Between Strings and Sparks

Chapter 7 - "Only Those Who Burn Feel"

The air inside the corridor was dense, almost electric. You walked fast, your heart pounding so loud that it seemed to compete with the muffled sound of the soundcheck coming from the stage. The discussion still echoed in your head - his words, sharp with frustration; yours, loaded with pain that you tried to hide for too long.

You turn the corner, taking a deep breath, trying not to collapse right there.

And of course, at the worst possible time, he shows up.

Jack stops in the middle of the hallway when he sees you. The messy hair, the chest rising and falling as if he had just run after you - and maybe he had.

- Aria... - his voice is low, but desperate.

You feel your body asking to go to him. But the hurt is still there, burning.

- Not now, Jack.

He takes a step, hesitates, takes another. His dark eyes are red, as if he were holding everything with his nails.

- I can't let you go like this - he says, his fingers buried in his pants pocket, as if they needed to hold something so as not to tremble.

- Just like that? - You fold your arms, trying to protect yourself as best you can. - Tired? Hurt? Feeling that I'm always... less?

Jack closes his eyes for a moment. When it opens, it has that look that you always notice before he does shit or says a very big truth.

- I didn't want to make you feel that.

- But you did - you whisper.

He takes a deep breath, his shoulders sinking.

- I know. Fuck, I know. And I'm trying... but I'm scared. Afraid of you coming into my life too much, and I'll ruin everything.

A heavy silence falls between you.

You swallow dry.

- Maybe it's already ruined.

This hits him like a blow. You can see it clearly.

He runs a hand through his hair, turns his face, but the voice fails anyway:

- I spent the whole fucking night thinking about you. In everything I said. In everything you said. You mess with me in a way that I wasn't prepared for.

The world seems to diminish until it's just the two of you.

He finally looks straight at you - and it's intense, almost desperate.

- Tell me it's not over yet - he asks. - Tell me there's still some chance, that I can fix it. I'll do whatever you want. Just... don't leave me.

Your chest tightens hard.

Because hearing that from him hurts... but in a completely different way.

- I don't want to leave, Jack - you admit. - But I don't know how to stay if you keep pushing me away.

He approaches slowly, as if you were a star about to explode.

- Then let me try. Let you be important to me. Because you are - he says, with an almost hoarse voice. - Too important for me to lose.

The silence that follows seems suspended in the air.

His body vibrates, divided between wounded pride and the dangerous desire to simply fall into his arms.

Jack takes the last step, stopping so close that you feel his warm breath against your mouth.

- I won't hurt you again - he murmurs. - Not if you still want me.

The tension is cutting, hot, pulsating.

The backstage lights flash.

And that's how, in this narrow corridor, everything between you is on the verge of a fire.