Songs We Couldn't Say

That night, a light drizzle soaked the dark skies of New York. The blaring taxi horns echoed through the streets, adding to the cold April air. The sidewalks shimmered like giant mirrors, reflecting the dim glow of the city lights. People carried on with their lives as usual. Their umbrellas formed a small sea beneath the rain—as if everyone in the city was trying to hide from the same reality.

In a narrow alley not far from the main street, a line of people descended a staircase toward the entrance of a bar. Most of them wore black shirts and dark accessories, almost like a uniform. For those familiar with the place, it was obvious: this was Saturday night at Steve’s Live Music & Bar, and Jacob Pierce was about to take over the stage.

The atmosphere inside was the complete opposite of the world outside. Steve’s felt suffocating beneath the sea of people waiting for Jacob Pierce’s performance. Cigarette smoke hung heavily near the ceiling, while the smell of alcohol and cheap perfume drifted through the room like fog. Steve’s was the kind of place where future stars were born. Jacob was one of them. He could barely remember the first time he had ever performed here. Yet just like that first night, his heart was still restless.

Backstage, inside a cramped dressing room, Jacob sat on a worn-out sofa patched together with crooked stitching. His gaze stayed fixed on his black boots tapping nervously against the cracked floor beneath him. Resting in his arms was a red Fender Stratocaster he had assembled himself—a strange-looking guitar with mismatched colors and ridiculous stickers plastered all over it. Anyone holding it would probably look even more ridiculous than they already did. But Jacob found that funny. After all, something only looks stupid if you believe it is.

At first glance, Jacob looked like a nerd who accidentally dressed like a delinquent. His dark brown hair was shaved short on the sides, resembling a modern mullet. Large black square-framed glasses constantly slid down his nose, partially hiding tired yet sharp hazel eyes. Pendant necklaces, chokers, rings, and woven bracelets of different patterns had become his unmistakable trademark.

That night, he dressed more casually than usual: a dark hoodie and ripped denim shorts he had cut himself.

Over the last few years, Jacob had become a fairly well-known musician. His fans called him the King of the Rebels because his songs often stirred chaos among young listeners. His blunt and sometimes critical lyrics made him popular among people who valued freedom of expression. It felt like only yesterday he had been just another nobody performing at Steve’s. Now, he had already won several music awards—some of them alongside the Queen of the Rebels herself, his girlfriend.

Lost in his thoughts, Jacob suddenly felt a warm hand grab him and yank him backward. His head hit the soft backrest of the sofa hard enough to snap him out of his trance. Before he realized it, his left cheek felt warm—and wet. Alexia Reed had recklessly planted a kiss on his cheek. Her long red hair, always messy no matter how often she brushed it, dripped rainwater onto her black leather jacket.

“What are you thinking about, Jake?”

Jacob jolted, nearly slipping off the sofa before turning toward her.

“Alex—you came?”

“Of course, idiot. Check your phone! I’ve been trying to call you over and over, and you never answered.” Alexia huffed in annoyance before crossing her arms and sighing. “My recording schedule wasn’t too packed today, so I figured I should check on my boyfriend who always looks cute and nervous before a show.”

A teasing smile spread across her face, replacing her serious expression with something warmer and sweeter.

“Yeah, yeah... you always enjoy seeing me struggle,” Jacob muttered while nervously tapping the body of his guitar. “I haven’t even moved from this sofa for the last thirty minutes.”

Alexia hopped over the backrest of the couch and landed softly beside him. She pulled her legs up onto the sofa, hugging one knee while staring at Jacob with an amused expression.

“You call yourself a rockstar, but you act like a lost kid who got separated from his mom at the mall.” She lightly patted his shoulder, noticing the sweat running down his forehead.

“Alex, did you come here to see me or just to make fun of me?” Jacob asked irritably.

“Both,” Alexia answered with a quiet laugh.

Jacob’s face immediately turned red, which only made Alexia more entertained.

“Hey, at least your nerves calm down a little when you’re annoyed,” she added softly, trying to reassure him.

Jacob let out a long sigh and slumped deeper into the couch as if all his strength had drained away. Alexia leaned closer, resting her cheek against his shoulder—warm, calm, close enough for Jacob to catch the faint scent of her hair.

“Mark called me this afternoon,” Jacob said quietly. “He said the demo I sent a few days ago wasn’t interesting enough. Said there was nothing marketable about the song.”

His voice stayed soft, but the disappointment inside it was impossible to hide.

“That’s bullshit,” Alexia cut in immediately, lifting her head to glare at him. “I listened to it. Sure, the composition is simple, but the meaning is clear—and honest.”

“But—”

“Don’t overthink it, Jake. These days people only want songs that sound good... even if they’re empty inside.”

“Simple, huh?” Jacob smiled bitterly. “I thought I already made the composition as interesting as possible.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Alexia interrupted quickly, locking eyes with him.

“What I mean is... sometimes you don’t need a million instruments or complicated progressions just to say something meaningful.”

Jacob went quiet for a moment, lowering his head.

“Yeah... but I thought it was complicated and interesting.” He laughed bitterly.

“Guess it still wasn’t enough.”

“That’s what you think... and Mark,” Alexia shot back sharply. “Honestly, I’m starting to question his taste in music. What kind of producer immediately rejects an artist’s ideas like that?”

She grabbed Jacob’s hand and stared at him seriously.

“When your contract ends, you know you can always—”

“No, Alex.” Jacob cut her off quickly. “I’ve told you a million times, I’m fine. And thank you... for always offering me a place at your label. But right now, the only thing I want is to make it on my own.”

“Alright...” Alexia smiled faintly, though concern still lingered in her eyes.

She inhaled as if she wanted to say something else. “Oh right, there’s something I wanted to—”

“Excuse me, Mr. Pierce,” someone interrupted from the doorway. A stage crew member stood there awkwardly. “The show is about to begin. You’re needed backstage.”

Jacob turned and nodded. “Oh, alright. I’ll be there in a second.” He stood up, leaving behind the sofa that still held the warmth of his body.

“Oh yeah, what were you about to say earlier, Alex?” Jacob asked while looking back at her.

Alexia smiled softly.

“Later,” she said, lightly patting his shoulder. “Just don’t disappoint me out there, okay?”

Jacob chuckled. “Umm... maybe.”

As the stage crew shut the door behind him, Jacob paused for a second. Somehow, the weight in his chest felt lighter after seeing Alexia. A faint smile crept onto his lips.

Step by step, the noise grew louder. The pounding bass and crashing drums greeted him from behind the stage curtains. His heartbeat matched the rhythm pounding in his ears like a metronome. His fingers trembled, itching to tear into his guitar strings with all his strength. The restless tapping of his feet turned into movement, following the rhythm of the drums and bass. The music grew louder. The lights began to pulse. And amidst the chaos, he knew—this was it. The moment when he truly felt alive.

Jacob leapt onto the stage.

He slammed into his guitar with explosive force, distorted riffs roaring loud enough to shake the entire room. The warm scent of amplifiers and the heat of stage lights consumed the chaotic atmosphere. His powerful voice dragged the crowd onto the dance floor, making them move with every beat of his songs. Even the backing band got swept up in the overwhelming energy surging across the stage.

Now, Jacob looked like an entirely different person. His awkward laughter and innocent jokes disappeared, replaced by absolute confidence. The stage lights reflected off his black square glasses, illuminating the sharp intensity in his eyes. Every guitar riff felt like setting fire to the hearts of the audience, while the thunderous applause vibrated deep inside his chest.

Alexia stood quietly near the back corner of the stage, watching her boyfriend with admiration. She had always been skeptical when judging people. But she had been wrong the first time she saw Jacob. What she witnessed now reminded her of years ago—in the same bar, on the same stage corner. Back then, even with her doubts, she already knew she was witnessing a star beginning to shine.

* * *

It was already one in the morning. The noise of the city slowly faded into the night, leaving only the cold air biting against their skin. The rain had stopped completely, leaving the streets wet and glistening beneath the city lights. Jacob and Alexia had just arrived at their apartment in downtown Manhattan. Their footsteps echoed through the hallway upstairs, breaking the silence of the late night.

“What kind of sane person picks up their boyfriend on a motorcycle during a storm?”

Jacob muttered as they walked toward their apartment. “Seriously, you look like a stray puppy that fell into a sewer and hasn’t eaten in days.”

“Oh, so that’s your way of saying thank you?” Alexia snapped while walking beside him.

“No. I mean, you didn’t have to come pick me up if it was that bad outside.” Jacob gently brushed Alexia’s damp hair aside with his hand.

“But riding around the city at midnight is fun,” Alexia argued. “And honestly, when was the last time we actually got to spend time together like this?”

She pulled her keys from her pocket. “You’re always busy.”

“You know how Mark is. The guy never understands the concept of free time.”

“Yeah, and you always say yes to him,” Alexia replied while unlocking the apartment door. “Look at you now—you barely even have time for yourself anymore.”

“Well, maybe now I’ll have more free time. Since, you know... my demo got completely rejected,” Jacob scoffed as he collapsed onto the living room couch.

“Maybe that’s not such a bad thing. I mean... now you’ll have more time for me,” Alexia teased while hanging up her jacket.

“Hey, don’t say it like that.” Jacob groaned. “None of my songs have made the top ten in a year and a half. And the last time I won an award was two years ago.”

“Jacob, what exactly are you still chasing?” Alexia asked while walking closer and sitting beside him.

“You already proved yourself over the last five years—three major awards every year, plus all the others your songs won.”

“Easy for someone like you to say,” Jacob replied flatly. “You’ve been successful since your debut.”

Alexia stared at him, her expression freezing.

“Is that really what you think about me? Wow, Jacob... wow.”

Jacob let out a long sigh. “Sorry, Alex. I didn’t mean it like that. I think I’m just tired... and kinda sensitive lately.”

“Yeah... I figured.” Alexia shrugged. “You sound like my grandfather back in Kentucky. Always complaining and getting angry over nothing.”

“And you sound like... uh... like... yourself,” Jacob answered awkwardly, irritated at himself for not having a comeback.

Alexia smirked triumphantly. “Aww, what happened, Jake? Run out of words?”

Jacob’s face turned red again—part annoyance, part embarrassment, part surrender from looking stupid in front of her.

“Shut up,” he muttered, though a faint smile still slipped onto his lips.

Alexia laughed softly before continuing.

“Your schedule’s been insane this week. We barely even see each other before one of us passes out from exhaustion.”

“Can we talk about something else?” Jacob suggested. “Just thinking about it already makes me tired.”

Alexia nodded knowingly. She studied Jacob’s exhausted face before smiling gently. There was something in her eyes—a mix of sympathy and affection.

“Maybe this’ll cheer you up a little,” she whispered.

Alexia shifted closer before climbing onto Jacob’s lap, facing him. Her arms slowly wrapped around his neck. Her usually sharp expression softened completely. Her lips moved closer as she gently pulled his head toward hers. The apartment fell silent except for the ticking clock and the quiet sound of their kisses. Jacob, who had been drowning in frustration moments earlier, now held Alexia tightly as they sank deeper into the couch together. His heartbeat raced alongside the warmth of her breath brushing against his cheek. The soft scent of her hair mixed with the cool night air made him feel safe, as if the outside world had disappeared completely.

Jacob gently pressed his hand against her back. Alexia answered with a faint smile before lowering her head again to meet another soft kiss from him. With every breath, the exhaustion piled on his shoulders over the last few days slowly faded away. And in that moment, one thing felt painfully clear: everything would be alright as long as Alexia stayed by his side.

Alexia finally climbed off his lap and walked toward the open kitchen connected to the living room. A satisfied smile lingered on her slightly reddened lips.

“Hungry yet?” she asked while opening the large refrigerator in the corner of the kitchen.

“Obviously. I haven’t eaten since this afternoon. Didn’t wanna throw up before performing,” Jacob replied while grabbing the TV remote from the table.

“I bought this earlier after my recording session,” Alexia said while pulling out a large box from the fridge.

She held up the pizza box—from Jacob’s favorite place, the little shop near the street corner where they first met.

“Please tell me that’s pepperoni with extra cheese.”

“Yep. Added jalapeños too,” Alexia answered proudly.

She slid a few slices into the microwave before asking.

“Want unsweetened tea too?”

“Perfect,” Jacob replied with a wide grin from the couch.

“Alright. One cup of unsweetened tea for you, and one cup of coffee with way too much sugar for me,” Alexia said, winking at him playfully.

That night, they spent their time together in front of the television. A box of warm pizza and two steaming drinks rested on the table. The apartment glowed softly beneath dim lighting and the reflections of city lights outside the window. In the distance, sirens echoed through the streets while cars hummed endlessly through the sleepless city below. Wrapped together beneath a thick blanket on the couch, they simply enjoyed the quiet.

Truthfully, Jacob barely cared about the show they were watching. What mattered to him was being close to Alexia. They were watching Alexia’s favorite series on a streaming service. To Jacob, the story felt childish and overly dramatic—but that was exactly why Alexia loved it.

“I’ve told you a hundred times, this show is only popular because Natalie Madison is in it,” Jacob explained while wrapping an arm around Alexia’s shoulders as she leaned against his chest.

“Hey, you’re not wrong,” Alexia admitted casually. “If I were a guy, I’d totally fall for her too.”

“I mean, look at this!” Jacob pointed at the TV. “People only watch this because she wears revealing outfits.”

“Yeah, including me,” Alexia replied with a small laugh, half-joking and half-serious.

“Seriously, there’s no way you’re not interested too, Jacob. Now I’m curious how big her—”

“Okay, okay. Keep those thoughts inside your head,” Jacob interrupted quickly while Alexia giggled.

“Hey, Alex. You know that new band called The Midnight Sirens? I heard they’ve gotten pretty popular lately.”

“Oh, I know them. They just signed with my label,” she answered casually before turning her attention back to the show. “Their songs are actually pretty good. They remind me of your early career.”

“I noticed that too. But according to Mark, music like that is outdated now. And yet look at them—people still love it,” Jacob replied.

“Mark’s old-fashioned, and you trust him way too much,” Alexia shot back sharply. “If he really knew what he was talking about, more good music would’ve come out of his ideas.”

“Yeah... you’re probably right,” Jacob admitted. “By the way... what were you about to tell me backstage earlier?”

“Oh, that...” Alexia hesitated for a moment. “I need a new dress. Maybe we could buy matching outfits together.”

“For what?” Jacob asked curiously.

“For the music awards a few months from now...” she answered quietly.

“I got nominated.”