Between Strings and Silence

Chapter Five: Static Between Us

The week after the fight felt... strange.

You still texted Malcolm here and there—memes, random late-night thoughts, the occasional "are you alive?"—but something was off. Replies came slower, shorter. When you hung out, it was in groups, never just the two of you.

It was like the music had gone quiet between you, even when his guitar was in his hands.

One night, scrolling in bed, you stumbled on a clip someone posted from his small gig at a campus bar. The crowd was loud, phones up, but your focus zeroed in on him. He was onstage, guitar slung low, voice breaking slightly as he sang a new song you didn't recognize.

I'll laugh like I'm fine,
but the silence is louder.
Every word unsaid,
I feel it tower.

The comments underneath were full of people talking about how emotional he sounded, how he'd "never looked more in love and more heartbroken at the same time."

You shut your phone off before you could read more.

The next time you saw him in person was at the record store you both loved. You hadn't planned it—he was flipping through vinyl when you walked in, hoodie pulled low like he hoped no one would notice him.

He noticed you. Of course he did.

"Hey," he said, voice careful.

"Hey." You held up a random record like a shield. "Didn't think I'd see you here."

"It's kind of my place," he said with a weak smile. "Y'know, tragic indie boy aesthetic."

You laughed despite yourself. For a moment, it felt normal again.

Then a clerk walked by, giving the two of you a look. "Couples discount today, if you're together," they said casually.

Malcolm's eyes flicked to you. This time, he didn't say anything. No joke, no easy cover. Just silence.

And it hurt more than you wanted to admit.

You set the record back on the shelf, brushing past him. "See you around, Malcolm."

He didn't stop you.

But as you left, you caught your reflection in the shop window—flushed cheeks, tight jaw—and thought: if this is slow-burn, it's starting to burn a little too much.