The Song

Chapter Two

It was 5 a.m. a week later, and Chloe had already started her morning routine. The chill of the early hour was the perfect excuse to get up and jog before the world fully woke up. She tied her sneakers, feeling the cool air play on her skin as she grabbed a hoodie from the chair. She was excited to clear her mind with a run—especially after everything that had happened with her dad and his arranged date.

But as soon as she bent down to adjust the strap of her shoe, her phone rang, pushing her out of her thoughts. It was Zoe. Chloe groaned but smiled at the same time. So, Zoe was up at this ungodly hour, texting and calling like a social butterfly who never needed sleep.

"Hello?" Chloe answered, keeping the phone to her ear as she checked the time on her alarm clock.

"Oh. My God!" Zoe's voice was a burst of energy; it practically vibrated through the phone. "Chloe, are you awake? You are so not going to believe what I just heard."

Chloe chuckled, already knowing where this was going. "Zoe, it's 5 a.m. What could you have heard that's worth waking me up for?"

"Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about!" Zoe laughed, clearly enjoying herself. "You've got a date tonight! A real date with someone! You talked about it yesterday, and I finally got interested about it now! Who is he? What's he like? Come on, spill, girl. I can't wait to know everything!"

Chloe sighed. She leaned against the wall as she pulled on her hoodie. She wasn't sure if she wanted to dive into it all just yet, but Zoe would not let it go. "Okay, okay," Chloe said, trying to sound casual. "His name is Wyatt."

There was a long pause on the other end of the line. Zoe was silent for a while, then finally spoke in the most confused tone. "Waytt? Who's Wyatt? What's his last name? Is he... new?"

Chloe, trying to hold back her laughter. " Well, Wyatt Hayles"

"What?!" Zoe interrupted, nearly exclaiming. "Hold up, hold up—did you say, Wyatt Hayles?!"

"Yes, Wyatt Hayles," Chloe replied, now amused. "I can't believe my dad set this up either. He's some sustainability expert—he's all about helping to save the planet, reducing carbon footprints, and teaching people how to grow their own food."

"Wait a minute... Wait a minute!" Zoe said, sensing like she was having an unrestrained behavior. "You're telling me you're going on a date with the guy who can probably save the entire planet before lunch time?! Like a sustainability king?"

Chloe laughed out loud, shaking her head. "I mean, I don't know about before the lunchtime part pretty much. All I know is that He's all about climate change and sustainability. My dad thinks he's the next big thing in environmental science. And, of course, he thinks I need to meet him."

"Of course!" Zoe was now cackling. It was sensed in her voice "Why not?! You know, because you've been searching for a man who is saving the world and still has some time to spare for a date!"

"Hey, I'm not complaining," Chloe teased, slipping on her sneakers. "I just hope he doesn't lecture me about carbon footprints during dinner. Can you imagine?"

Zoe went silent again, only to burst out laughing seconds later. "Girl, if he starts talking about saving the world while you're trying to eat, you better record it. You could have the most epic YouTube video on your hands. 'Dinner With Wyatt Hayles: How to Save the Earth and Ruin Your Appetite All in One Meal.' I'm here for it."

Chloe was jogging now, trying to focus on her route, but Zoe's humour kept cracking her up. "Yeah, that sounds about right," Chloe said, adjusting her earpod. "It's a first date, not a TED talk. I hope he's just a regular guy who cares about the planet. No speeches, just normal conversation."

Zoe, clearly not done teasing, added, "You know what's going to happen. You'll sit down for dinner, and he'll say, 'Let me tell you about the sustainable energy project I've been working on.' And you'll be sitting there, nodding like, 'Uh-huh, yeah, I totally care about the environment too.' And I will not be able to stop laughing."

"Okay, okay," Chloe said, laughing as she jogged through the park. "I'll admit, if he starts lecturing me, I might have to ask for the check early."

Zoe couldn't resist. "Please, Chloe, I'm begging you—just let me know if he offers to take you on a plant-based picnic to discuss water conservation. I will need to know everything!"

Chloe could hardly breathe from laughing. "You are ridiculous, Zoe. I promise, no plant-based picnics. We will have a normal meal if he's as cool as my dad says. If he's not, I will see you later because I will run for the hills."

Zoe gave an exaggerated gasp. "Running for the hills?! Are you telling me you'll bail on Wyatt Hayles, the green superhero? Oh my God, Chloe, I can't handle this drama. You can't just let him slip away like that!"

Chloe rolled her eyes, now feeling the rush of the run as her legs moved faster. "Look, I'm just trying to survive this date, okay? I don't even know if I like him yet. I will let you know how it goes."

"You better let me know everything!" Zoe replied, half-serious and half-joking. "And you better take a selfie with Wyatt if he's as perfect as you make him sound. I need proof."

"All right, all right," Chloe said, grinning as she quickened her pace. "You will get whatever you need, but only if I survive the date without becoming an environmental lecture subject."

"Deal!" Zoe shouted into the phone, laughing. "And if it's a disaster, you can always call me, and I will pick you up and pretend to be your emergency contact."

Chloe shook her head as she hung up the phone, still smiling

Chloe sat cross-legged on her bed, her room bathed in the warm light of the late afternoon sun. The air felt heavy around her, with emotions she couldn't shake. She had the earpods in, but the song playing didn't ease her mind—it only made it worse.

"Cause all of me… Loves all of you…" John Legend's voice filled her ears, soft and full of emotion. It nearly met that he was singing the very words she had been too afraid to say out loud. "How many times do I have to tell you, even when you're crying, you're beautiful too?"

Chloe closed her eyes, the weight of the words sinking deep into her chest. The music wasn't just a distraction anymore—it was a mirror, reflecting the confusion inside her. She had never been this uncertain, this lost in her own feelings. She didn't even know Whyatt yet, and here she was, letting a song about unconditional love tear at her heart. What was she doing? She hadn't even met the guy. How could she already feel this way?

"You're my downfall, you're my muse…" Her fingers tightened around the phone on her bed as if the lyrics could remove the doubts crowding her mind. She hadn't known she was capable of this kind of vulnerability. But now, with every passing moment, her feelings for Wyatt felt more accurate and tangible, even though they had never met. This wasn't just some random crush. This was something different. Something terrifying. The song reached the chorus again, and Chloe felt herself sink deeper into it. Why was she letting these lyrics affect her so much? It wasn't supposed to be like this. It wasn't supposed to be this easy to get lost in someone else's world. "Cause I give you all of me, and you give me all of you…"

Chloe pulled the earpods out as if doing so could cut off the rising tide of emotions threatening to consume her. She didn't know what she was doing anymore. The words still lingered in her mind, echoing like a heartbeat in her chest. She needed to clear her head. She needed some air to distract her from these feelings that didn't make any sense. She stood up quickly, pacing back and forth, gripping her hair in frustration. Was she really falling for someone she hadn't even met yet? Her phone buzzed suddenly, the sound cutting through her thoughts like a splash of cold water. She froze, staring at the screen. Wyatt. Her breath caught in her throat. He had texted her:

"Hey, Chloe. We haven't met yet, but I've been thinking about our dinner tonight. I hope you're having a great day, and I can't wait to finally meet you in person."

The words were so simple, so every day. But why did they make her heart race like she had just run a marathon? She barely knew the guy, and yet his message felt like it was meant just for her. The universe had made this moment to make her feel something she wasn't ready to feel. I can't wait to finally meet you. Chloe swallowed hard, the tension in her chest rising to a painful pressure. She felt the weight of those words press into her soul. Was it possible to fall for someone just based on the idea of them? Was that even fair? Her fingers hovered over the screen, and she felt completely out of control for a moment. What was she supposed to do with this? What was she supposed to feel?