Note before reading: If the scenes feel rushed, that means that the book still needs to be revised after completion. As I said, feedback is highly appreciated if there are mistakes or anything that you want to let the author know. Lovelots! 💕

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Eli was writing in his journal as soon as I went inside his unit. To be honest, I've never seen him that focused before. He was usually his grumpy old self but I'm thinking those coffee packets he stole had worked like a charm. Or so I thought. I guess I've never really seen him work before - considering that he just ate and drank on our way of writing outdoors.

Maybe he was more of a homebody. Someone who tends to enjoy more indoors instead of going out.

I had to grab my phone earlier so he went ahead and I just followed him soon after. His eyes were focused on the papers, trying to edit some of the lyrics that he wrote. I guess he's trying to build a tune for it. There was no way I'd try to distract him from working. Especially when he's doing his best to complete his work.

So, my eyes went over to the sofa in his living room and decided to take a seat, waiting for his piece to be finished.

"I can't seem to find the right words," he mumbled over to himself as he rewrites and kept on erasing something on the pages. The eraser hits the table one more time as he puts his hand under his chin. "I feel like I'm not even used to the way the words come off."

Standing up from his chair, he decided to make some coffee - two mugs set right on the counter. I could already tell that he still had some coffee packets left, which were mostly stolen right on my fridge earlier. After stirring, he gladly gave one of the mugs to me and I thanked him for the drink.

Since I know he was still hesitant, I reassured him. "I'm sure you did a good job at it."

"Let me have a read on the lyrics first," I told him before standing back up. Approaching his desk, I peeked over on the journal and read them aloud. He was only looking at his piano and I could tell he was anxious to know what I thought about it.

Every writer and composer surely had been thinking this.

What would the people say?

Clearing my throat, I put one of my hands on his shoulder. "Don't be nervous. Every word you wrote in here came from the heart."

Looking back and reading the lyrics, my hands came in contact with his journal. I asked him if it was alright to bring both my coffee and his journal to the sofa since it was more comfortable than standing next to his desk. He nodded, still reluctant and uncertainty was written all over his face.

"You've been stuck in my mind all day," I said before I continued, "All my thoughts never going away."

"Your smile's leading me astray." He put his hands over to his face, his cheeks reddening. He's probably nervous or too shy to show this. I only shook my head and kept on reading.

"My heart beating too fast, I can't control it."

He then put his pen down, sighing loudly as he stretched. I'm guessing he's not sure if he'd go all the way with it. "I don't think that I can put a tune on it, especially when I worded it like that. I may need to revise the song first then I might be able to make it official."

"Well, I think there are some lines to change. But I think it's quite cute." His eyebrows knitted at what I told him, crossing his arms as he spins from his black swivel chair.

I'm guessing it's because I said it was cute.

I couldn't help but stifle a giggle as he took another glance at his lyrics. "Cute? How was it cute?"

"I mean, going to a sad ballad to a sudden romantic song. Seems like a nice transition. But both sound good. I'm impressed." I shrugged, still admiring how he had managed to write a romance song.

He only rolled his eyes at this, taking back his journal from my hands as I pouted - only feeling the air on my palms due to the absence of the notes.

Knowing how stuck he was, I decided to go back to my unit to get one of my books and handed it over to him. Of course, his first reaction to me was him staring at the book for over a minute, skimming over the pages, before closing it, and knitting his eyebrows.

"Why are you giving your novel to me?" he couldn't help but ask and I just told him that it was an old poetry novel that got published. I wasn't using it as much and most likely focusing on actual novels and short stories.

"There might be some lines that may help to give you an idea about romance. Help yourself. It's been stuck on my pile on my unit for a while."

He flipped once more on the pages and raised an eyebrow. "I'm not exactly used to you being too nice like this."

"Well, can't a woman have her coffee packets back?"

Eli immediately laughed at my response, wiping a non-existent tear under his eyes. I only smiled at this as I'm guessing he didn't expect me to answer that.

"For a second there, I almost believed you were that nice."

"Hey! I am. But with you stealing my coffee, I'd say this is the only way."

"Fine, I'll run a quick trip to buy you some. Keep an eye on my cat though."

Looking back to where his cat was, I nodded. Sure, a cute little cat won't be any problem. After all, I do need some company while writing some chapters for the novel I was working on.

When he saw me agreeing, he then tried to read some of the poems and smiled at me. "Ah right, thanks. This genre's not my forte, surely you'd understand that I'm new to it."

"Don't worry. Sometimes, a person has got to take risks and gain opportunities, you know. Also, I think romance songs suit your voice. Give it a bit of vibrato though."

As he gave me a thumbs-up, another call came through my phone. Looking at the screen, I groaned in annoyance.

"Well, here goes my publisher. Talk to you later, Eli."

==

I didn't put the song since I was still trying to learn how to write one. I can only write poems at the moment so basically; I'm stuck on Eli's songwriting part. But I may be able to edit as soon as I know the basics of the tune and stuff.

Here's a poem version of Eli's composition (short but still can be edited.)

You've been stuck in my mind all-day

All my thoughts never go away

Your smile's leading me astray

My heart beating too fast, I can't control it

Your gaze is too intact, can't seem to get away

Tossing and turning in every other way

But your angelic voice seems to pull me back

In my dreams, so enchanting to me

I don't know how long this feeling would last

Is this love?

What is this feeling?

First time I feel this bliss circling over me

Embracing me, never letting go

I just couldn't get enough

Tell me, tell me

How'd you cast a love spell on me

Our memories

I'm holding it dearly

Cherishing it every day

Losing doubts someday

So tell me, no, show me

Is this actually love?