Double Tap: Decode [BXB]

CHAPTER 28

Teagan

My ears, wide awake, caught the buzzing noise of something persistent. It drilled into my ears until it became unbearable, forcing me to uncover myself from the warmth of my blanket. A sudden burst of bright light assaulted my vision as I furrowed my brows and gradually peeled open my eyelids, adjusting to the room around me.

I identified the source of the disturbance and crawled toward the study table on my right to retrieve my buzzing phone. No one was calling, yet it vibrated insistently. Glancing at the notification bar, I discovered it was an event reminder announcing the arrival of an event I had scheduled in my calendar.

As the information scrolled across my screen, a smile curved my lips at the event's label.

"Happy Birthday, Teagan," I murmured to myself, then silenced the alarm. I had almost forgotten that today wasn't just any holiday—it was a special day for me. But why did I feel so alone?

I checked my messages, disappointed to find no greetings from Mom and Dad. Had they forgotten my birthday? It seemed unlikely, as they always remembered, but it was already eight in the morning. Odd.

Pushing aside those thoughts, I decided to make myself some coffee in the kitchen. River was already there, enjoying a cup at the counter.

"Good morning," he greeted, his smile warm and genuine.

"Good morning," I replied, scanning the room for Zion.

"He's in the studio, I think," River offered, noting my search.

Nodding, I grabbed a cup from the cupboard and filled it with coffee and sugar before pouring in hot water from the heater. The steam released the enticing aroma of the coffee, invigorating every cell in my body.

"What time is it again?" River inquired, referring to the Thanksgiving Party at the foundation later.

Taking a sip of my coffee, I answered, "One in the afternoon." River nodded in acknowledgment, finishing his own coffee. "You're coming?" I asked, taking a seat at the dining table.

"Of course. I wouldn't miss your performance," he affirmed, draining his cup. "Besides, I want to see him perform for the first time." His words brought a smile to my lips.

River excused himself, leaving me alone in the kitchen once more. A strange sadness washed over me, intensifying when I realized how accustomed I had become to Zion's presence. Was it because I felt incomplete without him? I couldn't be sure, but I knew I was changing.

To shake off these unsettling feelings, I went to Zion's studio. The gentle strumming of guitar strings greeted me as I entered, filling the room with mellowness. Zion sat in a chair, guitar in hand, fingers moving gracefully across the strings. He was lost in his music, unaware of my presence as I watched from the doorway, coffee in hand.

"You're playing solo later?" I suddenly asked, causing Zion to look at me with surprise. He stopped playing and watched as I walked towards him. Zion nodded, and I mirrored his gesture. "Can I hear it?" I requested as I sat on the floor in front of him. I didn't know why, but the sadness and loneliness I felt disappeared when I saw him earlier.

Zion adjusted his posture and began playing the chords. As soon as the tune filled the air, I recognized it as "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver—a perfect classic song for the elderly at the foundation.

Zion sang the song from start to finish, and throughout, I simply smiled as I watched him play. When I went to take another sip of coffee, I realized the cup was empty.