Tie My Heartstring's ❦

charming

Katie

It's a warm Thursday afternoon as I walk home from New York University, the last rays of the sun casting a golden hue over the bustling city streets.

The warm breeze of the nearing summer air fans my face, carrying the faint sounds of laughter and music from nearby cafes. My long hair drifts in the wind and I smile to myself, feeling a fleeting sense of freedom wash over me.

This is my first year in college, and while the experience is exhilarating, it's also similar to my high school experience. I commute from home, living close enough to avoid the chaos of dorm life. Yet every day feels like a balancing act between my dad's expectations and my desire for independence.

Living with him meant following most of his rules. He wasn't as strict as he used to be though, I'll give him that. It's only my dad and I in our penthouse, my mother passed away when I was about two. I don't have many memories of her—only photos that show her sweet smile and the stories my dad occasionally shares, though he usually prefers to keep those memories tucked away.

I often find myself staring at her pictures, wondering about the woman who was supposed to guide me through life. The car accident that took her away is a specter that haunts our conversations. I learned to stop asking my dad about the past. He always gets this melancholic look in his eyes. Or extremely irritated, and decides to ignores me. As I turn the corner onto our street, my heart sinks a little at the thought of the conversation we've never had.

Instead, I focus on the sleek black car parked in our driveway—the one that belongs to Hudson Rhodes, my dad's best friend and work partner. Oh, my god. I was an awkward mess when it came to Hudson. Hudson has always been a constant in my life, but his presence has become a confusing mix of familiarity and distance.

With his dark, mysterious look and tattoos that tell stories I wish I knew, Hudson has an allure that captivates me. I remember being a child and thinking he was the most handsome man alive, but as I've grown older, he's become a stranger in my own home. We used to play, joke, have fun. I looked up to him. Then, our relationship, once warm and playful, has turned cold and strained.

He's always serious now. His deep voice commands attention in a way that makes my heart race. I don't understand why he acts like another strict dad—always telling me what I can't do and rarely offering a smile. I used to think he was gay for my dad, until he got a girlfriend. That was ages ago, though it still makes me laugh. They broke up when I got older, and from what I know now, he's currently single.

As I step into our penthouse, the familiar sounds of my dad and Hudson working on a new song fill the air. The commotion is comforting, a reminder that even in the chaos, there's a sense of normalcy. I hesitate for a moment, uncertainty washing over me as I remember that my dad is leaving for a work trip tomorrow morning, heading to California to meet with important producers.

That means Hudson will stay behind to house-sit. The thought of being alone with him is both thrilling and nerve-wracking. I've been alone with him plenty of times before, but only recently he's been weirdly meaner than usual. So, I'm increasingly extra nervous for this time.

Taking a deep breath, I walk toward their studio, the door slightly ajar. I can hear Hudson's British accent cutting through the noise, but I can't quite make out what he's saying. As I step inside, I announce, "Hey, Dad, I'm back!" The music comes to an abrupt halt, and both men turn to look at me.

My heart races as Hudson's dark eyes meet mine, an intensity there that makes me momentarily forget how to breathe. Oh my. I quickly glance away, feeling my cheeks heat up. My dad breaks the tension, pausing the music that had filled the room. "Hi, my flower! How was school today?" he asks, beaming at me.