MISS YOUR FACE - NOAH SEBASTIAN

002

The next morning, I woke up to the gentle warmth of sunlight seeping into my room through my curtains. As I stretched and reached for my phone on the nightstand, I noticed an incoming call from Sarah, my manager. With a mixture of curiosity and a hint of nervousness, I answered.

"Hey, Val!" Sarah's voice greeted me warmly, but there was an underlying tone of seriousness.

"Morning, Sarah," I replied, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep from my voice.

"How are you feeling about the collab?" Sarah asked, her tone gentle yet probing.

I paused for a moment, thoughts of Noah from last night flooding my mind. "Honestly, Sarah, I'm not sure," I admitted hesitantly, my voice betraying my unease.

Before I could explain further, Sarah interjected, her voice softening with understanding. "Val, I understand this might be difficult for you, especially with Noah being involved."

"Yeah," I murmured, a knot forming in my stomach. "I mean, seeing him again... I don't want all those feelings to resurface."

Sarah remained silent for a moment, letting my words hang in the air. "It's okay to feel that way, Val," she finally said, her voice reassuring. "But remember, this collab could be a great opportunity for your music."

"I know," I replied quietly, trying to convince myself as much as Sarah. "It's just unexpected, you know?"

"Take your time to process everything," Sarah advised gently. "And when you're ready, we'll go to the meeting together. You don't have to face this alone."

I nodded, grateful for Sarah's support. "Okay," I said softly, feeling a bit more grounded. "Thanks, Sarah. I appreciate you looking out for me."

"Always, Val," Sarah replied warmly. "I'll send you the details shortly. Just breathe, take it one step at a time."

"Got it," I said, a small smile playing on my lips despite my nerves. "See you later, Sarah."

"See you," she said before we ended the call.

As I set my phone down, I took a deep breath, trying to calm the fluttering in my chest. Seeing Noah again wasn't just about music—it was about confronting a party of my past I thought I had moved on from. But as I prepared myself for the day ahead, I knew I had Sarah's support, and that gave me a glimmer of courage to face whatever emotions might resurface.

As I went through my morning routine, memories of seeing Noah last night kept playing in my mind like a film reel. It had been years since we last spoke, and seeing him again brought a mix of emotions. There was a twinge of pain, a reminder of the distance and silence that had grown between us over the years. But alongside that, there was a swell of pride.

Noah had always dreamed of moving to California, pursuing his passion, and last night, seeing him his new life there, I couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration. Despite the hurt and the unspoken words between us, I was genuinely happy for him. It was bittersweet, knowing that our paths had diverged so drastically, yet seeing him achieve his dream made me believe that anything was possible.

Amidst these thoughts, memories of our childhood together flooded in days spent exploring the woods, building forts, and dreaming up endless adventures. Noah had been my partner in crime, my closest friend, and confidant. We had shared so much laughter and tears over the years, and despite the distance now, those memories were etched deep within me. Although we were a few years apart it didn't stop us from being best friends it didn't stop me for falling for him.

But then, like a haunting melody, "Blood Sport" by Sleep Token echoed in my mind. That song had been my lifeline during the toughest times, especially when Noah left for California. Its lyrics had mirrored my emotions, giving me strength and solace when I needed it most.