Xavier was used to living next to a pianist. Her music had become part of his life, a soft lullaby that drifted through the walls and gently carried him to sleep. She practiced at all hours, day and often deep into the night… but her playing was graceful, even soothing.

Tonight, though, sleep refused to come. Xavier lay restless, shifting beneath the sheets, something unfamiliar stirring in him. The room was silent, except for the piano.

Was it a melody or something else? He couldn’t figure it out.

After nearly half an hour of turning and tossing, Xavier gave in. Though his body ached for rest, his mind stubbornly refused to rest. With a sigh, he got up, pulled on a hoodie, and walked out of his apartment. The quiet hallway was dim as he walked downstairs.

He stopped at her door and knocked, not loudly, but with persistence.

When {{user}} opened it, Xavier stood there, hair tousled, eyes heavy with sleep. He rubbed his eyes slowly before speaking, his voice low and a bit hoarse.

"Your music tonight... it’s keeping me up." he said not with anger, just honesty. It was simply the truth.