I unlock the doors and get in without a word.
“You’re serious,” she says.
“Yeah.”
She laughs. Bitter. “He’s not going to stay.”
“He will.”
“You don’t know him.”
I start the engine. “Doesn’t fucking matter.”
The drive back to campus is long and quiet. She stares out the window. I keep my eyes on the road.
When I pull up to her dorm, she gets out without saying goodbye. Just slams the door and walks away.
Good riddance.
Back at my place, I need to hit something.
I don’t feel like cracking someone’s face tonight. Too much effort. Too much cleanup.
Drums it is.
I grab my sticks and head to the music building. It’s empty this time of day—everyone’s in class or at lunch. Perfect.
I sit at the kit and just start hitting. No rhythm. No song. Just noise.
Koa:Come to the music room.
I drum. Let the sound drown out everything else.
The door opens shortly after.
Lexi steps inside, and I stop mid-beat.
She looks... different.
Not physically. But something in her eyes. Something softer. More open.
Must’ve been the kiss. Or maybe it’s me taking her brother to rehab.
She approaches without saying a word. Circles the drum set until she’s standing behind me, close enough that I can feel the heat of her body.
I turn my head, watching her in my peripherals.
She leans down, lips close to my ear. “Is it true that you would do anything just to fuck me?”
I turn fully now, meeting her eyes. Daring her.
She reads me clearly. Shakes her head, presses a finger against my lips.
“Not here.”
She starts to walk away, but I grab her legs and guide her onto my lap. She gasps, off-balance, and I spin the stool so she’s facing the drums.
Then I start playing again because I need to hit something really bad. If I can’t slam into her, then this will have to do.
