and a small arched window.
“That looks open,” she said.
“Shouldn’t we wait to be seated?” Noah asked.
“God, you’re such a rule follower,” she said, already heading toward the table. “Come on. It’ll be hours before they seat us, and I know most of the servers here. We’ll be fine.”
She gave him a look over her shoulder, laughing playfully as she waved him forward.
With a nervous sigh, Noah followed and took the seat across from her.
“So,” Mel said, grabbing a menu lying between them. “What do you typically like to eat?”
Noah looked up from his silverware. “Honestly?”
Mel’s eyes peeked above the menu. “Always.”
“Well…” He scratched his head and let out a nervous laugh. “Scrambled eggs. With, uh…”
“Don’t worry. This is a safe space,” she said jokingly, placing the menu down and resting her chin on her hand. Noah couldn’t help his heart from fluttering as he looked at her.
“Scrambled eggs with ketchup,” he said.
Mel’s mouth fell open. “Stop.”
“I know. It’s gross.”
“No, you don’t understand. That’s my favorite too!”
Noah blinked. “Wait, seriously?”
“Yes! I thought I was the only one at Godfrey who did that.”
He laughed, leaning forward. “Same! I like Godfrey but…”
“The students can be kinda stuck up?” Mel asked. Noah nodded eagerly.
“God, yes! Okay, wait. Do you also like raisin bagels with peanut butter?”
Mel froze. “Noah.”
“And bacon on top?!” He added excitedly.
She slammed her hands on the table. “That’s it, it’s decided. We’re obviously soulmates.”
They both laughed. Real, easy laughter that mixed with the café chatter.
Noah felt something inside him crawl. He cleared his throat and dampened his smile. Mel stared with empathy.
“I was only joking,” she said.
Noah nodded. “I know… I know…”
“You don’t have to feel guilty for a joke, Noah.” Mel leaned forward. “After all, it’s not like you’re sleeping with other girls. God forbid you follow in Rachel’s footsteps.”
Noah paused, then cleared his throat.
“Yeah,” His tone was firmer now. Mel leaned back.
“Sorry, too far. I just mean you’re safe here, ok? There’s nothing wrong with hanging and chatting,” Mel said gently.
“No… you’re right.” Noah paused for a moment. “I could learn to loosen up a little bit.”
“We love a self-improver,” Mel encouraged.
Once again, the conversation flowed, and the hours bled together into a single moment. Each lost in the presence of the other.
–
“Okay, that’s too far,” Mel laughed, shaking her head.
“What?” Noah grinned, taking a sip from his coffee mug.
“You put pickle juice on your bacon? You’re deranged.”
“You just said Nutella and nacho Doritos was an acceptable combo.”
“Yeah. But that’s not pickle juice on bacon, Noah.”
They both laughed, leaning into the small space between them. The morning light had shifted into midday, slanting brightly through the windows. Behind them, the café buzzed with life. Silverware clinked, espresso machines hissed, and the guitarist wrapped up his final song to the sound of applause.
The waitress came by, notepad in hand.
“So sorry for the wait, I didn’t even see you over here. Are you two ready to order?”
“Yes, can we have two large plates of scrambled eggs, a side of bacon, hash browns, and raisin bagels?” Noah said, glancing at Mel.
“And can we get some extra ketchup packets?” Mel added.
The waitress gave a tight smile and nodded, vanishing back into the busy crowd.
Mel leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs beneath the table.
Noah couldn’t help but notice how easily this all flowed. The banter. The laughter.
The food arrived. They dug in.
The conversation wandered from favorite books to least favorite professors to strange interests.
Time blurred.
Neither of them noticed when their plates were scraped clean.
Or when their coffee mugs emptied.
Or when the sun shifted from gold morning to white afternoon.
It was only when Mel looked down at her phone that reality snuck back between them.
“I never would’ve guessed this,” she said.
Noah looked up. “Guessed what?”
Mel swirled the last of her coffee, her fingers tracing the rim of the mug.
“That I’d like someone like you.”
She caught his eyes. Noah’s face went flush as his phone buzzed on the table.
He cleared his throat and glanced down.
Rachel: Hey babe, I’m up. Where’d you go??? 🥺💔
Noah smiled instinctively.
“Looks like Rachel’s up,” he said. Then he looked up and met Mel’s eyes across the table.
Her gaze was warm.
His smile faltered.
“I should probably head back,” he said softly.
Mel didn’t react right away. But eventually, she gave a subtle nod as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“Have to return to the princess, huh?”
Noah cleared his throat.
“Yeah…”
A long silence followed.
Mel picked up her coffee cup, found it empty, and set it back down with a quiet clink. “So what, she sends you a sad emoji, and you come running?”
“It wasn’t a sad emoji. It was… the dramatic pouty face,” Noah said jokingly.
Mel scoffed, barely smiling. “Tragic.”
“She just worries, that’s all.”
“She doesn’t strike me as the worrying type.”
Noah looked down at his phone again, then locked the screen without replying. Mel pulled her hoodie sleeves down over her wrists.
“I’ve got homework anyway,” she said, not looking at him. “I’ll walk back with you.”
“Cool,” Noah said.
Mel stood. “You want to split this?”
Noah hesitated, watching her too long.
“Yeah. Sure.”
They walked toward the counter together, the distant clatter of plates and the low hum of brunch conversations filling the silence between them.
As they waited for the receipt, Mel leaned one elbow against the counter, turning slightly toward him.
“So… business classes still going alright?” Noah said.
Mel let out a small, tired laugh. “They’re going. I’m surviving corporate accounting, so I guess that counts as a win.”
He smiled. “Still thinking about switching to something more in health and wellness?”
Mel hesitated, then gave a vague shrug. “The business major’s useful. But… yeah, sometimes I think about picking up a health minor and focusing on the influencer stuff. It’s just—”
She stopped herself and looked longingly at Noah.
“Feels like I might’ve missed the window.”
Noah tilted his head. “What makes you say that?”
She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she glanced toward the window, where the light spilled across the café floor in long slants.
“Sometimes you just miss the timing, you know?”
Noah nodded. “Well, I don’t think it’s ever too late. If you really want something, it’s worth fighting for it.”
Mel turned to him and smiled weakly.
“Thanks Noah,” she said softly.
The receipt printed with a faint whir. Mel took it, scanned the total, and pulled a couple of bills from her wallet. She slid her half across the table, her fingers lingering next to Noah’s a moment longer than they needed to.
They pushed through the crowd towards the exit. Noah opened the door for her.
Mel walked past him without a word.
They stepped into the afternoon sun.
And between them, something had shifted.
Noah didn’t notice.
But Mel did.