Chapter 2: The Song Remains the Same
The next evening, the pub is more crowded than usual. The usual haze of cigarette smoke hangs heavy in the air, mingling with the scent of cheap beer and fried food. I sit at my usual spot at the far end of the bar, nursing another whiskey. The burn is familiar, a welcome distraction from the monotony of my life in Greenwoods.
My friend, Julia, slides into the seat next to me, a mischievous grin on her face. She’s a college student studying accountancy, one of the few people in town who doesn’t judge me based on the whispers and rumors. She’s bright, ambitious, and full of life—the exact opposite of me.
“Guess what?” she says, leaning in conspiratorially.
“What?” I reply, taking a sip of my drink.
She points to the small stage at the front of the pub. “There’s going to be live music tonight. Some local talent. Should be interesting.”
I glance over at the stage, unimpressed. “Great.”
Julia rolls her eyes. “Come on, Alex. Try to show a little enthusiasm. It might be fun.”
“Fun,” I echo, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Sure.”
The bartender, sensing our conversation, refills my glass and nods at Julia. She orders a cocktail, something bright and fruity that contrasts sharply with my whiskey. We sit in silence for a while, the din of the pub providing a background noise that I’ve grown used to.
Suddenly, the lights dim and a hush falls over the crowd. I look up, curious despite myself. A figure steps onto the stage, and my breath catches in my throat. It’s Alexander. He’s holding an electric guitar, his leather jacket replaced by a simple black T-shirt that clings to his muscular frame. He looks every bit the rock star, commanding attention with his mere presence.
The crowd murmurs in anticipation, and I feel Julia’s elbow nudging me. “Isn’t that…?”
“Yeah,” I say, my voice flat. “That’s him.”
Alexander’s fingers strum the guitar, the low, sultry notes filling the air. His voice follows, deep and velvety, weaving its way through the room and settling over the audience like a spell. I feel a jolt of recognition, memories of our childhood flooding back. I’ve heard him sing before, but not like this. Back then, he was just a boy with a dream. Now, he’s a man with a presence that demands to be noticed.
Julia leans closer, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “He’s good. Really good.”
I shrug, trying to appear indifferent. “I’ve heard better.”
She laughs, a light, musical sound that makes me smile despite myself. “You’re such a liar, Alex. You’re totally into him.”
“I’m not,” I insist, but my protest sounds weak even to my own ears.
Alexander’s song continues, the lyrics haunting and filled with emotion. I can’t help but be drawn in, despite my best efforts to remain detached. There’s a raw honesty in his voice that cuts through the haze of my indifference, stirring something deep inside me.
When the song ends, the pub erupts in applause. Alexander acknowledges the crowd with a nod, his eyes scanning the room until they land on me. Our gazes lock, and for a moment, the rest of the world fades away. There’s a challenge in his eyes, a silent dare that I refuse to back down from.
Julia notices the exchange and smirks. “He’s totally into you.”
“Shut up,” I mutter, taking a long drink from my glass.
The next song starts, and Alexander’s voice washes over me once more. I close my eyes, letting the music take me back to simpler times. I remember the boy who sang for me in secret, his voice a balm to my troubled soul. But that boy is gone, replaced by a man who’s a stranger to me.
Julia nudges me again. “You should talk to him.”
“No,” I say firmly. “I have nothing to say to him.”
“Liar,” she teases. “You’ve got plenty to say. You’re just scared.”
I glare at her, my pride stinging. “I’m not scared.”
“Prove it,” she challenges, her eyes gleaming.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself. “Fine. I’ll talk to him. But not because I’m scared. Because I want to.”
“Whatever you say, Alex,” she replies with a grin.
The set ends, and Alexander steps off the stage. He’s immediately surrounded by admirers, but his eyes never leave mine. I can feel the weight of his gaze, a magnetic pull that I can’t resist. Julia gives me an encouraging nod, and I stand, my legs feeling like lead.
I make my way through the crowd, my heart pounding in my chest. When I reach him, the admirers part, sensing the tension between us. Alexander looks down at me, his eyes intense and unreadable.
“Alexandra,” he says, his voice sending a shiver down my spine.
“Alexander,” I reply, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.
He gestures to an empty table in the corner. “Can we talk?”
I hesitate, but Julia’s words echo in my mind. Prove it. I nod, and we make our way to the table, the noise of the pub fading into the background. We sit across from each other, the silence between us heavy with unspoken words.
“You were good,” I say finally, breaking the silence.
“Thanks,” he replies, his eyes searching mine. “It’s been a long time since I’ve performed.”
“I can tell,” I say, my tone neutral. “You’ve improved.”
He smiles, a hint of the boy I once knew shining through. “I had a good reason to.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Oh? And what reason is that?”
“You,” he says simply, his gaze unwavering.
I scoff, trying to hide the flutter in my chest. “Don’t flatter yourself.”
“I’m not,” he says, his voice serious. “You were always my muse, Alex. You still are.”
The sincerity in his voice disarms me, and I look away, unable to meet his gaze. “That was a long time ago. Things have changed.”
“Some things,” he agrees. “But not everything.”
I shake my head, my emotions warring within me. “You left, Alexander. You abandoned me when I needed you most.”
“I know,” he says, his voice filled with regret. “And I’m sorry. I’ve spent every day since trying to make it right.”
“Words are cheap,” I say, my anger flaring. “Actions speak louder.”
“I know,” he repeats, reaching across the table to take my hand. His touch is warm, comforting. “Let me show you. Give me a chance to make things right.”
I pull my hand away, my walls rising once more. “I don’t know if I can.”
He leans back, his expression pained. “I get it. I’ve hurt you. But I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere. Just…think about it, okay?”
I nod, the fight draining out of me. “I’ll think about it.”
We lapse into silence, the weight of our past hanging between us. Alexander stands, his eyes lingering on me. “Goodnight, Alex.”
“Goodnight, Alexander,” I reply, watching as he walks away.
Julia joins me at the table, her eyes wide with excitement. “What did he say?”
“Nothing,” I say, my voice weary. “Everything.”
She nods, understanding. “You okay?”
I shrug. “I don’t know.”
We sit in silence for a while, the noise of the pub washing over us. Julia orders another drink, and I do the same. We talk about other things, lighter things, but my mind keeps drifting back to Alexander and the challenge in his eyes.
As the night wears on, I can’t shake the feeling that something has shifted. The walls I’ve built around my heart are still there, but they’re not as impenetrable as they once were. Alexander’s presence has stirred something in me, a longing for the connection we once had.
I finish my drink and stand, my legs steady now. Julia gives me a reassuring smile. “You’ll figure it out, Alex. Just give it time.”
“Yeah,” I say, my voice soft. “Time.”
The night air is cool against my skin as I step outside, the town’s shadows closing in around me. The whispers follow me, but they’re quieter now, less menacing. I walk home, my mind a whirl of thoughts and memories.
Alexander’s voice echoes in my mind, a haunting melody that I can’t escape. I remember the boy who sang for me, his voice filled with dreams and promises. And now, the man who stands before me, his voice a reminder of what we once had and what we could have again.
As I reach my doorstep, I pause, looking back at the pub. There’s a part of me that wants to run back, to find Alexander and tell him everything that’s been locked inside me for so long. But I’m not ready. Not yet.
I step inside, closing the door behind me. The house is silent, a stark contrast to the noise and chaos of the pub. I make my way to my room, the weight of the night settling over me. I sit on the edge of my bed, my mind replaying the events of the evening.
Alexander’s voice, his eyes, the sincerity in his words—it’s all too much. I lie back, staring at the ceiling
, my thoughts a tangled mess. I don’t know what the future holds, but one thing is certain: Alexander is back, and nothing will ever be the same again.
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