‘You’re Barrier Boy,’ I say.
‘Barrier Boy.’ He sits with it. ‘Sounds superhero-esque, which is fitting considering how we met.’
I raise an eyebrow. ‘Please expand.’
‘If it wasn’t for me, you’d still be trapped in that station. Who knows what could have happened.’ He states this faux-gravely. ‘Plus, I saved you from that crime scene of an apartment—’
‘It wasn’t that bad!’
‘The same way hell’s probably not that bad...’
I scowl at him as he smirks, proud of his little comeback.
‘Well, it was all I could afford. Travelling alone isn’t exactly easy,’ I huff.
He tries to stifle a laugh, but it comes out loud and clear as I scowl at him again. He shrugs.
‘Sorry... but you only just started. Isn’t this like, your first day?’ he asks.
‘Second. I got here yesterday. But am I wrong?’
He shakes his head. ‘I personally love the freedom and operating on my own schedule with no one telling me what to do and...’
‘Of course!’ I say. ‘Thosebits are fun, but the general gist of travelling? Clearly not designed for single people.’
‘I wouldn’t go that far—’
‘I would.’ I cut him off.
He nods at me to continue, so I take a deep breath and let loose.
‘Firstly, you end up eating like crap because takeaways are less embarrassing than sitting for dinner by yourself.’
He tilts his head. ‘True, I suppose. And single seats rarely exist on trains, so you’re always sitting next to a stranger. More often than not, one with no concept of personal space.’
‘Yes!’ I point my croissant at him emphatically. ‘And everything is so... quiet. You can go days without using your voice if you’re not careful. That much silence can’t be good for a person.’
‘Not to mention the cost.’ He’s louder now. ‘You’re stuck with double-room prices everywhere you go and if there is a single room it’s never half the cost, as it should be.’
‘You can’t split taxis,’ I add.
‘Or meals when you want to try two dishes.’
‘And there’s nobody to check that you get home safe!’ I continue. ‘I could die on my way home and nobody would know!’
I freeze mid-laugh, properly taking in my words as the dark realisation hits me.
I could die on my way home and nobody would know.
My body goes completely cold. I stare straight ahead – not at Noah or anything at all – I can’t describe what I see. I’m not seeing. Just thinking. Noah grows silent too. He shuffles closer, taking in my new, clammy expression.
‘Well, that won’t happen while you’re here, because you’ll stay with me.’
I glance up, confused, as he shrugs back at me nonchalantly.
‘I’ve got this place for another three days. I don’t see why we can’t share it until then. Buys you some time.’
My chest seizes in shock.
