Chapter 7: THANK YOU GIFT

Noah has almost read through the notebooks, but Riley was equal parts allergic to technology and chaotic in his thoughts. He scribbled over old lines, or he stuck post it notes to further elaborate. The margins are full of drawings.

Riley was a college dropout, but most of his lectures notes he still kept. Rose said he was majoring in Environmental Studies. But he suddenly left. However, he had been talking about returning. Riley had been meeting with a professor in his last week alive. Noah had spent most of yesterday looking for the contact information of Professor Zhang.

Now, he fidgets with the piece of paper with a direction in it. He plays with it while he chews on his cereals. Rose is free today, so she has offered to accompany him to meet the professor. He quickly takes a shower and styles his hair. The clothes that Noah wore on the night at the club will probably be in the dump by now, so he went shopping again. This time, he brought with him a green parka, just like the one he used to wear as Noah. He dresses with jeans, sneakers and a black hoodie.

In his brown messenger bag, he carries the phone and Riley's diary. He packs an apple, for later. Rose is putting on her gold earrings, and Noah has to stop himself from staring at her. She looks beautiful with the headband pushing back her dark hair, and the sunflower dress falling just above the knees. She looks different from her usual work outfit. He smiles at the sight of her.

"You look gorgeous."

She offers him a cheeky smile and a nervous laugh, "stop, Riley. You're gonna make me blush." But Noah can see she likes the compliment judging by her satisfied smile. She looks at herself in the mirror, smoothing the wrinkles of the dress. "Let's go recover your memories."

After contacting the professor via phone, they set up a meeting early in the morning. Rose suggested eating out later. Noah hesitated the entire afternoon, looking at the bright red apple that rested in the fruit bowl. Finally, with a sigh, he made up his mind. Although he doubted his decision late at night, tangled in the sheets. Yes. Or no. Yes, definitely yes. But what if... Yes. Yes. He was going to do it. It was just a simple gesture. He owed him that much, after he had saved him the other day.

Now, with everything packed and ready to go, Noah still hesitates. He still has time, so he can think it over the meeting. It's not a big deal. Just a simple gesture. But why does it make him so nervous? He has to focus on the matter at hand. Figuring Riley's last steps, Sam's whereabouts, his own death... And Noah still doesn't have a single clue. This better be good, or Noah will be at the starting point yet again.

"We'll meet Professor Zhang at the student's café, right?", Rose asks opening the door.

He nods.

The street is busy with people going to their workplace. The morning breeze caresses his hair, and he closes his eyes to enjoy the cold. Rose tightens her blazer in his shoulders. And they walk in silence, with the occasional comment. The top of the buildings are already bathing in golden, and the sky is an unusually vibrant blue that is mixed with orange over the horizon. He loves waking up earlier, because he can see a city that not many people experience. Everyone knows about the busy street life, but not many experience the silence of the morning, where people are still sleepy, or enjoying a morning walk.

The café is almost empty. It smells of freshly ground coffee and baked bread. So much so that Noah's stomach growls in spite of having already eaten breakfast.

Rose signals toward an occupied table in the middle, where a woman in her fifties is reading a book. He gray hair is knotted at the nape with a hair clip. A pair of glasses sit on the bridge of her nose. She's wearing a dark suit and grey sneakers. Noah is reminded of beauty cream commercials.

The professor lifts her gaze when they approach, and smiles fondly.

"Please, do sit. I see you've brought a friend", and then she adds with a smile, "and a new style, too"

Noah laughs, "Hello, Professor Zhang. This is Rose, my roommate. She's helping me reconstruct the previous days to my accident."

"Yes, I remember", she puts her glasses on her head and reclines on the chair, "I'm sorry to hear you got hurt. I was worried when I couldn't get a hold on you. What happened?"

"Well, professor, that is what I'm trying to find out. It's my understanding that we met that week, right?"

"Yes. We met in my office to discuss your enrollment. But it was cut short. You suddenly left."

Noah leans his elbows on the table, "Did something happen?"

"Well", Professor Zhang says considering, "you seemed fine. I was really happy to have you back. You were my most brilliant student."

Noah waits for her to continue the story.

"What did you talk about?" Rose says.

Professor Zhang looks at Noah as if it just occurred to her, "How is your relative?"

"Who?", ask Rose and Noah at the same time.

The woman laughs, "Ah, sorry. I guess you don't remember, either. When you left, you told me you had to take care of a sick relative. But I forgot to ask about the patient when you came."

Noah looks at Rose, and she shrugs. Apparently, Riley didn't talk about this relative to Rose.

"Anyways," the professor keeps going, "you seemed happy. Rested. I was so happy to see you again."

"And I left?", Noah asks, even if he already knows the answer.

"Well," she touches her chin, "Now that I think about it, I do remember I was listening to the news. Maybe you heard something."

"Do you remember what you were listening to at that moment?"

She shakes her head, "Unfortunately, I don't have the memory I used to have."

Noah tries to hide the disappointment. "Thank you, professor. You have been of great help."

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"It was TY News, it's the only signal that reaches my office. Maybe they have an archive in the internet. The internet has a lot of things nowadays."

Noah nods with enthusiasm, "Thank you, that will help a lot. Do you remember the time?"

"About 10, maybe. But again, my memory falters."

Even if the meeting with the professor has dug up more questions, his mind is spinning a thousand times per minute. He hopes by following Riley's steps, he can figure out why Sam tried to kill him. Maybe Riley messed with the person behind Sam, and that got him a target on his back. Anyhow, he has some strands to pull.

They eat street food as they stroll, and Noah remembers the bright red apple in his backpack.

"I'm going to take a detour, I'll see you at home", and he barely waits for an answer before he turns left.

The bookshop is nearby.

It's a small one story building in the oldest part of the city. A sign reads THE OLD BOOKHOUSE with faded letters. The interior is lit with a warm lights and fairy lights are strung on the racks. A little bell signals his arrival when he opens the door. Although it's empty, Noah can feel the life vibrating in the books, and the photographs hung on the wall, and the autograph of famous writers.

He's leaning in the counter, a book in his hands, his black and red hair falling over his eyes as he is immersed in the reading. He's a flicker of shadow in the light. Upon hearing the bell, he lifts his head and Noah quickly throws the apple to Rune. The boy catches the fruit, and looks at it. Noah looks at the flabbergasted look he sends his way, delighted in inciting a reaction out of stone cold Rune. His pale lips are partly open.

"It's a little thank you."

"How did you find this?"

"Duncan told me you help your godparents in a bookshop. I just wanted to say hi, and thank you for the other night," he keeps rambling, and his cheeks burn with embarrassment.

Rune looks at the apple.

"Thank you", he says.

Noah smiles widely.

An old couple come from the back room inside the counter.

"Andrew, be polite to the client", says the old man, dressed in tweed.

"Hello, mister, ma'am. I'm Riley," he waves a hand at the couple, "I'm a friend of Andrew."

"Oh," exclaims the woman, "Andrew rarely brings any friends. Do you want something to drink? Eat?"

"A glass of water would be perfect. Thank you."

Noah sees a little color in Rune's cheeks. Is he... blushing?

The couple guided him to the little back room, where the had a kitchenette with basic supplies. The woman poured a glass of water.

"Here you have, dear."

"Thank you very much. I'm sorry to come unannounced, but I wanted to visit the bookstore."

The woman dismisses his apology with a flick of her hand.

"We didn't think any of his friends like books."

"Well, " Noah leans as if speaking with a confidant, "I love books, but don't tell them. It's my little secret."

They laugh, and Noah laughs with them. They spend a few hours talking about books, and Noah tells them of his collection on mythology. The books are probably lost now that his father moved. His father must've throw away most of his things. But talking about his old life adds realness to his being, as if letting someone know about his past as Noah can materialize some of him. It's a far shot from being able to uncover his real identity, but it's enough for now.

Noah realizes he has lost track of time when Rune comes to sit at Noah's side, and his godmother convinces Noah to stay for dinner. Rune stays silent during dinner, but the couple make up for it. At some point, Rune silently shares food with Noah.

When his godparents have already gone to bed, Rune stands up and offers a hand to Noah.

"I'll take you home."

Noah takes Runes hand, the warmth familiar.

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