“I felt like an artist!” she says taking a bite of her sandwich and then handing me the picture with Coni.

It’s so colourful and Maca looks so happy, she even looks younger and I can’t help smiling at the sight. I pay more attention to what they did with the water balloons and I nod in approval. It’s lovely.

“I feel the same way when I go, even if I can’t draw,” I comment and she laughs.

“Neither can I! Moni always laughs at my drawings… attempts of drawings,” she corrects herself and I laugh out loud.

“Archie does the same! I tried to draw a cat when we went to talk to Coni and he thought it was a werewolf!” I scuff offended and she laughs. She chokes so she puts the sandwich away and then takes a large sip of soda. “You okay?” I ask, leaning a bit closer.

“Yeah, yeah. It’s not safe to laugh and eat at the same time,” she smiles at me and I relax. “One day I’ll show you the horse I tried to draw once in class. Moni cried laughing at it and laughs every time she thinks of it.”

“I won’t laugh, I’ll appreciate your art. We’re just misunderstood artists,” I offer and she smiles brightly.

“When we die people will pay millions for your cat and my horse!” We both laugh this time. “Seriously talking, though, I like the way you see that street, which is amazing! I never thought such place existed. I’ve lived all my life here and never once saw one of the places or things you showed me.”

“I’m glad. And I could show you other places, too. For a moment I thought of giving you my full name, but then I thought it would be too long.”

“We can go together the places for your middle name,” she offers and my heart does a backflip in excitement. “But really, when I saw what happened with all the things in that street I felt sad and I also saw it as a representation of life, just that I see life in a more negative light, I think. I saw it as ephemeral and how everything ends, how nothing lasts.” I feel sad when I hear her saying that and even her smile trembles a bit. “But I like more your interpretation and if you think about it, the art is not really gone, it’s just that there’s so much and too little space.”

“We change but who we were before never disappears, right? It’s the same.”

“Exactly. And everyone paints on us, that’s so true. You’ve brought so much colour to my life, H. And you didn’t just pain something, it’s like you threw a whole rainbow at me!” She chuckles and I just bite my lower lip, delighting in how cute she looks when she does that. “From your post-its, you’ve painted such beautiful things on me.”

“So have you,” I tell her and she laughs humourlessly.

“Yeah right,” she says sarcastically. “I probably just threw grey paint on you.” She looks down, running her finger around the edge of the can.

“Not at all!” I hurry to say and she looks up, meeting my eyes with a surprised look. “You’ve are colourful in your own way, Maca. You’re sweet and so grateful and you make me want to try harder. And no one is just bright colours, we all have shadows and lights and we add a bit of everything, don’t we?”

“I… I guess so,” she replies and I kneel in front of her, taking her hands in mine.

“You might have more dark colours than me, but don’t you think that’s good? Too bright is also hurtful.” I smile at her tentatively and she looks at me unsure before returning the smile, which makes mine wider. Then I bring her knuckles to my lips and leave a kiss on them.

“You always know what to say, don’t you? What’s your secret?” she interrogates me, her eyes narrowed in a suspicious look.

I look everywhere as if I were making sure no one is listening before I lean closer and whisper, “I put cream and sugar in my tea.”

She remains silent for three seconds before she burst out laughing and I lean back, watching her laugh at the first silly thing I could think of.

“No wonder you’re so sweet,” she muses and I can’t help the chuckle from my lips at her comment. It wasn’t meant to compliment, it was more like a thought that escaped her lips and that’s why it makes my heart race.

“And how did it go next?” I ask her letting go of her hands to give her some of the fruit I had for her. She smiles gratefully and takes a grape. It wasn’t exactly easy to get these in this season, but I have my ways.

“Oh, the musicians! They were mind blowing, H. I can’t believe there are people like them, really,” she replies her eyes sparkling before she looks for the next picture. “They were so great and I’m so impressed. Lee Won singing it so easily, never confusing the words or twisting her tongue. And everything sounded so beautiful. I can only imagine how Falling Slowly sounded.”

“It was wonderful. I can’t think of a better adjective. It’s one of my favourite songs ever,” I tell her and she nods.

“One of mine as well!” she chirps and giggles next. “I adore Once the musical. It’s so… I dunno, beautiful.”

“I know what you mean,” I agree as an idea crosses my mind. “Can you wait five minutes here?” I ask and she looks at me confused. “I need to go for something. You can come with me if you want. Wanna use the loo or something?”

She laughs and shakes her head. “I’ll wait here,” she replies and I nod before I literally run towards my flat.

In my mind I go over the lyrics and chords as I storm inside and pick up my guitar. It’s old and has loads of stickers pasted all over it, but it sounds really good. And as I run back to Maca, already having trouble to breathe and thanking God for not tripping and killing myself, I notice how the lyrics seem to say exactly what I want Maca to understand. I swear to God I didn’t plan this beforehand.

When I come back to the flat I see her texting so she doesn’t notice me until I’m back in front of her with the guitar. Her eyes widen and then a puzzled look crosses her features.

“Do you know the lyrics, I presume,” I say as I place the guitar on my lap, getting comfortable.

Maca’s eyes widen in shock and a hand flies to cover her mouth. I just grin.

I start playing the first chord, trying how it sounds and then the next until the melody is clear and I hear Maca gasp. Now she covers her mouth with both hands and I look sternly at her.

“I don’t know you but I want you all the more for that,” I start singing wanting to laugh at the irony of the situation. It’s exactly what I’ve thought all the time, what I’ve dying to say since I saw her standing here on this rooftop. “Words fall through me and always fool me and I can't react,” I continue, looking at her intently because she should sing this part with me. I nod at her so she can join me. I want her to sing along. “And games that never amount to more than they're meant will play themselves out.”

“Take this sinking boat and point it home, we’ve still got time,” she sings with me this time. Her voice is sweet and feminine, just like her, a bit shaky because she’s nervous and I think also overwhelmed. I’m not sure but it seems her eyes are a bit teary.

“Raise your hopeful voice. You have a choice. You’ll make it now,” I sing, meaning every single word and yes, her eyes are teary, she can’t even join me there.

“Falling slowly, eyes that know me and I can’t go back,” We sing together, looking into each other eyes and I hope she realises that I’m falling slowly for her, right now, with every second and I really can’t go back.

“Mood that take me and erase me and I’m painted black,” I let her sing that part alone and her voice cracks a bit at the end, a sad smile on her lips. Weren’t we just talking about being painted in dark colours?

“You have suffered enough and warred with yourself. It’s time that you won,” I sing to her and I can see small tears falling down her cheeks, leaving shinny paths that I want to wipe with my thumbs, but I keep playing the guitar.

“Take this sinking boat and point it home, we’ve still got time,” we sing together and I marvel at the way our voices sound. “Raise your hopeful voice. You have a choice. You’ve made it now.”

“Falling slowly, sing your melody I’ll sing along,” I sing for her as she brushes away her tears and I keep playing, the melody fading away and I can’t stop looking at her, with her sad smile.

I put the guitar aside and wait for her to say something. “That was… that was…”

“I hope good and you’re crying ‘cos you liked it and not cos it hurt your ears,” I try and she laughs.

“I loved it, H. It was wonderful I— I love that song and I dunno, it feels like…”

“Like I sang it directly to you? Meaning every word?” I suggest and she takes a deep breath. “It’s a powerful song.”

“Indeed it is,” she agrees with a tentatively smile. “Thank you,” she whispers next.

I smile, satisfied with that but then she surprises me by leaning in and suddenly kissing my check. I freeze, my heart racing like crazy and my stomach twisting in knots as I hold my breath. She pulls back and gives me a hesitant smile that I can’t return, I’m still too shocked and… and… and… happy.

Just a simple kiss on my check, chaste and quick, soft and warm and I’m not sure but I think I can still feel her lips lingering on my cheek.

She’s blushing and seems to be getting uncomfortable because I haven’t done anything, I’m frozen on my spot, staring at her in awe. Slowly, I raise my right hand to touch my check as softly as I can, wondering how I can still feel her lips. Maca looks away and I touch the spot she kissed and like that the grin comes to my lips. A soft chuckle escapes me and I wonder what would happen if I really kissed her. How would I react? If a kiss on my cheek leaves me like this, what would a kiss on my lips do?

“You have a lovely voice, H,” she says but she’s not looking at me so I blink and force myself to wake up. I need to put the shock behind and make her feel comfortable again.

“Th-thank you. So do you,” I compliment back. “Good thing both knew the song or it would’ve been a disaster.”

“I’m really good with lyrics,” she says. “Even with songs I don’t like.”

“Well that surely is a useful talent. In a sing off you surely win,” I tease and she giggles, finally looking back at me. I smile at her although my heart is still hammering in my chest.

“Thank you, really. It… it means a lot to me. I love that song,” she tells me and I nod.

“Lee Won sings it better,” I say although I’m sure that singing it with Maca has burnt an impression in my brain that nothing will replace, not even Lee Won singing it as snow falls around. “Although it is a duet.” Meant for us to sing, I want to add but I don’t. “Do you wanna sing something else?” I question and she smiles brightly.

“What else do you have in your repertoire?”

I grin and grab the guitar again. For almost two hours we just sing every duet that I can remember right now of and although none of those is as emotive as Falling Slowly, we do have a great time singing together. I feel us bonding even more, this time over music and I can’t stop this warm feeling in my chest, keeping me safe from the wind that turns chillier by the minute.

“That’s it, I can’t think of more duets,” I confess and she chuckles. “Maybe I need to learn some more,” I suggest next and she nods. “Anyhow, why don’t you tell me how it was to meet Grace now?” I ask, very curious to know what she thinks of my sister.

-:-:-

I did make Maca cry with this chapter *grins* Falling Slowly is my favourite song <3 Let me hear your thoughts about the chapter. Best comment gets dedication!

Bel, xx