It's Like Music In My Ears

CHAPTER 10: THE COUNTDOWN

As I trudged to school, the weight of everything that had happened lately felt like it was pressing down on my shoulders. I was deep in thought, but something bright pulled me out of it—a massive billboard right at the entrance of town.

It was plastered with details about the upcoming music contest, the one that had taken over my life for the past few months. It was a jarring reminder that the competition was just days away, and there was no escaping it. The closer I got to school, the more the reality of it hit me.

Posters were everywhere, plastered on every wall, locker, and bulletin board. Some were just generic announcements, but others had pictures of the competitors. They were like betting slips, predicting who would come out on top.

Six of us were left. Norman and Maureen on cello, Monalisa and Keren on violin, and then Melody and me, both on piano. Norman and I were the only guys still in the running. I couldn’t help but feel the pressure mounting, like everything was closing in on me.

As I made my way through the crowded hallway, I spotted Jace. He was standing by my locker, pasting up another poster—this one with his usual flair, making it clear who he was rooting for. When he saw me, he gave me a nod, but I didn’t feel like smiling back. I had too much on my mind.

“I tried talking to her again,” I said, not bothering with any small talk. “It didn’t work out with Melody.”

Jace raised an eyebrow, clearly picking up on my mood. He didn’t say anything at first, just finished sticking the poster up before we both headed to our usual spot—the library.

We sat across from each other, and I let it all out. Every detail of what had happened between me and Melody, the awkwardness, the pain, the regret. Jace listened without interrupting, nodding occasionally, but I could tell he was struggling to come up with something to say that would actually help.

“Man, that sucks,” he finally said, leaning back in his chair. “But you can’t let it get to you. You still got this competition to think about.”

I shrugged, feeling the frustration building inside me. “Easier said than done. She won’t even look at me now.”

Jace frowned, clearly thinking hard. After a moment, his face lit up with an idea. “Alright, I know I can’t make you feel better, but why don’t you try something different? Like, send her some music. That guy you’re always listening to… what’s his name again? Frank Ocean, right?”

I blinked, surprised by the suggestion. It seemed almost too simple, but then again, sometimes the simplest ideas were the best. And it’s not like I had anything to lose at this point. “You think that’ll work?” I asked, a hint of skepticism in my voice.

Jace grinned, though I could tell he wasn’t entirely serious. “Hell if I know, but it’s worth a shot. Girls love that deep, emotional stuff. Maybe it’ll show her you’re really sorry.”

The idea started to take root in my mind. Maybe if I sent Melody some Frank Ocean songs on Instagram, she might actually listen to them—maybe even listen to me. I could even throw in some lyrics in my Instagram notes, something that might make her see how sorry I was.

As I shared the plan with Jace, he burst out laughing, struggling to keep it quiet in the library. “Man, that’s the worst plan ever,” he said, still chuckling. Before I could argue, Jenkins, the librarian, shot us a death glare from across the room, her finger poised to shush us again. “Next time, it’s the principal’s office,” she warned, her voice as sharp as ever.

Jace quickly mouthed an apology, then leaned in and whispered, “Seriously though, Francis, I don’t think it’s gonna work.”

I shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. “Maybe not. But it’s worth a try.”

After that, the conversation dwindled, both of us sinking into our own thoughts. But mine kept drifting back to Melody, and the stupid, desperate plan I was about to put into action.

Later that day, I found myself back in the music room. I needed to clear my head, and playing the piano usually helped. But as I approached the door, I heard it again—that familiar melody. The *Interstellar* theme. My heart sank. I knew who it was even before I saw her.

There she was, Melody, sitting at the piano, completely lost in the music. She didn’t notice me standing there, didn’t hear the door creak open as I stepped inside. Her fingers danced over the keys, filling the room with a sound so hauntingly beautiful, it felt like it was pulling at my very soul. She was so good, it hurt. For a moment, I thought about turning around and leaving, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away.

And then I noticed something else—tears were streaming down her face. Seeing her like that, so vulnerable, made my chest tighten. I wanted to say something, anything, but the words stuck in my throat. Before I could muster up the courage, she glanced up and saw me.

She froze, her fingers hovering over the keys for a split second before she pulled them away like she’d been burned. She grabbed her things in a rush, shoving them into her bag with shaky hands.

“Melody, wait—” I started, but it was too late. She bolted out of the room, not even looking back, leaving me standing there like an idiot.

I just stood there, staring at the spot where she’d been sitting, her music still echoing in my ears. My mind was spinning, filled with a thousand questions I knew I wouldn’t get answers to.

After a while, I walked over to the piano, the one she’d just been playing, and sat down. My fingers moved to the keys almost on their own, and before I knew it, I was playing the *Interstellar* theme too. It didn’t sound nearly as good as when she played it, but in that moment, it felt like the only thing I could do. The music filled the empty room, and for a little while, it drowned out everything else.