Sapphire.

Chapter Eight

RHYS'S POV

As I made my way up the stairs to Sapphire's apartment, my heart was pounding with nervous excitement. I had been looking forward to this moment for weeks, and now that it was finally here, I couldn't help but feel a little anxious.

I rang the doorbell, trying to still my rampaging heart while I waited for someone to answer. I had never visited Sapphire before, so I thought I'd give her a surprise visit.

A minute passed. I rang the doorbell again.

Finally, I heard the faint sound of footsteps, which grew louder until the door swung open and a girl with who i assume is one of her many roommates.

"Oh my God, it's you Rhys," she said, her mouth open.

My eyes roved over her hair tossed up into a bun, and she was wearing a red tank top and shorts.

"I'm here to see Sapphire," I said unnecessarily, because duh, she had a brain and could see for herself that I'm here to see my girlfriend.

"Come in," she stepped aside and gestured for me to come inside. As I entered the apartment, I was struck by how cozy it felt. The walls were painted a warm beige, and there were colorful tapestries and paintings adorning the walls.

The living room was filled with plush couches and chairs, and there was a small TV mounted on the wall.

"Sapphire!," her roommate called out and immediately she walked in.

Her hair was pulled back in a messy bun, and she was wearing a simple t-shirt and jeans, but to me, she looked absolutely stunning.

Her expression was one of pure joy as she rushed over to me. "Rhys!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around me in a tight embrace. "Woah, you're here."

"I guess I'll leave you two to it," her friend chimed in.

"You can stay here, we'll be in my bedroom," Sapphire countered.

Sapphire nervously welcomed me into her bedroom. "Hey". She gave a me a side hug and smiled. I heard from her friend, Zaara that she hardly let anyone in. I looked around, her room was decorated with posters of her favorite musicians, and her bed was neatly made. We sat at the edge of the bed. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?", she asked.

"Then it wouldn't be a surprise now, would it?"

She chuckled. "Now that you're here, I think I have something to show you," Sapphire said, opening the box. She led me to her desk, where she kept a small cardboard box filled with handwritten songs.

I leaned in to see the contents, and my eyes widened as he saw the stack of papers inside. Sapphire took out a few and handed them to me. "These are some of my songs," she said. "I've never shown them to anyone before."

I took the pages and read through them, my expression growing more and more impressed with each one. "Sapph, these are incredible," I said. "You have such a talent for writing."

Sapphire blushed, feeling a sense of pride and vulnerability all at once. "Thank you," she said, smiling softly.

"Would you sing one for me?," I asked.

"Sure," She said, picking up her guitar.

How can one thing shake up all the dreams I've held so tight?
Waking up to find that everything around me's lost its light.
I don't wanna doubt the world that I've built up in my mind,
But everything I've left behind has left me feeling blind.

Am I taking things for granted, all that I've been given?
Lying awake with doubts, in the silence of the night.
Something feels so wrong, and I can't seem to shake the feeling.
Will I end up with nothing, if I don't start living right?

I've been chasing all the wrong things, leaving what truly matters.
Everything's in motion, yet I feel like nothing's getting better.
Taking one step forward, just to fall back two steps behind.
When all I ever needed was right here, I was just too blind.

Am I taking things for granted, all that I've been given?
Lying awake with doubts, in the silence of the night.
Something feels so wrong, and I can't seem to shake the feeling.
Will I end up with nothing, if I don't start living right?

It's time to break the cycle, and stop living in regret.
I'll embrace the world around me, and cherish what I get.
No more second-guessing, no more doubts or fear.
I'll live my life with purpose, and make my dreams appear.

"Wow, Sapph. That was a great song," I complemented.

Truth be told, I never knew Sapphire original songs were this great. She mostly sang covers of songs by popular artists. Her voice was supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. In other words, her voice was beautiful.

As we talked, I could tell Sapphire felt a sense of comfort and ease with me. I listened intently, offering words of encouragement and support. "You have something special, Sapph," I said. "Don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't do this."

We spent the next hour reading through her songs, discussing the lyrics and the meanings behind them. I was amazed by the depth of her writing and the emotions that she was able to covey through her words.

"My mom taught me to play the guitar," Sapphire said, breaking the silence. "She used to play so well, I wish she still played though."

"She quit playing?" I asked.

"No, she's dead. My parents...they're both dead," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Oh, I didn't know. I mean, you never told me."

"It's fine," she said. " I try not to think or talk about it."