3rd person POV

  Monday morning, just before second period, Nickie’s phone buzzed. A text alert. It was David.

  David (08:58 AM):

  Next gig is confirmed!

  Her pulse jumped.

  Nickie (08:59 AM):

  Fucking A! Where?!?!

  David (09:00 AM):

  I’ll tell you all about it at rehearsal today. Take Adam with you after school. He forgot his phone.

  Her breath hitched.

  Nickie (09:01 AM):

  Got it.

  She couldn’t wait for class to end.

  By the time recess rolled around, she was already halfway down the hall, legs moving before she’d even decided to.

  She made a beeline for Adam’s classroom, heart pounding with something she didn’t have the name for yet.

  Outside the classroom, she paused.

  Through the glass, she spotted him: Alone, sitting near the back, earbuds in, head tilted just slightly as he listened to something no one else could hear.

  His classmates clustered away from him like he was a different species.

  Nickie hovered, unsure. ‘Would it be weird to just walk in?’

  Before she could decide, a girl nearby blocked her way.

  “Can I help you with something?” she asked.

  “Umm…” was all Nickie managed to say.

  But then, as if the sound of her voice cut through the murmur of the room and the music in his ears, Adam looked up.

  His eyes locked on her.

  Recognition flickered across his face, sharp and immediate.

  Without a word, he stood. Crossed the room in seconds. Took her wrist with a warm, firm grip.

  And then they were moving, fast, half-running through the halls.

  He didn’t say where they were going.

  She didn’t ask.

  She just followed, heart racing.

  ***

  Rooftop Incoming

  Adam’s excitement was contagious.

  The second they reached the rooftop, it lit up the space like a spark in dry grass.

  “You gotta hear this,” he said, already digging into his pocket for his music player.

  He handed one earbud to Nickie, the other already in his ear as they sat, shoulders nearly touching.

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  He pressed play.

  “This part, right here-” Adam leaned in, pointing at the player like it was sacred. His eyes were wide, voice brimming with energy.

  Nickie nodded along. “Yeah, right?? The layering’s insane.”

  “And that bassline-”

  “-locks in with the riff perfectly,” she finished, grinning.

  Adam looked thrilled. “I knew you’d hear it!”

  “This reminds me of a band you might like,” she said. “Wait! I’ll send you a track.”

  Adam chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Uh… I forgot my phone today.”

  Nickie laughed. “Yeah, I know. David told me.”

  Adam tilted his head, narrowing his eyes just a little.

  There was something about the way she was sitting: hands still, eyes bright but holding.

  She wasn’t just here to hang out.

  And yet, she hadn’t said anything.

  He watched her hold back. Letting him talk first. Letting the song play. Letting the moment stretch.

  She was being with him before sharing whatever it was that made her eyes shine like that.

  He liked that about her.

  But now he was curious.

  “So?” he asked, voice light, teasing. “What did you wanna tell me that got you so excited?”

  Nickie blinked, a little surprised he’d caught it.

  Then her grin spread wide, bright and unfiltered.

  “We got a gig.”

  Adam blinked. For a half-second, his brain stalled.

  “Holy shit!”

  He didn’t even think.

  He jumped up, grabbed her by the waist, and spun her in a wild circle.

  Her feet lifted off the ground, hair whipping in her face, the sky blurring around them.

  Laughter burst out of both of them, echoing across the rooftop until Adam’s voice cracked mid-spin.

  A couple of smokers glanced their way, unimpressed, then turned back to their screens.

  When Adam finally set her down, they collapsed onto the bench again, breathless and flushed..

  “So,” Nickie said between gasps, “Rehearsal today. Right after school.”

  “Good. Oh! Come over for food after?”

  Nickie nodded. “Cool. I’ll just check with my mom.”

  Adam’s eyes were glowing now, his grin wide and mischievous. He wrapped his arm around Nickie’s neck and pulled her to him, ruffling her hair hard enough to reveal the streak of shaved purple underneath.

  “Hey!! Come on!” she squealed. “Ad... Adam!”

  “What?” he said innocently. “Afraid someone’s gonna see your badass side?”

  Nickie huffed in mock defeat. “Ahh. Fine. I don’t care. I know you won’t actually hurt me.”

  That quiet admission made Adam pause just a second.

  His smile softened.

  Something about the way she said it, so certain, so casual, made his chest ache a little.

  “It’s not fun if you give up so easy,” he teased.

  The bell rang, sharp and unwelcome.

  “Shit! Class!” Nickie tried to jolt.

  Adam didn’t move. He watched her fumble, clearly enjoying the chaos.

  “Adam.”

  “Hehehe.” He stood up leisurely, pulling her up, then reached out. “Wait.”

  Before she could dart off, he started fixing her hair carefully.

  His fingers brushed across her cheek, tucking strands back. Then he pulled his own hairband, letting his hair fall freely around his shoulders, and tied hers in a ponytail.

  He didn’t say anything about what she’d just admitted.

  But his hands were gentler now. Like he’d heard her. And understood.

  “There,” he said, casually. “Can’t go back to class looking like a windblown troll.”

  Nickie stood frozen. Her heart hammered.

  His face was too close.

  His eyes were too warm.

  His touch too soft.

  Adam didn’t say anything. Just looked at her a second too long until they both stepped back at the same time.

  “Right, well…” Nickie cleared her throat. “See you after school.”

  “Yeah.” Adam scratched behind his ear, suddenly sheepish. “I’ll wait for you by the gate.”

  Nickie walked away first, fast, but she could still feel his fingers in her hair.