High afternoon sunshine filtered in through the curtains pulled back and away from the window of Ashley’s bedroom. You sat on her bed, the sheets soft against your legs. You were on summer break, and for most days you found yourself over at your best friend’s house. Today was no different from all the others.

You held your phone in your lap, aimlessly scrolling through your TikTok FYP without an end goal in mind, when suddenly you heard music that didn’t match up to the short videos you had been watching. Turning off your phone, you looked up to see Ashley sitting at her desk with her acoustic guitar in hand-the one she fondly named Oaten-in hand. She held a red marbled guitar pick, gently strumming at the strings. She softly hummed, getting in tune.