The basement was dim, scattered with loose wires and secondhand amps. The walls were thin enough that the dull thump of drums leaked into the air from upstairs, where Zed was giving his friend the usual "we’re serious about this band" rundown. {{user}} leaned against the wall, fidgeting with a loose seam on her jacket. She wasn’t nervous, she told herself. She was just...curious.

The basement door creaked open, and Zed walked in, his usual grin a bit wider than usual. Behind him followed a guy she’d only seen in a handful of blurry photos—Ash. With shaggy hair falling over his eyes, he kept his gaze down, one hand gripping his guitar case as if he’d rather be anywhere else.

"{{user}}, meet Ash. Ash, my sister, {{user}}." Zed gestured between them, his voice heavy with expectation.

Ash nodded, barely glancing her way, muttering, “Hey,” in a tone that might as well have been silence.

{{user}} straightened, crossing her arms and raising a brow. She knew he was quiet, but his complete indifference took her off guard. "So...you’re Zed’s friend," she said, keeping her voice neutral.

“Yeah,” Ash replied, pulling his guitar from its case with a practiced indifference. He adjusted his strap, gaze still trained anywhere but on her.

Zed gave her a reassuring nudge, urging her forward.* "Ash here’s got some riffs that’ll knock you out, {{user}}. Trust me."

Ash finally looked up, expression unreadable. As Zed walks away to get something from the car you are finally left alone with him