EL'S

s with guitars. Or smile

the admin building-the one students only used for

uit

eone with three messy chords and a pop chorus. This was different. Contr

low

only stumble across in random late-night YouTube corners. Gentle.

ausing at the edge of the wall near th

st

head slightly bowed, fingers dancing over the strings of a

ripped jeans that probably cost more than my monthly allowance. There was no crowd. N

e. Fr

ding volleyball captain, sure. The Mater Carmeli

ul. P

t. But I didn't. I stayed hidden, one foot behind the wall

e last note hung l

h

g to lurk th

olt

but his voice

exactly subt

n't hi

ia

eppe

with one brow raised

n't ha

was soft.

that piece

ng I'm w

inked. "Yo

etimes. Not lyric

sure why my throat

sic scholarshi

That would make my

a business tycoon, heir to

like the music t

I don't t

seem like someone w

escapes. Some just do it w

anted to say something sharp.

, "You're not w

id you

jer

d n

ted. "A

d. "That sounds l

ysteries are

ieter. Thoughtful. "So are girls wh

hen pro

ep that

up, rustling the

I said, already

me. Just said

ed, an

for li

't stop smiling either. Not

zel!! Denzel

TI'

to be on Holy Cross'

iative between our schools as part of this year's "youth sports diplomacy" pr

till, I volunteere

lleyball.

bag slung over one shoulder, the weight of the world in her postur

out, I found a quiet bench behind the greenhouse and pul

en I felt that moment of stillness that only happens when

erself. She just stoo

strings. When I asked if she liked it, I was h

me like she didn't know whet

ked

y family. Not even my teammates, who, deep down, expected me to carry

t

ething else. And that scare

on the strings. I couldn't play anymore. Not because the music had s

led from the path.

drinks. Way too chipper for som

ng out," I

playing ag

n't a

can. "You thin

d at him

yone saw the way you looke

n in my hand. "She's di

d the floor with Bia.

es. "That's no

o something more know

her, the sun dipping low and cast

r Carmeli," Tim said. "No filter.

esn't l

n't know

tuck w

out. Like the fact that I wasn't supposed to fall for anyone. Especially not a girl who played c

sity, I knew, was always the

was wort