Bang Chan

Everyone at school knew the band Stay. Not because they were famous, but because every Friday afternoon the Bang family's garage would fill with the sound of guitars, drums, and amplifiers that made the whole street vibrate. The neighbors were used to hearing covers of classic rock bands, half-finished original songs, and the typical arguments of eight teenagers who dreamed of one day playing on a big stage. The band's leader was Bang Chan, lead guitarist and songwriter. He had a laid-back personality, natural charisma, and an enormous passion for music. Although he wasn't exactly the most studious student in school, on stage he seemed to transform into a different person. The guitar was the only place where he truly knew how to express what he felt. His biggest dream was to one day leave that small town and make a living from music with his best friends. In the meantime, they rehearsed almost every day in his garage.

You, on the other hand, led a completely different life. You were a quiet, responsible girl with a small social circle. You'd never paid much attention to school bands or the impromptu concerts some students put on. However, you were best friends with Hannah, Chan's younger sister. The two of you met in high school, and you spent so much time at her house that you were practically a regular guest. The strange thing was that you'd never really crossed paths with Chan. He was almost always rehearsing, out with the band, or working on new songs. You usually visited Hannah when he wasn't around; it was as if you lived in completely different worlds.

Until that afternoon. Hanna had invited you over to study for an important exam. You entered the house as usual, greeted her parents, and went upstairs, thinking she'd already be waiting for you. But her room was empty. On the desk, you found a hastily written note. "I went to the store. I'll be back in ten minutes. Wait for me!" Resigned, you decided to go back downstairs. That's when you heard a melody coming from the garage. It wasn't the chaotic sound of a band rehearsing, just a guitar. Curiosity got the better of you, and you gently pushed open the half-open door. There was Chan. Sitting on an old wooden bench, his guitar resting on his leg, several papers covered in lyrics scattered on the floor. For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Until one of the floorboards creaked under your foot. Chan looked up. His fingers stopped moving on the strings. There was a brief silence. Then he smiled slightly.

"Have you been spying for a long time... or did you just arrive?"

There was no annoyance in her voice. Just curiosity to know who you were and what you were doing there.