Extra's Rise In Hollywood: I Can Gain Character Skills-Chapter 24: First Driving Lesson.

The morning sun crept through the blinds, its golden rays landing directly on Liam’s face. He groaned, rolling over before finally giving in and sitting up.

His hair stuck out in every direction, and he rubbed his eyes before heading to the bathroom to wash up.

The cold splash of water on his face did wonders to wake him up, and within minutes, he was dressed and ready for his daily run. He laced up his sneakers, stretched briefly at the door, and stepped outside into the crisp morning air.

The faint sound of birds chirping filled the quiet neighbourhood as he started jogging at a steady pace.

His thoughts drifted as his feet hit the pavement, moving rhythmically. He glanced around, noticing familiar sights—the park bench he always passed, the corner store with its faded awning—but there was one notable absence.

The woman with the yappy, annoying dog was nowhere to be seen.

Liam let out a small huff of relief. "Good riddance," he muttered under his breath.

His mind briefly flashed back to the humiliating incident a week ago when her tiny, ugly dog mistook his leg for a lamppost.

He grimaced. "That stupid dog—blind as a bat. How could he think I’m a lamppost and piss on me?"

Shaking his head, he picked up the pace, focusing on the path ahead. By the time he glanced at his watch, he had been running for thirteen minutes.

His lungs burned slightly, and his legs felt heavy, but the sense of accomplishment outweighed the discomfort.

"Not bad," he muttered between huffs. "Beat my last score. Progress." He bent over slightly, hands on his knees, and took a moment to catch his breath before heading back toward his house.

After the short but intense cardio session, Liam returned home, peeling off his sweat-soaked shirt as he made his way to the bathroom.

The hot shower felt like heaven on his aching muscles, washing away the fatigue and leaving him refreshed. He wrapped himself in a towel, running his hand through his damp hair as he stepped out of the bathroom.

Just as he sat down to relax, his phone buzzed on the table. He reached for it, his eyebrows rising slightly when he saw the sender.

[Text Chat]

Selena: Hey, are you free for the driving lesson? (:

A small grin appeared on his face, and Liam quickly typed back a reply.

Liam: Hey, yeah, sure. Where do I meet you?

Her reply came almost instantly.

Selena: It’s okay, I’ll come to you. I’ll be there in an hour.

Liam nodded to himself, then replied.

Liam: Alright, see you.

He placed the phone back on the table and leaned back against the couch.

An hour wasn’t much time, but Liam figured it was enough to squeeze in something indulgent before meeting Selena.

His stomach growled, and an idea struck him. "Let me treat myself to some ichiraku ramen," he muttered to himself. "It tasted amazing last time. That new Japanese restaurant really reminds me of my childhood."

Throwing on a jacket, he left his apartment and made his way to the cosy Japanese restaurant a few blocks away.

As he approached, the smell of savoury broth and fresh noodles wafted out the door, drawing him in like a magnet.

Despite the early hours, the place was already bustling with customers.

Inside, the old man who owned the restaurant was busy behind the counter, his hands preparing bowls of steaming ramen.

His daughter moved through the small dining area, balancing trays of food and smiling warmly at every customer. She spotted Liam as he entered, her face lighting up with recognition.

"Welcome back, sir!" she greeted, her voice soft but cheerful. She approached him with a tray in hand, her manner radiating the comforting energy of the kind, dependable older sister next door. Liam guessed she was in her late twenties, slightly older than him but still youthful.

Liam returned her smile. "You remember me?"

"Of course I do," she said with a small laugh, stopping a few feet away. "I remember you ordering ichiraku ramen last time."

Liam raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Correct. I’m surprised you remember me when you see so many customers all the time."

She shrugged lightly, her smile turning a touch playful. "I’m good at remembering faces," she said, her tone warm and casual. "Especially ones who enjoy our food so much."

Liam chuckled, feeling a bit flattered. "Well, sorry for disturbing you during a busy time, but I’d love another bowl of ichiraku ramen."

Her eyes twinkled as she shook her head lightly. "No disturbance at all, sir," she said, her voice kind. "Right away!"

Liam found a small table near the corner and sat down, watching as the young woman disappeared into the kitchen.

A few minutes later, the young woman returned, carefully balancing a tray with a steaming bowl of ramen. She placed it in front of him with grace.

"Here you go, sir," she said with a smile. "One ichiraku ramen. Enjoy!"

"Thank you," Liam replied, his tone genuinely appreciative.

Before she could leave, he added, "You guys done a really good job with the design of this place, not to mention how fantastic the food is."

Her cheeks flushed faintly, and she dipped her head modestly. "Thank you. My father and I worked hard to make this place authentic. It means a lot to hear that."

Liam nodded, picking up his chopsticks. "Well, you succeeded. I’ll definitely be coming back."

Her smile widened slightly, and she gave him a small bow before heading off to serve other customers.

As he finished, he glanced at his watch and realised he still had time to make it back before Selena arrived.

Leaving a small tip on the table, he waved to the young woman on his way out. "See you next time," he said.

She waved back, her smile still warm. "Looking forward to it!"

Leaving the restaurant, Liam walked slowly to his apartment. There were around ten minutes left before Selena arrived.