Chapter 20: Left Behind, Again
The morning light bled softly through the blinds as Noel buttoned up his shirt, clean and crisp. His bag was already packed, hair slightly damp from a quick shower.
He glanced over his shoulder.
Luca was still curled up, arm flung across his face, the sheets tangled around his legs like he’d wrestled with them in his sleep.
Noel sighed, stepping closer to the bed. "Luca," he called, voice firm but low.
No movement.
Noel leaned down, nudging Luca’s shoulder. "Hey. You’ve got class this morning, remember?"
Luca groaned, pulling the blanket higher. "Five more minutes."
"You said that always. You missed your first period."
Luca peeked one eye open, squinting. "Why are you so... alive?"
"It’s called discipline," Noel replied, grabbing the pillow and swatting Luca’s stomach with it. "Come on. You’re gonna be late again."
Luca whined, dragging himself upright halfway, hair a complete mess. "What time is it?"