The studio smelled like dust and wires — familiar, comforting, but today… a little heavy.
Sunny arrived first with Zane, which was rare — not because she was late, but because Zane usually was. Ever since they'd started dating, his habits had started rubbing off on her in small, infuriating ways. She used to be more punctual.
Now she was… fashionably five to ten minutes behind schedule more often than not.
But today, Zane had insisted they be early. "Let's pretend to be responsible adults for once," he'd said with a grin.
And for once, she hadn't minded. It gave her a minute to settle. To prepare.She had a feeling today would be… a bit more emotional than usual.
---
Laura arrived next. That in itself was unusual — she was almost always the first to show up. The one already warming up at the piano, scanning sheet music, sipping her usual unsweetened tea.
But today, she stepped in second.
Quieter than usual.
Earphones in. A thermos in her hand — this time with just a hint of sugar added, though only she would notice the difference.
She gave a small nod as she entered. Not cold… just cautious. Her gaze flicked briefly to Zane and Sunny, then to the studio floor, where her boots made soft contact with the polished wood.
She didn't say anything right away.
And the silence that followed wasn't the comfortable kind.
The air between them wasn't hostile. Just… tense. Like something unspoken had finally taken form and was now sitting in the room with them.
Zane set down his bag with a sigh. "Well. This isn't awkward at all."
Sunny nudged him in the ribs — lightly — but her eyes stayed on Laura.
And then, before either of them could fill the silence with nervous chatter or misplaced sarcasm, Laura stepped forward.
"Before we start…" Her voice was soft but steady. "I just want to say something."
Zane and Sunny both looked up.
"I know things got… weird last time," she said, gaze flicking toward Zane, then away. "And that was on me. I didn't mean to stir anything. I just—"
She paused, swallowing. "I just wanted to make sure Euphony Trio didn't lose what it was. But that came out wrong. And I'm sorry for that."
Zane blinked, caught slightly off-guard.
Laura continued, more gently. "You've done more for this group than we ever expected. You've pushed us, inspired us — and I… we are glad to have you here. I mean that."
There was a beat of silence.
Zane scratched the back of his neck. "Damn. You're gonna make me feel bad now."
That earned a tiny smile from her. Almost.
"I'm sorry too," he said. "I kind of blew up. You were calm, and I wasn't. Should've handled it better. And the whole… 'controlling' thing? That was low. Even if it's maybe… kind of… a little bit true."
Laura gave a dry exhale that might've been a laugh. "I'll allow it."
Sunny looked between them, visibly relieved — a small smile on her lips, warm and genuine.
"But really," Zane added, growing a bit more serious, "we're a team. And we've got a performance in two weeks. Let's not waste the time we've got left."
Laura nodded.
"Agreed."
---
They were on Axel's couch, the city dim behind the windows. Laura was curled up under a blanket, her tea untouched on the table. Axel leaned forward, elbows on his knees.
"You don't have to say anything if you're not ready," he said. "But I saw the way Sunny looked at you at the party."
Laura didn't meet his eyes.
"I know," she murmured. "I felt it too."
Axel hesitated, then said gently, "Sometimes the air gets heavy because no one opens a window. Maybe it's time to crack it just a little."
That earned him a look.
He smiled. "Not poetic enough?"
"It's you. I'll allow it."
He nudged her shoulder lightly. "Just… talk to them. Clear the air. You'll feel better."
Laura leaned her head back, quiet for a moment. Then: "Okay."
---
"Where's Axel?" Zane asked casually, glancing toward the door as he set his water bottle down.
Laura slipped off her earphones and blinked. "Ah… he's working on a commission today. Short deadline. He'll be here next time though."
Sunny tilted her head. "Commission?"
Laura gave a small nod. "He's been composing some tracks for an indie artist. Side gig stuff."
Zane raised a brow. "You mean for once he's the one with a schedule?"
Laura's lips curved faintly, but she didn't bite. Instead, she turned to check the monitor setup, quiet again.
A pause settled over the room.
Then, Sunny broke it. "Hey… how about we did something again? A group activity, I mean. Doesn't have to be anything major — just… maybe a late night ramen run or a movie night?"
Zane perked up. "Movie night. You're just trying to get us all to cry over another artsy animated film."
Sunny grinned sheepishly. "Maybe."
She hesitated for a second, then added softer, "I've missed you these past days, Laura. We didn't even talk at the party. Felt… strange."
Zane gently nudged her shoulder. "Aw, don't get sappy on me now."
Then he tousled her hair, earning a flustered glare that didn't quite stick.
Laura looked over. Her hand curled loosely around her thermos.
"…Can I hug you?"
Sunny blinked. "Huh?"
Laura stepped forward. Her voice quieter now. "I know I'm not… good at this. But I mean it. I've missed you too."
Sunny stood still for a moment, wide-eyed. Then nodded once.
Laura's arms wrapped around her carefully — not tight, not awkward, just… sincere. Sunny's cheeks turned pink almost immediately. She didn't know how to react, so she just… held her back.
Zane, watching from the side, gave a small smirk and turned away, giving them space. But if anyone had looked close enough, they might have seen the proud little smile tugging at his lips.
---
Later that evening, as Laura walked the quiet streets home from the studio, she pulled out her phone and called Axel.
He picked up after just a couple rings.
There was silence at first — the kind that didn't need filling right away. She let it linger, her steps slow against the pavement.
He was the first to speak."Hey… how'd rehearsal go? Did you talk to them?"
She inhaled softly, watching the way the streetlights glimmered off passing windows. "Yeah," she murmured. "I… talked to them."
Another pause.
Then she added, quieter, "You were right. It helped."
Axel didn't speak at first. She could hear the subtle shift of him settling into a chair, maybe setting something down.
"And…" She hesitated. "I hugged Sunny."
That made him blink, even over the phone. "You… hugged her?"
A soft laugh escaped her. "Don't sound so shocked."
"I mean… I'm pleasantly shocked," Axel said with a smile in his voice. "That's new."
Laura nodded, even though he couldn't see her. "It is. I'm just… trying."
He didn't rush to respond. When he finally did, his voice was warm. "You are. And I'm proud of you."
She stopped walking for a second, letting the wind graze her face.
Maybe she had changed lately. Or maybe she was finally making room for change — making space to figure herself out instead of performing the person she thought she had to be. And that shift, however small, felt real.
It also made her feel closer to him than she had in a long time. Not because she was fixing herself — but because she was letting herself grow.
"I'll be home soon," she said softly.
"I'll be here," he replied, then added, "If you need me."
Laura smiled faintly, the kind that didn't quite reach her lips but still softened something inside her.
"I know," she said. "That's why I called."
And for a few quiet seconds, they simply stayed on the line — not needing to say more, just letting the quiet mean something.
Then she said, "Goodnight, Axel."
"Goodnight, Laura."
And when she hung up, her footsteps felt just a little lighter than before.
---
Later that night, Laura lay down in her bed.
The room was quiet, dimly lit by the soft blue glow of her clock. No Axel by her side tonight. No whispered reassurances. No steady heartbeat for her to fall asleep to.
And yet… she didn't feel hollow.
The sheets felt cool, the air calm. Her thoughts still buzzed — they always did — but tonight, the noise wasn't unbearable. It drifted, softer, quieter than before.
She closed her eyes.
Maybe it was the talk with Zane.
Maybe it was the rehearsal, the apology, the shared hug with Sunny.
Maybe it was just time.
Her fingers brushed the edge of the pillow, then stilled.
And slowly, gradually, her breath evened out.
Sleep came easier than it had in a while. Not perfect, not dreamless — but without resistance. Without dread.
And for the first time in weeks, Laura felt like maybe… just maybe… she was on her way to being alright.