No longer a pushover (Noelle and Cedric) novel Chapter 1007

For Noelle, memories associated with fire were never pleasant. After waking Mia and Grace, she ran outside and triggered the fire alarm. Instantly, the sharp sound echoed throughout the entire dormitory building.

Grace, who was holding a wet towel, helped Mia out and handed another wet towel to Noelle. "Let's go."

Noelle took the towel. "Take Mia and go ahead. I'll go knock on each door."

Grace immediately protested, "That's too dangerous!"

"Just go—I've got this." Noelle turned and ran to knock on doors, knowing there would certainly be people who hadn't heard the alarm.

She ran all the way to the top floor, notifying everyone. When she prepared to go back down, she discovered that the stairwell was blocked by thick smoke, with waves of heat coming up. She had no idea what the situation was downstairs.

Several girls were with Noelle, their voices trembling. "What should we do?"

Another whimpered, "I don't want to die yet!"

Noelle quickly assessed the direction of the fire and shouted, "Let's all head to the farthest room! Turn on the water and tear the sheets into strips to make rope knots."

With Noelle as their leader, everyone quickly calmed down. Soon, fire trucks arrived at the scene to extinguish the fire.

Noelle glanced down and then busied herself, helping everyone turn the bedsheets into a rope so they could descend. Meanwhile, people below had placed cushions on the ground.

Eugene stood at the bottom, looking up at Noelle and shouting, "I'm watching from down here. Come down now!"

Noelle instructed the dormitory girls, "We'll go down one at a time. Don't worry—he's a bodyguard. If you accidentally slip, he'll catch you."

She noticed that he was still wearing a dress shirt and slacks. It was obvious that he had rushed over without time to change clothes.

Cedric stood on the ladder, approaching through the darkness. His features were calm as he extended his hand toward her. "Let's go."

Noelle had to admit that, at this moment, she was truly moved. After all, she had always disliked fire. She climbed over the balcony railing and sat on it, reaching out her hand.

Cedric moved forward and wrapped his arm around her waist, his strong hand firmly protecting her. "Hold on to me."

His voice came from above her head as her feet stepped onto the ladder. Her arms wrapped tightly around his waist, her cheek pressed against his chest.

The roar of the helicopter filled Noelle's ears, along with the cheers from the crowd below. She knew she was safe now.