Sophie felt her cheeks flush. The brush of his fingers was electric, sending a thrill through her she couldn’t explain. She nodded, heart hammering, and played the note perfectly.
“That was… amazing,” Ethan whispered when the section ended, his voice low and warm.
Sophie swallowed, trying to steady her voice.“We’re doing amazing.”
For a long moment, neither moved. They were close enough that Sophie could see the faint snowflakes stuck in Ethan’s hair fromtheir walk earlier in the week. He reached out, gently tucking a loose strand behind her ear. Sophie’s breath caught.
“I… I like this,” Ethan said softly, voice almost a whisper.“Not just the music.”
Sophie’s fingers trembled slightly on her bow.“Me too,” she admitted, her voice barely audible.
They leaned a little closer, the warmth between them growing. For a heartbeat, the world outside faded — the snow, the school, the upcoming showcase — nothing mattered but the two of them and the music they created together.
Then the moment was broken by a clumsy knock on the music room door. Both jumped, laughing nervously, hearts still racing.
“Guess we’ll have to save the rest for later,” Ethan said, grinning, though his eyes lingered on her longer than necessary.
Sophie packed her violin with a smile, cheeks still pink. Winter in Crestwood had brought more than snow and melodies — it had brought the first whispers of a love neither of them could ignore.
Chapter 16:
Whispered Harmonies
Monday morning, Crestwood High buzzed with students exchanging weekend stories and last-minute showcase plans. Sophie walked toward her locker, violin case in hand, and spotted Ethan leaning against a hallway wall, chatting with a few classmates.
“Hey, Sophie!” Ethan called, waving her over.
As she approached, one of the classmates, Mara, gave a teasing smile.“Looks like you two spend a lot of time together lately.”
Sophie felt a flutter in her chest and a faint blush rising to her cheeks. Ethan looked slightly embarrassed but smirked.“Yeah, we’re, uh… practicing a lot. For the showcase.”
Mara raised an eyebrow knowingly.“Sure, just practice.”
Sophie laughed nervously, trying to keep the conversation light.“We really do have to practice. You should see how chaotic it gets otherwise.”
Ethan reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face in a quick, protective gesture.“See? Totally focused.”
Mara smirked, sensing the subtle closeness, and walked away, leaving Sophie and Ethan alone. The hallway seemed quieter all of a sudden, the teasing voices fading.
“Don’t mind them,” Ethan said softly, his voice low enough for only her to hear.“They don’t understand.”
Sophie felt her heart warm.“I don’t mind,” she whispered, surprised at how safe and comfortable she felt with him.
He smiled, and for a moment, their shoulders brushed as they walked toward the music room. The awkward teasing had reminded them both that their bond was something private, something worth protecting.
Once inside, they began practicing, laughter and music blending seamlessly. The small tension from earlier faded, replaced with a shared understanding: they were a team, in music and in the unspoken rhythm growing between them.
By the end of the session, Sophie realized that winter in Crestwood wasn’t just about snowflakes or melodies — it was about these stolen moments, whispered harmonies, and the quiet magic of someone who truly understood her.
Chapter 17:
Snowy Escapade
The next Saturday, Crestwood was blanketed in fresh snow, sparkling under a pale winter sun. Sophie trudged through the crisp white streets toward the small park, surprised to see Ethan waiting near the entrance, hands stuffed into his coat pockets and a wide grin on his face.
“Ready for some mischief?” he called.
Sophie laughed, dropping her violin case onto a nearby bench.“Mischief? What kind of mischief?”
