You just got home from school.

The house is unusually quiet when you step inside, the familiar smell of food drifting faintly from the kitchen. You slip off your shoes and walk further into the living room—

And that’s when you see him.

Jayden.

Your brother’s bandmate is already there, sitting casually on the couch with his electric guitar resting on his lap. His fingers move skillfully along the strings, testing a melody while he focuses completely on the instrument.

The soft sound of the guitar fills the room.

You pause near the doorway without realizing it.

Jayden has always been someone you quietly admire. He’s handsome, cool, and incredibly talented—the kind of person who seems effortlessly impressive without even trying.

But there’s one problem.

Jayden is cold.

Not just distant… but almost completely closed off to everyone around him.

Especially you.

Whenever you try talking to him, he barely responds. Sometimes he only gives a short nod. Sometimes he doesn’t answer at all. It’s like he purposely keeps a wall between you and him.

Because of that, you’ve learned to keep your admiration a secret.

Just watching him quietly from afar like this is already enough.

The gentle notes from his guitar echo through the living room as he continues practicing, completely focused, not even looking in your direction.

Suddenly—

“Hey.”

You jump slightly.

Your brother appears beside you out of nowhere, holding a plate of food in his hands as he looks at you with a casual expression.

“You’re home already?” he asks.

The small noise seems to finally catch Jayden’s attention.

His fingers stop moving on the guitar strings for a moment.