By next afternoon, he was back on the field, the sun beating down as he jogged toward the goalpost. Sweat ran down his temples, his body moving out of habit more than focus. Soccer practice had always been his outlet, a way to burn off restlessness and exhaustion before the world demanded more from him.
The week blurred by in a rhythm of classes, late-night reports and endless check-ins at the café outlets. The rest of the week continue with him heading straight for the badminton drills. The sharp slap of the shuttlecock, the squeak of soles on the court, it was muscle memory now. But every now and then, his thoughts wandered. Between volleys, he caught himself thinking about Noelle, the way her hair brushed against his cheek when she leaned close, how she'd laugh softly under her breath when she was trying to be serious.
By the time evening came, he was drained, physically and mentally. His body ached in that good, familiar way but his mind buzzed with anticipation instead of fatigue. Saturday couldn't come fast enough.
He had been planning their date all week, nothing grand, just something theirs. A quiet movie, maybe some dinner after, a night where they didn't have to think about work, school, or everything that had come before. Just him and her.
As he slung his bag over his shoulder, one of his teammates clapped him on the back. "You're spacing out again, man. You've got someone on your mind?"
Ren smirked faintly, shaking his head. "Of cos, all the time." he said and left it at that.
He could already picture it: Noelle beside him in the dark theatre, her hand in his, her laughter spilling softly when he leaned in to whisper something stupid just to make her smile.
Ren barely had time to catch his breath, much less drop by Noelle's place. Each night, he returned home past midnight, collapsing onto his bed with his laptop still open and half-written notes glowing on the screen.
He'd told himself it was temporary, just until he caught up. But as the days went by, he started to miss her in small, quiet ways, the sound of her voice, the soft frown she made when she was focused, even the faint trace of her shampoo that used to linger on his hoodie.
Noelle hadn't complained. She never did. She just sent him the occasional photo of her project, half-finished sketches, neat notes, sometimes a coffee mug with a pun written on it. Her messages were short but steady, the kind that told him she was still there, even if they weren't saying much.
He smirked to himself and began typing.
Ren: So… did you forget about me already?
The typing bubble appeared almost immediately.
Noelle:I'm sorry. Who is this?
He chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck.
Ren:Definitely me. Been running on caffeine and regrets. You?
Noelle:Just finishing my project. My groupmates think I've merged with my laptop.
Ren:Sounds intense. You need a break.
There was a small pause. Then another bubble appeared.
Noelle:You mean… like our movie this Saturday?
Ren smiled, thumb hovering over the screen for a second before replying.
Ren:About that… how about a change of plans? My treat but your place. We'll bring the movie to you. Snacks, takeout, the full theatre experience minus the sticky floors.
Her reply took a moment longer this time.
Noelle:So basically… a home date?
Ren:Exactly. Just you, me and my impeccable taste in movies.
Noelle:Bold claim. You sure you're not just looking for an excuse to raid my snacks and hog the couch?
Ren:I make no promises.
Her next message came with a small emoji — a smiley face with flushed cheeks.
Noelle:Fine. But only if you bring dessert.
Ren leaned back in his chair, the exhaustion of the day softening into something lighter.
Ren:Deal. I'll bring something sweet. You just be ready for me.
Ren set his phone down, a quiet laugh escaping him. The exhaustion in his body didn't fade, but it felt lighter and easier to bear. Saturday couldn't come soon enough.
Saturday came slower than Ren would've liked but when it finally did, he found himself standing outside Noelle's apartment with a paper bag in one hand and his usual nervous energy simmering beneath the surface.
He'd barely slept the night before, having stayed up finishing some paperwork for the café. His eyes were a little tired, his shirt slightly wrinkled but there was an unmistakable lightness in his step. The smell of popcorn and caramel wafted from the bag.
When the door opened, Noelle stood there barefoot, hair loosely tied, wearing a soft beige sweater and denim shorts. She blinked in surprise, then smiled. "You look like you've been through a war."
Ren smirked, leaning against the doorframe. "You should see the other guy. He's called responsibility."
She laughed, the sound easy and bright, the kind of laugh that made his exhaustion worth it. "So… what's in the bag?"
"Bribes," he said simply, holding it out. "Popcorn, desserts from the café and those gummy bears you're addicted to. I thought I'd earn my invitation inside."
She rolled her eyes but stepped aside, motioning him in. "You're lucky you brought snacks. Otherwise, I'd have shut the door."
He followed her in, inhaling that familiar scent: the mix of coffee, vanilla, and something distinctly her. His shoulders eased immediately. "You redecorated," he noted, glancing at the string lights draped along the wall and the blanket fort of pillows on the couch.
"It's called cozy ambiance," she said, crossing her arms with mock seriousness. "Some people appreciate soft lighting."
"Right, right," he murmured, setting the bag down. "So, what are we watching?"
"Something light," she said, grabbing the remote. "You look like you'll pass out if it's anything emotional."
"I'll have you know, I'm perfectly awake."
But halfway through the movie, Ren wasn't watching the screen anymore. He was watching her. The way her lips curved when she tried not to laugh, the way she tucked her legs under her, absently munching on popcorn.
When she caught him staring, she raised an eyebrow. "What?"
He shrugged. "Just making sure you're really here with me. I was starting to think I imagined you all week."
Her gaze softened. "You've been busy," she said, brushing her fingers through her hair. "I get it."
"Still," he murmured, leaning closer, "I missed this."
"Watching movies?"
He smiled, voice dropping. "No. Being with you."
She rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the blush that crept into her cheeks. "You're just tired."
He leaned in further, his tone playful. "Definitely not of you."
"Because you brought snacks," she whispered, smirking.
"Good to know my worth." He chuckled, then brushed a kiss against her temple, lingering just long enough to feel her smile against his skin.
The movie played on, forgotten as she rested her head against his shoulder.
But beneath that calm, Noelle still felt a small tug in her chest. The kind that whispered how fragile this peace was, how easily it could shatter if life… or Ren's world… crept in again.
And Ren, holding her close, breathed in her scent like he always did. A quiet, grounding reminder that no matter how chaotic everything else got, this was home as he's spending more time here than his own.
The credits rolled but neither of them moved. The glow from the TV painted the room in soft gold and blue, their shadows melting together against the couch.
Noelle turned slightly, her head still on his shoulder. "You didn't watch a single scene, did you?"
Ren smiled, his voice low. "I was watching something better."