Melissa sat alone in the empty music room, her fingers lightly brushing over the piano keys.
Soft notes floated in the air—gentle, unsure, much like her heart these days.
The room smelled faintly of wood and polish, and the sunset outside spilled golden light across her hands. Music had become her secret escape again, just like before everything turned upside down.
She closed her eyes, trying to forget the way Alec's eyes followed her earlier, the way Dayne's smile faded whenever he thought she wasn't looking.
Why did it feel like every step forward pulled her deeper into confusion?
Her fingers moved on their own, crafting a slow, melancholic tune.
"You're amazing..."
The voice startled her.
Melissa turned, her heart jumping.
It was Alec.
He leaned casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, a small smile tugging at his lips—but his eyes... his eyes weren't casual at all. They looked like they carried a storm.
"I didn't mean to interrupt," he added, walking in without waiting for permission.
Melissa straightened up, suddenly aware of how vulnerable she looked.
"You didn't interrupt," she said, but her voice was too soft.
Alec smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"You always used to run away before I could even say hi. Now you're playing music that sounds like heartbreak."
Melissa swallowed the lump forming in her throat.
"Maybe heartbreak suits me," she replied, forcing a tiny smile.
Alec's jaw tightened.
For a moment, neither spoke. Only the low hum of the piano filled the room.
"I know I don't deserve it," Alec said finally, stepping closer, "but I still wish you'd talk to me. Really talk. Not as Alec-who-screwed-up. Just... Alec."
Melissa stared at him.
The golden light made his features softer, younger—almost like the boy she once admired.
"I don't know if I can," she said honestly. "I don't even know if I want to."
Alec looked down, then chuckled, but there was no humor in it.
"I guess I deserve that."
The air between them was thick with unspoken things.
Suddenly the door banged open.
Dayne walked in, his expression darkening the moment he saw Alec so close to Melissa.
"Didn't know you were having a private concert," Dayne said, his voice a little too sharp.
Melissa looked between them, heart pounding.
"Dayne..." she started.
But Dayne's gaze was locked on Alec.
"Funny how some people only appreciate music when it's convenient."
Alec smirked, pushing his hands into his pockets.
"And some people think they can protect someone just by hovering around like a watchdog."
"At least I don't hurt the people I care about," Dayne shot back.
"Enough!"
Melissa's voice cracked through the room like thunder.
Both boys fell silent, staring at her.
"I'm not a prize you can fight over," she said, her voice shaking. "I'm tired. I'm tired of being dragged between two people who think they know what's best for me."
Alec's face fell, and even Dayne looked guilty.
"I'm sorry," Dayne muttered.
Alec said nothing, just looked at her with those eyes—sad, desperate, a little broken.
Melissa turned back to the piano.
"If you care about me," she said softly, "then let me breathe."
The room felt like a balloon stretched too tight, ready to snap.
Neither Alec nor Dayne moved.
Melissa began to play again—something different this time.
The notes were still sad, but they carried a glimmer of hope too.
She didn't look at either of them, but she felt their eyes on her—the boy who had hurt her, and the boy who wanted to heal her.
And somewhere deep inside, a part of her wondered:
Could she trust her heart again?
And if she could... who would it lead her to?