Rewritten in Her Eyes

V. His Playlist, Her Freedom

The fluorescent lights of Weishen University buzzed overhead as Brielle fumbled with the combination lock on her locker. Early morning. Peaceful, usually. Today, though, a knot tightened in her stomach. She wrestled the lock open, grabbed her history textbook, and spun around, only to be met by Samuel's looming figure.

"Brielle, please," he started, his voice thick with forced remorse. "I'm sorry about yesterday." I really am."

Brielle's jaw tightened. "It's over, Samuel. I told you." She tried to step around him, but he sidestepped with her, blocking her path.

"No. We need to talk. You can't just do this."

"I just did," she said, her voice barely a whisper. She tried to move again, but he grabbed her hands, his grip surprisingly tight.

"Brielle, listen to me!" His voice rose, the forced remorse cracking, revealing the possessiveness underneath.

Panic flickered in Brielle’s eyes. "Samuel, you're hurting me. Let go." She tugged, but his grip only tightened, his fingernails digging into her skin.

"You can't just end this! We were something special!" His face was red, his breathing ragged. "You can't just throw us away!"

Desperate, Brielle pulled harder, a sharp gasp escaping her lips. The pain was a white-hot line shooting up her arms. "Stop it, Samuel! You're hurting me!"

Suddenly, a fist connected with Samuel's jaw. He stumbled back, clutching his face, a look of stunned disbelief followed by pure rage spreading across his features. Kian stood there, knuckles white, his usually calm face a mask of controlled fury.

"Stay away from her, Samuel," Kian growled, his voice low and dangerous. Samuel, spitting on the floor, surged forward, shoving Kian. "This is none of your business, Kian! Stay out of it!"

Kian grabbed Samuel's collar, pulling him close, so their faces were inches apart. He raised his fist, ready to deliver another blow. "Kian, no!" Brielle cried, scrambling forward and grabbing his arm. "Don't. Please don't." She looked up at him, her eyes wide and pleading, silently begging him not to get in trouble.

Kian hesitated, his gaze softening as he looked at Brielle. He slowly lowered his fist, releasing Samuel's collar. Samuel, regaining his composure, glared at them both. "This isn't over, Brielle," he spat, before turning and storming down the hallway.

The echo of Samuel’s retreating footsteps hung in the air. Kian turned to Brielle, his expression softening with concern. "Brielle, are you okay? Did he hurt you?" He reached out to gently touch her hand, the one Samuel had been gripping.

Brielle looked at her wrists. She got little wound marks because of Samuel’s nails that digged on her skin. “It stings a little, but I’ll be fine with some antiseptic and a bandage.” Kian assisted her with sitting down. His eyes are a mixture of concern and anger. “Wait for me here, okay? I’ll go get some antiseptic and a bandage.” Brielle nodded and waited for him like a puppy.

After a few minutes, Kian went back with a cotton wrapped in antiseptic and a bandage. He wanted to tend Brielle’s wounds already to the point that he was the one who prepared it because the nurse was busy in her inventory. The school nurse even laughed at Kian rushing. “I’m here. Let’s hide that wounds of yours. Your brother will probably be furious once he sees this.”

“About that… May I borrow your jacket? I don’t want Yohan or any other of my friends see this. Please, don’t tell them.” Brielle brought up her cutest puppy eyes on Kian. He sighed and rolled his eyes.

Kian didn’t answer her, he continued dabbing the cottonball gently. Brielle winced a little which made him look at her. “Sorry. Just a little more.” Brielle smiled, seeing Kian’s worry about her.

Once Kian is done tending her wounds, he took off his jacket and handed it to Brielle. She was surprised because she wasn’t expecting Kian would agree to keep her wounds from their friends, especially her brother, Yohan. “Thanks.” She smiled and wore his jacket.

They walked together until Brielle’s friends showed up. They snickered at the scene of Brielle and Kian together. “Oohh.. Why are you guys together?” KIera started questioning them. They knew what happened last night and what Samuel did to their friend, but they didn’t dare to open up the topic.

Kiera and Yuka pulled Brielle away from the boys, feeling excited to ask her about what happened. “Tell us. IN DETAILS!” Yuka shrieked. “I want to hear it too. I thought I’m going to see you looking dead because Samuel just cheated on you, but you were glowing!” Kiera added.

Before they pulled Brielle completely, she looked at Kian once again and smiled at him. Kian’s smile left Brielle in awe. His dimples always got me.

-

Brielle’s whole day seems normal, no Samuel annoying her. Her last period just dismissed them, and she was shocked when she saw Kian outside her room with two coffees on his hand. “Kian? What are you doing here?” He smiled at her and approached her. “I saw Samuel walking towards here, so I decided to wait for you. I was worried he might hurt you again.”

Kian handed Brielle a keychain with a QR code design. She looked at him confusingly. “Is this a coupon for free food or a free drink?” Brielle chuckled upon her comment. “Just try scanning it.” He said.

Brielle scanned, and a playlist named “Brielle’s Brew” popped up on her phone. It contains a lots of song with different genre. “I put songs that remind me of you and some of them are songs that I listen to whenever I’m stressed or upset.” Kian said while scratching his nape.

Scrolling her phone until the end, she noticed an unfamiliar song. “What’s this song at the end?” She questioned him. “Oh. It’s a song I created. I put it in there hoping that you'd listen to it.” He avoided her gaze and his cheeks are starting to heat up.

She wasn’t able to contain her smile. Brielle's heart did a little flip-flop. She never knew Kian had this sweet side, but this… this was intensely personal. “Wow. Really? I’ll definitely listen to it, Kian. Promise!” Her smiled never left her lips while looking at the playlist. “Thank you… really. This is amazing.”

Kian finally met her gaze, a relieved grin mirroring her own. "Just promise me you'll listen to it," he said, his voice barely audible above the coffee shop chatter. "And tell me what you think."

Brielle nodded, already lost in the music and the warmth of Kian's thoughtful gesture. The coffee suddenly tasted sweeter, the hum of the room a little more melodic. He might not write her sonnets, but he spoke her language, and it was a language she was starting to love.

Their moment was interrupted by Brielle's notification. "It's Jaxon. He's asking if I'll go home with them." She was typing her response when Kian said something. "Want to grab dinner with me? I'll take you home instead." Brielle nodded and changed her message to Jaxon.

To: Jaxon

No. Will eat dinner with Kian. He'll take me home instead.

-

From: Jaxon

Alright. Have fun. :))

-

"You know, my friends think that I'm taking my break-up with Samuel better. Yeah, I did love him, but after giving him many chances, I felt free instead of broken. Yes, it pains me. I won't deny that, but it's better to let go than holding on. And I want to say thank you because you're always there for me, and making me feel better." Brielle said while they were walking.