Noah- In Our Mirth

As another day unfurled its arms, I greeted the morning with a quiet appreciation for the sun's tender embrace. Its golden rays gently filtered through the curtains to caress my face, bestowing a reassuring warmth. It was as if those golden beams carried with them the whispers of countless stories filled with love and joy, shared by carefree souls throughout time.

With a contented yawn escaping my lips, I extended my lanky limbs, my body languidly awakening to the day's rhythm. The familiar routine guided me downstairs, steps light yet deliberate, until my mother's voice beckoned me from the kitchen.

"Noah, there's a letter for you."

"A letter?" I asked, puzzled. "Who's it from?"

"Your uncle," she replied, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mystery.

The letter was from uncle Willis, who used to live with us until he had embarked on a new chapter in Boston after a whirlwind romance few summers ago. I took the letter with me back to my room. With a mix of dread and excitement, I tore it open, revealing the neatly folded letter within. My eyes scanned the words that spilled onto the page, but after reading it halfway through, I crunched it in my palms while falling straight on my chair.

It's a letter I had been waiting for quite some time now. 

Meanwhile, mom came upstairs to call me down. "Breakfast's getting cold, dear," she said, peeking through the door. "By the way, what did your uncle write?"

I slipped the letter into my pocket. "Nothing much," I replied, my mind spinning with unanswered questions. But I remained silent, unsure of what to say.

Mom's eyes searched mine. "Alright, let me know if there's anything important in there." 

I nodded, trying to mask the turmoil that churned within me. "I will, Mom. Just some family updates, I think."

"Alright, finish your breakfast. We can talk more later."

After joining her at the table for breakfast, I felt as though my thoughts had cast anchor in a vast ocean. I'd already made up my mind after that day. This is finally it, for the best. A new beginning. One not forced upon me.

When I first got the proposal from uncle Willis, I felt hesitant to say anything. I'd gotten so much from the life here, so much that I couldn't think of where to start. Friends, kindness, warmth, love... like colors I had never seen before. And above all, there was the promise I held dear, to stand by her side no matter where life led me. That promise had lit up my world with a radiant glow. I was really glad... and happy. And that's an unwavering truth.

But not all was sweet and honey. There were things I also wished had never happened, times for which I haven't been able to amend. Due to my own weakness, I'd broken her heart in the end. So much so that I'd forgotten... all that I'd been given. But it's alright now. Even if I can't be by her side, even if I can't keep that promise anymore, I believe things will find a way to be okay.  My absence wouldn't be the abyss I once feared; instead, it would be a testament to the strength that had taken root within her and within us all.

As I stared at my half-eaten breakfast, thinking how mom will feel when I'll tell her about it. Will she be surprised? Sad? Happy? I pushed my food around on my plate, a silent participant in the conversation. Mom chatted about everyday matters, how everyone was doing at school, how my studies were going, stuff like that. I've always found it interesting, how she can go on about these stuff every single day without even getting bored.

And it's always me on the other side of her one-sided conversation. Dad's never with us on the dining table almost everyday. But it's fine like this. The truth is, I'd never learned to truly be attached to anything... anyone. And that stayed the same for almost my entire life. Without attachments. But maybe... after coming to this town... will I miss my meals with mom too? 

As I stepped out of my house, the sun kissed my cheeks, energizing me for the day ahead. The rhythmic crunch of my shoes against the pavement created a steady beat, matching my own.

 As I arrived infront of the school gates, a surge seemingly uncalled emotions crashed upon me. The familiar structure loomed large, its brick walls resonating with the echoes of countless memories. I stood on the edge of the bustling crowd, enveloped by the laughter and chatter of everyone around me. I let the crowd pass at first, before navigating through the labyrinth of the corridors myself.

"Good morning, Noah," Iva's radiant smile embraced me as I entered the classroom, a familiar ray of sunshine in the monotony of my routine. I returned her greeting, allowing my backpack to slump down with a thud as I settled into my seat.

Our eyes met, and I made a conscious effort to mask the weariness that clung to me like a heavy cloak. But there was no going around her eyes, like always. "You seem unusually exhausted today. Is something troubling you?" she inquired, her confusion floating in the air like a delicate mist, waiting to be lifted.

"It's nothing. You're just imagining things," I replied, attempting to divert her worry evident.

But Iva wouldn't let go that easily. She possessed that enduring trait, a beautiful over-sensitivity that defined her character.  With her, you could always discern her emotions, just as she could discern yours—a rare change of sentiments. Someone who wears her emotions over her sleeves, and lets you do the same too, that's who Iva is.

Leaning closer, her voice lowered to a covert tone, persisting in her gentle probing,, "Noah, you look truly drained. Did something happen on the way?"

Once again, I attempted to dismiss her comments. But before I could respond, Alan's entrance broke our conversation. Crashing through our words, he interjected, "Noah, Iva, good morning. What are you two talking about? Let me join."

Iva seized the opportunity, eagerly seeking validation for her observations. 

"Alan, doesn't Noah appear really exhausted today? Don't you think there's something different about him?"

Alan's lips curled into a mischievous grin. "Exhausted? Isn't he like that all the time?" he quipped, his words embroidered with playful endearment.

And that'll be Alan to us, with his razor-sharp wit, effortlessly sprinkling humor into conversations, making those around him light up with laughter. Though on occasion, he may feign an air of seriousness, it's a facade that he wears only fleetingly, yielding to his inherently buoyant nature.

Iva's resolve remained steadfast, impervious to Alan's playful jabs. "Yes, but there's something more to it today. He's acting differently."

Unfazed, Alan simply shrugged, his casual demeanour stealing the central stage. "I don't think so. He seems the same to me."

"You've heard him?" I replied, "Just leave me alone now. You're just overthinking."

Iva let out an exhaled huff, "All right, whatever. It was my fault getting all worried about you."

In that instant, as I caught a glimpse of the light of her eyes... what I really wanted was not to stop her from asking. I wanted her to keep on pushing through, so that I can spill everything out. Yet, laying bare the entirety of my heart wouldn't be the best choice. Those eyes held the brilliance of sunlight, the blossoms of spring, and the tempests of monsoon rains. The fairness of it all escaped me; it felt unjust, unjust to me.

I remained there, fixated on her, before getting back to my senses."Ah... I didn't actually mean it like that."

"Man, Noah, why did you upset her. Not good, not good." Alan with another bluster remark.

"Don't be so rough on him, Alan. Noah must have his reasons. And he kind of seems alright now."

She was probably right, in her insightful way. Yet, some things were etched in permanence. Some things just never change. These moments mattered to me just that much. It was a delicate dance of secrets and unspoken truths, an intricate web I had woven around myself. 

But did she really see through me just like that, when I was trying to put up so much to just hide those emotions?

Alan slapped on my back, "Wow, did my presence actually cheer you up?"

I deflected the next one coming at me, "Drop dead."

"My, my... I was just joking..."

But I'm actually relieved, and grateful for Alan's support in downplaying the situation.

The classroom settled into its familiar rhythm, and classes began like usual, the soft chime of the bell heralding the start of the day. Homeroom began, with Mr. Hayes gliding into the room with a gust of energy like always. Then the first period whisked by like a playful breeze, trailed closely by the second, and onward to the third. Time, it seemed, had grown wings, propelling itself through the atmosphere with an air of urgency and eager expectation. In the realm of mathematics, equations danced on the blackboard, numbers becoming a choir of logic and patterns.

"That's all for today," Mrs. Hart concluded her class, leaving in her wake an array of bewildered expressions and weary minds, the sheer complexity of numbers and algebra pendent like a buzz in the air. A collective sigh of relief escaped the students as the weight of equations lifted, albeit momentarily.

"Now, how many of you have completed the task I assigned yesterday?" Mrs. Hart's question hung in the air, prompting faces to crumble down, desperate to evade her unwavering gaze. The classroom became a sea of downcast eyes, each student hoping to blend into the background.

But there was no escaping her sharp eyes. Her eyes locked onto mine, and my heart sank like an anchor, for I knew my fate was sealed.

“Noah Aubrey, have you done the task?”

In a spurt, I rose from my seat, my voice barely above a mumble as I began to explain. "Actually... the thing is... about the task, Mrs. Hart..." My words stumbled out, caught inbetween my own lips.

Mrs. Hart's patience wore thin. "What's with the mumbling, Mr. Noah? Just tell me if you've done it or not."

After a moment of silence, I spoke up again. "I forgot to bring it with me today," I admitted, my voice laden with regret and defeat.

The classroom seemed to hold its breath, as what I just said was reverberating within its walls.

“And it took you so long to come up with that excuse?” As she said that, the whole class erupted in laughter. 

"You'll do double the task, and show it to me tomorrow." Saying that, Mrs. Hart left the room.

I looked around, everyone still with the laughter. I readily melded into the chorus, my chuckles harmonizing seamlessly. Yeah, each moment felt precious and fleeting.

There's an indescribable joy in having friends to laugh with, those moments when laughter bubbles up from the depths of our souls and spills over. In their presence, the weight of the world seems to dissipate, replaced by a warmth that envelops us, reminding us that we are not alone. 

I'll miss these times with everyone.

The final bell tolled, liberating me from the confines of the classroom. Alan trailed behind me, anticipation growing with each step, like a silent tension bridging the gap between us.

As we emerged beyond the campus walls, Alan slid next to me. He made a hard-break infront of the school gate, turning towards me."Hey, Noah, what's up with you today? You're acting a bit different."

"What are you saying? I'm absolutely fine."

"Iva was right, you do seem kind of exhausted today. What's the matter?"

"Like I said, I'm fine. Look at me, if you have any doubts..."

"Not now, I mean't before the classes began."

“Do you think so too?”

“Well, duh.”

"I guess I can't hide it from you guys after all."

"We're friends, right? So tell me, what's the matter."

“I'm sorry.” My voice faded into a mere whisper, a whispered breath meant solely for his ears. “But I can't tell you right now.”

“You can't tell me now, huh?” A quirked eyebrow accompanied his amused tone. "Well, you've always been like this, from that day when we met at the library."

"I'm really sorry about it, Alan. I don't mean to hide it for long."

"Okay, mystery man, don't forget to fill me in someday. I'll hold onto it till then."

With a relieved gasp, I nodded. "Perhaps one day, Alan. Thanks for understanding."

"Hey, you two, wait for me!" A voice chimed from behind, and we swiveled around to see Iva dashing toward us. "Why did you leave me behind?"

"Huh, you're asking that after vanishing on your own?" Alan fired back.

"I had to go to the teacher's office for some stuff," Iva explained. "You could have waited."

"Yeah, fine, whatever," Alan grumped. "Let's get going then."

"Are you both free today?" Iva asked eagerly. "Let's take a detour on our way home."

"Sounds good," Alan agreed. "I'm feeling unusually great today. What about you, Noah? You seem like you are in dire need of a breather."

"Count me in. I don't have any pressing plans either."

Iva grinned mischievously. "Ah, that's our typical Noah. I wonder what'd gotten into you yesterday?"

"About yesterday..." I replied, cryptically, "well, I had my reasons."

The two burst into laughter, a company to our strides as we embarked on our stroll. I stepped along with them, the concealed weight of the letter still pressing upon my chest like a guarded secret. The road stretching before us was riddled with uncertainty, but it could bide its time; there was no rush. I lowered my gaze to our feet, observing the interplay of our steps – a blend of randomness and synchrony, uniting momentarily after every few paces.