Tuesday morning came easier than Monday—the shock of returning to routine already absorbed, bodies adjusting to early alarms and structured days.
Luca woke to find Noel's side of the bed empty, sounds of the shower running in the bathroom.
He checked his phone. 7:15. His Operations Management class wasn't until nine, which meant he could sleep another twenty minutes.
But the bed felt too big without Noel, so he got up anyway.
By the time he made it to the kitchen, Noel was already dressed, pouring coffee, hair still damp.
"Morning," Noel said, handing him a cup without being asked.
"You're up early."
"Eight o'clock class."
"Brutal."
"Cross-Cultural Management. It's required."
Luca took a sip of coffee—perfect temperature, perfect amount of sugar, Noel knowing exactly how he liked it without measuring. "What time will you be done?"
"Class ends at nine-thirty. Then I have some research to do for my capstone. Probably won't be free until lunch."
