GUESTS

Noah was the first to wake up hearing the door bell going off again and again with no rest. He forced himself to open his eyes and tried to walk to the door when he stumbled on a blanket which he didn't understand where it came from. As far as he could remember, he slept without a blanket and pillow. He kicked the blanket back to the couch before dragging himself to the door and leaning his head onto it.

The door bell went off once again but this time, he was totally awake as it blew into his senses. He flinched as the door bell penetrated through his ears and he lowkey cursed before pulling the door open. He saw an elderly man and a woman of almost as aged as the man staring at him. He shook his head once more to make sure that he was not dreaming.

"Did we get a wrong house?" The woman asked the man with a confused face but her stares were still on the boy.

"I assume we did." He whispered back before looking over the boy to the apartment.

"But, the photo frame." The woman spoke as she pointed at the photo which was hanging down the hall.

Noah looked back at the photo and it was that of Ren along with her parents, maybe taken during her graduation ceremony. His cheeks flushed as he noticed that the people standing in front of him is none other than her parents. He quickly moved aside and bowed to them and muttered sorry, a numerous times.

"Where is Ren?" The man asked as he walked in with an odd stare which can't be blamed.

"Sleeping, I assume." He whispered before running back to fix the couch in which he was sleeping to make space for them to sit.

"Uhh?"

"You can have a seat." Noah offered as he pulled the blankets and pillows away to other side.

"Why does it feel like we are the guests now?" The man chuckled dryly but they took the seat that Noah offered but their eyes were asking for an explanation.

"Hmm, I am Noah Hutchins and I am just staying here till I get another apartment." He said not knowing what else he was supposed to say.

"Are you Ren's friend?" The woman asked placing the bag she had n the table.

"Y-yes, you can say that." He stuttered because introducing himself like that doesn't feel right as it has been only two days since they met.

"What are you doing?" The man asked as he gestured Noah to take a seat as well.

"I ju-just woke up." He said confused because he was sure that he had said it before.

"Not that." The man answered as he tried his best to not laugh but the woman seemed a bit bothered about it.

Before the situation could go any worse, the bed room door opened a little revealing Ren in her night dress. She was scratching her eyed to get rid of the after sleep tiredness and marching to Noah as he was the one who sat straight ahead of her. He looked at her and then at her parents not knowing what the next action would be.

"Good morning." She called to him before plopping down next to him, stretching her whole body.

"Good morning." It was her father who answered her instead of Noah.

"Why are you sounding so rough like my dad." She chuckled while playfully hitting the boy's hand.

"Ren, your parents are here." Noah hesitantly said pointing to the left side.

Ren tilted her head and looked at him in confusion but ended up looking at the direction where he pointed to. She choked on air seeing her mom and dad, sitting very much alive next to her. She knew things would get awkward pretty soon as they barged in without warning.

"Hello?" her father said once again as he waved his hands in front of her.

"Oh hey, dad.. Uhh, hey mom." she forced a smile while looking down, not being able to meet their eyes.

"We are your parents, right?" her mom asked her out of context.

"Ye-yes, why?"

"You should have told us that someone else would be staying here with you." She frowned a little and Ren knew she fucked up big time.

"It is not what you think."

"So, you are the reason why Ren said no to the proposal yesterday?" the woman asked Noah with a serious face.

"No to a proposal? I don't know anything." he innocently answered as his pupis perplexed at the statement.

"What's his job?" her father asked making him more uncomfortable.

"Mom...dad, this is not what you think." Ren tried to correct.

"He is handsome and kind of looking from a good family so we wouldn't be against this."

"What?" Noah asked in confusion.

"Mom, this is not what you think for real so give it a break. Noah is my friend." Ren corrected but lowkey she enjoyed what her parents said.

"Come on, he is staying here with you and still you are trying to lie to us? We are not that orthodox when it comes to marriage and you know that." She said as she looked at her husband who nodded his head in agreement.

"Why is it so loud early in the morning? Lia woke up from the sleep hearing all the talks and laughs.

She jumped out of the room with a bed hair and messed up dress. She looked as if she was sleep deprieved for a week but as usual, she didn't care about anything. She walked.... to be exact, she sleep walked to Noah and fell on his shoulders. Noah smiled awkwardly at Ren's parents before pulling the girl away from him.

"Who is that? Are you perhaps sharing the apartment?" her father asked concerned at the new guest.

"That is my friend." Noah said as he tried to wake Lia up from her sleep.

"Dad, Noah and Lia just came to town so I am helping them to find a new place to move. There is nothing more about us." Ren answered politely but she was burning in anger.

"Hmm, okkay. We just came to stay here for two days but the apartment seems to be already filled so we would come back later." They said before handing some packages to Ren.

"We are sorry, sir. We will shift now, you don't have to leave your daughter because of this." Noah hesitated at the statement made by the old man.

"We have to visit some more places anyways so we better do that first before staying here. You can take your time and shift so don't rush yourself." he consoled the boy who was dying in guilt.