The Silent Symphony: echoes of destiny.

"Haunted Dreams"

Chris led the way to his studio, a space brimming with creativity and chaos. Canvases of various sizes leaned against the walls, and the scent of paint and turpentine filled the air. He moved to his desk, sorting through papers for filing, while Kevin wandered around, taking in the vibrant, unfinished pieces scattered throughout the room.

Kevin's gaze fell upon a particular painting, one that stood out with its haunting beauty. "Is this your new art piece?" he asked, intrigued. "Why wasn't it at the exhibition today? It looks amazing."

Chris glanced over his shoulder, his expression dismissive. "It's not that amazing," he said, returning to his papers.

But Kevin was not easily deterred. He stepped closer to the painting, examining it with a critical eye. "The hair of the girl in this painting," he said slowly, "it exactly matches the hair of that girl at the exhibition tonight."

Chris's hand froze, his eyes narrowing as he turned to face Kevin. "Kev, stop. Why is that girl all over your head?" he exclaimed, a hint of frustration in his voice.

Kevin looked at Chris, then back at the painting, and shrugged with a sheepish grin. "Yeah, I should stop, I guess. It's just... weird, you know?"

Kevin settled into the plush sofa in the lounge, the earlier lightheartedness fading as he reflected on the mysterious painting. "But seriously, Chris," he began, his voice thoughtful, "why is that painting so haunting yet beautiful?"

Chris sighed, leaning against the wall, his gaze distant. "She's the girl from my dreams," he replied softly.

Kevin's interest piqued. "Wow, who is she? Why is she in your dreams if you don't know her? Have you tried finding her?"

"Relax," Chris interrupted gently. "I'll tell you the truth. Yes, she is a haunting yet beautiful part of my life. I feel so connected to her. But... I hate her! cause whenever I see her in my dreams, the next morning, someone ... dies."

Kevin's expression shifted from curiosity to fear. "It's a joke, right?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Kev, do you think I'm joking?" Chris said, his tone serious. "It's the truth."

A heavy silence hung in the air as Kevin processed this. "Uhmm, Chris, you don't know me, right?" he asked, half-joking but clearly unsettled.

Chris moved closer, a tender smile playing on his lips. "Shi! What are you talking about? Of course, I know you and love you the most. You mean a lot to me."

Kevin tried to laugh it off. "Hehe, Chris, no."

Chris leaned in slightly, his eyes softening as he gently sniffed Kevin's cheek. "Oh, Kev," he murmured.

Kevin's discomfort gave way to a mix of confusion and affection. "Chris, stop its not the time to play gay-ism. Now we should sleep." he said, his voice shaky.

As Chris finally settled into his bed, exhaustion weighing heavily on his eyelids, there was a soft knock on the door. "Yes?" he called out, his voice muffled by the pillows.

Kevin entered, his face alight with excitement. "Come on, Chris, we've done it," he exclaimed.

Chris's heart skipped a beat. "Done what now?" he asked, a hint of panic creeping into his voice.

But Kevin just grinned mischievously, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. "The cuddle to sleep," he declared, before playfully jumping onto the bed.

Chris couldn't help but chuckle at Kevin's antics. "Oh, Kev, I'm tired, and you're heavy. Move over," he protested, though his words lacked any real conviction.

Kevin simply shrugged, burrowing himself deeper into Chris's embrace. "Uhmmm," he hummed contentedly, snuggling closer.

Chris sighed, but he couldn't deny the warmth and comfort of having his best friend beside him.
"Chris, what if I die tomorrow morning?"
"Kev, not a single word, please," he murmured, his fingers gently patting Kevin's head.

They lay there in silence, the weight of the evening's revelations fading away as sleep claimed them both. Despite the uncertainty of what tomorrow might bring, in that moment, they found solace in each other's presence, and drifted off into a peaceful slumber, wrapped in the comfort of their friendship.

A loud high-pitched sound pierced the morning air: "Aaaaaahhhhhh!" Chris woke up, heart pounding in his chest, "What happened? why are you shouting?" he asked, his voice trembling.

Kevin, holding Chris's face in his hands, asked urgently, "Are you able to see me, Chris?"

"What nonsense! Of course I can see you," Chris replied, his confusion turning into irritation.

Kevin sighed in relief, his tense shoulders relaxing. "I thought I was dead," he admitted softly.

"Kev, relax. You've been my best friend for the past ten years, and you're still alive. I have a feeling you'll never leave my side."

"Do you think so?" Kevin asked, his voice laced with uncertainty.

"Hmm, trust me," Chris reassured him, squeezing his shoulder.

A long silence followed as both of them sank into their own thoughts, the weight of the moment pressing down on them. The silence was abruptly broken by the shrill ring of a phone, jolting them back to reality.

Chris answered his phone, the light from the screen casting a soft glow on his face in the dim room. "Hello?" he said, his voice still a bit shaky. He listened silently for a minute, his expression becoming more serious with each passing second. "Okay, I'll be there at sharp 2 PM," he finally replied before hanging up.

Turning to Kevin, he forced a smile. "let's go have something for breakfast," he suggested. Kevin nodded.