[key: G Major]

[key: G Major] [tempo: 86 BPM, relaxed 4/4] [genre: British indie rock] [mood: warm, intimate, understated, quietly romantic] [instruments: fingerpicked acoustic guitar, light brushed drums, melodic bass, subtle clean electric textures] [vocals: male, British indie delivery, conversational, restrained, natural] [length: 235] [sequence: intro, verse 1, pre-chorus, chorus, verse 2, pre-chorus, chorus, bridge, final chorus, outro] [Intro | instrumental | soft fingerpicked acoustic guitar] [Verse 1] She’s always in before nine Coffee already poured Says “morning” like she means it Not like she’s keeping score Hair tied back in plastic clips Sleeves rolled up just so I’ve known her name for months now But I still pretend I don’t [Pre-Chorus] We talk about the weekend Weather and the trains Nothing big or clever Just the usual complaints But somehow when she’s laughing The room feels different then Like everything’s a bit less loud Like I can breathe again [Chorus] Hayley, don’t look now But I think you’ve got me caught In the quiet in-between Of all the things I thought Hayley, take your time I’m not going anywhere If this is how it starts I’m fine just standing there [Verse 2] Lunch break in the garden Sharing crisps from paper trays She tells me about her sister And the house she wants someday Says she hates the small talk Says she hates pretending too I almost say I feel the same But stop before I do [Pre-Chorus] We linger at the doorway A little longer than we could Neither one of us moves Though we know we really should And every time she brushes past It’s small but it’s enough Like something slow is building And it doesn’t need to rush [Chorus] Hayley, don’t look now But I think you’ve got me caught In the quiet in-between Of all the things I thought Hayley, take your time I’m not in a race If this turns into something I hope it’s at our pace [Bridge | drop drums slightly | softer vocal] Maybe it’s just comfort Maybe it’s just ease Maybe it’s the way she says my name Like it’s always meant to be No fireworks or headlines No grand romantic scene Just her hand finding mine Like it’s always been [Final Chorus | gentle lift | fuller drums] Hayley, here we are No big dramatic start Just two tired people Learning not to guard their hearts Hayley, if this stays I don’t need more than this Just your head against my shoulder And the quiet that we’re in [Outro | instrumental fade]