Chapter 4: The Unexpected Ride
Luisa stood at the bus stop, shivering slightly as the cold wind brushed against her cheeks.
Luisa: "Ahh, it's so cold... and this rain—why isn't it stopping?"
The drizzle turned into a heavy downpour, drumming on the roof above her.
Luisa: "Oh no, it's getting heavier."
Just then, a sleek black car pulled up nearby. She stepped back quickly, afraid the puddle water would splash her.
A familiar voice called out.
???: "Do you want a lift?"
Luisa froze. That voice...
Ben: "Hey, do you want a lift?"
Luisa (shocked): "Ah, no, no—it's fine! I'm waiting for the bus."
Ben: "It's not coming. The rain's too heavy—public transport's stopped."
Luisa: "What? It's okay, I'll just call a cab."
She opened her phone and tried the app.
No cabs available.
Ben: "I'm asking again. I can drop you home."
Luisa hesitated, thinking, How can I go with him? I barely know him...
As if reading her thoughts, Ben spoke gently.
Ben: "You can trust me. I won't hurt you."
Slowly, Luisa walked toward the car. Ben leaned over and opened the front door.
Ben: "Come in."
She got in, quietly shutting the door behind her.
Ben: "Can you tell me your address?"
Luisa (awkwardly): "Ah... oh, yes."
She told him her address, feeling embarrassed. The car filled with silence—only the sound of rain tapping on the windows.
Luisa glanced at him from the corner of her eye. I should thank him, she thought.
Luisa (in a low voice): "Hey... thank you again."
Ben: "Thank me again? For what?"
Luisa: "Because you helped me before."
Ben (smiling slightly): "Stop thanking me again and again. You're my classmate."
Luisa (smiling shyly): "Still... thank you."
Ben (chuckling): "Wow, again."
Luisa (awkwardly): "Okay, I won't say it again."
Ben: "By the way, I didn't properly introduce myself. I'm Ben, from Aves. I'm a new transfer student here. Nice to meet you... you're Luisa, right?"
Luisa: "Yeah, my name's Luisa. I'm from Lore. Nice to meet you too."
She turned her gaze toward the window, watching the rain blur the city lights.
Ben: "You're an introvert, aren't you?"
Luisa (surprised): "Ah! Yes... you could say that. You seem like one too."
Ben (smirking): "Not really. I'm just new here."
Luisa: "Turn left here."
Ben: "Actually, Himmer is my hometown. My parents live here, but I've been studying away for years."
Luisa: "Oh, I see. I'm just here for my studies."
Ben: "That's great."
Luisa: "Stop here. I can go by myself from here."
Ben: "But why? You said your house is in the third block—I can drive you there."
Luisa (getting out of the car): "It's okay, I can go by myself."
Ben: "But it's still raining."
Luisa: "It's fine. I have an umbrella."
Ben: "Alright then. I won't force you. Bye, take care."
Luisa (shyly): "Ah... bye. Take care of yourself too."
Ben drove off, and Luisa stood there for a moment, the rain washing over her umbrella.
As she walked toward her flat, she muttered softly,
Luisa: "If my landlady saw me with a guy, she'd definitely tell my mom..."
She sighed, shaking her head with a tiny smile, then hurried upstairs to her room.
Inside, she took off her jacket and set her umbrella aside. Pulling out her phone, she did what she always did after coming home—called her mother.
Luisa (on call): "Hi Mom, how are you?"
Mom: "Good, honey. How about you?"
They chatted for a few minutes before ending the call.
Luisa sighed softly. "I should go take a shower."
After a warm shower, she stepped out, drying her hair with a towel.
Luisa: "Ahh... it feels so good now."
She looked out her window at the rain still falling outside, unaware that her thoughts were once again drifting toward Ben