Author's Note: Haha, so I'm still here for anyone who is still interested in this story. Sorry for the century late update, to explain I have three words: University exam season.

It was odd how such a little thing could easily become part of your daily life. In the past Amy only visited the quaint little music shop to see Eunice every month or so, and this was only when she wasn't busy doing work for her research. Recently as she had finished a session in the lab she would find herself at the entrance of the music store, which welcomed her with the melodic chiming of the metallic swans hanging on the blue canopy. At times she would make the excuse that she had come to see the wonderful harp that Eunice had let her have the pleasure of playing all those days ago but she knew that there was another reason. That very reason had caught her eye the moment that she walked through the shop doors.

"Hey! Amy!" A casual smile, sitting next to Eunice as they both held some sort of beverage. Today Zack wore a plain black T-Shirt and jeans, one leg crossed over the other but he seemed to correct his posture the moment that he opened the door. It might have been Amy's imagination but she felt as if he looked brighter each moment she saw him at the shop, this incidence would have now been the fourth time. Amy noted that Zack and the elderly woman were on good terms which helped her stay at ease.

"Hello Zack… Eunice" The old lady smiled and offered Amy a seat though before she could stand up, Amy moved and sat reserved across the pair of them. Eunice's store normally didn't have many customers during this time of day, so the trio spent an hour or so talking. Amy had been urged once in a while to play the harp again, though for some reason she was reluctant as if the eyes on her would burn through her skin. Though she longed to see the bright smile on Zack's face again after he had heard her play the first time, she was afraid. So afraid that the same smile would make her fall to the point of no return. Amy tried to reason that her coming to see Zack was a way of her to control and conquer the feelings of infatuation. It was working, she would repeat. To her surprise she gradually started to become more comfortable around him, although she still stiffened when he got too close or looked too lost in thought after she had begun talking to him about her research. Conversation was smoother now, though there was always a few awkward pauses. She didn't even realise that they were still walking together outside of the shop after saying goodbye to Eunice.

"-and that is what happens during the Doppler Effect…" Amy had started to finish, trying not to be swayed by the way his mouth quirked upwards in interest as she talked animatedly about science.

Then the awkward silence settled for a few moments, Amy became aware of where they were. Walking side to side on the pavement, towards where her car was parked as if it were the most natural instinct. When she grew aware of this, her body stiffened and her walking became ridged as she focused her gaze on the floor.

"Are you okay?" The tall male came to an abrupt halt once he noticed the change in her mannerisms. His brows furrowed together as if trying to figure out the issue. "Cold?" Amy shook her head, her shoulders were shaking slightly too which Zack assumed was her shivering. "D'you want my… Oh wait, I don't have one." He chuckled softly, realising that he was only wearing his T-Shirt and Jeans. He frowned as he tried to think of a solution.

The longer they stood there on the sidewalk, the more Amy wanted to run. She didn't understand herself. Things had been going so smoothly when they were in the shop, what was different now? Was it because Eunice wasn't there? So this meant she still couldn't be alone with Zack without becoming a nervous wreck? She was suddenly snapped out of her thoughts when Zack suddenly exclaimed, causing her to startle slightly.

"Let's go grab a coffee!" He grinned as he spotted a coffee shop a few blocks away.
"Um…" Amy looked away. "T-Thank you… But I really should be getting home… I-It's late and…"
The smile on his face lowered so slightly that Amy barely noticed. "You sure? One drink can't hurt…"
Amy felt something grab at her, twisting her gut painfully. She could easily stay longer, there was nothing back home waiting for her but an empty apartment. She opened her mouth to speak but struggled, until finally she managed to get there words out:

"I'm sorry… I can't." She felt something sink in her shoulders, she didn't have the courage to face him but she wondered if he had still been smiling.
There was the sound of a faint chuckle and a warm hand gently patting her head. "Some other time then."
Her eyes were kept downcast even as Zack patted her head. "Well… I suppose this is goodbye-" She was interrupted suddenly. Though the lilting happy tone in his voice had never faded.
"At least let me walk you to your car. It's getting dark and it isn't safe to be alone." Amy paused once more, the sinking feeling after she had rejected his offer for coffee wasn't leaving and continued to weight heavier on her each second they spend standing on the sidewalk. Eventually she opted for nodding as they continued to walk to her car, conversation grew stale after that although Zack kept trying to lift her spirits as if sensing there was something wrong. Amy found the frantic effort endearing, despite the fact that Zack had somehow started talking about audacious conspiracies. At this moment he was wondering what the moon would taste like if it was made of cheese. Amy nodded and laughed lightly at his words but the feeling in her gut would never leave.

Eventually they arrived at her car, Amy awkwardly turned to face him despite how her body was resisting.

"Thank you… for walking me to my car, Zack."
"Hey, no problem! See you later then?"
"Yes… Goodbye." She tried to mask the unease with her usual formal tone, as she walked into the driver seat and started the engine, nodding as Zack waved her goodbye and disappeared into the distance.

Amy took a deep breath and started her journey towards her apartment, though as she continued to think about the empty, vast silence that awaited her she found herself taking longer roads and more scenic routes. None of which eased her feeling, it was only until she saw a sign that pointed to a familiar place that she found herself parked nearby Los Robles Avenue. She hoped that appearing there at this time, unannounced wasn't unreasonable. She walked up the familiar, dull and seemingly never-ending flights of stairs as she took a breath and stood in front of a familiar door. Amy moves closer to the wooden door and knocked firmly. After a few moments the door opened.

"Amy?"