Chapter 2: Familiar Strangers

Five years had passed, yet Norman Hale still looked almost the same — only now he was more manly, no longer the nineteen-year-old boy she remembered.

Gabriella couldn’t keep her thoughts steady as she stared at him from this close. The memory of that kiss flooded her mind, followed by the lingering reminder that they had once been family.

She tried to push herself out of his hold but failed. Her strength betrayed her, so she spoke instead.

“Norman… could you let me go?” she muttered.

Norman responded with a smirk and loosened his grip. Gabriella quickly wriggled free and stepped back, placing distance between them.

Tiny beads of sweat formed on her skin as the weight of the coincidence settled in.

On the other side, Norman’s eyes slowly traced her figure.

She has grown.

Even though she had been young when they parted, five years was enough to change a woman — especially Gabriella.

She no longer looked like the quiet girl who hid behind glasses and books. Something else stirred in his memory, and a small smile curved his lips. It wasn’t the kiss — that memory barely stirred anything in him — but rather the memory of how brave she had once been.

“You’ve grown,” he said softly. “How have you been?”

His gentle, soothing voice unexpectedly calmed Gabriella as she wrapped her arms around herself.

She looked at him, startled by his sudden concern.

“You too,” she replied nervously.

Norman chuckled — the sound warmer than he expected. He studied her face, searching for something he couldn’t quite name. Maybe it was simple relief at seeing someone familiar again.

“Where’s my room?” Gabriella finally asked, breaking the silence before her thoughts could spiral.

“Right here,” Norman replied, pointing to the door opposite his.

Gabriella quickly grabbed her luggage and moved toward her room. Just before she entered, Norman caught her hand gently.

“Nice to meet you again, Gabi,” he said with a teasing smile. “I can’t wait for our time here together.”

What Norman didn’t know was that the moment Gabriella saw him standing in that apartment, she wanted to leave immediately.

Gabriella finally breathed a sigh of relief when she was alone in her new room. It was small and simple — a bed against the wall, a desk, and a narrow wardrobe. Nothing fancy, but it was hers.

She collapsed onto the bed, feeling completely drained.

She still couldn’t understand how she had met Norman here of all places. Why did it have to be after five years? Why did he have to be her roommate?

Her thoughts were spinning when her phone rang. The caller ID flashed Krista.

“Look who finally decided to call me,” Krista accused playfully.

“Krista, you’re the one calling me,” Gabriella replied, sitting up on the bed.

“Whatever, girl. Just tell me — how’s your new housemate?”

Krista leaned against the back wall of a building in Riverton, cigarette between her fingers. She missed Gabriella already. Without her, the town felt strangely empty.

On the other side of the line, Gabriella exhaled slowly, deciding how much to reveal.

“I’m… in trouble,” she admitted.

Krista snorted. “Yeah, for once you went against your grandmother. That’s something to celebrate. Why don’t you go out for a drink or finally find yourself a man?”

“No, Krista. I mean I’m really in trouble. Do you have any idea who my roommate is?” Gabriella paused before letting the words fall. “Norman Hale.”

There was a stunned silence.

“What the hell, Gabi? You didn’t know?” Krista’s voice came out hoarse.

“How was I supposed to know?” Gabriella replied, more shaken than angry.

“You talked to him on the phone and didn’t even ask his name,” Krista pointed out.

“I didn’t care back then,” Gabriella admitted quietly.

Krista sighed heavily. “You’ll have to cope for now — at least until you find another place. Of all people, why did it have to be him?”

Krista knew Norman too well. She had always thought of him as a womanizer, reckless, and far from the kind of man Gabriella should be living with.

After the call ended, Gabriella lay back on the bed, her thoughts spinning until exhaustion pulled her into sleep.

Later that night, a soft knock echoed against her door.

She stirred and stepped into the hallway, where the warm, delicious scent of fried chicken, macaroni, and cheese filled the apartment, pulling her toward the living room.

Norman sat casually on the couch. On the table in front of him were takeout boxes filled with food.

Her stomach betrayed her with a quiet growl. She hadn’t planned dinner at all — but did it really have to be him she shared it with?

Norman patted the seat beside him.

“Come, Gabi. I brought your favorite,” he said gently.

She wanted to refuse. But the food was exactly what she loved — and she was starving.

Her body betrayed her before her mind could argue. She found herself sitting beside him. Norman smiled slightly.

“When did you even go out to get all this?” Gabriella asked.

“I figured you’d be hungry. I couldn’t decide what you’d want, so I bought everything you like,” he said, unable to take his eyes off her.

Gabriella’s delicate features softened when food was involved — her eyes lighting up as she carefully chose what to eat first.

“It’s too much… but thank you for thinking about me,” she murmured.

The words stirred something in Norman’s chest. Thinking about her. Hadn’t he always been?

Gabriella bit into a piece of chicken. Her long hair slipped forward, blocking his view of her face. Without thinking, he reached up and gently brushed it aside.

She froze mid-chew and looked at him, startled.

A small spot of sauce lingered near the corner of her lips. He wiped it away with his thumb — then absentmindedly licked it.

Her breath caught.

“Did you miss me after I left?” he asked softly.

Did he just...?