The sound of cheerful chatter continued as the 12th graders filed out of the grand hall, their energy high from the excitement of the competition. Reverie, Noah, Danielle, and Theodore walked together toward the exit, their laughter mingling with the buzz around them. As they neared the hallway, Danielle suddenly stopped, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm.
"I've been meaning to go to the art class with you," she said, nudging Theodore. "Come on, let’s go make some random art!"
Theodore raised an eyebrow but smiled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "You know I’m always down for that. Lead the way."
They veered off toward the art department, leaving Reverie and Noah standing together. For a moment, the two of them exchanged an awkward glance, the space between them feeling a little heavier after the earlier tension in the hall. But Noah, ever the smooth talker, broke the silence with a grin.
"Hey, I have an idea. How about we head over to the ice cream shop?" he suggested, his eyes bright with mischief. "A little treat after all that brain work sounds perfect, right?"
Reverie hesitated for a moment, her mind still lingering on the way Aries had ignored her in the hall. But Noah’s warmth and his familiar, easy-going smile made it harder to resist.
“Sure, why not?” she said, shrugging slightly, though her smile was a little more subdued.
As they made their way to the convenient store on campus, they chatted about nothing in particular memories from earlier in the day, funny anecdotes from their time in school. The familiar banter felt comforting, but Noah could tell Reverie’s mind was elsewhere. He could see the quiet sadness still lingering in her eyes, and he knew exactly what to do.
When they reached the shop, Noah led Reverie to the counter, glancing over the options with an exaggerated frown. "You know," he said, "ice cream sounds great, but how about we mix it up? Ramen and sushi. Nothing says ‘we’ve survived another school day’ like a bit of sushi."
Reverie blinked at him, surprised by the suggestion. “Ramen? Isn’t that a bit... random for an ice cream shop?”
Noah chuckled and shrugged. “I’m all about the unexpected. Plus, I know this place does an amazing ramen bowl. Trust me, it’s a good plan.”
Reverie, still trying to shake off her earlier discomfort, nodded. “Alright, you’re the expert,” she said with a small smile.
They ordered their ramen and sushi, settling into a quiet corner of the small shop. The atmosphere was cozy, with soft lighting and a few students scattered around, eating and chatting. Noah and Reverie dug into their food, the quiet between them filling with the clink of chopsticks and the hum of conversation from other tables.
As they sat at the small table, digging into their ramen and sushi, the conversation flowed easily between Reverie and Noah. It was lighthearted, filled with random topics. Funny school memories, their favorite snacks, and the bizarre things they’d seen around campus. Noah couldn’t help but chuckle every now and then at Reverie’s animated expressions as she talked, the way her eyes sparkled with each story she shared.
Reverie was so engrossed in her story about a random mix-up in class that she didn’t notice a small piece of sushi had slipped out of her mouth and was now resting on the corner of her lips. It wasn’t until Noah paused mid-bite, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips, that she realized something was off.
“Erie,” Noah said, his voice playful but gentle. “You’ve got a little something right here.” He pointed to the edge of her mouth with a teasing grin.
Her hand shot up to her face in embarrassment, and she wiped at the spot hastily, but Noah was quicker. Reaching across the table, he grabbed a tissue from the napkin holder and gently dabbed at the corner of her mouth, his movements careful and precise.
"There," he said softly, throwing the used tissue into the trash, his eyes never leaving hers.
Reverie blinked, her cheeks flushing at the tender, almost intimate gesture. She couldn’t help but feel her heart skip a beat, though she tried to mask it with a casual laugh. “Thanks, Noah. I guess I got a little too excited there.”
Noah simply shrugged, a warm smile tugging at his lips. “It’s nothing. I’m just making sure you don’t look like a mess.”
She smiled back, feeling an unexpected warmth spread through her chest. It wasn’t just the food or the day’s events that made her feel better, it was Noah’s kindness, his thoughtfulness, and the way he made everything feel just a little bit easier.
“Anyway,” Noah continued, picking up his chopsticks, “I’m glad you’re here with me today. It’s nice to just hang out and not worry about anything.”
Reverie nodded, the tension of the day melting away in the warmth of the moment. She felt grateful to have someone like Noah around.
“So…” Noah began, breaking the silence as he took a bite of his sushi. “How’s the whole Aries thing going for you?”
Reverie stiffened for a moment, but Noah’s gaze was warm, as if he was trying to offer her some comfort without making it awkward.
“I don’t know,” Reverie replied after a moment, her voice quiet. “He just… ignored me back there. It’s like I don’t even exist to him anymore.”
Noah nodded thoughtfully, setting down his bowl. “I get it. I mean, I saw how he acted. But listen, you don’t need to dwell on it, okay?” He gave her a reassuring smile. “Aries is... Aries. He’ll figure things out when he’s ready. In the meantime, you’ve got people who care about you right here.”
Reverie looked up at him, a small, grateful smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “Thanks, Noah. That means a lot.”
Noah grinned and took another bite of his ramen. “Anytime. And hey, we both survived that challenge today, right? Let’s not focus on the stuff that makes us feel bad. We’ve got sushi and ramen now. Life’s pretty good.”
Reverie chuckled softly, feeling the weight in her chest ease just a little. “Yeah, I guess you're right. It’s nice to just be here, with friends... and not think about all the other stuff.”
As they continued eating, the conversation shifted to lighter topics, favorite movies, the upcoming summer plans, random jokes that made them laugh louder than they should have. Noah kept her distracted, not letting her linger too long on anything that might bring back the uncomfortable memories of Aries.
The noise of the convenience store became a soothing background as they ate, the moment stretching into a calm, easy space where Reverie could forget about everything for just a little while. And for the first time since the awkward moment in the hall, she felt a tiny spark of peace.
-16JUNE2004
YOU ARE READING
Echoes Of The Unseen
RomanceAfter the breakup with Aries, Reverie's life took a dramatic turn. Heartbroken and lost, she thought she'd never be able to move on from her first love. But with her best friends Noah, Danielle, and Theodore by her side, she found a way to smile aga...
