chapter 5

Skyler :~

The next day felt like any other—waking up in my small, cramped room, the sound of neighbors arguing in the hallway, the thin mattress squeaking as I sat up. Life wasn’t easy, but it was my normal.

I thought about skipping the day altogether, but Sam had other plans.

“Skyler, come on!” he said, pulling at my arm with way too much energy. “We’re going to the mall.”

I groaned, dragging my feet. “Why? I don’t have money to spend there. You know that.”

Sam rolled his eyes. “Who said you need money? I just need company. You think I’ll carry all my shopping bags alone? No way. That’s what best friends are for.”

I sighed but smiled a little. Sam always had a way of dragging me into things. “Fine. But I’m not holding your bags if you buy the entire mall.”

“Deal,” he said, grinning.

The mall was crowded, filled with people laughing, shopping, and moving in and out of shiny stores. Sam was in his element—he darted from one store to another, holding up clothes, asking for opinions, talking loudly about discounts. I followed him like a shadow, hands in my pockets, pretending I belonged in a place where everything was too bright, too expensive.

As Sam ran off to check a shoe store, I leaned against a railing on the second floor, watching the crowd below. That was when I noticed her.

An older woman, dressed elegantly, walking with a small bag in hand. She looked graceful, like she belonged in another world. But suddenly, her steps faltered. She clutched her chest, her face tightening in pain.

Without thinking, I rushed down the escalator.

“Ma’am, are you okay?” I asked, reaching her side.

Her breathing was uneven, her skin pale. She was suffocating, struggling for air.

“Please… help…” she whispered.

I quickly guided her toward a nearby bench. “It’s alright, just sit for a moment. Breathe slowly. Do you need water?”

She nodded weakly. I sprinted to a café nearby, grabbed a bottle, and rushed back. Holding it to her lips, I helped her take small sips. Her breathing slowly steadied.

“Better?” I asked softly.

She nodded again, still catching her breath.

“Do you need me to call someone? A family member? A driver?”

“Yes… my car is outside,” she whispered, pointing toward the exit.

I carefully helped her to her feet, steadying her as we walked together. People glanced at us, some curious, some worried, but no one stopped. It didn’t matter. I wasn’t going to let her struggle alone.

Outside, a black car was waiting. The driver hurried out, eyes wide when he saw her.

“Mrs .! Are you alright?”

“She was having trouble breathing,” I explained quickly. “But she’s better now. Please, take her home and let her rest. Maybe call a doctor, just in case.”

Before she got in, the woman looked at me again. Her eyes, though tired, were kind. “Thank you… young man. You… saved me.”

I felt my face warm. “It was nothing.”The woman touched my hand gently, her eyes kind despite the weakness in them. “Thank you, young man. You… helped me when no one else did.”

I felt a little embarrassed and shook my head. “Anyone would’ve done the same.”

But deep down, I knew not everyone would.

The driver helped her into the car, and she gave me one last soft smile before the door closed.

I stood there for a moment, watching the car drive away, wondering who she was. She looked like someone important—someone from a world far away from mine.

“Skyler!” Sam’s voice called from behind me. He ran up, holding a shopping bag. “Where did you go? I turn around and you disappear. Typical.”

I shrugged, trying to downplay it. “Just… helped someone.”

Sam narrowed his eyes. “Helped someone? You mean like carrying their bags, or something more dramatic?”

“Something like that,” I said with a small smile. “Come on, let’s go.”

As we walked back inside, I couldn’t shake the image of the lady's grateful eyes.

I had no idea then how much that one small moment would change everything.

“Skyler!”

I turned to see Sam jogging toward me, holding a shopping bag. “Where the hell did you run off to? One second you’re behind me, the next you’re gone.”

“Neither,” I said, sighing. “There was this lady. She couldn’t breathe. I got her some water and helped her to her car.”

Sam blinked. “Wait. You mean a real emergency? Damn, Skyler, you’re a hero.”

“I’m not a hero,” I muttered. “Anyone would’ve done it.”

“Wrong,” Sam said firmly. “Most people would’ve just stared. But you—you jumped in without thinking. That’s why I like you, man. You’ve got the heart of a saint.”

I rolled my eyes. “Stop exaggerating.”

“I’m serious!” Sam grinned. “Maybe she’s some rich lady, and she’ll remember you forever. Maybe she’ll give you a reward.”

I laughed bitterly. “Yeah, right. People like her don’t even remember people like me.”

Sam nudged my shoulder. “You never know.”

We walked back inside the mall, but my mind wasn’t on the shops anymore. It was on lady's eyes—the gratitude in them, the way she held my hand for a brief second.

It felt strange. Like maybe, just maybe, I was meant to meet her that day.

---

Sam didn’t let me off easy, of course. For the rest of the afternoon, he kept bringing it up.

“So, did you hold her hand? Was she pretty? Old, young? Give me details, Skyler. Don’t be boring.”

“She was… kind,” I said simply.

Sam leaned in dramatically. “A kind rich lady, huh? That’s rare. Maybe she’s single.”

I swatted him. “She’s way older than us. Don’t joke about that.”

“Fine, fine. But I’m just saying, maybe your life’s about to change. What if she’s secretly someone important?”

I frowned. “Important or not, I just hope she’s okay. She looked like she really needed help.”

Sam softened at that. “You really worry too much. But that’s you. Always caring. One day, it’s going to pay off.”

His words stuck with me longer than I wanted to admit.

As we left the mall and headed home, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted. That this wasn’t just a random event.

I didn’t know who was she really was. I didn’t know how she would fit into my life, or if I would ever see her again.

But deep inside, a quiet voice whispered that this was only the beginning.

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