Disconnected Voices, Shared Silence

Ariah Byone, or Sol as her friends called her, navigated her daily life with a laid-back demeanor that belied the turmoil brewing inside. Her Bohemian style, marked by vibrant clothing and eclectic accessories, set her apart in a sea of conformity. With her sharp wit and sarcastic tongue, Sol effortlessly cut through the noise, but beneath her confident exterior lay a tangled web of emotions. She harbored a secret crush on Finney Blake, a quiet and reserved student in her science class. Sol often found herself stealing glances at Finney, admiring his kind heart and shy demeanor. However, she was aware that Finney's affections lay elsewhere, with a girl named Donna. Sol's sarcastic nature often kicked in when she thought about Finney, joking to herself about being "just another girl in the sea of faces he doesn't notice." Despite this, she couldn't help but feel a pang of longing whenever Finney was near. One day, Sol met Finney's younger sister, Gwen, in school. They quickly hit it off, bonding over their shared love of music and art. Gwen invited Sol over to their house for a hangout session, and Sol agreed, excited to see Finney in a different setting. As Sol arrived at the Blake's house, she spotted Finney sitting on the couch, his eyes fixed on a book. Her usual calm exterior faltered, and she felt a flutter in her chest. Finney looked up, noticing her flustered state, and approached her with a gentle smile. They started talking, and Sol was surprised to find common ground with Finney. They discussed their shared love of science fiction and music, and Sol found herself feeling more at ease around him. As they chatted, Sol couldn't help but notice the way Finney's eyes sparkled when he talked about his favorite books, or the way his hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck. She felt a pang of attraction, but quickly pushed it aside, not wanting to ruin the moment. Gwen joined in on their conversation, and the three of them spent the afternoon laughing and talking. Sol left the house feeling both relieved and intrigued by Finney's kind nature. As she walked home, she couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be more than just a friend to Finney. But their carefree afternoon was short-lived. The next day, Finney went missing. Sol learned about his disappearance through a school announcement and immediately felt a surge of panic. She tried to stay calm and think about possible places Finney might be, but her mind kept drifting back to their recent conversation. Sol decided to join the search party, scouring the neighborhood for any sign of Finney. As she walked through the empty streets, she felt a growing sense of unease, her intuition telling her that something was terribly wrong. Little did she know, their lives were about to intersect in ways she never could have imagined. The universe had a way of bringing people together, often in the most unexpected and dramatic ways. For Sol and Finney, their chance encounter would set off a chain of events that would change their lives forever.