The music club was unusually quiet today, with most members busy preparing for midterms. Melissa sat at the old upright piano in the corner, absentmindedly pressing a few keys. The soft notes floated in the empty room like whispered secrets.
Ginny was sitting cross-legged nearby, scribbling lyrics into her notebook, humming under her breath.
Dayne, as usual, was sprawled casually on the floor, tuning his guitar.
Melissa tried not to glance at him too much — but it was impossible not to notice.
Dayne's sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing tanned forearms that flexed every time he adjusted a string. His hair was a mess today — thick, dark, and somehow managing to fall perfectly in place after every shake of his head.
When he looked up at her, offering one of those lazy, lopsided smiles, she caught a glimpse of his eyes.
They were a strange, beautiful color — not quite green, not quite gold.
It was like staring into a storm captured inside glass.
Melissa quickly looked away, scolding herself.
Get a grip, Lisa.
Dayne stood and sauntered toward her, his sneakers squeaking softly against the floor.
"You playing something serious, or just bullying the piano?" he teased.
Melissa smirked without looking up. "Maybe both."
He leaned against the side of the piano, close enough that Melissa could feel the heat radiating off him.
For a second, the air between them tightened — thin and charged.
"You're good, you know," Dayne said, his voice softer now.
"I mean it. You play like... you're telling a story."
Melissa's fingers froze over the keys.
No one had ever said that to her before.
She risked a glance at him — and was immediately caught in that strange, stormy gaze.
For a moment, it felt like the world outside the music room didn't exist. No Alec. No painful memories. Just Dayne. Just this.
She pulled her hands off the piano and tucked them in her lap, flustered. "Thanks," she muttered.
Dayne grinned, clearly amused by her sudden awkwardness.
Before he could say anything else, the door banged open.
Alec.
He strode in like he owned the place — dark jeans, messy hair, and that familiar smug confidence. His eyes, sharp and unreadable, flickered immediately to Melissa.
Something in his expression shifted — too fast for Melissa to catch.
Alec's gaze then landed on Dayne, still leaning casually against the piano, way too close to her. His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
"Am I interrupting?" Alec said smoothly, voice dripping with sarcasm.
Dayne pushed off the piano, stretching lazily. "Nah, just hanging out."
Melissa swallowed hard, her heartbeat thudding louder than the piano's notes had.
Tension crackled in the room like static before a storm.
Ginny, sensing the brewing chaos, stood up and stretched exaggeratedly. "Welp! I need coffee. Anyone coming?"
Dayne chuckled. "I'm in. Lisa?"
Melissa nodded stiffly, desperate for an escape.
As they walked out, she glanced back over her shoulder — Alec was standing there still, staring after her.
Something in his eyes burned.
But Melissa forced herself to keep walking.