Chapter 2: Ben
The rooftop has always been my escape — a quiet place where the world feels still.
I leaned against the railing, closing my eyes for a moment as the wind brushed through my hair.
Luisa (thinking): I love being here. It's so beautiful and calm. The wind feels so fresh and clear.
For a while, I just stood there, breathing in the clean air, letting the silence comfort me.
Then, a voice broke the quiet — soft but close.
Ben (on the phone): "Yeah, I'm fine. And you? What are you doing?"
I froze.
My heart skipped.
Luisa (thinking): Who's that...? Oh no, it's Ben.
Panic flickered through me.
Luisa (thinking): I should go now.
I turned quickly, but my foot slipped on the wet step. I lost balance and tumbled down a few stairs before hitting the wall hard. Pain shot through my ankle, and for a moment, everything went blurry.
Footsteps rushed toward me.
Ben: "Hey! Are you okay?"
I opened my eyes and saw him kneeling beside me, worry written all over his face. He reached out his hand to help, but I tried to stand on my own.
The moment I put weight on my foot, pain tore through my ankle. I stumbled again, and he caught me firmly by the arms.
Ben: "Careful! Don't move too fast."
Luisa: "I'm fine... I can manage."
Ben: "Luisa, your ankle's bleeding."
I looked down — my jeans were stained with blood. I hadn't even realized it.
Ben: "We should get that treated right now."
He took out a clean handkerchief and wrapped it tightly around my ankle.
Luisa: "You don't have to—"
Ben: "It's okay. Just stay still."
His tone was calm but firm. With one arm steadying me, he helped me down the stairs, step by step. My leg hurt badly, but somehow, his quiet presence made the pain feel lighter.
When we reached the nurse's office, he waited until the nurse took over. But when I came out — he was gone.
The hallway was empty.
Luisa (thinking): Maybe it's silly, but I thought he'd wait.
I sat down for a moment, wincing at the pain, then took out my phone and called Amy.
Amy was my landlord's daughter — we were the same age and had quickly become good friends since I moved in.
Luisa (on phone): "Hey, Amy... can you come to the university? I kind of hurt my ankle."
She didn't ask many questions, just said, "I'm on my way."
Not long after, she arrived and helped me get home.
After cleaning the wound and applying medicine, I lay in bed, half reading, half thinking.
My eyes drifted to the bandage, and guilt crept in.
Luisa (thinking): I never thanked him...
She sighed softly.
Luisa (thinking): I should thank him. He helped me so much. Should I buy him something? Maybe donuts... or a small cake? No, that's too much. I'll just say thank you. That's enough.
She smiled faintly to herself.
Luisa (thinking): Tomorrow. I'll thank him tomorrow.
---
The Next Morning
When I woke up, the pain in my ankle had eased, though walking still felt a little uneasy.
At the bus stop, I rubbed my hands together.
Luisa: "It's so cold..."
By the time I reached class, I was already looking for him — but his seat was empty.
A small wave of disappointment washed over me.
Then, a few minutes later, the door opened.
It was him.
Ben walked in quietly, his usual calm expression in place. I couldn't help but smile softly.
Before I could say anything, the professor entered.
Professor: "Good morning, students."
Everyone greeted in unison. I turned slightly, hoping to catch Ben's eyes — but he was focused on his notes.
---
When break came, the class emptied quickly. I hesitated for a moment, then followed him.
Luisa (thinking): This is so awkward... I feel like I'm chasing him.
Still, I gathered my courage.
Luisa: "Hey, Ben..."
My voice came out barely above a whisper. He didn't hear me.
Within seconds, he was gone.
I sighed.
Luisa (thinking): That's it. I'm not chasing him anymore. If I see him again, I'll just thank him. That's it.
---
The library was quiet — my safe place. I found a seat near the window and opened a book, trying to focus.
A few minutes passed before I heard a chair slide beside me.
I looked up.
It was him.
Luisa (thinking): Oh no... it's him. Should I thank him now? Will it sound weird?
I stared down at
the page, pretending to read, though my heart was beating fast.
Then, his calm, low voice reached me.
Ben: "Hey... are you okay?"
---