I Fell in Love with Hope - Lancali

“No.”
“Oh c’mon. Everybody likes music.” C takes out his phone from his
back pocket along with a tangled pair of headphones. “Here. I’ll
make you a playlist.”
“You’ll make nothing,” Neo scolds, although having to point a finger
up at the scoldee doesn’t make for a very intimidating warning.
“How do you feel about Coldplay, Bach, and Taylor Swift for an
opening trio?” C’s thumbs tap away at the screen.
“Am I going through a 17th-century break-up with a beach?” Neo
asks, monotonous.
“That’d make a cool music video, actually.” C looks up, considering
it.
“We’ll start with classic rock. You can’t go wrong with classic rock.”
“Coeur!” Neo yells. C jumps, startled, catching the pain in Neo’s
voice. “I forgive you, but we are not going to be friends.”
Neo bites down on his lower lip to keep it from shaking, and C hears
the idea of threading a connection with a few apples and some
music fades like a cut-off melody. Suddenly, the space between them
seems a lot larger than it did before.
Neo wipes his eyes. “Just leave, please.”
And C does after he lingers. The sound of Neo’s pen carves at his
efforts. It tells him that half of an apology and half of an attempt is
not enough to stitch the injury he caused, but I don’t think that’s all
there is to it. I do think Neo doesn’t want to be friends with C. I think,
from the sheer sadness that swims in his eyes whenever C tries to
apologize, that he wants something more.
The following week, C doesn’t go to Neo’s room. Instead, he spends
time with Sony. She’s a delightful companion during dreary times.