*Chapter 3: The Unwritten Chord*
By the third week of shared rehearsals, something shifted.
River didn't dread walking into practice room 7 anymore. In fact, he caught himself arriving early—sometimes even before Skyler. Not that he'd admit it.
Skyler always had a new idea, a wild rhythm, or a completely rewritten melody. And River? He fought it. But he played it. And somewhere between Skyler's chaos and his structure, music began to breathe.
"You know," Skyler said one afternoon, tapping a pencil against his temple, "your playing is starting to sound less like a résumé and more like a diary."
River rolled his eyes, but a small smirk tugged at his lips. "That supposed to be a compliment?"
"Obviously. I don't do basic."
They laughed. It felt weird—warm, unfamiliar. River didn't laugh much. Not since—
No. He pushed the thought back where it belonged.
***
That evening, the school held a low-key recital for students prepping for the winter showcase. Skyler didn't sign up. River did.
When his name was called, the room quieted. Everyone expected the usual—flawless classical brilliance.
Instead, he played the piece he and Skyler had been developing. Soft, curious at first. Then wild, almost angry, and then… tender. Vulnerable. By the last note, the audience sat stunned.He stood and walked offstage in silence.
Backstage, Skyler waited.
"Didn't know you were brave," he said quietly.
River looked away, pulse hammering. "Neither did I."
***
Later that night, Skyler dragged River up to the rooftop.
"Why are we here?" River asked.
"Celebrating. You made people feel something."
River leaned on the railing. The city lights flickered below like stars fallen to the ground.
"Do you always do this? Drag people to rooftops and call it bonding?"
"Nope. Just the ones who get under my skin."
River's breath caught. He turned slowly, eyes meeting Skyler's. "And do I?"
Skyler smiled, barely.
"Maybe."
They stood in silence, the wind between them like an unfinished lyric. Something was building—louder, deeper, and harder to hide.
And River didn't want to run from it.
Not anymore.
—