The station wasn't far.
But it felt like miles.
By the time they reached the platform, the train was already waiting—its engine low, humming like it knew it had a heart to break.
Noel slowed first.
Luca did too.
Neither of them said it out loud, but this—this was the place where the road split.
The point of no return. One step onto that train, and everything would be different.
The station was mostly empty. Just a few early travelers and a station worker announcing something distant over the loudspeaker.
But to Noel, it all blurred. There was only Luca. Just Luca.
Luca kept his hands buried in the kangaroo pocket of the hoodie—Noel's hoodie—his fingers fiddling with the inside seam like it might hold him together.
"So," he finally said, voice light but cracking, "this is where I pretend to be cool again?"
Noel gave a soft laugh. "You never were."
Luca smirked. "Ouch."
But then the smirk faded.
And something heavier settled into his expression.
