Who will be your light...

Jace stood in front of me, and my eyes blinked rapidly. My heart pounded in my eardrums. Why would he come up to me? Gray stood in amusement next to me, observing the ordeal, trying to decipher who this person was to me.

Jace's eyes darted between Gray and me. Did he think that there was something more between us?

"Are you flaunting that you moved on?" Jace distantly asserted. "Do you like to rub things in people's faces?" He seethed.

My throat went dry, confusion clouding my reasoning as I tried to grasp what he was implying.

"But when you rubbed Mirae in my face, I just had to take it? When I put myself on the line and tried to give us a real chance—" I knew I was saying these things out of anger, so I stopped myself from uttering another word until it was calculated. "I don't know what to tell you; Gray just wanted to get some coffee for the bandmates. Maybe it's hard to understand that I have a life outside of fawning over you," I said, still fuming.

He scoffed, "Wow." He shook his head, "Do you expect me to believe that bullshit? You saw me here. You left and came here with this wanker?" Jace scowled.

"Okay, I've heard enough. You are unhinged and kind of messing with my good vibes." Gray pulled me back, angling his body between Jace and me.

"No one is talking to you," Jace growled. The circles under his eyes appeared as if they were growing darker, highlighting the contrast from his pale skin; he looked unhealthy. His hair lost the blue shine it had, and his eyes appeared dull and lifeless. This isn't the Jace I know. I had an uncontrollable desire to reach out to him, shake him, and demand what was going on with him and his sick demeanour.

I held myself back. I made a mental note that Jace wasn't my responsibility. I couldn't help him, not when I couldn't even help myself.

"I'm not with Gray; we're bandmates and Andrews's friend." I felt bad that he thought so lowly of me. I covered my hands with my sleeves, balling my hands into fists and clenching them hard. I released a staggered breath and shrugged. "Take care, Jace." I turned around and walked out of the coffeehouse.

I waited outside Gray's car, looking over to the bookstore and wondering if Jace still worked there. Was that why he was conveniently everywhere I turned, or was he haunting me? "Are you the ghost I can't shake?" I sighed.

Gray came out with the coffees and doughnuts, he then handed the coffees to carry. "I was going to show you on the chalkboard, but we're playing on Friday," he mentioned, but I half-heartedly took note and smiled, nerves already forming because of a performance I didn't want to do.

I slipped into the car and remained silent for a while. "I don't think I can do it," I said halfway through the car ride.

I could tell Gray was disappointed. He shrugged. "Okay," he voiced.

"Are you fine with it, I mean... really fine?" I questioned.

He nodded. "Life is like the wind, Lucy; you got to go wherever it takes you. If you listen carefully enough, you can hear the universe speaking to you. Things aren't supposed to be forced." Gray reassured calmingly.

I let out a heave. I felt like I was disappointing myself more than him. "Thank you. For understanding," I replied.

He followed, "I normally stay out of people's business, but that guy... what was his name? Jace. If you play with fire, the fire will burn you." Gray warned.

I was quiet for a while, not being able to speak. I thought about what Andrew said. He told me I'm like a light... Jace might be a fire, and I might get burned. But who will help him?

I didn't stay for practice; what's the use? I'm not playing anyway. Instead, I took it upon myself to see someone. I buzzed at the front gate of the lavish apartment building, wondering if I had the right address. I looked into the camera.

"What do you want?" She asked in a hostile voice.

"I need to speak about Jace, Mirae."