The Song He Refused to Share

Fate, it seemed, only granted them a single season of autumn together.

At the start of the second semester, Eden Anderson and Shelby Rivera transferred to the humanities track, moving their things into the humanities building. They were assigned to Class 16, and during the classroom reshuffle, they managed to snag desks together again. Julian Smith had also chosen the humanities track and ended up in Class 15.

Lucas Powell was a constant presence in the humanities building, usually stopping by to drag Julian out for basketball. Julian, in turn, frequently visited Class 16 to see Eden, and every single time, Lucas was right there by his side.

"Seriously, Eden, what’s your deal with Julian?" Shelby asked one afternoon.

"Nothing," Eden replied, keeping her gaze steady. "We're just friends."

"Then why don't you ever turn him down? The excuses he comes up with to see you? A toddler could see right through them. I don't believe for a second you actually buy it."

She was right. Why didn't she shut it down? Hadn't she promised herself that she was done chasing someone who didn't want her?

Eden knew Julian was crushing on her. Everyone knew it—including Lucas. Yet, Lucas still played the wingman, hovering like a silent shadow. Was he just building up his friend’s confidence? Eden felt a cold, jagged bitterness twist in her chest.

Even as her direct interactions with Lucas dwindled, her resentment only hardened. Every time Molly Lee brought up her brother, or every time Lucas walked into her classroom to wait for Julian, that irritation flared up. It grew so intense she wanted to vanish whenever he was near.

But why? If she saw through Julian’s pathetic excuses, why couldn't she just say no?

Eden stood by the classroom door, maintaining a polite, measured distance from Julian, while her peripheral vision was entirely consumed by Lucas. He was leaning against the window sill, waiting. The harsh light filtered in, tracing the sharp silhouette of his hair. It felt like wherever he stood, the light refused to touch anyone else.

Underclassmen would pass by and call out, "Hey, senior!" He’d give them that effortless, charming smile, patting their shoulders with a casual grace.

When Shelby walked past the doorway, she’d bark, "What are you doing here again?"

Lucas would just fire back, "What’s it to you?"

When groups of girls strolled by, whispering and stifling giggles as they glanced at him, he’d turn away with a look of feigned disinterest, staring up at the blue sky through the window.

The new math teacher appointed Eden as the class representative. She was tasked with collecting the math homework every day and delivering it to the faculty lounge during the long break. The lounge was in the STEM building. Even though the entrance was on the far left side of the second floor, Eden always made a habit of taking the stairs on the far right.

The second-floor staircase was right next to the Class 7 classroom. The back door was always propped open. Every time Eden walked by, she caught a glimpse of Lucas, sitting in the second-to-last row by the window.

Sunlight poured through the curtains, bathing his desk in a warm, amber glow. In those flickering light-and-shadow fragments, Eden saw a dozen versions of Lucas.

Lucas spinning his pen while staring at a math problem.

Lucas slumped over his desk, fast asleep.

Lucas chatting with the guy in front of him, controller in hand.

Her arms would ache from the weight of the thick stack of workbooks, and the plastic handles would bite deep into her fingers, leaving angry red welts. Yet, she took the long way every single time. She just wanted to pass that door, to steal one fleeting, "accidental" glance at him.

How do you stop yourself from looking? How do you force your eyes to stay away? Eden never found the answer.

By the end of the semester, Eden had secured her spot at the top of the humanities track, while Lucas sat firmly at the top of the STEM track.

The summer break arrived in a blur. Eden didn't go home, choosing to stay with her aunt in the city for intensive math tutoring. Shelby was in the same program, and so was Easton Ward from Class 7. August 21st, Eden’s birthday, happened to be the final day of the workshop.

When Eden walked into the classroom, she found her desk buried under a mountain of gifts and cards.

"All from the guys in our class," Shelby noted, leaning back.

Eden offered a faint smile and pulled her textbook from her bag.

"You're not even going to open one?" Shelby looked baffled.

"I'll look at them when I get home," Eden explained gently.

"Right. Any plans for tonight? Want to grab dinner? My treat, for your birthday."

"Sure," Eden said. "But let me treat you."

"The birthday girl doesn't pay," Shelby said smoothly.

"I got my scholarship money today," Eden whispered.

The tutoring program offered a $75 scholarship to the top student of the term.

"Done! Deal!" Shelby cheered. "Fine, I won't argue with that. Let me think… Easton mentioned his cousin opened a music bistro on the edge of town. It sounds cool. Let's go there! I'll ask him when he gets in."

"Sounds good."

That night, Eden, Shelby, and Easton headed to the bistro. The decor leaned heavily into a moody, bar-like vibe: flickering lights, dancing shadows, and walls that seemed to hum with ambient energy.

"Easton, this place is nice. How come you didn't tell us about this sooner?"

"Just opened. Soft launch," Easton said, shrugging. "I'm covering the bill tonight—birthday treats for the queen!"

"Nice work, Easton!" Shelby slapped his back, then pointed at the pink balloons hung around the room, laughing. "You decorated? It’s a bit frilly, but it definitely suits Eden’s princess vibe."

"I can't take all the credit..."

Easton started to explain, but Shelby cut him off, shouting, "Hey, I hear music!"

She grabbed Eden’s hand and dashed toward the back of the room. The melody drifted closer, familiar and aching.

"Cold coffee sits on the coaster, I keep my emotions hidden deep. The past I’m desperate to salvage, still visible on my face."

They reached the stage. Shelby turned to Easton, her expression falling. "Why is Lucas performing?"

"Couldn't afford a professional," Easton explained. "We're on break, so I asked Lucas to cover a few shifts. Besides, he’s not half-bad."

"Fair enough." Shelby nudged Eden’s arm. "Hey, Molly said Lucas has a great voice. Pick a song! Make him sing for you."

"The most beautiful thing isn't the rainy day, it's the eaves where we hid from the rain together."

Lucas sat on a stool center-stage, one leg braced on the floor, guitar cradled against his chest. He was looking down at the mic, singing a melancholic classic. The stage light swept down from the ceiling like moonlight, leaving the rest of the room in darkness. He was the only thing illuminated, the sharp edges of his face cast in soft gold.

Eden stared at him, dazed. Her eyes began to sting.

"You said letting go means walking further, so why try to change a time that's already passed? Your fingertips stopped me from saying goodbye, imagining you still here, before I lose you completely."

Her lashes were damp. Eden turned away, frantically wiping her eyes.

"Eden? You okay?" Shelby asked.

"I'm fine," Eden said, her voice cracking. "Just... going to the restroom."

She hurried away, missing the brief, jagged pause in Lucas’s guitar playing before he forced the rhythm back into place.

"Perhaps the fate we were dealt, was only to meet, only to fall in love, for this single season of autumn."

The melody hung in the air. In the safety of the hallway, Eden finally broke, sobbing into her hands.

*“Hey, want to go to a concert this summer?”*

*“Where?”*

*“I bought the CDs. I’ll give them to the girl at the cafe, and have her play them for us.”*

*Eden had laughed then. “Okay. On my birthday, we’ll go together.”*

*“It’s a deal,” Lucas had said. “Don't you dare flake on me!”*

That summer, he was the one who broke the promise.

She had thought they would find their way back to each other by autumn. But she had survived autumn after autumn, only to realize she would never reach him again. Fate, it seemed, only granted them a single season.

When Eden walked back into the bistro, the room was buzzing. Shelby waved from the front row. Lucas had finished his song, and a random pop track began to play.

"It's a duet!" Easton shouted. "Any ladies want to sing with our star?"

"Eden, you love this song! You know it!" Shelby stood up and signaled to Easton. "She’ll do it! Get her up there!"

Easton trotted over, shoving a microphone into Eden’s hand.

"I can't," Eden said, recoiling. She handed the mic back. "I really can't."

"I'll do it!" Molly Lee materialized, throwing her arms around Eden and Shelby.

"Why are you here?" Easton frowned.

"You’ve got my brother working for free! I’m here for my bestie’s birthday!" Molly beamed at Eden. "Happy birthday, Eden!"

"Perfect, you're the hero we needed," Easton said, handing the mic to Molly.

Molly preened, but as she opened her mouth, she froze. Lucas had just tapped his guitar, cutting the song short.

"Why’d he stop?" Molly huffed.

Shelby burst out laughing. "Honestly, thank god. One note from you and the guests would be demanding refunds for psychological distress."

"You're the worst!" Molly reached out to mess up Shelby's hair.

Eden forced a polite smile, but her eyes locked with Lucas’s on stage. She looked away, her expression hardening.

Lucas left shortly after, claiming he had somewhere to be. Molly chased after him. It was the most crowded birthday Eden had ever had. There were well-wishes from strangers, a "Happy Birthday" song from the staff, and plenty of cake. It should have been perfect.

Except for one thing: Lucas Powell never once said happy birthday to her.

[{"zh": "音乐餐厅", "en": "music bistro", "type": "Location"}]