C1 Prologue

"The sound of your heart is like music to my ears."

Present Day

Twenty-Second of December, New York City

TYLER

As I made my way through the crowd, the dazzling lights of Times Square illuminated the night sky, creating a sense of vibrant energy that electrified the atmosphere. The sound of laughter, chatter, and street performances filled the air, transforming the hectic scene into a symphony of urban life.

I couldn't help but marvel at the grandeur of it all. The towering billboards displaying advertisements for Broadway shows, restaurants, and fashion brands seemed to compete for attention, each vying for a solo in this incredible urban orchestra. People from all walks of life brushed past me, their hurried strides and purposeful gazes a testament to the relentless beat of the city they call home.

As the chilly winter wind found its way through the gaps in my coat, I shivered and quickened my pace. I thought of finding refuge in a nearby café I owned to warm my freezing fingers, which felt as stiff as icicles. With determination, I reached the other side of the street just as the traffic light flicked from red to green, allowing a surge of yellow taxis to fill the road once more.

I made my way towards my café, the smell of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air as it always did. From a distance, I saw my café door swing open, and a familiar figure came out of the shop, causing me to stop in my tracks. He wore a blue beanie, a familiar red scarf around his neck, and a keyboard case hung on his back. It was him—the boy I used to love in high school.

Time seemed to slow down as I watched him from a distance. The snowflakes gracefully cast their ethereal dance upon his dark hair. Each gust of wind painted his pale skin with a delicate dusting of snow, enhancing the rosy tint on his cheeks and making his lips resemble soft rose petals. His hazel eyes, like shards of autumn leaves, never mesmerized me.

His gaze scanned the surroundings, oblivious to my presence. My heart pounded, racing like it yearned to break free from my chest. Without hesitation, my body moved independently, following him as he navigated through the crowd.

The city's rhythm pulsed around us, but my senses were fixated on him alone. In this bustling chaos, I was locked in a timeless bubble where only he and I existed. I maneuvered through the crowd, always maintaining a safe distance, my eyes never leaving his figure.

Later on, I found myself following Miles towards the subway. Intrigued by his mysterious actions, I continued to follow him. We reached a bustling square near the subway station, where people hurriedly passed by, their faces plagued with the worries and stresses of daily life. Miles stopped before a young boy, no older than seven, who sat on the cold ground, clutching a tattered guitar.

With a warm smile, Miles produced a cup of steaming hot chocolate and a delicate croissant from his pouch. Handing them to the boy, he ruffled his dirty blonde curly hair affectionately. The boy's eyes widened in surprise and gratitude as he eagerly accepted the unexpected treat.

Curiosity consumed me as I watched the interaction between Miles and the young musician. I wondered about the connection between them and why Miles carried a keyboard. Intrigued, I decided to linger a little longer to unravel the mystery.

With the hot chocolate warming his hands and the croissant now devoured, the little boy positioned himself next to Miles.

After Miles prepared his keyboard, I saw him remove his beanie, revealing his dark hair, and place it in front of them. He hovered his fingers over the keys, adjusting his position as the sounds of bustling commuters filled the train station. He glanced to his side, where a little boy stood before a makeshift stage with a microphone and a guitar hanging on his tiny shoulders. The boy's eyes sparkled with determination despite the indifferent gazes of the busy travelers passing by.

As the station's announcement echoed through the speakers, signaling the imminent arrival of a train, Miles decided to take a chance on this young musician. He nodded to the young boy, who took it as a sign to start their performance. The crowd's chatter slowly faded as the boy strummed his guitar, his voice filling the station with a soulful melody.

Miles began to accompany the little boy on the keyboard, weaving his harmonies to amplify his talent. The commuters paused in their tracks, captivated by the unexpected duet. They formed a small circle around the duo, and their expressions transformed from stress and haste to joy and wonder. The diverse crowd became united in their appreciation of the music, momentarily breaking the monotony of their daily routines.

As the song reached its crescendo, the little boy's and Miles' voices soared, pure and raw. The simplicity of the melody and the depth of their emotions resonated with the listeners. The applause erupted, filling the air with a thunderous symphony of appreciation. I couldn't help but smile as I watched them bask in the warmth of their admiration.

The next train arrived, but the passengers chose to remain, unwilling to abandon this extraordinary moment created by the young musician and his newfound mentor. Miles and the little boy continued to play, their music evoking a sense of hope and unity, transcending the platform they stood on.

After a long night of performing together, Miles and the little boy gathered their instruments and packed their belongings. The subway station had been their stage for the evening, and they had basked in the applause and appreciation of the commuters who had stopped to listen.

As they finished gathering their belongings, Miles glanced at the beanie placed on the ground. It was a small, worn-out beanie filled with the day's earnings. Countless coins and bills were tucked beneath its folds, evidence of the appreciation of the grateful passersby. With a warm smile, Miles handed the beanie to the little boy, who looked at him in surprise.

...

As I sipped my coffee, the bitter warmth spread through my body, offering respite from the biting cold outside. The streets of New York City were usually bustling with people, but on this brisk winter morning, the city seemed to have slowed down, wrapped in a serene, snowy blanket.

The tiny café I frequented embraced a cozy atmosphere with its soft lights and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air. Although strangers surrounded me, each engrossed in their world, I felt a sense of comfort in their presence. Perhaps it was the shared experience of braving the wintry weather that brought a subtle camaraderie among us all.

Through the shop's glass window, I watched as the snowflakes danced in the air, twirling and pirouetting their way toward the ground. The city had been transformed, its familiar skyline softened by the delicate touch of nature's whimsy. New York City, known for its resilience and intensity, was now adorned with a peaceful calmness that felt surreal.

As I watched the strangers pass by, each bundled up in their warm attire, I couldn't help but think about what happened yesterday. Seeing Miles again was the reason behind my sleepless nights; I couldn't get him out of my head, not ever since we broke up years ago.

I was enjoying a rare moment of tranquility, sipping my steaming cup of coffee with the morning news playing on the television. The newscaster's voice drifted about the current weather conditions as my mind wandered to the day ahead.

I couldn't resist the temptation any longer. The photo had been calling me from its secret hiding place in the old book I was reading. As I turned the pages, my eyes wandered towards the thin paper peeking out, begging for attention.

Finally, with escalating curiosity, I slipped it out from between the pages. It was a photograph, slightly faded but still vivid enough to evoke a rush of emotions. In the picture, two teenage boys stood side by side, their arms slung casually around each other's shoulders. Their smiles were infectious, radiating genuine joy that seemed to transcend time.

Between them sat my long-lost golden retriever, his tail wagging happily. It was a snapshot frozen, capturing a forgotten moment of innocence and friendship. It was a moment that I had long pushed aside, buried deep within the recesses of my memory.

I was lost in the image, unable to tear my gaze away. Memories flooded back like an unstoppable tide, carrying me around to when Miles and I were inseparable. We were two peas in a pod, with mischief and adventure fueling our every step. Together, we roamed the fields, braving the unknown, with my faithful dog as our ever-loyal companion.

But life can pull people apart, no matter how tightly they cling to one another. Miles and I went our separate ways, chasing our dreams and aspirations. We lost touch over the years, leaving behind the relationship that had once defined us.

As I stared at the photograph, the realization hit me like a crashing wave. In that single snapshot, frozen in time, I saw a happiness I had long dismissed. It was a happiness that only Miles had brought to my life, an undeniable void that had formed since our drift apart.

Regret settled heavily in my heart, knowing I had let something extraordinary slip away. The longing for Miles' presence returned with a fierce urgency, consuming my every thought. It was as if fate had chosen this moment to remind me of what I had lost.

Suddenly, I heard the door open and the chime jingling, causing me to look up from the photograph in my hand. My attention was captured by a familiar figure entering the café—a man I had not seen in years.

He removed his beanie, revealing his messy dark hair dusted with snowflakes. I watched as he brushed the snow off his jacket and glanced around the warmly lit space. A smile curled into his lips as he approached the counter, conversing with my staff about his order.

As I observed him from afar, memories of our shared past flooded my mind. The countless late-night conversations, the laughter and stolen glances, and the adventures we embarked on together—it all seemed like a distant dream. But there he stood in the present, seemingly just as surprised to see me.

His eyes wandered all over the café, taking in the familiar sights, until they landed on me. Our gazes locked, and time seemed to stand still. My heart raced as we stared at each other from a distance with a mix of surprise and curiosity in our eyes.

The café buzzed with life around us, but in that moment, it felt like we were the only two people in the universe. The noise of conversation and clinking spoons faded into the background as we remained captivated by each other.

Unable to resist the magnetic pull, I slowly got up from my seat, my feet carrying me toward him as if guided by some unseen force. Every step felt both familiar and foreign at the same time—a nostalgic dance with destiny.

As I approached, his surprise transformed into a warm smile, one that reached his eyes and melted any remaining distance between us. His voice broke the silence between us, filled with excitement and uncertainty: "Ty?"