Episode 2
Across town, Noah was wrapping up his day. The classroom was quiet now, the sounds of children’s chatter replaced by the soft hum of the fluorescent lights. He smiled to himself as he cleaned his supplies. Teaching wasn’t easy, but it was rewarding. He always found joy in seeing his students’ faces light up when they finished their projects. But despite his contentment with his job, there was still that part of him—quiet but persistent—that longed for more. He had dreams of his own, and yet, the reality of bills and rent seemed to always get in the way
He glanced out the window, noticing the rain starting to fall harder. It was one of those evenings when the world outside seemed to mirror his mood—calm, but heavy with unspoken thoughts.
His phone buzzed in his pocket, breaking the silence. He pulled it out, and his heart gave a small skip when he saw the message. It was from Lily—his little muse, the bright spot in his otherwise quiet life. She had sent him a drawing, just like the ones she always did after school.
Noah chuckled softly as he opened the image. It was a picture of him, sketching under the tree in the park. She’d drawn it perfectly, capturing the way his hand held the pencil, the light filtering through the leaves above. A small message accompanied it: “You’re a great artist, Mr. Rivera! I hope you like it! – Lily”
Noah smiled to himself, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. Despite the struggles of his everyday life, moments like these made everything worthwhile
Aiden stepped out into the rain, the chill in the air grounding him. He needed to clear his head. After a few moments of walking through the rain-soaked streets, he found himself heading toward the park—the same park where he had taken Lily earlier.
Noah was already outside the school; it was lunchtime, and he hadn't brought any food with him. He decided to buy something from a nearby stall, holding the paper bag tightly in his hand and a umbrella as he made his way back to school.
As he walked down the street, the warm smell of freshly cooked food wafted in the air, tempting him. He wasn’t used to indulging in takeout, but today felt different
He found a quiet bench near the entrance of the school, unpacking his meal.
As Noah sat down, he unwrapped the paper bag, revealing a simple but comforting meal: a hot sandwich with crispy fries on the side. The smell of the food made his stomach rumble, and he smiled softly, grateful for the little indulgence. He hadn’t had much time to take care of himself lately, between lessons and his personal dreams that always seemed to take a backseat.
The quiet of the bench was soothing, and as he took his first bite, he allowed himself to savor the moment. No rush. No expectations. Just the sound of the rain in the distance and the gentle murmur of life around him.
A few students passed by, laughing and chatting, but Noah didn’t mind the noise. It felt like a world apart from the busy, crowded corridors of the school. He could hear the rhythm of their footsteps, the occasional shout or playful teasing.
His phone buzzed in his pocket, interrupting his thoughts. He reached for it, expecting a message from one of his students or perhaps a friend. Instead, it was a notification from an art gallery, a reminder of the submission deadline for an upcoming exhibition. His heart sank slightly. He knew he wouldn’t have the time to prepare anything substantial—his dreams of showcasing his art seemed to be slipping further out of reach.
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