«What great thing happened to you? What's that toothy smile?», Devin didn't even have time to cross the threshold before his sister started giving him the third degree.

«I just ran into an old schoolmate.» replied Devin.

«The classmate I think he is?» she asked with a smirk on her face.

Devin tried to ignore her but he knew she would pester him until he spilled the beans. «Yes, Maisie, yes, exactly him. Happy now?»

«You have to tell me every detail!» she said, grabbing her brother's hands.

Devin sighed. «Fine.», he freed himself from Maisie's grip and threw himself on the sofa, a few steps from the front door. «It happened purely by chance. I took the usual route back from the cafe and I heard his voice.» he started and his sister hurriedly sat down next to him. «He was making a song, or at least he was trying to and– »

«You helped him?»

Devin nodded. «He asked me to help him again.», however, looking at him, he didn't seem enthusiastic.

«What's with that face now? A moment ago you had a smile on your lips.»

«I don't want to delude myself, but my mind has already started to travel with the imagination.» Devin confessed.

Maisie gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder. «You're a writer, it's completely normal, it's part of you.» she pointed out. «Plus you've always had a crush on him, don't deny it. You've always followed him, since he was just high school student Harper Knight, and not a world-famous pop star.»

«It's too late now. You said it too, he is a global pop star. I'm nobody, just an old classmate. One among many thousands of fans.»

Maisie got up. «As far as I remember, you weren't just one of many.» she said. «You've backed down before, why don't you try to take the risk this time? How much would it cost you to give it a try?»

«Your wisdom amazes me.» said Devin.

«I'm surprised you didn't get the quote. I've done my sisterly duty for today, now it's late. Good night.», Maisie headed to her room.

«Quote… ?», Devin thought about his sister's words. They weren't hers but Harper's.

He took his earphones out of his pocket and remembered why, that evening, he hadn't been able to listen to music on the way home. They were broken, they never lasted more than a few months given how much he used them. And maybe he was lucky. If they had worked, after all, Devin would have missed that opportunity. Was it a sign? The sign that he shouldn't give up, that their fate was intertwining again after a long time?