*Chapter 7: Echoes of Us*
Their fingers danced again—hesitant at first, then braver, louder.
It wasn't the old melody they played. It was something new. Something built from fracture, stitched together with longing and forgiveness.
Skyler closed his eyes and leaned into the notes. River watched him, silently stunned by the way music still lived in Skyler's bones, even after the hurt. Especially after the hurt.
When the last chord rang out, Skyler let the silence settle before speaking.
"You're different when you're not afraid."
River looked down. "I've been afraid my whole life."
"Then let's unlearn it. Together."
***
The winter showcase loomed.
Auditions were next week, and Elliot was everywhere—smiling, shaking hands, drawing gasps from professors and students alike with every flawless run of Liszt or Chopin.
River, once the academy's golden boy, now walked with a shadow behind him. And Skyler saw it.
"You don't have to compete," Skyler said. "You owe them nothing."
"I know," River replied. "But I owe *me* something. I need to prove I can stand on a stage without breaking."
Skyler reached for his hand. "Then don't go alone."They decided to audition as a duo. A new piece—equal parts classical and indie, composed with aching piano and warm guitar, Skyler's voice layered in like a heartbeat.
They called it *"Echoes of Us."*
***
The night of the audition, the hall was packed.
Elliot sat in the front row, arms crossed, eyes calculating. River's father had even flown in. His stare was the same—sharp, unreadable.
River's hands trembled.
Until Skyler brushed his fingers gently.
"I'm here," he whispered.
River nodded.
Then they played.
And the room forgot how to breathe.
The melody told their story—of loneliness and meeting, of mistakes and mending, of a boy who never thought he could be loved… and another who showed him how.
As the final chord rang out, there was no applause. Just stunned silence.
Then the ovation came.
Louder than anything River had ever heard.
But louder still… was the look on Skyler's face.
Not proud. Not victorious.
Just *in love*.
***
Outside, under the pale moonlight, River turned to him.
"I don't care if we make the final list," he said. "That was the first time I ever felt free on a stage."
Skyler smiled. "Good. Because that was only the beginning."
And this time, when they kissed—it wasn't just music.