November

"Hey, Maddy. I'm leaving for my lunch break today. I'll be back before it ends." 

"You could take the day off, if you'd like. You seem on edge."

My face lit up with appreciation, "Really? I can?"

"Yeah. Buy some comfort food. Take some time off. What'd you think?"

"But I haven't been working much these days, don't you-"

"I'll be fine. Don't worry. You've never once asked me or called in sick, you can have a day or two for yourself." She cut me off. That's what I loved the most about Maddy. She always took care of me, even if I didn't ask for it. 

"Thank you so much!" I expressed my gratitude by pulling her in for a soul crushing hug.

"Trying to suffocate the old lady, are we?" Maddy vibrated with laughter under my embrace.

"Now why would I want to do such a thing?" I grinned as I released my strong hold on her and headed towards the door to leave.

"Byee!" I waved, making my way out. "Tell the idiot I said bye, too."

My feet stepped against the pavement, creating light thuds, as I made my way to the apartment. But, a sound of a jingling bell and a "Hey!" stopped me in my tracks.

I turned around to see the idiot walking— well, jogging up to me. "Where are you going?" He curiously asked.

He made jogging look so effortless, barely even turning red. Not that I can relate. I didn't do running. Just wasn't my thing.

"Uh to my apartment? I'm leaving for the day." I said, stuffing my hands further in my coat's pockets. I noticed his face fall the slightest.

"But why?" He frowned.

"I'm meeting up with a.. friend." I laughed awkwardly. 

"What type of friend?" His frown grew deeper.

"Friend friend. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be late." I ended the conversation before turning on my heel and making my way towards my apartment.

*
"Nova, open up!" I heard shouting coming from behind the door, followed by a series of aggressive banging against the door.

Jeez, Theo sure knew how to make an entrance.

I rolled my eyes as I opened the door, only to be met by a flustered looking Theodora once she realized that I had company.

"Who's that?" She asked, her cheeks tainted with a light shade of pink as she discreetly pointed at him. Her eyes were flickering between me and Noah.

"That would be Noah." I explained, pointing back at him.

Noah waved at a confused looking Theo, following it up with an awkward smile from where he was seated— the couch in my living room.

"Is that.. creepy guy?" Theo whispered-yelled at me, gesturing at Noah with her hands.

"I can hear you, you know? So you talk about me." Noah said, his lips transforming into a smug smirk.

My eyes traveled between the two amusedly. I witnessed Theo's face deepen into a lovelier shade of a fiery red, almost matching her hair color.

"What's he doing here?" Theo whispered, crossing her arms. She awkwardly pushed her blazing hair back behind her ears. 

"I have no idea. He just wouldn't leave, so there he is." I shrugged.

"You know, you guys really suck at 'whispering'" Noah butted in, making air quotes with his fingers.

I shrugged once more, and looked over at Theo. She seemed to be thinking deeply about what he just said, before taking a seat on the chair. I plopped myself on the couch, right next to Noah. I scrunch my nose at the cologne he was wearing, it smelled good. I could feel his body's heat from how close we were.