Page 66 of The Secret Of Us

It’s a fairly new building, all pristine white floors and walls. We take the elevator up to his apartment, and it looks exactly the same as it did at the start of the summer.

Appa hasn’t spent any time making the place look like he actually lives there. The walls are bare, a stark contrast to our family home, which is lined with pictures of us all together. I counted once, and somehow, there were more photos of Mina on the walls than there were of me. Considering she’s five years younger; I took it very personally.

The rest of the apartment is pretty empty too. A small dining table in the living room with just enough space for the three of us if we squeeze. The living room leads off on either side to the bedrooms. Mina and I have to share one, and even though we have our own rooms at home, we know this is only a temporary situation for Appa. Eventually, he’ll probably buy a house somewhere else, and we can settle in better there.

In the back of my mind, I’m still hoping that he’ll come home. That his reason for not decorating is because he’s counting down the days until he moves back in, and we can forget any of this even happened.

I go to our room, dropping my bags onto the floor and climbing the ladder to get into the top bunk. I claimed it as soon as we first got here because I knew having Mina above me would be dangerous. I don’t trust that girl not to throw things at me while I sleep.

I open up my phone, hoping to see a text from Izzy. Luckily, there’s one waiting for me.

Izzy

Did you get home safe?

Noah

Yep, just got in

You?

Izzy

Still not there yet

We stopped off because Isaac wanted snacks

Noah

Is the drive that long?

Izzy

No, he’s just annoying

I can’t hold back my laugh, but unfortunately, that’s the moment Mina decides to enter the room.

“If you’re going to act like that the whole time because of your girlfriend, I’m telling Appa to make you sleep on the sofa,” she says, standing with her hands on her hips.

“Won’t happen again,” I tell her, climbing down from my bed. “How did you even find out about it?”

I was well aware that Izzy and I were a hot topic in our own year, but I didn’t think it would spread so quickly to the others. Mina blindsided me when she barged into my room that day, and it slipped my mind until now to ask her.

“A boy in my class was talking about it. His brother is in the year below you. Can’t believe I had to find out from Ilyaas of all people,” she huffs, rolling her eyes at the last part. I don’t know who she’s talking about, but I should find out to make sure they’re not causing any trouble for her.

“We didn’t tell people, it just kinda got out of hand.” Not a complete lie, but I am omitting the part where that was the whole point of us dating.

I stroll past Mina to leave the room, wanting to grab something to eat after Izzy mentioned it. I didn’t have breakfast this morning and feel the effects now.

I go to the kitchen, opening the fridge to find leftover boxes of takeaway food. I close it, heaving a sigh at the lack of fresh food in this place. At home, Eomma keeps the fridge stocked with fresh fruit, bringing it to my room whenever I lock myself away to study.

I suppose Appa has no reason to do that, though. He’s only taking care of himself now. It must be harder to make an effort to cook when it’s only for one person.

“Appa,” I call out.

He’s either in the bathroom or his bedroom. The few times I stayed here before I went to Korea, he spent most of his time in his room. I think he wanted to give Mina and me more space to move around the apartment, but I wish he had spent time with us instead.

His bedroom door opens, and he steps out, closing it behind him. I haven’t been in his room yet. Back at home, it was never a big deal to go into my parents’ bedroom, but for some reason it’s different here.

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