THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HOUSE***
Amara didn't realise when she fell asleep again until the soft murmur of voices stirred her from somewhere between dreams and waking.
The apartment was quiet—but no longer empty.
She lay still for a moment, listening.
"…She's here already?" a male voice—casual, warm, and a bit playful—drifted in from outside her room.
"She arrived last night," came Kai's steady, quiet reply.
The stranger gave a short laugh. "And you didn't even tell me? Wow. You've been keeping secrets now, Kai?"
Kai's reply was calm, even. "I didn't think it was necessary to broadcast it."
"Well, it's kinda hard to miss when there's suddenly an extra pair of shoes at the door."
Amara's cheeks warmed slightly as she sat up in bed, realising she must have been deeply asleep while they talked.
Before she could gather herself fully, there was a knock at her door.
"Hey," the cheerful voice called softly through the door. "Mind if I come in?"
Amara cleared her throat quickly, pulling her blanket around her.
"Uh… yeah, just a second," she called back, smoothing her hair with her hands before standing to open the door a crack.
The face that greeted her was smiling and bright—his dark hair was slightly tousled, his face friendly and open.
"Hi," he greeted warmly. "You must be Amara. I'm Ethan. Resident roommate-slash-part-time comedian."
Amara blinked, caught off guard by his easy charm.
"Hi," she replied, her voice still rough from sleep.
Ethan grinned wider. "Sorry for barging in, but I figured I should introduce myself before Kai scares you off with his silent treatment."
From the living room, Kai's calm voice responded, "I'm right here, Ethan."
Ethan grinned even wider. "See what I mean?"
Amara couldn't stop the small laugh that escaped her lips.
"You seem… more talkative than him," she muttered.
"Trust me," Ethan replied, leaning casually against the doorframe, "I've tried teaching him, but the guy's hopeless. He's the definition of 'still waters run deep.'"
"Go freshen up," Ethan added, stepping back with a playful wink. "You're coming with us for lunch. First rule of surviving in this city—you never skip a good meal."
Before she could reply, he disappeared back down the hall, still laughing softly to himself.
Amara stood there for a moment, dazed—but smiling despite herself.
---
By the time she emerged from the room—hair brushed, face freshened, and nerves steeled—both men were waiting in the living room.
Ethan's grin reappeared instantly. "See? She's alive."
Kai simply stood, calm and unreadable as always, though his eyes flicked toward her briefly.
"You ready?" Kai asked, his tone steady.
"We're going to my favourite spot near campus," Ethan added, throwing on his jacket. "Trust me, the noodles there will change your life."
Amara followed them out, still adjusting to the strange balance between them—Ethan's bright, chatty energy bouncing against Kai's steady quietness.
---
The city hit her all at once.
The streets buzzed with noise—chatter, horns, and the sharp scents of street food swirling in the warm air.
Amara found herself unconsciously sticking close to them, her wide eyes darting across neon signs and unfamiliar faces.
Ethan caught her looking around and grinned. "Overwhelming, right? Don't worry, it takes everyone a few weeks to adjust."
Kai walked slightly ahead, but not too far—always within reach.
"You get used to it," he said without looking back.
"Yeah, if you're him," Ethan joked. "Kai walked these streets like a monk for months before he even made a friend."
Amara glanced at Kai curiously.
"Seriously," Ethan continued, nudging her lightly. "You know, when Kai first got here, he didn't talk to anyone. I thought he couldn't even speak English for the first month."
Kai's voice, quiet but cutting, came from ahead. "Ethan, enough."
Ethan only laughed, completely unfazed. "See? He's still the same. Calm on the outside, mysterious on the inside."
Amara's curiosity sharpened. "How long have you two known each other?"
"Almost three years now," Ethan answered. "We met in class. I was practically begging for a partner for this insane project. Guess who got stuck with me?"
Kai shot him a look, but Ethan just grinned.
"And somehow," Ethan added, "we ended up as roommates. Still don't know how he puts up with me."
"You cook sometimes," Kai replied simply.
Amara laughed at that.
---
When they reached the restaurant, Ethan pushed open the door with a dramatic bow.
"Your Highness, after you," he teased.
Amara couldn't help but smile as she stepped inside, the rich scent of broth and noodles filling the air.
They settled into a corner booth—Kai taking the spot by the window, Ethan across from him, leaving Amara seated between them.
A waitress appeared, and Kai smoothly handled the order in fluent Mandarin, his voice low but confident.
When she left, Ethan leaned in, smirking. "See that? Man of many secrets."
"You speak well," Amara said, impressed.
Kai's response was quiet. "I've been here long enough."
Ethan grinned. "Long enough to start thinking in Chinese sometimes. I've caught him doing it."
"Must be nice," Amara muttered, suddenly aware of how much she still had to learn.
"It takes time," Kai said, his gaze steady. "You'll get there."
Ethan gave her a playful look. "Don't worry. You've got us. Between Kai's stoic wisdom and my sparkling charm, you'll survive."
Amara laughed again, relaxing more than she expected.
---
When their food arrived—bowls of steaming noodles with rich broth and tender slices of meat—Ethan wasted no time diving in.
"God, I missed this," he groaned dramatically after the first bite. "Tell me this isn't the best thing you've tasted today."
Amara took a cautious bite and immediately let out a small hum of approval.
"Wow."
"Told you," Ethan said, grinning.
As they ate, the conversation drifted naturally—about school, the city, even a few embarrassing mishaps.
"So, Amara," Ethan said between bites, "what made you pick here? You could've gone anywhere, right?"
Amara hesitated, her chopsticks pausing over her bowl.
"I just… needed a change," she said carefully. "Something different."
Ethan didn't press, only nodded. "Fair enough. It's different here."
"She'll adjust," Kai added quietly.
Ethan gave him a teasing look. "Look at you, sounding all reassuring for once."
Kai's lips lifted faintly, though he said nothing.
Ethan grinned wider, turning back to Amara. "Honestly, I think it's good you're staying with us for now. This city moves fast. It's nice having people around—especially ones who can cook."
Amara smiled softly. "You cook too?"
Ethan snorted. "Me? Nah. That's all Kai. The man's a mystery in the kitchen."
Kai's voice was calm but firm. "Stop exaggerating."
"Come on," Ethan chuckled. "Don't believe him, Amara. This guy makes the best hotpot in the winter. He acts like he hates company, but half of campus used to show up here uninvited."
"Only because you dragged them here," Kai said dryly.
Ethan grinned wider. "True."
Amara's gaze lingered on Kai, curiosity blooming again.
"You don't seem like the… crowd type," she said softly.
Kai's gaze lifted to meet hers, steady and unreadable. "I'm not."
There was something final in the way he said it—but not unkind. Just… certain.
---
By the time they finished lunch, Amara's sides ached from laughing, her head light from the warmth of the food and company.
As they stepped outside into the afternoon sun, Ethan threw an arm casually around Kai's shoulders.
"See?" Ethan said with a grin, looking back at her. "Told you China isn't so bad."
Amara smiled, though her thoughts were tangled.
Kai walked beside them, quiet as always—but now, she couldn't stop noticing the layers beneath his calm.
The city still felt overwhelming, but for the first time, she didn't feel quite so lost.