in the ring / harry styles

10- Noah's Visit

I woke up to sunlight stretching across the room, illuminating the stacks of books on my desk and the scattered clothes draped over the back of my chair. The posters on the walls caught the light, their colors softened, adding a warm, lived-in feel to the familiar chaos of my space. I sat up slowly, letting last night drift back to me in flashes—the steadiness of Harry's gaze, the way his hand had lingered on my waist, the intensity that seemed to follow him everywhere he went. My thoughts lingered there for a moment, and I could feel a mix of thrill and warmth settle in my chest.

A buzz from my phone cut through the quiet. I reached over, half expecting it to be Emilia or Lynn, but when I saw Dad's name, I picked up right away.

"Hey, Dad!" I said, leaning back against the headboard, a smile spreading as I heard his voice.

"Hey, sweetheart. Hope I'm not calling too early," he replied. His voice was familiar and warm, though I could sense a hint of weariness, a subtle edge that had me sitting up a little straighter. In the background, I heard Noah's voice, high-pitched and animated, likely explaining some part of the game he was playing.

"Nope, I'm awake. What's up?" I asked, sensing he had something on his mind.

Dad hesitated, letting out a sigh before he continued. "I was hoping you could spend some time with Noah this weekend. He's been having a tough time lately—especially with his friend Danny—and he's been glued to his games all week. When I mentioned seeing you, though, he seemed excited. Your mom's heading to Delaware for a few days, so I thought maybe I'd drop him off in the morning, if you're free."

Hearing Noah was struggling tugged at something deep in me. I could picture him retreating to his games, using them as a refuge. "Of course, Dad," I replied, already feeling eager to see him. "Tell him I'll be ready, and you can bring him over whenever."

There was a soft relief in Dad's voice as he responded. "Thanks, Lucy. He's really going to appreciate this. I'll drop him off around noon."

After we hung up, I glanced around my room, trying to picture it through Noah's eyes. I started tidying up, pushing the clutter to one side of my desk and straightening out my books. I folded the throw blanket on my bed, adjusting the pillows to make sure there'd be enough room for him to spread out with his games and controllers. I set out a few snacks on my nightstand, clearing a spot for his gaming setup, hoping the familiar sights of the room would make him feel at home.

A few minutes before noon, a knock sounded at the door, and I opened it to find Dad and Noah. My little brother's face lit up the second he saw me, his backpack nearly bursting with games and a controller sticking out from the top.

"Lucy!" he shouted, his voice full of excitement as he launched forward, wrapping his arms around me in a tight hug.

"Hey, buddy!" I laughed, hugging him back, feeling his happiness seep into me. "Ready for a night of games and snacks?"

He nodded enthusiastically, holding up his controller like a trophy. "I brought all my stuff!" he announced proudly, his eyes shining. Dad gave me a grateful smile, resting a hand on Noah's shoulder as he passed him over to me.

"Thanks, Lucy," Dad said, his voice soft. "He's really been looking forward to this."

"Don't worry, we're going to have a blast," I promised, giving Noah a quick squeeze as Dad gave him one last ruffle of his hair before leaving.

Once Dad was gone, Noah took to exploring the room with wide eyes, his attention bouncing from Emilia's neat, organized desk to Lynn's side, which was, as always, a barely-contained mess of notebooks, empty coffee cups, and a pile of clothes. He wandered over to my desk next, eyeing the books and glancing up at the posters on the walls, his curiosity clearly piqued. I could sense a hesitation behind his usual energy, a slight pullback as he took it all in, like he was holding something back, something I'd have to tease out of him.

"So," I said, leaning casually against my desk, "are you going to show me all your best moves, or are you already too scared to lose?"

He shot me a grin, some of his hesitation melting away as he met my gaze. "I'm going to crush you, Lucy," he teased, his voice full of confidence as he set up his console by my desk, the wires sprawling across the floor like his own miniature battleground.

For the next few hours, the dorm was filled with laughter, shouts, and Noah's triumphant victory dances. He won match after match, his competitive spirit lighting up his face as he explained each move with an intensity that reminded me of Harry's, though Noah's was purer, unburdened by any dark edges. He taught me every cheat and shortcut he knew, his hands flying over the controller as he showed off his skills, his confidence growing with each victory.

Eventually, I had to take a break, my hands cramping from trying to keep up with his fast-paced games. I got up to grab some water, my legs grateful for the stretch. Just as I took a sip, my phone buzzed, and I glanced down to see a message from Harry.

Harry: What are you up to?

A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth as I quickly typed back.

Lucy: Playing video games with my brother. He's staying the night.

There was a pause, and then his response popped up.

Harry: I'll come by. Give him a real challenge.

Lucy: You sure? He's serious competition.

Harry: All the better. Be there soon.

My heart skipped at the thought of him coming over. I could almost imagine him stepping into my dorm, his usual quiet confidence somehow filling the space, adding a new layer of energy to this little world I shared with my friends. I slipped my phone into my pocket, the flutter in my chest refusing to calm down as I made my way back over to Noah.