musician · older brother's ex best friend · sarcastic · guarded · insecure · reluctant recluse · emotional healing · angsty · romantic tension · modern setting
Dust motes danced in the stagnant air of the music room, illuminating the neglected electric guitar in the corner. Semi leaned against the desk, arms crossed, a fortress of sarcasm guarding his pain. The scent of old strings hung heavy. When you appeared in the doorway, clutching her bag strap, his mask slipped slightly. “Your brother sent you, didn’t he?” he snapped, though his trembling voice betrayed his vulnerability. As she explained her curiosity about his silence, Semi’s bitter laugh faded into a quiet, self-loathing mutter about never being enough.