The next day after classes, Melissa found herself drifting back to the music room.
Maybe it was the comfort of the piano.
Maybe it was the way the notes helped her forget everything else.
Or maybe... it was because part of her was hoping someone would be there.
She shook her head, scolding herself. Get a grip, Lisa.
When she opened the door, she was surprised to find Dayne already inside — casually leaning against the grand piano, a lazy smile playing on his lips.
"Hey, lucky day. I was hoping you'd come," he said, tapping lightly on the piano lid.
Melissa blinked. "You were?"
He nodded, walking toward her with easy, unhurried steps.
"I figured you wouldn't mind some company... or maybe a duet?"
His voice was low, teasing, but there was something in his eyes — a spark that hadn't been there before.
Something that made the air between them feel heavier.
Melissa swallowed, suddenly hyper-aware of the closeness between them.
The way he smelled — fresh laundry and something warm and musky — it was distracting.
She nodded stiffly. "Sure... I guess."
Dayne grinned and slid onto the bench beside her, a little too close.
Their knees brushed.
Melissa jolted slightly at the contact, but Dayne only chuckled under his breath.
"Relax, princess. I don't bite."
Melissa bit her lip, trying to focus on the keys.
But it was impossible not to notice him — the way his thigh pressed against hers, the way his fingers brushed hers 'by accident' when they started playing a simple melody together.
Every light touch sent small jolts through her veins.
She cursed herself for being so easily flustered.
He's just being friendly, she told herself. Don't read into it.
But when she glanced sideways at him, she caught him already looking at her — not at the piano.
Their eyes locked for a second too long.
Melissa felt her heartbeat stutter, her face heating up.
She broke eye contact immediately, pretending to study the keys.
"You're good," Dayne said, voice softer now, almost admiring.
"You're distracting," Melissa muttered without thinking.
He laughed — a low, husky sound — and leaned just a little closer.
"Good," he said. "Maybe you'll finally notice me properly."
Melissa didn't know how to respond to that.
The tension between them was starting to feel tangible, like a rope pulled taut, waiting to snap.
The door creaked open suddenly.
Melissa and Dayne both jumped, snapping their heads toward the sound.
Alec stood there.
For a moment, none of them spoke.
The late afternoon light spilled around him, making him look even taller, even more out of reach.
His eyes flickered over the scene — the close proximity, the almost-touched hands.
Melissa thought she saw something flash across his face — something dark and sharp — but it was gone in a blink.
"I didn't know the room was occupied," Alec said coolly, his voice emotionless.
Dayne leaned back a little but didn't move away from Melissa completely.
"You're welcome to join," Dayne said casually, though there was an unmistakable edge under the words.
Alec raised an eyebrow, stepping inside.
Melissa felt her throat dry out.
Why did it feel like the walls were suddenly closing in?
Why did the air feel too heavy to breathe?
Alec leaned against the wall across from them, arms crossed, staring.
Not saying a word.
Just watching.
His gaze burned into her skin — into places that had nothing to do with music.
Melissa shifted uncomfortably on the bench, her entire body on high alert.
She could still feel Dayne's thigh against hers.
She could still feel Alec's gaze on her.
She hated this.
She loved this.
She wanted to run.
She wanted to stay.
They played for a few more minutes — a clumsy, awkward attempt at pretending everything was normal.
But Melissa knew she wasn't imagining the way Dayne played a little showier, a little cockier — like he was trying to impress her.
Or the way Alec's eyes darkened every time Dayne leaned in too close.
When it became unbearable, Melissa stood up abruptly.
"I... I should go," she said, voice too loud in the quiet room.
Neither boy said anything.
Dayne just smiled that lazy smile again, tilting his head.
Alec's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
Melissa fled the room, feeling both their gazes following her down the hallway like a brand.
As she leaned against a wall outside, trying to catch her breath, one thought ran wild in her mind:
This is not happening.
This cannot happen.
But deep down, something whispered:
It already is.