Between Chords and Paragraphs (Polin fanfic) EN

Chapter 14

Penelope

The car moved toward the airport, and although I knew this moment was coming, I was still surprised by how quickly we arrived. Colin was driving with a mix of concentration and nerves, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel, while I stared out the window, trying to keep the tears from falling.

When we finally reached the terminal, the air filled with the cold reality: the farewell was near. Colin grabbed his suitcase from the trunk and turned to me with a smile that couldn't quite hide the sadness in his eyes.

—What do you think? —he said, forcing a smile. —We should've stayed home and watched a bad movie. There's still time, you know?

—What? And miss out on the luxury of budget airlines? —I replied, trying to sound carefree. —Not a chance. I'm sure you've been dreaming about that reheated airplane food and an uncomfortable nap in a tiny seat.

Colin chuckled, though his eyes shone with held-back emotion. —Sure, sure. But you know nothing can beat our movie nights with burnt pizza and a shared blanket, right?

I moved closer to him, unable to stop my lips from trembling. —Promise me you won't turn into one of those musicians who only eat caviar and start speaking French after a week on tour.

—Me? —Colin put a hand to his chest, feigning offense. —I'm closer to being a powdered cheese addict than that.

We both laughed, a sound that eased the knot in my stomach a little. But the laughter quickly faded as we realized what was coming. I moved in and hugged him tightly, feeling his warmth and wishing time would stop.

—Pen, —he said softly, his chin resting on my head, —you know this isn't goodbye, right?

—I know, —I whispered, though my hands clung to him as if I never wanted to let go. —But I can't help hating every second that passes.

Colin pulled back a bit, took my chin, and made me look him in the eyes. —Then promise me that when you feel lonely, you'll put on a terrible '90s song and pretend we're together, singing at the top of our lungs.

—Oh, please, —I snorted. —Only if you promise not to butcher any of my favorite songs with your awful voice while you're away.

He laughed, though his eyes were full of emotion. —Deal. But only because I know you'll punish me if I do.

We stayed silent for a moment, just looking at each other, with all those jokes and games hiding what we really felt. Finally, Colin sighed and kissed my forehead.

—I'm going to miss your bad music critiques, you know?

—And I'm going to miss having someone to torture with them, —I replied, trying to smile.

We hugged one last time before Colin turned and walked toward the boarding gate. I stood there, watching him walk away, fighting the urge to run after him.

Once I got home, I started sending him messages.

"I just saw a trailer for a movie so bad that I think we should wait to watch it together so we can make fun of it."

"I hope they give you a window seat so you can sleep during the flight. But if you see anything weird, please don't tell me, because you know I'll end up dreaming about it!"

I got his replies shortly after he landed in Spain.

"The window seat was a win, though not as comfortable as your shoulder. But I've found a new record for the worst coffee ever tasted on a plane."

"I think on our next flight we should do a taste test of bad coffees. I already have one in mind to start with. What do you think?"

Later, before his first concert, we connected over a video call.

When his face appeared on the screen, I was hit with a mix of relief and longing. He was wearing a jacket that made him look even more handsome, and I couldn't help but smile.

—Wow, who's this fancy guy? —I said, pretending to be surprised. —I thought you only wore decent clothes for special occasions like... I don't know, dog birthday parties.

Colin laughed, giving an exaggerated bow. —Well, I like to think of every concert as a dog birthday party in its own way. What do you think of the look? Too serious for my terrible jokes?

—Definitely too serious, —I replied, nodding. —But it works. Though if you're wearing those pants, I hope you're not planning on dancing. We don't want any accidents.

Colin rolled his eyes but couldn't help laughing. —No trying to spin around on stage this time.

We laughed together, and for a moment, everything seemed fine. But then he went quiet, looking into my eyes through the screen.

—I wanted you to know that even though I'm here, you're really with me, —he said softly. —Every note I play, every song I sing, you're always on my mind, like that reminder that never fails to make me smile.

I felt a lump in my throat, but I smiled, wanting him to feel all my support despite the distance. —And I'm here, mocking every pronunciation mistake you make, so don't worry.

Colin smiled, but his eyes were full of emotion. —So, are you ready to watch me make a fool of myself in front of a bunch of strangers?

—I'm ready to watch you make history, —I replied with a knowing smile. —But if you see anyone in the crowd fainting, promise me it'll be because you're playing so well, and not because you've gone back to wearing that hideous tie.

—Deal, —he said, laughing. —And you promise to stay on the call because I can't imagine doing this without knowing you're there.

—I wouldn't move from here even if you tried to hang up on me, —I assured him, smiling.

Colin got ready to start the concert, and I watched through the screen, my heart pounding with excitement and pride.

Before he began to play the first song, Colin paused for a moment and looked at the audience, but his words seemed to be directed only at me.

—This first song is for those who believe that, no matter what happens, what's meant for you will always find you. Between chords and paragraphs, in the midst of everything, what's true always finds its way.

And then he began to sing "Between Chords and Paragraphs".

In the quiet, in the rush, between the lines,
There's a space where our hearts align.
Though the world spins and time moves on,
What's meant to be, won't be undone.

Through the echoes of life's distant song,
I find you here, where you belong.
No distance can break the thread so fine,
That weaves your heart forever with mine.

Between chords and paragraphs, you'll find your way,
No matter the storms, no matter the fray.
What's meant for you, won't go astray,
It's written in the notes, it's here to stay.

So let the world turn, let the seasons change,
Our song remains, through joy and pain.
In every word, in every beat,
It's you I find, it's you I keep.

Between chords and paragraphs, you'll find your way,
No matter the storms, no matter the fray.
What's meant for you, won't go astray,
It's written in the notes, it's here to stay.

As Colin sang, his words wrapped around me, filling me with a sense of peace. I knew that no matter what happened, what we had would find its way back to us. And even though the distance was hard, at that moment, I felt closer to him than ever.

I stayed on the video call for the entire concert, watching with my heart full of emotions. And as the last note hung in the air, I knew that even though we were separated by an ocean, we were connected in a way that no distance could ever break.