Warmer Hearts

Cora seethed with frustration that Noah had been absent for weeks. She was more agitated considering he had every conceivable means to contact her.

He had her phone number, knew her family home, and even her apartment's location, all thanks to Cate and whatever led him to her residence.

So, when he knocked on her door, a glimmer of hope ignited within her, albeit one she couldn't quite believe herself.

From her perspective, Noah had an uncanny ability to infiltrate her thoughts, even when she was diligently trying to keep him out. And now that he had managed to breach her defenses, fortunately, Cora hoped that would be the last boundaries they cross.

Reflecting on the incident that had just happened, while in the shower, she recalled the maddening sensation when he closed that door behind him.

Cora had never harbored any desire for Noah to stay at her place, never entertained the thought of indulging in intimate moments with him, and never imagined letting him exercise his prowess as he so adeptly did. She bit her lower lip as she ruminated on this, gently passing the soapy loofah over her breasts. The feeling was tingling.

Even after his departure without a word, she could still sense his lingering presence. How discourteous of him. Cora couldn't help but feel like she was nurturing him into a monster, one that might ultimately consume her whole. Yet, strangely, this feeling aroused her more than it angered her.

While slipping on her pajama shirt, her phone chimed, signaling a message from Noah.

"Sorry, I had to depart abruptly."

Cora read the message with a warm sensation enveloping her heart. She chose to call him, hesitating at first, but tonight, he deserved that phone call.

"You came."

However, Noah, on the other end of the line, misinterpreted her tone, rendering him too bashful to respond. Cora swiftly recognized this. "Oh, now I see why you left in such haste."

"Are you going to shame me for it?"

Noah's voice was both assured and somewhat anxious, as he never intended Cora to see him this way; as one who can't last long. She should not have found out, now that he knows her real name.

Cora's laughter crossed the line, making him even more uneasy. "You set yourself up for this, I embarrassed myself too."

Amidst her jests about haste being a crime, Cora's comment made Noah feel better. However, she crushed his contentment when she said, "But if I hadn't come first, I would've been utterly furious with you."

"I know; you never fail to keep me on my toes."

"You should," Cora responded, causing him to feel worse than he had a moment ago. But deep down, he yearned to be tormented by her.

"..."

His slight sigh prompted her to continue.

"Not that I care, but have you found a girlfriend yet?"

Noah's stomach sank at Cora's question. How could she ask such a thing now, especially when his hands were still warm from touching her? "Perhaps," Noah replied, attempting to sound enigmatic.

"I heard you were involved with a freshman; how many hearts have you conquered by now?" Cora teased, curious to hear him admit to being with that sophomore's girlfriend, an idea Cate had suggested as a favor.

Noah laughed nervously, trying to deflect the question. He understood just how disinterested Cora was in him. Revealing that he had been with another girl might diminish her regard for him, but lying would breach her trust. Cora stressed repeatedly that she never caught feelings, so there was no harm in telling her the truth.

"I'm an appealing guy; every girl I pass in the hallways yearns to be captivated by my charm. Don't blame me for being too irresistibly handsome. I've had a few. Any hint of jealousy?"

Cora chuckled, "You wish."

Despite uncharted territory, Noah was curious if she was dating and making romantic connections as well.

"It's only fair that you reveal your tally now that you know mine. How many?"

"Do you think I will?"

"Of course not," Noah replied honestly, leaving Cora satisfied. She had never intended to divulge her personal life to him. Not now, not ever.

"It's bedtime for me, Noah. Anything else on your mind?"

"How can you sleep so early? Why don't you invite me over, and I promise to bring insomnia along with me?"

"Goodnight, Noah," Cora said before ending the call. He had expected worse, so he didn't take it to heart.

Instead, he sent her a sleeping GIF as a goodnight message.

His thoughts raced, oscillating between Cora and the intimate moment they had just shared, and then the unexpected image of Amelia's face crept into his mind.

****

Gabby

In a sorority house, Gabrielle sat down with her sisters to discuss their day. When she attempted to speak, a random girl interjected, "We don't want to hear your mockery, Gabby."

Frustrated, Gabby exited the room and headed straight to the taekwondo center, which doubled as a meeting place for the comedy club.

Gabby's mood shifted rapidly when she spotted Noah in the room, clad in his practice attire. Noah, too, was delighted to see Gabby and equally surprised by her presence.

"I promise I'm not a stalker," Gabby quipped, running her fingers through her silver hair.

"That's what we all say," Noah hinted, playfully suggesting that he might be a stalker himself, a notion he believed his audience entertained. Gabby flashed her pearly whites, her blush barely discernible in the dimly lit room.

"Bet you never expected this. Do you practice taekwondo?"

"Yeah, didn't see that coming, did you? If you're here for that, I'm sorry to disappoint; we finished ages ago. Just arrive early next time for sign-ups."

"I won't give myself too much credit, but neither should you. I thought guys like you didn't engage in this sort of activity."

Gabby happily inched closer to the window where Noah was perched.

"Elaborate on 'guys like me,'" Noah, a bit of a narcissist, couldn't resist the opportunity to bask in the praise. He thrived on flattery, though most people in his campus social circle, including Cora and his newfound friend Amelia, were arguably more attractive than he. Gabby, he noted, was no exception, though he harbored no ulterior motives toward her.

"Good-looking, with those impressive physiques," Gabby shyly confessed, standing next to him. "I'm guessing you spend all your time at the gym, working on those muscles."

"Thanks. I'm not that type of guy. I just like to stay presentable, which is why I hit the gym before this. It's sore, though. I could show you the ropes."

Gabby seemed to relish his flattery more than her words implied. She giggled sweetly at the prospect of Noah demonstrating the moves but politely declined.

"I'm not dressed for the occasion. Let's save that for another day. I came here for the comedy club; guess I got it wrong."

Noah pointed to a notice by the door, indicating a change of location to the room next.