Unfinished Chords

Kit leaned against the brick wall outside her apartment, phone pressed to her ear as she tried to suppress a grin. Airk’s voice was coming through the line with his usual mix of humor and chaos.

"So," Airk began, his voice full of exaggerated curiosity. "How’d it go? You and Jade? Was there, like, a spark? A little bit of that old magic?"

Kit snorted, shaking her head even though he couldn’t see her. "No spark. More like a lightning bolt of awkwardness." She kicked at a loose stone on the sidewalk. "I didn’t expect to see her, Airk. And the whole thing was—" She paused, unsure how to phrase it. "I don’t know. Weird."

"Sounds like it went great," Airk teased.

"I’m serious— it’s like I barely recognise her, she’s taller, her hair’s longer, she-"

"So she’s hot?"

"No!" Kit’s face flushed, "Well not no… I don’t know, she’s just different."

"Wait so you didn’t, like, break out into a duet or something?"

"Glad you find this situation hilarious." Kit shot back, rolling her eyes. "And she definitely wasn’t happy to see me. I mean, she didn’t exactly jump into a reunion hug."

"Hey, can you blame her?" Airk said, his tone shifting to mock-serious. "You did abandon her, Kit. Like, totally ghosted her. What, did you think she’d just be waiting around for you to waltz back into her life all smooth and Hollywood-style?"

Kit huffed, her smile slipping for a moment. "I didn’t mean to ghost her, okay? Things just... happened. I had a lot going on. And then I left, and she stayed behind. We both moved on. Simple as."

"Sure, sure," Airk said. "But now you’re both here, and there’s history, sis. Lots of it. You just gotta make it right, you know? Plus, I’m dying to know—did you kiss her again?"

Kit choked on her laugh. "What? No! Oh my God, you are such a—"

"Ha! Gotcha! You’re welcome to fill in the details later," Airk interrupted, his tone laced with mischief. "But seriously, you gonna go back and talk to her? Clear the air?"

She leaned her head against the wall, eyes staring at the sky. "I don’t know. I guess I’ll have to see her again at some point, right? The coffee shop’s practically on my way to my internship, so..."

"Internship, huh?" Airk’s voice dropped to a teasing tone again. "That’s fancy. You’re officially a grown-up. Try not to screw it up by running into your old flame and making everything weird again."

Kit grinned. "Thanks for the support, Airk."

"Anytime. I’m just here to keep your life interesting."

Kit ended the call, tucking the phone into her pocket. Despite the conversation with her brother, a knot of nervous energy twisted in her stomach. She was going to have to face Jade again, wasn’t she?

And now, it seemed like the universe was giving her no choice but to walk past the coffee shop again. 

With a sigh, Kit shoved her hands into her jacket pockets and set off down the street, the familiar, warm hum of the city surrounding her. Her mind wandered back to Jade—her sharp smile, the way she had looked at Kit like she was a stranger. She couldn’t shake it.

When Kit reached the coffee shop, she was already too close to turn around. A part of her wanted to walk inside. Needed to. Maybe it wasn’t just about Jade—maybe it was about this feeling of being here again, in London, starting over, connecting with the past in the most unexpected way.

So, she walked in.

The familiar bell above the door jingled, and Kit took in the cozy atmosphere of the shop, the rich smell of coffee filling her nostrils.

Jade was behind the counter again, and she looked up when Kit walked in, eyes flickering with an expression that was almost too quick to catch. But Kit wasn’t focused on her for long. Standing next to Jade, greeting customers with a wide, unearned enthusiasm, was a girl with platinum blonde hair and a smile that could light up a room. She was… perky. So perky.

Kit raised an eyebrow.

"Hey, there!" The blonde beamed at Kit like they were long-lost friends. "Welcome to Boorman’s Brew House! What can I get you today?" Her voice was so upbeat it almost hurt.

"Uh… just a black coffee, thanks," Kit said, fighting the urge to roll her eyes.

The barista nodded with excessive energy. "Coming right up! Oh, and I’m Elora, by the way!" She spun around to grab a cup, her movements almost too fast. "You’ll love it here. It’s such a great vibe, don’t you think?"

Kit wasn’t sure what vibe Elora was talking about, but she forced a polite smile. "Sure."

"Elora’s our energy booster," Jade muttered, her tone almost flat. "She never stops talking."

Kit glanced at Jade, half-surprised by the sharpness in her voice. She was still trying to figure out if Jade was joking or if there was some tension simmering between them.

Elora, oblivious to any unspoken discomfort, filled a cup with coffee and slid it across the counter with a bright grin. "Here you go! And I’m sorry for my very grumpy co-worker, she’s not usually like this,"

Kit took the cup, but something about the way Elora was practically bouncing beside Jade rubbed her the wrong way. She watched them for a beat—Jade rolling her eyes slightly, but clearly enjoying whatever private joke or connection they shared.

It was… familiar. Comfortable. And something inside Kit stirred.

She didn’t like it. She didn’t like feeling like an outsider in a place she was only just trying to belong to.

Without thinking, Kit blurted out, "I, uh, I actually want to apply for a job here."

Jade froze, a surprised look crossing her face. Elora, though, blinked, then laughed as if Kit had just made a joke.

Kit cleared her throat, her voice sharp. 'What's so funny?' she asked, trying to keep her tone steady, though the underlying tension was palpable.

Elora’s eyes sparkled as she tilted her head, her laughter light and unrestrained. "Oh, nothing!" she said with a grin, her tone almost teasing.

"It’s just— that was kind of out of nowhere. Are you sure? I mean, do you have any experience?" Her voice bubbled with a kind of brightness that made it clear she hadn’t picked up on the discomfort in Kit's demeanour.

Kit shifted awkwardly, a flush creeping up her neck. "No," she admitted quickly. "But, I mean, I could do anything. And, you know, I’m a fast learner."

Jade narrowed her eyes. "Princess money bags want to be a barista?"

Kit shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Why not? I could use the extra cash. Plus, it’s on my way to work."

Jade didn’t seem convinced. "We’re not really hiring—"

Kit's eyes glinted with challenge. “Just give me a chance,” she said, her voice laced with that familiar cocky confidence. “I mean, I can do whatever blondie here does—easy.” She waved a dismissive hand, as if already proving her point in her mind. 

Jade raised an eyebrow, her gaze steady as she folded her arms. "You didn’t let me finish," she said, her tone calm but cutting. "I mean, we’re not hiring you. We need committed people here, and we both know you don’t really fit the bill."

The pause that followed hung in the air, as Jade’s words landed like a quiet punch.

Elora, ever the ball of energy, leaned in with wide eyes, her curiosity uncontainable. “Wait, do you two know each other?” she asked, her voice light and upbeat, as if she were watching some kind of playful banter between old friends.

Before Kit could even open her mouth, Jade cut in with a smooth, almost dismissive tone. “We used to know each other,” she said, her eyes narrowing slightly as she glanced at Kit. “But she moved away a long time ago.”

She gave Kit a quick look, her words matter-of-fact, as if the past was nothing more than an old, forgotten chapter. Her expression didn’t shift, and she clearly wasn’t in the mood to elaborate further. Elora’s wide-eyed curiosity bounced between the two, but Jade seemed content to leave it at that, her cool composure returning instantly.

Kit's face flickered with a brief flash of hurt, but she quickly masked it with a forced smirk, pretending it hadn’t affected her. She cleared her throat and straightened up, trying to shake off the awkwardness.

“Yeah, well,” she said, her tone trying to sound casual but a little too sharp, “that was a long time ago.” She gave a small shrug, clearly making an effort to push the old tension aside. "Look, I’m going to need something on the side until I find a way to get my music career back on track-"

But before Jade could interject, a new voice interrupted. "Well then, I think I’ve got just the thing for you."

Kit turned to see the coffee shop owner, a grizzled man with long black hair, standing at the counter. He gave Kit a sharp look before his eyes softened. "Boorman," he said, nodding toward Jade and Elora.

"Hi… I’m Kit." She replied, shaking his heavy hand.

"I run this place. The barista role might be full, but I’ve been thinking about live music. Something to bring a little more life into the evenings."

Kit’s heart skipped. Live music? That was her thing. "You… you want a live musician?" she asked before she could stop herself.

Boorman grinned. "Yeah. I’ve been thinking it’d really boost the ambiance around here. And hey, you seem like you’ve got some spirit. Why don’t you bring in a guitar or something, see if it works?"

Kit blinked. Was this happening? Was she actually getting an opportunity to perform here? Kit hadn’t had an audience in a long time, this would be perfect. Just perfect.

"Since when do we give jobs to people off the street?" Jade hissed, crossing her arms.

Elora bounced on her heels, her enthusiasm undeterred by the tension in the air. “Come on, Jade,” she said with a bright smile, her voice almost sing-song. “Give her a shot!” Her eyes sparkled with an innocent optimism, as if she could see something in Kit that Jade wasn’t.

Kit’s jaw tightened, her fingers subtly flexing at her sides as she glanced at Jade, then back at Elora. She hated how easily Elora’s upbeat, carefree attitude seemed to sway Jade. It stung, seeing Jade listen to this new girl so easily, while Kit’s own words didn’t seem to have the same effect.

"I think this could be fun Jay," Elora continued.

Jay? Just how close are these two? Kit wondered.

“Plus, you’re always saying you wish we could be more lively in the evenings and since you refuse to play yourself-" 

"Fine." Jade huffed. "But one screw up and I’m pulling the plug, alright?"

"I’m not sure you gave that kind of power, Jadezilla." Boorman poked at her rib.

"Don’t call me that." Jade said, her voice flat but edged with annoyance.

"So does this mean…?" Kit said, trying to keep her voice level.

Boorman nodded, then turned to Elora. "Let’s give her a shot."

Kit couldn’t stop the grin spreading across her face. "I’ll see you tonight, then," she said, the words coming out before she even thought about them.

Jade’s eyes narrowed as Kit walked away, the unexpected turn of events leaving a strange tension in the air.

Kit couldn’t help it. She was finally getting the chance to mix her old and new lives—and Jade? Well, she’d just have to learn to live with it.

——

The evening air had cooled when Kit arrived back at the coffee shop, guitar in hand. The whole place felt different now. The soft hum of the cafe during the day had been replaced with an undercurrent of anticipation for the opening of "Below the Brewhouse." ,the bar just downstairs. People were gathered at tables, chatting, sipping drinks, and a few were even whispering about the live music she was about to perform.

Boorman, leaning against the counter, waved her over with a grin. "You’re up kiddo," he said, giving her a thumbs up.

Kit nodded, adjusting the strap on her guitar. She had never imagined this would happen—playing at a coffee shop, in front of people she barely knew. But there was something about the way her fingers hovered over the strings, how the chords felt beneath her fingertips, that made it feel... right.

She walked toward the small stage set up in the corner, her boots tapping on the wooden floor. There was a small microphone stand, a single spotlight hanging overhead, casting a warm, inviting glow.

Jade was behind the counter, watching her, her arms crossed. Her expression was unreadable, though Kit swore she saw the tiniest flicker of something—concern? Annoyance? Maybe both.

Kit tried to shake it off. This wasn’t about Jade. This was for her. She had spent way too long not playing music, not living the way she wanted to, and now, with this small crowd in front of her, she was going to reclaim a part of herself.

She set the guitar down on the stand and adjusted the mic. Taking a deep breath, she began strumming the opening chords to an old song she used to love playing with Jade— Crimson and Clover. The song was upbeat, but her voice was low and raw, and as she sang, the weight of the years she had spent running away seemed to lift from her shoulders.

Kit had always been good at hiding her emotions behind her voice, behind the music. But tonight, it was all real. It was all on display. Her leather jacket, tight against her body, felt like armor, even as the music made her feel exposed. She ran her hand through her short hair, biting her lip like she used to when she was a kid, trying to push the nerves away.

As she played, she noticed a few people in the crowd nodding along to the rhythm, tapping their feet, eyes locked on her. Even Boorman had stopped to listen, his arms folded and a small grin tugging at the corner of his lips.

And then, she saw Jade.

Jade was watching her closely, her posture stiff, but her eyes weren’t just critical. There was something more there—something Kit couldn’t quite place.

Elora, standing near the counter, watched her as well, a huge grin spreading across her face. As the song finished, the applause from the crowd was genuine, enthusiastic.

Kit stepped back from the mic, heart racing, sweat beading on her brow. She hadn’t expected to get this much reaction.

Elora was the first to speak as Kit approached the counter, she was practically bouncing up and down. "Whoa, that was amazing! You’ve got serious talent!" She clapped her hands together.

"That song…" Jade's voice was barely a whisper.

"Yeah, I haven’t played it in a while but it was the easiest thing to put together since it’s all we used to listen to." Kit half smiled, hoping to bond over this sense of nostalgia.

"So you guys, like, go way back, huh?" Elora interrupted.

Kit’s stomach dropped, the question slicing through the air like a knife. She was trying to focus on the warm feeling of having just performed in front of an audience, but Elora’s voice felt jarring.

Jade, standing with her arms crossed, gave her a cold look. "I don’t wanna talk about this," she said, her voice tense, a subtle warning in her tone.

Elora raised her hands in mock surrender. "I’m just asking, geez. And she seems really cool." She turned to Kit, "You should really play here more."

Kit stiffened at Elora’s words, but before she could respond, Jade shot her a look. "Well, you don’t know Kit," she muttered under her breath, her eyes flicking toward Kit for just a second. "She’s never been the most reliable person."

Her tone was almost casual, but the weight of the unspoken history between them hung in the air, and Kit could feel the sting of her words like a punch to the gut. Jade didn’t even seem to register the subtle way she’d cut Kit down— she just turned back to Elora, as if the conversation was already over.

The silence that followed was thick, but Kit forced herself to focus on Boorman, who had come up to the stage with a satisfied smile.

"That was great," Boorman said, clapping his hands together. "Really, really good. I think we need to have you back. We could expand this live music thing—have you come in more regularly. You’ve got the crowd eating out of your hand. I’m liking what I’m seeing."

Kit’s heart skipped. She hadn’t expected this kind of response. "You’re serious?" she asked, trying to hide the hope creeping into her voice.

"Definitely serious," Boorman replied. "We’ll work out the details. I want this place to feel more alive in the evenings. And you," he said, giving her an approving nod, "you’re perfect for it."

Kit’s smile widened, but her eyes instinctively searched the room for Jade’s reaction. Jade wasn’t looking at her. She was behind the counter, arranging glasses, her back turned, the air between them still electric with the unspoken history between them.

Kit’s pulse quickened. She wanted Jade to be proud of her. She wanted some acknowledgment, even a little bit of approval. But instead, Jade kept her distance.

Kit stood frozen for a moment before she finally took a deep breath, forcing herself to leave the counter. She headed upstairs, trying to shake off the sting of Jade’s indifference.

The evening wore on, and Jade busied herself behind the counter, cleaning up the shop for closing. Kit lingered by the door, unsure of what to do. Should she leave? Should she try to talk to Jade?

Jade glanced up briefly as Kit walked over to her. Their eyes met for a moment, but Jade immediately looked away, turning to wipe down the counter, avoiding any further eye contact.

"Hey," Kit said, her voice tentative, breaking the silence. "So, um, I thought we could… talk?"

Jade didn’t answer right away. She just kept wiping down the counter, her movements quick and efficient, like she was trying to scrub away more than just the grime. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she spoke without looking up.

"Now’s not a good time."

Kit’s chest tightened at the coldness in her tone. "I know things have been weird. I just— I wanted to say that it’s good to see you again, Jade."

There was a long pause before Jade’s shoulders tensed. She stopped wiping the counter and finally looked at Kit, her expression hard, unreadable.

"I don’t think you can just show up and expect things to be the same," Jade said quietly. "You left. And I stayed. And you can’t just erase that."

Kit’s throat tightened, but she refused to look away. "I know. I just… Look, I didn’t think I would see you again, but now that you’re here it’s like—like maybe this was meant to happen. I thought maybe we could… I don’t know, start over."

Jade’s eyes flickered with something—hurt, maybe, or disbelief—before she turned away again, her posture stiff. "It’s not that simple, Kit."

"Then what?" Kit’s voice cracked slightly as frustration bubbled up inside her. "You’re just gonna shut me out? Pretend like we didn’t—"

"I don’t know," Jade interrupted, her voice sharp now, cutting through Kit’s words like a knife. "Just… just do whatever you want, Kit. You always do."

The sting of Jade’s words hit Kit harder than anything. It felt like a slap, sharp and unforgiving. She swallowed, trying to mask the hurt, but her voice wavered anyway. "Fine," she whispered, the weight of her failure to reach Jade pressing down on her. "I get it."

Without saying anything more, Kit turned and walked out of the coffee shop, the door closing softly behind her.

The cool night air hit her like a punch to the gut, and she pulled her jacket tighter around her shoulders, feeling the weight of everything she hadn’t said, everything she hadn’t fixed.

Her steps were slow, as if her body were fighting against her desire to move forward. She didn’t know why she’d thought this would be easy. She didn’t know why she’d thought she could just walk back into Jade’s life without expecting any consequences.

The truth was, she had no idea how to fix things between them. And the more she thought about it, the more it felt like maybe she wasn’t meant to.