Melodies with you.

A week has passed. What started as a one-time thing, sneaking into Triam Udom Suksa to see the dark-haired violinist, had become a regular habit. Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, the brown-haired girl found herself drawn back to school. She knew the other girl's practice schedule perfectly: orchestra from 3:30 to 5:00.

These stolen moments, watching from the window, were her secret escape.

She’d become a regular with the group of younger students by the water fountain. They weren't surprised to see her anymore. It was a simple transaction now: she gave them some money, they gave her the slightly-too-big, ink-stained uniform shirt.

The girl with braces even gave her a discount now.

“You’re good for business”. she’d said with a wink.

But sneaking in wasn't always easy. The security guard was starting to get suspicious. He’d stare at her as she hurried past, trying to look like she belonged.

There were a few times she almost got caught, having to hide behind lockers or pretend she was looking for a classroom. The near misses made the whole thing feel even more exciting, in a risky kind of way.

And her friends, Owen and Beam, were also starting to get suspicious. They kept asking her about her ‘library trips’ their voices laced with playful skepticism.

“You’re going to have the most overdue books in the entire city.”  Owen had teased one day, poking her playfully in the ribs.

Beam had been more direct. “Seriously, Tatee, what’s going on? You’re acting weird.”

The brown-haired girl would just shrug and offer vague excuses, avoiding their eyes. She knew she couldn’t keep the secret forever, but she wasn’t ready to tell them the truth. Not yet.

And then there was Max. He hadn’t exactly disappeared from her life.

He was still furious, still clinging to the past, bombarding her with texts and calls she mostly ignored. He’d send old pictures of them together, snapshots of happier times, accompanied by messages dripping with false sentimentality.

‘I miss us so much.’

‘Remember this? We were so happy.’

He’d write things like that sometimes, late at night, when the silence of her room pressed in on her, she did remember.

She’d recall the early days of their relationship, the laughter, the shared jokes, the feeling of being understood. A pang of longing would hit her, a fleeting desire for the comfort of the familiar. But then she’d remember the anger, the possessiveness, the way her trust in him had been chipped away, piece by painful piece, until almost nothing remained.

It was in those moments of weakness, when the ghost of Max threatened to pull her back into the past, that she would reach for her phone. She’d become a new kind of creep, she knew. A secret admirer, a silent observer, a collector of stolen moments.

On her phone, she had a small collection of videos, shaky and poorly framed, taken during her surreptitious visits to the music room. They were recordings of the dark-haired violinist playing, snippets of melodies captured through the window.

The sound quality wasn’t great, often punctuated by the muffled noises of the school hallway, but it was enough. Enough to transport her back to that moment of magic, enough to remind her of the beauty she’d witnessed.

She’d listen to the recordings, letting the music wash over her, pushing back the memories of Max, finding solace in the ethereal melodies.

Despite all the sneaking, all the risk, all the stolen moments, she still hadn’t spoken to the dark-haired violinist The text she had sent after the incident with her ex-boyfriend was still unanswered. She’d read it over and over, wondering what she’d done wrong. Had she been too much? Had she scared her off by mentioning Max?

She’d seen her laugh with her friends, her face radiant with a joy.

And the unanswered text still haunted her.

She thought, after that day happened, that maybe, just maybe... they could be friends.

But now, it seemed like she was just another face in the crowd.

A wave of disappointment washing over her.

The upcoming league loomed large in Anne’s mind, a constant pressure pushing her to practice harder, longer.

Each note had to be perfect, each movement of her bow precise.

The weight of expectation pressed down on her, a fear of disappointing her instructor, Miss Joanne, and the orchestra. More than anything, she was terrified of messing up, of letting everyone down.

The music room, usually a sanctuary, now felt like a pressure cooker. As she packed up her violin after a particularly grueling rehearsal, a tap on her shoulder startled her. She turned to see the other girl standing there, a warm smile lighting up her face. Khwan, Miss Joanne’s daughter.

And though she's deaf, she possessed sharp intellect and a vibrant personality. Her expressive eyes, framed by long, dark lashes, sparkled with intelligence, and her face held a natural beauty that drew people to her.

She was quick-witted and observant, and despite the communication barrier for most, she connected with people on a deep, emotional level.

Anne and Khwan had a unique bond.

Anne had learned sign language years ago, a necessity for communicating with her mother. It had been a language shared only between her, her mother, and her late father. Her older sister, though loving and supportive, had never fully grasped sign language, relying instead on a mix of gestures, written notes, and lip-reading when interacting with their mother.

This shared language had forged a deep connection between Anne and Khwan, almost like sisters.

Khwan began to sign rapidly, her hands moving with practiced ease, her eyebrows raised in mock horror, a wide, playful grin spreading across her face.

“Thought you were dead after the punishment she gave you.”  She signed, exaggerating the sign for ‘dead’ with a dramatic slump of her shoulders.

“I heard she tortured you in the practice room.”  She added, miming whipping motions with her hands.

“You heard right, your mom did torture me.”  Anne chuckled, signing back with a roll of her eyes, a small smile playing on her lips.

“Not only that, I had to survive for weeks without my phone because my sister took it as another punishment.”  She continued as she made a gesture of her sister snatching the phone away.

“She was so angry that I got into a fight, but I know she’s just scared that something might happen to me… it’s been a lot. Life sucks.”  The violinist’s hands were drooping slightly to emphasize the weight of the past weeks.

Khwan’s expression softened slightly, though a teasing glint remained in her eyes.

she signed, her hands forming a gentle cradling motion “She only has you, I get it,” 

“You need to think about the consequences, Anne,”  Her fingers move slowly using a sharp, decisive movement for ‘consequences’ but with a playful wink.

“It could ruin your reputation.”  She signed again, using a dramatic move.

“That boy… he could hurt you more. You were outnumbered,”  She added, holding up three fingers to represent the number of boys, then wiggling them playfully.

“It was brave of you to stand up for that girl… but you have to be careful.”  She finished, her hands making a cautious, protective gesture, but with a light teasing tone.

Understanding the other girl's concern but also appreciating her attempt to lighten the mood. She knew Khwan was right.

The video of the fight had gone viral within the school, and Miss Joanne, though ultimately understanding of the violinist’s motives, had been furious about the potential repercussions. The detention, the loss of her phone was all a reminder of the seriousness of the situation.

“I know,” Anne hands moving slowly and deliberately, her gaze downcast, but a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

“I just… I couldn’t stand by and watch.” 

She signed, forming a bent 'L' shape with the thumb and forefinger slightly curved, mouthed the word ‘watch’ as she made the sign.

“He was harassing her, and no one was doing anything. It felt… wrong.”

Her expression twisted slightly in mock disgust, then quickly returned to a playful smile. She looked down at her hands, a flicker of guilt crossing her face, but it was quickly replaced by a sheepish grin.

“But I didn’t think about what would happen after.”  She signed, her hands making a small, helpless gesture, then throwing her hands up in mock surrender.

The other girl reached out and gently squeezed the violinist’s hand, her eyes filled with understanding and affection. She signed reassuringly, her hands patting the violinist gently.

“You did what you thought was right.” her expression warm and supportive.

“But next time, maybe try to find a teacher or someone older to help. Don’t Put yourself in danger.”  She finished, her hands making a firm, warning gesture, but with a light, teasing tone that made it clear she wasn’t truly scolding her.

The comfortable atmosphere of their conversation was abruptly shattered by the sound of pounding footsteps echoing down the hallway. A shout followed, the security guard’s voice booming through the building.

“Hey! Stop! You’re not supposed to be here!”

The girls exchanged startled glances. The playful air vanished, replaced by a shared sense of unease.

“What’s going on?”  The long-haired girl signed, her brows furrowing in concern.

Anne girl signed back, her eyes widening slightly but shrugging. “Sounds like someone’s in trouble.”

Grabbing her violin case and following close behind. They had just stepped out of the music room, intending to head to Miss Joanne’s office to drop off some sheet music, when the chaotic scene erupted.

The security guard, red-faced and out of breath, was hot on the heels of someone who was darting around a corner.

Suddenly, a figure came barreling around the same corner, moving too fast to see where they were going. Before Anne or the other girl could react, the figure collided with the musician, sending her stumbling back. Instinctively, the taller girl reached out, her hands catching the other person just before they fell to the ground.

The impact sent a jolt through the musician’s arms, but she managed to keep the other person safe in her arms. Her eyes widened in surprise. It was the vest girl— Tatee.

For Tatee, the world seemed to tilt on its axis. One moment she was running, adrenaline, coursing through her veins, the next she was caught, held firmly in someone’s grasp. When she looked up, her breath caught in her throat. It was her.

The girl who had occupied her thoughts and dreams for weeks.

The girl she’d been secretly watching.

The shout from the guard had also sent a jolt of panic through the musician. Her mind raced, unable to think clearly. She glanced from Tatee’s wide, terrified eyes to the approaching security guard, his face contorted in a mixture of tiredness and frustration.

Instinct took over. Without a word they got up, Anne grabbed Tatee’s hand, then turned and pulled the other girl, Khwan, along with her. “Come on!” She whispered urgently.

Tatee, still reeling from the collision and the sudden appearance of the musician, could only stumble along, her hand clasped tightly in the other girl’s. Khwan, equally surprised, but ever quick-witted, followed without hesitation.

The girl who had her violin case slung over her shoulder led them down a side corridor, away from the main hallway and the pursuing guard, her heart pounding in her chest. She scanned the corridor, desperately searching for a place to hide. Spotting an open classroom door, she pulled them inside, quickly shutting the door behind them.

The room was dark and empty, the desks arranged in neat rows. Anne leaned against the door, breathing heavily, her heart still racing. She looked at Tatee, whose eyes were wide with a mixture of fear and disbelief, and then at Khwan, who was looking at her with a mixture of surprise and amusement.

After a moment of catching their breath, the musician looked at Tatee, her brow furrowed in confusion.

“Tatee? What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice still a hushed whisper.

This wasn’t how she’d imagined meeting her, not like this, not as a trespasser, a rule-breaker, a… creep. She was sure the musician must think she was crazy, some kind of obsessed stalker.

The thought made her stomach churn.

She wanted to disappear, to melt onto the floor and never be seen again. This was it. She was doomed. Tatee’s eyes darted around the room, still trying to catch her breath.

She stammered, “I… I… uh…”

Khwan, ever the observant one, looked from Tatee to the musician, then back again, a playful glint in her eyes.

She signed, “Wait, why are we running? This is our school,”  added with a mischievous grin.

“Well, except for me, but everyone knows I’m Joanne’s daughter. I practically live here.”  She continued still smiling.

The musician burst out laughing distracted after realizing the fact, finally unable to contain herself but quickly sign to the confused grinning girl.

“Shit, I wasn’t thinking straight. I just… panicked. Sorry.”

“You need to work on that.”  The other girl moved her hands with a playful wag of her hand.

Both try to suppress their laughter. The whole situation was absurd, but there was something endearing about other girl’s obvious nervousness and clumsy attempts at deception.

She turned to Khwan and began to sign, carefully enunciating each sign so Tatee could hopefully understand the general gist. “Khwan,”  she signed, spelling out the name letter by letter

“This is Tatee.”

She took a moment before continued, pointing to herself with her index finger, her hands then move to form fists, stacking one on top of the other, and she pulls the top fist upward, attempting the sign for ‘saved’, points slightly off to the side then weeps her hand back over her shoulder with a final quick setting sun motion for ‘day’.

“The girl who I saved from other day.”

Tatee, watching the rapid movements of their hands, felt completely lost. She stood there, clearly dumbfounded, trying to decipher the flurry of gestures. She glanced between the two girls, a confused expression on her face, trying to piece together what they were saying.

Khwan smiled warmly at Tatee and pulled out her phone, quickly typing a message. 

She showed the screen to Tatee, which read: “Hi Tatee, it’s nice to finally meet you. I’m sorry if we make you confused but I’m deaf… and it’s great to meet you!”

She offered the silent girl another warm smile then extended her hand for a handshake.

Tatee’s eyes widened slightly as she read the message, she also noticed how beautiful Khwan was, with her expressive eyes and warm smile.

A thought crossed her mind: ‘Do all pretty girls always have another beautiful girl as their friend?’

Breaking through her embarrassment, she reached out and shook Khwan’s hand, a small, shy smile playing on her lips. “It’s… nice to meet you too.” she managed to say, her voice a little steadier now.

The tension in the room seemed to ease slightly.

Khwan, who had been watching Tatee’s lips as she spoke, nodded slightly, a small smile playing on her own lips. She had picked up on the phrase “nice to meet you too” through lip-reading before typing on her phone.

“So, what brings you here?”  She typed, showing Tatee the message.

“It seems kind of lost here, based on how the guard tried to catch you. It’s kinda strange that he’s chasing you while you’re wearing this school uniform.”

Tatee’s eyes widened, and she started to fidget, her fingers twisting together. "Well," she began, her voice wavering slightly, "I… I was… um… doing a… a very important… uh… school project?"  She cringed inwardly.

It sounded incredibly lame, even to her own ears. It was a lie, of course. This was the only way she could think of to see the musician again. She didn’t understand her own behavior. Why was she going to such lengths? She supposed it had something to do with the music. The music they played, it had become almost addictive. She thought that was the main reason, anyway. It was the only explanation that made any sense. She’d been trying to find the music room again, hoping to maybe… hear the girl practice. It was pathetic, she knew, but she couldn't bring herself to admit it.

Khwan raised a skeptical eyebrow, typing another message: “A school project… at this hour? And requiring a full uniform? Sounds… intense. What kind of project involves evading security?”

Tatee’s face flushed crimson. She stammered, “It’s… it’s a… a special project. For… for… uh… extracurricular… research!” 

She knew she was digging herself deeper, but she couldn’t stop.

“a… method acting project! Yeah! I’m… I’m trying to… get into character! By… by experiencing a day in the life… of a student here!”  She winced internally. It was the dumbest excuse she’d ever come up with.

She braced herself for their reaction.

The musician bit back a smile, adding to the teasing. “You’re so bad at lying, Tatee,”  she said gently, but with a playful glint in her eyes.

“But for whatever reason you have for being here right now, it seems like meeting you always involves running. But I guess you’re okay now?”

"I… I was… um… everything’s fine, really. It’s… going well."  She offered a weak, unconvincing smile.

She couldn't bring herself to admit the real reason.

It felt too vulnerable, too… pathetic. Just as she was about to try and steer the conversation in a different direction, her phone buzzed insistently in her pocket. She pulled it out and her eyes widened in alarm. Ten missed calls. A text message at the top of the list, it was her mom.

Mom:‘Where are you?! Mom’s been calling everyone! It’s Dad’s birthday! We’re waiting for you’

Her hand flew to her mouth. She’d completely forgotten! Today was her father’s birthday. She’d promised to be home early for the family dinner.

“Oh no!”  she exclaimed, her voice filled with panic. “I must go! I completely forgot!”

The musician and Khwan exchanged concerned glances.

“Is everything okay?”  the musician asked gently, her gaze softening as she looked at Tatee.

She noticed the slight furrow of Tatee’s brow, the way her fingers nervously twisted together, and a genuine concern washed over her.

“It’s just… family stuff.”  Tatee mumbled, a flicker of worry crossing her face.

Understandingly, Anne simply explained to Khwan that Tatee had a family emergency and needed to go home.

She then suggested they walk Khwan to Joanne’s office before Tatee left. Khwan nodded in understanding, her expression softening with empathy.

When they reached Joanne’s office, Khwan typed a quick message on her phone: “It was really nice meeting you, Tatee! Hope to see you again!”

She reached out and gave Tatee a quick, reassuring hug. The girl surprised by the sudden contact, instinctively returned the hug, a small, genuine smile gracing her lips for a moment.

Then, Khwan turned to Anne and pulled her into a hug as well, a silent thank you for the company before disappearing inside, leaving them alone outside the building.

“Shall we go Kim Possible?”  Anne teased, earning a playful slap on her side.

The musician and Tatee stepped out of the school building into the fading light of the late afternoon. The sky was a blend of soft oranges and purples, a gentle transition from day to dusk.

As they did, they were met by a small group of people waving excitedly. It was Anne’s friends. Lily and Drew were practically bouncing with anxiety, clearly having been searching for her.

“Anne!”  one of them shouted, running towards her.

Drew and Lily were visibly relieved to see her, their earlier panic evident in their flushed faces and hurried breaths.

“Where the hell were you?” Drew blurted out, his voice laced with a mixture of relief and exasperation.

Lily just nodded in agreement, her hand on her chest as if trying to calm her racing heart. They had been certain Anne was in the practice room and finding it empty had sent them into a frenzy of worry.

“We were just seeing Khwan off,” Anne explained, gesturing vaguely towards the school building. “She was staying late, and we walked her to Joanne’s office.”

“God, maybe I should tell P’phaem that she needs to get your phone back, I was worried sick about you wandering alone.”

“Don’t do that again.”  Lily said, letting out a heavy sigh as she walked closer to Anne and pulled her into a hug.

Tatee, who hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, overheard Drew’s comment about getting Anne’s phone back. Does she have a problem? Why did Drew say that? Doesn’t she have her phone with her? She wondered.

It was then that they noticed the figure practically hiding behind Anne.

Tatee, overwhelmed by the sudden attention and the slightly tense atmosphere, had instinctively shrunk back, trying to blend into the shadows cast by Anne’s taller frame.

“Who’s this?” Lily asked as she let go of Anne, finally getting a good look at Tatee.

Anne stepped slightly to the side, revealing Tatee.

“Oh, right,” she said, a small smile playing on her lips. “Guys, this is Tatee. And Tatee, these are my friends, Yuan, Fanny, and Lily.”

“Hi…”  Tatee said shyly, offering a small wave.

Yuan, however, was struck dumb. He stared at at the cute looking girl who had her hair in a ponytail looking like a walking real-life anime. His jaw practically on the floor. He’d never seen anyone so beautiful. He straightened his posture, smoothed down his hair, and tried to adopt a casual pose, which ended up looking more like he was trying to stand at attention. He opened his mouth to say something, but all that came out was a strangled “Uh… hi.”

This earned him an annoyed eye roll from Fanny.

Then yuan’s mind froze, he was trying to recall where he’d seen this girl before, then it hit him.

He gasped, covering his mouth with his hand.

“You’re… Max’s girlfriend!!”  he exclaimed, his eyes wide with surprise.

“Ex-girlfriend to be exact... ” she corrected, a wave of unease washing over her.

“Damn! You guys finally broke up!” Yuan exclaimed, his eyes widening even further.

“Is it after the video of you guys got viral???? Dude, the rumors are everywhere! So, are the rumors true? You guys really broke up and he got detention?”

Drew, noticing Tatee’s obvious discomfort, reached out and lightly slapped the back of Yuan’s head.

“Idiot, seriously?” he muttered, giving Yuan a pointed look.

The latter grimaced, rubbing the back of his head and mouthing the word 'Why?' with a genuinely confused expression. He was a notorious gossip, completely oblivious to social cues sometimes. He had a heart of gold, but his filter was often malfunctioning, especially when juicy rumors were involved. Drew was getting tired of his friend’s cluelessness, but he also knew that Yuan didn’t mean any harm. He just didn’t always think things through.

Anne’s eyes widened slightly at Yuan’s outburst. She hadn’t heard any details about the aftermath of the video incident. After the initial scolding and the subsequent punishment from Miss Joanne – which included her sister confiscating her phone for weeks – the topic had been dropped.

Yuan had simply mentioned that Tatee was doing okay and spending time with her friends, which had been a huge relief for Anne.

‘Did Tatee try to text me when I didn't have my phone?’  She thought feeling guilty for the possibility.

She wanted to ask Tatee about everything, to understand what had happened, but she knew it wasn’t her place. She understood the importance of privacy and didn't want to pressure Tatee into sharing anything she wasn't comfortable with.

Then Fanny’s eyes landed on Tatee’s uniform. “Wait a second,”  She said, narrowing her eyes slightly. “Isn’t that… our school uniform?”

Before Tatee could stumble over another excuse, Anne quickly interjected, “Yeah, it is. She… uh… spilled something on her uniform, We just met here, she was standing outside the school's gate waiting for her friends, but it seems they didn't come to pick her up. So I lent her mine since I have some extra one, you know... it won't be comfortable for her to wear a wet top." 

She gave Tatee a reassuring look, hoping her friends wouldn’t press the issue.

“Your uniform? But… since when did your name change to Gorya…?”  Yuan took a closer look at the name tag on the uniform Tatee was wearing.

Anne quickly clapped a hand over Yuan’s mouth, cutting him off before he could finish. She let out a nervous laugh.

“Mine got swapped when I was in the bathroom to change after badminton practice yesterday,”  She said quickly, her eyes darting between her friends.

“You know how chaotic the locker room gets. It was probably a mix-up.”  She removed her hand from Yuan's mouth, giving him a pointed look that silently warned him to keep quiet.

Lily, still unconvinced, looked from Anne to Tatee, her gaze lingering on the uniform. “A mix-up that resulted in someone wearing a completely different size?”

Anne sighed internally. This was getting out of hand. She shot Tatee another apologetic look. “Look,” she said, trying to sound casual, Lily knows damn well if Anne talked too much, it means she's hiding something.

“It’s a long story must be fun if we can all hang out and chit chat together but Tatee really needs to get going. She has… a family thing.”  She glanced at Tatee, hoping she would pick up on the cue.

Tatee, grateful for Anne’s intervention, nodded quickly.

“Yeah, I really do have to go, my mom throwing a party for my dad... i already feel bad for being this late to go home.”  She said, forcing a polite smile.

“But truly it was nice meeting you all.”  She turned to leave, feeling the weight of their curious stares on her back.

“Wait!” Yuan called out, recovering some of his usual playful act.

“At least tell us your number! You know, for… uh… future uniform emergencies?”  He winked, earning him another hard shove from Fanny.

Anne groaned inwardly. This was going from bad to worse.

“I’ll walk you home, Tatee.”  She said quickly, cutting off any further questions or suggestions from her friends cause she can't stand with them when cause they could find her lying, she's a bad liar herself to be a fact.

Lily’s eyebrows shot up.

“Walk her home? But… we were going to grab some bubble tea. Why are you suddenly walking her home?” 

A hint of jealousy crept into her voice.

“I… I need to get home quickly too,” Anne stammered, offering a weak smile.

“I have… a family thing as well. Phaem told me today she needs me to wash our dishes and tidy up our living room, it looked like hell trust me.” 

It was a flimsy excuse, but she needed to get Tatee away from her prying friends.

She knew they wouldn't let it go, and she didn't want to put the girl in an even more uncomfortable position. Still looking unconvinced. She eyed Tatee again, then back at Anne.

“Well… okay.” Lily said slowly finally let go, even though she still had this uneasy feeling.

“It was nice meeting you, Tatee!”  Fanny called out, waving.

Yuan, recovering from his earlier shock and Drew’s light smack, also waved “Yeah, it was nice meeting you! you can get my number from Anne later!”  earning another smack from Fanny.

Lily, though still a little put out but offered a small polite wave as well.

Anne gave her friends a quick wave.

“I’ll see you guys later.” She said, then turned to Tatee throws a gentle smile at her. “Let’s go.”

They walked in comfortable silence for a few minutes before reaching the bus stop. Tatee hadn’t taken the bus in ages, usually relying on her family for rides. Before, Max would always drive her around. The boy hadn’t trusted her to be anywhere without him, a possessiveness that had, in retrospect, felt suffocating.

Now, standing at the bus stop, the route numbers and schedules a confusing jumble, she felt a strange mix of disorientation and a newfound sense of freedom. She had no clue what bus to take or how to pay.

Anne noticed her confusion and smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry,” she said. “I got this.”

She checked the bus schedule and then paid for both of their fares with her transport card.

They sat side by side on the bus, the rhythmic rumble of the engine and the soft murmur of other passengers filling the air. Tatee found herself feeling inexplicably nervous, her hands fidgeting in her lap. She kept glancing at Anne, who was focused on the passing scenery outside the window.

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the bus, highlighting the delicate curve of Anne’s cheek and the gentle slope of her nose. Tatee found herself mesmerized by her side profile.

The way the light caught the soft strands of her hair, the subtle curve of her lips.

After a few minutes of comfortable silence, Anne turned to Tatee, her expression softening. “So,” she began, her voice gentle, “What was the real reason you were at my school so late? You said it was a project, but…” she trailed off, leaving the question hanging in the air.

Tatee hesitated, her gaze dropping to her hands. She knew she couldn’t keep lying.

Taking a deep breath, she looked back up at Anne, her expression earnest. I she began, her voice barely above a whisper, “I was just… wondering how you were doing. And… why you hadn’t replied to my texts.”  She paused, then continued, her voice gaining a little more strength.

“So, I… I kind of… sneaked into your school.”  She winced slightly, anticipating Anne’s reaction.

“I didn’t mean to sound like a creep or anything, I was worried if Max or his friends might do anything to you.”  she quickly added, “but I… I ended up watching you and your friends play. And…” she trailed off, a faint blush warming her cheeks.

Anne’s eyebrows rose slightly in surprise, but her expression remained gentle. She was listening intently, her gaze fixed on Tatee.

“And… I was hooked,”  Tatee confessed, a small, sheepish smile playing on her lips. “I know it sounds weird, but it’s really good. And I guess I became… addicted.”

“So, I kept coming back. A lot. I guess I’ve become a regular customer to this Gorya girl.”  She joked, gesturing to the uniform she was wearing.

Anne’s initial surprise quickly melted into amusement, then a warm smile spread across her face. She was touched by Tatee’s honesty, even if it was a little… unusual.

“You came back… that many times?” She asked, a hint of disbelief in her voice. Tatee nodded, her blush deepening.

“Yeah,” she admitted. “I know it’s a bit much. But I couldn’t help it. It’s calming,”  She paused, then added in a slightly lower voice.

“I… I texted you a couple of times… but you didn’t reply. I thought you were avoiding me or something.” Anne could feel the hint of disappointment laced in her tone.

“I… I didn’t have my phone. My sister… she took it away. I got in a bit of trouble at school… after… you know…”  She trailed off, referring to the video incident with Max.

“That’s why I couldn’t reply.” She offered a sheepish smile.

This time a wave of guilt washed over Tatee. She hadn’t even considered that the girl might have been going through something herself.

She had been so focused on her own feelings with all assumptions. She said softly, her voice filled with remorse. “I… I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” 

Anne waved her hand dismissively. “It’s okay,” she said, offering a reassuring smile. “It wasn’t your fault. It was… a whole thing.” She paused for a moment, then tilted her head slightly, a playful glint in her eyes.

“So, does this mean you’re a fan of classical music now?” she teased gently. Tatee hesitated for a moment, then met Anne's gaze, a small, genuine smile gracing her lips.

"It's not exactly the classical music itself," she confessed quietly, her voice sincere. "It's… more like… I'm addicted to your playing."

A sudden wave of shyness washed over the musician. Her cheeks flushed a delicate pink, and she found herself looking away, a small, involuntary smile playing on her lips. She had received compliments on her playing before, of course. But this… this felt different, and she couldn’t explain why.

It made her heart beat a little faster, a warmth spreading through her chest that she couldn't quite understand. Clearing her throat slightly Anne turned back to the other girl who now keeps fidgeting with her fingers.

“If you’re really that interested, I could… maybe play something for you sometime. A proper piece, not just random practice.”  She thought for a moment, then her eyes lit up.

“I’m actually learning this song right now. It’s called ‘Lovely,’ by Khaled and Billie Eilish. It’s… really beautiful. I’d love to play it for you when I’ve got it down.” 

Tatee’s eyes widened with excitement.

“Really?”  She asked, her voice filled with genuine enthusiasm. “That would be amazing! I love that song!”  The guilt she had felt earlier began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of anticipation.

Anne smiled, pleased by Tatee’s reaction and nods.

Tatee grinned. “Finally,”  she joked lightly, “you know a song that’s not strictly classical music or Disney songs.”

“Of course I do,”  She retorted, a small smile playing on her lips. “I don’t live under a rock, you know.”

A comfortable silence fell between them. The awkwardness from before was gone. They both looked out the window as the city lights started to come on in the fading daylight.

The bus rumbled along, and the other passengers talked softly. It was a peaceful scene.

As the bus continued its journey, a soft melody began to form in Tatee’s mind, almost as if it were being hummed just behind her head. The lyrics, clear and distinct, floated through her thoughts.

‘Can I go where you go? Can we always be this close forever and ever?’

After dropping Tatee off, Anne walked slowly towards her house, the late afternoon air cooling against her skin. She didn't dwell on the details of the past hour, simply replaying snippets in her mind: Tatee's hesitant smile, the shared bus ride, the brief, comfortable silences. Their conversation about movies had been surprisingly easy. They’d discovered a shared love for Pitch Perfect, quoting lines and laughing about their favorite scenes. They’d also talked about more serious films, finding common ground in their appreciation for Hacksaw Ridge and Green Book.

It had been… a little strange, she thought, a day she hadn't anticipated at all. But strange in a good way. It was nice, she realized, to find someone who shared her tastes, someone she could actually talk to about things other than music and school. As she reached the front door, she could hear the faint murmur of voices from inside. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and stepped into the familiar warmth of her home.

Her sister, Phaem, was practically melted into Tana on the couch. Anne loved them, but their constant PDA was starting to feel less like affection and more like an obstacle course for her fork. It felt like she was holding a giant 'Do Not Disturb' sign that they were pointedly ignoring.

Her sister looked up as Anne entered, her expression softening from its earlier sternness. Anne, suddenly feeling a surge of affection for her sister, rushed over and practically tackled her into a hug, burying her face in the older girl's shoulder. 

“P’Phaem,” she whined softly into her sister’s shoulder, her voice muffled

“it’s been weeks! I’ve been grounded for weeks! And… and I still don’t have my phone back!”  She punctuated her whine with a little dramatic shudder, tightening her grip on her sister for a moment before pulling back slightly, her eyes wide and pleading.

“It’s like living in the Stone Age! I’m practically a primitive! I haven’t seen a meme in days! I’m going to forget how to use emojis! And I can’t even watch violin practice videos on YouTube! My playing is getting worse! My fingers are getting clumsy! I’m becoming a musical Neanderthal!”

The latter hugged her back but kept her voice firm, though she was trying not to laugh. She playfully messed up Anne’s hair. “But you were being reckless, so you deserve it."

She added with a playful smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth.  “Besides, you’re always fussing over me like a little old lady. You’d fit right in with the cave paintings.”

Anne pulled back slightly, looking at her sister with wide, pleading eyes, her lower lip jutting out in a pout. “The hell?”  The younger girl felt a cold dread creep up her spine as she registered the word that had just escaped her lips. Her sister eyes narrowed into a glare, her eyebrows drawing together.

Oh, she was so dead.

Her face instantly transformed, the pout morphing into an expression of  innocence, complete with wide, pleading eyes and rapid-fire blinking.

“Heck! No, no, I meant heck! It’s… it’s a new word I learned! It means… like, ‘in perfect alignment with your wisdom’ or ‘in complete accordance with your superior judgment’! It’s… it’s a very sophisticated term! I was simply expressing my… heck!… my profound agreement!”

She pressed her palms together in a mock prayer, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Please my greatest lord from every universe, I beg your forgiveness. This young not really smart today girl beg your forgiveness."

“I promise phaemie, I won’t do it again. I’ll think before I do anything and say. I’ll… I’ll even write a list of pros and cons before I do anything.”

A soft smile played on Tana’s lips as she gently caressed her girlfriend's hair, Phaem now leaning comfortably against her side. “It’s been weeks now that you’ve held onto Anne’s phone,” Tana said gently. “Give your sister some mercy. She’s learned her lesson. Besides, being grounded is enough punishment already, don't you think? Or do you want her to be a monk?”

The girl looked from Tana to Anne, her expression softening further as she letting out a sigh. She saw the genuine remorse in her sister’s eyes, and she knew her the latter was right. She’d been holding onto the punishment for a while now, partly out of concern and partly out of a little bit of sisterly teasing. She also knew, deep down, that with their parents gone, she felt extra responsible for Anne, sometimes maybe a little too much.

“Who is the real sister here?” she asked, directing the question at Tana. “You’re always spoiling her. I’m trying to teach her responsibility, and you’re undermining my authority!”

Tana chuckled, wrapping an arm around the shorter girl's shoulders and giving her a gentle squeeze. “Someone has to be the fun sist.” she retorted, winking at Anne.

A smile finally breaking through her sister's lips as she reached into her pocket and pulled out Anne’s phone, handing it over. “Consider this your early release. But,” she added, pointing a finger at Anne, “if you get into any more trouble…” she trailed off, raising an eyebrow in warning.

Anne snatched her phone with a small squeal of delight, her earlier dramatics instantly forgotten. She quickly powered it on, her eyes widening as notifications flooded the screen. The familiar glow illuminated her face as she scrolled through the sheer volume of messages, a mix of texts, app notifications, and missed calls.

“Oh my god, I have like, a million messages!” she exclaimed, her fingers flying across the screen.

She paused, a playful smirk spreading across her face as she looked up at at her sister. “See? My fans are worried about me. They were wondering where their favorite violinist had disappeared to. Clearly, my absence has been keenly felt.”

The older girl rolled her eyes, but a small smile played on her lips. “What fans?”  She retorted, giving the girl that is now currently twirling a strand of her hair around her finger a soft nudge, then her girlfriend occasionally leaning in to press a soft kiss to her cheek in return.

“Your Instagram is basically a shrine to violins and cats. There’s barely a human face in sight. And those texts? Don’t flatter yourself. They’re probably all from Drew.” 

“I only gave it back because he wouldn’t stop nudging me. I was getting a headache from how loud he was being. He sent me a text saying, ‘P, please! I’m worried! She’s out there alone again, i can't find her!’ It’s sweet that he’s so concerned, but seriously, Anne,” her tone shifted, a hint of genuine concern creeping in.

“Don’t just wander off on your own again. Don't do anything reckless, and it worries him – and us.”

Well at this point, she just didn’t think about it much in the moment. She glanced at Tana, who gave her a small, reassuring nod.

“Alright, alright.” Anne mumbled, picking nervously at a loose thread on the couch. “I promise I’ll be more careful. I’ll stick with Drew from now on, or at least tell someone where I’m going.”

She sighed, her expression softening. She reached out and gently cupped Anne’s cheek. “I know you have a good heart, Anne,” she said softly. “But you need to look after yourself too. We… we only have each other now.”  The unspoken words hung in the air, a reminder of their shared loss.

Anne leaned into her sister’s touch, a wave of warmth spreading through her. She understood the weight her sister carried, the constant worry that she felt responsible for both of them. It was a burden Anne wished she could share more of.

Tana, sensing the shift in mood, gave her girl's hand a gentle squeeze and offered a warm smile to both sisters. “Okay, enough with the heavy stuff,”  she said, her voice light and cheerful.

“I think we all need a distraction. How about a game of Uno? I’m feeling particularly ruthless tonight.”

The suggestion was met with immediate enthusiasm from the youngest, who perked up instantly. “Uno? Yes! I haven’t played in ages! I’m totally going to crush you both." she declared, a playful glint in her eyes. The earlier tension seemed to melt away from her face, replaced by a childlike eagerness.

Phaem still slightly subdued, managed a small smile. “Uno it is.”  she agreed, pushing herself up from the couch. “But just so you know, I’m the expert here. Don’t expect to win easily.”

Tana playfully gasped. “Oh, I’m so intimidated,”  she said, her voice dripping with mock fear. She winked at Anne, who giggled.

It was hard to reconcile this playful, almost childlike version of Anne with the composed young woman she saw glimpses of outside their home. It was a comforting thought, in a way, to know that within these walls, Anne could still be just a kid, the girl who still needed hugs and silly games of Uno.

And those were Phaem Lee's thoughts about her sister.

She climbed into bed, pulling the covers up around her, and finally allowed herself to pick up her phone. She quickly typed out a message to her group chat, letting her friends know she’d been freed from her sister’s “iron fist.” As she scrolled through the replies, a separate chat from unknown number caught her eye. She opened it, and her eyes widened slightly.

There were a lot of messages, more than she’d expected.

All of them were from Tatee.

Lying back against her pillows, the soft lamplight casting a warm glow over the room, Anne began scrolling through them, a soft smile spreading across her face.

Tatee had been sending her updates throughout the past few days, little snippets about her day, what she’d eaten for lunch and there were also messages expressing concern, asking if Anne was okay.

A warm feeling spread through her chest as she reached the last message Tatee had sent, a simple “Hope you’re okay. Goodnight.”

Anne quickly typed out a reply, her fingers moving almost automatically “Guess who got her phone back? Goodnight, Tatee.” 

She sent it off with a small smile, then settled more comfortably against her pillows, rereading Tatee’s messages. The soft glow of the phone illuminated her face as she lay in bed, the comforting words of a new friend lulling her into a peaceful slumber.