What's your type?

The group burst into laughter at Liam and Sarah's teasing.

Maiya crossed her arms, still chuckling. "Alright, we gotta get going. See you later, Liam."

She turned to Noah. "You too, Noah. Take care."

Liam leaned back against the hospital bed, stretching his arms. "Right, you guys still have school. Sucks to be you."

Ryan scoffed, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Yeah, well, at least we ain't delinquents in a hospital bed 'cause they messed with the wrong dude."

"Alright, that's enough," Maiya muttered, grabbing Ryan by the collar and dragging him out of the room.

Sarah adjusted her bag. "I'll get going too. And don't worry, Kevin—I'll talk to Annie for you."

Kevin exhaled a breath of relief. "Thanks, Sarah. I owe you one."

Sarah smirked. "No problem, my dear chubby."

Kevin rolled his eyes as he followed her out. "I hate you."

Sarah grinned. "I know."

As the others left, Ethan, still recovering from his injuries, turned to the side and closed his eyes. "I'm going back to sleep. Don't wake me up unless the hospital's on fire."

Liam raised an eyebrow. "Damn, dramatic much?"

Ethan didn't answer—he was already dozing off.

Noah sat at the edge of his chair, resting his chin on his palm. "I guess I'm the only one not going to school."

"Yeah," Liam nodded, a playful grin forming. "Hate to say it, man, but you're jobless right now."

Noah sighed. "I know..."

A moment of silence settled before Liam spoke again. His voice was casual, but there was an underlying seriousness to it.

"So... when do you plan on seeing your parents?"

Noah hesitated.

Liam quickly added, "Not forcing you or anything. Just checking if you've made up your mind."

Noah leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "I still need some time to think about it."

"I see…" Liam ran a hand through his hair. "Even if you don't wanna meet your parents, you should at least see that little brother of yours."

Noah glanced at him. "You mean Michael?"

"Yeah."

Noah frowned slightly. "Why?"

Liam sighed. "Kid seemed genuinely worried about you when I saw him in the park."

"You think so?"

"You don't?" Liam asked. "Does he bully you too?"

Noah chuckled. "Come on, he's only eight. How's he supposed to bully me?"

"Curiosity," Liam shrugged.

Noah exhaled. "I think he just feels guilty about what happened."

Liam furrowed his brows. "Guilty?"

"Yeah," Noah muttered. "Mom and I had a fight because of him, and I think he blames himself for it."

Liam tilted his head. "What'd he do?"

Noah sighed, shaking his head. "He has this girl he likes, and he wanted me to ask for her number."

Liam snorted. "Why can't he ask her himself?"

"Well…" Noah rubbed the back of his neck. "The girl he likes is seventeen."

Liam's eyes widened. "WHAT?! Damn, I'm liking this kid. He's definitely one of my kind!"

Noah gave him a deadpan look. "Really?"

"Yeah, bro," Liam nodded, a glint of admiration in his eyes. "I like older women. They're perfect, you know?"

Noah raised an eyebrow. "So… you have a thing for thick thighs and older women?"

Liam grinned. "Hell yeah. Especially if they're Latinas—chef's kiss."

Noah stared at him for a moment before saying, "I regret this conversation."

Liam smirked. "Anyway, what about you? What's your type?"

Noah blinked. "Huh?"

"Like, do you even like girls? Or do you prefer guys?"

Noah rolled his eyes. "I'm straight."

Liam raised an eyebrow. "Okay, okay, but what's your type?"

Noah thought for a moment. "I don't know."

Liam scoffed. "Bruh, what do you mean you don't know?"

"I never really thought I'd have a girlfriend," Noah admitted.

Liam groaned. "That's boring as hell, bro. But fine, what would you like in a girl?"

Noah hesitated. "I guess… loyalty and—"

Liam cut him off. "Nah, that's boring as fuck. Who even talks about personality and shit?"

Noah deadpanned. "Uh, normal people?"

Liam waved him off. "Tell me how you'd like her to look."

Noah thought for a moment. "I guess… short, cute voice, teddy bear-like… something I can cuddle with?"

Liam nodded. "Okay, okay. Admirable. It'd be nice to have a girl like that."

Noah shrugged. "I guess."

Liam smirked. "Have you ever even talked to a girl?"

Noah blinked. "What? Of course, I have."

"Not counting Maiya and Sarah."

Noah hesitated. "Then… no."

Liam leaned forward. "Have you ever had a crush on anyone?"

Noah went silent for a second before shaking his head. "Not really."

Liam stared at him in disbelief. "Damn. You're boring as hell, Noah."

Noah sighed. "Enough about me. What about you?"

"Me?" Liam blinked.

"Yeah. Is there any girl you like?"

Liam leaned back, deep in thought. After a long pause, he muttered, "There used to be this girl…"

Noah tilted his head. "Who?"

Liam's voice softened. "Her name was Clara."

"Clara?" Noah repeated.

"Yeah," Liam said, a small, distant smile on his face. "She was perfect. Just… perfect."

Noah's curiosity piqued. "Did you date her?"

Liam shook his head. "Nah."

"Where is she now?"

Liam didn't answer. His smile faded, and his eyes darkened. He looked away, swallowing hard.

"I, uh… need to go to the toilet," Liam muttered suddenly. "Be right back."

Without waiting for a response, he quickly got up and walked out of the room.

Noah frowned. "That was weird…"

A voice suddenly spoke up from the hospital bed.

"Clara's dead."

Noah turned sharply. Ethan, who had his eyes closed moments ago, was now staring at the ceiling.

Noah's eyes widened. "Wait… what?"

Ethan didn't look at him. "Long story short… She was murdered."

Noah felt his breath hitch. Shock, confusion, sadness—all hit him at once.

Ethan sighed. "It's hard for Liam. So when he gets back… don't mention Clara."

Noah swallowed. His voice came out low. "Okay… I won't."

The room fell silent.