The Hidden Music Room

Harlequin hadn’t been sleeping well. The noise of the school cafeteria felt like too much today, so he wandered the halls in search of quiet. As he passed the music wing, a soft, melodic tune caught his attention. It wasn’t loud at all. Instead, it was just a gentle hum, like a lullaby spun from steel strings.

Drawn by curiosity, Harley followed the sound until it led him to the music room. Hesitantly, he cracked the door open and peeked inside.

There, bathed in the golden afternoon light, Solei sat cross-legged on the floor, an electric guitar resting in their lap. Their fingers moved with practiced ease across the fretboard, coaxing out notes so delicate and smooth that the instrument sounded like it was whispering. Though electric guitars were meant to be bold and brash, in Solei’s hands, it became something soft with each note hanging in the air.

Harley stood frozen, breath caught in his throat (not just from the music, but from them as well). But then Solei looked up and caught him staring.

Their face lit up with recognition. “It’s you—Paperboy!”

Harley blinked, startled. “Paperboy?”

Solei chuckled, “Yeah! You saved all my music sheets the other day, remember? What’s your name?"

Harley shifted awkwardly in the doorway, suddenly unsure what to do with his hands. “…Harlequin,” he mumbled, almost too softly to hear, “But Harley is fine.”

Solei smiled and scooted to the side, patting the spot beside them on the wood floor. “Do you wanna stay around? I could use the company.”

Harley hesitated only a second before stepping inside. The door clicked shut behind him, dimming the noise from the distant cafeteria. He moved cautiously, settling beside them, unsure of where to place his knees or how to relax his shoulders.

But Solei didn’t rush him. They kept strumming, letting the melody fill the room like the sunlight from the window, basking them in warmth.

In that soft, shared silence, Harley began to feel something he hadn’t in a while.

Peace.