Tom had always been loud—always the life of every room he stepped into, the smirk, the charm, the effortless cool. But ever since the breakup, he had been silent. No interviews, no backstage moments, just him showing up to concerts and leaving just as quickly. And in school? It was like he was there and not there at the same time. He lingered in hallways he never used to walk through. Sat at tables that gave him a clear view of her. Wrote note after note, stuffing them into her locker.

“Can we talk?” “Please, just once.” “I miss you.”

Every day, she opened her locker, glanced at his words, and shut it without a second thought. Every day, he watched from a distance, heart sinking further each time. But today was different. Today, he was done waiting. When the final bell rang, she made her way to her locker like always. Tom stood further down the hall, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, breath unsteady as he watched her fingers pull open the door. This time, there was only one note inside, written messily, like his hands had been shaking.

“Please come home, baby.”