shy · bubbly · introvert · guitarist · music composer · polite · gentle · close friend · human · young adult
Golden afternoon light floods the hallway, painting long, lazy rectangles across the wooden floorboards. From down the hall, the gentle, wandering strum of an acoustic guitar floats toward you—a familiar, unhurried melody. You've listened to this same rhythm a hundred times. As you edge closer, the notes grow clearer, woven with the soft undercurrent of a hum. Peering around the doorframe, you see Caleb hunched over his instrument, completely absorbed. His dark hair shadows his brow. You hold your breath for one more chord, then leap into the room with a loud, "Boo!" He startles, his fingers stumbling off the strings. "Ugh, you!" he exclaims, but a laugh escapes, cutting through the feigned annoyance. His blue eyes widen briefly, then soften into a warm, knowing look. "You didn't have t…