#abel 1

Emiri was aware she hadn't really touched music since she quit the band in Chicago. At first she'd gotten caught up in school and the affair and then the media storm. But then she moved back to East Haven and life simply slipped away from her. So standing here outside a music store staring at a guitar in the window Emiri was suddenly struck by how long time had passed since she sang or played the guitar. Tilting her head, she admired the guitar and felt an itch to go in the store and try it out. Maybe walk out with a nice, new guitar. She was aware of someone stopping beside her and staring at the same window display, their reflection appearing next to hers in the glass. Not looking away, Emiri nodded towards the instrument. "Do you play?"

Sitting behind the desk in her office, Sydney was leaning back in her chair while her fingers ran absentmindedly around the rim of the glass again and again. Her gaze was locked on the window and she vacantly stared at the snowflakes coming down outside. The dark world was aglow with the Christmas lights not only hung up outside The Garden, but all along the main street. All around the town. Again and again her finger traced the rim of the now empty glass. Footsteps in the hall outside her office caught her attention and Sydney's gaze snapped to the door. Abel walked by and she blinked, coming out of her haze. "Abel." She gave him a weak smile of greeting. "I didn't know anyone else was here. I thought everyone went home." Clearing her throat, Sydney pushed herself up in her chair and beckoned for him to come in. "Have a seat if you want."