Broken Guitar Strings

Chapter 22

(LAY'S POV)

They say that music is the language of the soul.

My heart is whole but my soul is shattered.

Because my guitar is shattered. And my music will be no more like it once was.

Chanyeol doesn't know how long I've had that guitar. It created endless memories for me. I held it through laughter and pushed through frustration with it. It sometimes even received my teardrops. And...it was the one I used to teach Allie with.

The thing is, I've always dealt with my emotions and problems through music and my guitar. Sure, I have other guitars too, but this one is so special to me. I have composed, revised, practiced, and performed countless pieces and songs with this guitar. I played it so much that its quality of sound enhanced through time. This acoustic guitar was everything to me. It was nothing to Chanyeol.

There are a couple of dents on the side and almost all of my strings snapped. One of my tuning pegs broke. This is unrepairable. I feel like I've just lost a family member.

Today at school, even though I didn't really register it myself, Allie noticed that I was down. She didn't notice yesterday because she was still shaken by the competition and was deliberately avoiding both me and Chanyeol. What's the matter with me? I should've just backed off and let Chanyeol have her.

But she chose you, Lay.

And I love her back.

Allie asked me what was wrong. My eyes water, but I blink the tears back. It's difficult for me to swallow. "I...my guitar..."

"What about it?"

"It...broke."

She sucks in a tiny breath. "Oh, no... I'm so sorry." She lifts her hand but hesitates. "When did it break?"

"...After you left."

Then something clicks in her brain, I see it in her eyes. Her head makes the smallest movement. "Was it-"

I subtly nod, lip quivering. Pull yourself together.

She suddenly turns furious. "Why would he do that! Even I knew that this guitar was EVERYTHING TO YOU." She puts both hands on my shoulders. "I don't know what to say. I apologize," she frowns. I can tell that she is trying to understand what I'm going through. "This is all my fault. I know that this won't make up for your loss, but I will pay for his damage. I will get you another guitar."

I shake my head. "That won't be necessary. I have others-"

"But I know how much this one meant to you. And I know that you don't have another one of this exact type."

We embrace, and from her touch I learn that my whole body is very rigid. I relax, and completely let myself melt into her warmth. She is the strength I need to carry on. I hate that I have to face this fact, but I will have to rely on her strength more now. Because my guitar won't be here for me anymore.