A New Dawn

Chapter 8 - Idris

I can't stop thinking about Briar or my conversation with her.

It's not like I haven't thought about any of the things we talked about, but something about Briar brings out new insights and—honestly—borderline confessions. I think she can feel it, too. Every time something even remotely related to Hien having an awful relationship with her family came out of my mouth, it felt like Briar listened a little more closely. Sat up a little straighter.

It's not unnerving exactly. Just... strange... that someone I don't even know can pick up on my undertones like that. Even accidental ones. Like how Lanh can pick up on Hien's moods almost instantly.

I glance out the bakery's window right as Briar stands and walks out of view. For a split second, I swear I see her jaw tense. I frown, sitting up. I'm about to head outside and check on her when one of the employees calls my name. He gives me a barely veiled irritated look as he hands me the bag of donuts Briar and I ordered. I give him an apologetic smile and a "thank you" before heading out.

The moment I step outside, I pause before quickly grabbing the door, stopping it from banging shut. I slowly close it with a click, keeping my eyes on Briar. The more I focus, the more sure I am that it's her voice I'm hearing. I take a couple of steps closer, digesting the raw emotions in the melody of her voice as she sings. Fear. Regret. Resignation. But also an undertone of hope. The further into the song she gets, the harder I grip the bag of donuts like I need something to ground myself into real life. Otherwise, I would just be lost in Briar's singing.

"Did you get all that?" she asks, her voice completely normal again.

I blink, shaking my head and loosening my grip on the bag. After hearing Briar sing, I suddenly realize how melodic her voice is in general. But more than again, I just want to hear her sing again.

"No problem, Sarina," she says, bringing her phone to her ear. "Let me know how rehearsals go and everything... Later." She hangs up, turning around. Her eyes widen when she sees me standing there. Her lips part, a nervous laugh escaping her. "How..." Her voice catches. She swallows, shoves her phone into her bag, and tries again. "How long were you standing there?"

"Long enough to realize you can sing," I say, holding the bag of donuts out to her. "And really well, too."

Her eyes dart away as she takes the bag from me. She mumbles a "thanks," slumping down on the bench. I watch her grab a donut and take a big bite, staring at her shoes. I slowly sit next to her, leaving some distance between us. I have a feeling if I sit any closer, she might pull away from me, and the thought of that hurts for some reason.

"Didn't your mom say you used to play the piano, too?" I ask. Briar glances at me. Just as quickly her eyes dart away as she nods. "So you can sing and play the piano."

She hesitates before quietly admitting, "And guitar. And violin."

Wow... this is an insanely talented girl... "Do you still at least play the guitar and violin?" She shakes her head, not looking at me. "How come?"

She takes a deep breath. "That's..." She shakes her head. "That's a little complicated."

I frown. "Complicated how?"

She shakes her head again, holding the bag of donuts out to me. "Just complicated."

I nod like I understand. I don't, though, and I find myself thinking about The Quiet Nights series. "Complicated like how Lanh wasn't sure if she was willing to leave the ocean to be with Hien in the highlands?"

She blinks, finally turning to look at me head-on. Something about her confused but amused expression brings a smile to my face. A smile tugs at her lips, too, and she looks away again, tucking her hair behind her ear.