Four

                                                                             Jayden

The sound of the bell was always louder than it needed to be.

Not in volume.

In timing.

It marked the end of something that never really felt like it had started properly.

Jayden closed his notebook slowly, not because he needed time, but because rushing felt unnecessary. The teacher was still speaking at the front of the class, wrapping things up in the same tone he always used when pretending the last few minutes mattered.

Jayden started packing his belongings like every other student, the noise soon overtook the teacher’s voice until, at the end, he could only remind them about their homework in a voice far louder than before.

Jayden heard him despite the noise, but unlike lunch when he had been the first to leave, he still remained seated, staring at the tree outside the window and quietly longing to sit under its canopy. However, time wasn’t on his side; he would soon be required to check in for work.

His shift had changed earlier that morning, and he would rather use that time for something else than going home immediately. He glanced around the classroom; the students were still preparing to leave, some already talking about their plans in loud, careless voices.

Jayden sighed. The music room should be empty right about now, just the way he liked it, but just to make sure he wouldn’t meet anyone, he decided to wait a little longer.

His gaze finally moved to his side, and that was when it clashed with green eyes. Jayden frowned slightly. He couldn’t remember any of his classmates having eyes like that, and only then did he recall that Mr. Lance had introduced a new student. Perhaps it was her.

He didn’t keep staring. His gaze moved away almost immediately, yet those green eyes lingered in his memory for a few seconds longer than they should have, along with her hair—so red it seemed to dull every other color beside it.

Finally, the classroom was nearly empty, and only then did Jayden stand. He grabbed his bag, slung it over his shoulder, and walked toward the exit. When he stepped outside, the hallway was still crowded, and he stayed close to the edge as usual.

Jayden moved straight toward the music room, and on getting there, he saw the music teacher stepping out.

She smiled when she saw him. “Jayden, I was wondering what was taking you so long. Were you busy in class?”

Jayden shook his head. He didn’t say anything at first; he didn’t need to, as the teacher only nodded and replied,

“Thanks for clearing the room, and don’t forget to lock up when you’re done.”

“Okay,” Jayden said, the first words he had spoken in a while that day, his voice coming out slightly hoarse.

The teacher stared at him a little too long before finally walking away.

Jayden waited until she turned the corner before entering the room. Like always, everything was scattered—chairs not where they were supposed to be, musical instruments left carelessly around, nothing like the room he had left early that morning.

Without a word, Jayden got to work, arranging everything, placing each item where it belonged, bringing the room back into order and quiet control.

He finally approached the piano and placed his bag beside its legs. He sat down and opened it, his fingers flexing out of habit before he struck a note. The sound came out louder than expected, but he didn’t mind. Instead, he positioned his other hand on the keys and pressed a few more notes, not really playing a tune, but letting the sound settle him in a way nothing else could.

Eventually, he drifted into his favorite piece—Starry Night. His eyes closed as the melody spilled from the keys, filling the room and wrapping him in his own quiet world.

He couldn’t tell how long he had been playing when he felt it—the same feeling from earlier that day.

Like someone was watching.

His fingers paused slightly on the keys, and he looked up. From the mirror hanging in front of him, he caught the faint silhouette of a person. His brows furrowed slightly as he adjusted his focus, and the figure shifted. They were standing just outside the slightly ajar door.

Jayden was certain he had closed it when he entered. So it was clear this uninvited presence had opened it while he wasn’t paying attention.

Then the person moved again, and he caught a flash of red hair.

It instantly brought back the image of green eyes from the classroom—the new girl.

What was she doing here? And why was she standing outside the door like that?

Jayden exhaled softly. Students stayed late sometimes. More often than not, they passed by and stopped briefly when they heard music before leaving again.

He pushed the thought away and returned his attention to the piano. His time was limited, and he wanted to play a little longer before he had to leave.

The blaring tone of his alarm cut through the music, stopping his fingers mid-motion.

Jayden sighed. So it begins.

He stood, covered the piano, and picked up his bag. His gaze drifted instinctively toward the door, but the hallway beyond was empty now. He had been so absorbed in playing that he hadn’t noticed when she left.

He didn’t feel anything about the fact that she was gone. Still, there was a quiet relief that he wouldn’t run into her on his way out.

He stepped into the hallway. It was quieter now; most students had already left.

He locked the music room, pocketed the keys, and walked down the corridor, turning the corner before stepping out of the building. He nodded at the security guard as he passed and continued on his way. Two jobs were still waiting for him before he could finally go home and rest.

***

Jayden approached the trailer field quietly. The sun had long since set, and moonlight stretched unevenly across the ground. He could hear voices drifting from nearby trailers, and the distant cries of children being sent to sleep.

He moved carefully, not because he didn’t want to disturb anyone, but because he didn’t want anyone to notice him passing. He didn’t want greetings. He didn’t want questions. He didn’t want attention at all.

He finally reached his trailer and was about to unlock the door when he felt the presence before he heard the footsteps. He paused. Waiting.

“Jayden, is that you?” Janet, the trailer owner, called as she stepped out from the corner.

“Good evening, Janet,” Jayden greeted, turning slightly toward her.

She stood with her arms crossed, the light from the adjacent trailer casting a soft glow across her face. Her hair, as always, was wrapped in curlers, and her gaze settled on him like she was trying to see more than he was willing to show.

Jayden shifted his weight, breaking eye contact, already searching for the right words. His rent was due three days ago. It wasn’t that he hadn’t gathered the money—it was that he had been saving for the school field trip. He had never attended one before, and he wanted to cross it off his list before graduating.

“Well?” Janet asked again.

Jayden exhaled. “Please give me a little more time, Janet. I will pay you.”

She sighed, shaking her head slowly. “Fine then.” Her tone softened slightly. “You’re a good boy, so I’ll give you until next week.”

“Thank you,” he replied quietly.

“Also… your father came back earlier, but as you know, he wasn’t in any condition for me to speak to.”

Something in Jayden’s chest tightened at that, and for a moment, he didn’t know how to respond. In the end, he simply nodded, thanked her again, and turned toward his door.

His hand trembled slightly as he unlocked it.

Inside, his father was slumped on the couch, a bottle of beer slipping loosely from his hand. Jayden stood still for a few seconds, watching him, before turning away and heading into the bedroom.

He went straight to the bed and lifted the mattress. A tin lay hidden beneath. He opened it, and when he saw the thick wads of cash inside, he let out a slow breath. After a moment, he glanced toward the door. The trailer was quiet except for the occasional snore from his father, so he quickly pulled out a few notes from his pocket and added them to the tin.

He closed it, returned it to its place, and pressed the mattress down firmly to make sure it was hidden again.

He stood there for a moment longer than necessary, then dropped his bag and left the room.

At the sink, he washed his hands. He didn’t check for food. He already knew there wouldn’t be any left for him.