To Eternity and Back

Chapter 12

I was finally back in New York City and the first thing I had to do... was to finish all of my late schoolwork.

My teachers told me it wasn't necessary as I had an emergency for the whole week – at least that's what they think – and won't lower my grade for that week; however, that didn't sit right with me and decided to ask them to extend the due date, even if the highest grade I could get was a B+.

After two days of just nonstop working, I finally reached a slump. For my violin class, Ms. Armani asked the students to create a short composition that captivates the feelings of "pure love". Truthfully, I don't know what that means, and I still haven't figured it out.

Ms. Armani gave me three days to compose the music and write it down to turn it in, but since I was busy for the first two days, I now only have one day to complete my assignment. One.

I'm so screwed.

None of the music notes sounded right and no matter how many times I tuned the strings of the violin, the song always seems to be getting worse.

So now, I'm just sprawled down on the floor of one of the private music rooms with many scattered music sheets surrounding me. My hand gripped the violin as I sighed and looked blankly on the high ceiling.

Maybe it's because I'm stressed and anxious that I can't create the perfect composition.

Should I go eat a dessert at the cafeteria? I thought as I started remembering the numerous desserts they have there, just tempting me to buy them.

Just as I was about to give in and leave, I heard the door of the music room swing open, and I saw a blonde-haired girl with a cheerful smile skip over to me and crouch down next to me.

"Hey, Akira. I see you're wallowing in despair, and guessing from the music sheets, it's because of the assignment Ms. Armani gave us?" she asked with a knowing smile.

"Perceptive as always, aren't you, Malena?" I responded, continuing to watch the ceiling as if I'm hoping it'll give me an idea.

Malena tilted her head and then sat down crisscross next to me. "So, how was Singapore?"

I glanced over to her and kept my eyes on her. It bothered me slightly that she knew, but this girl somehow always knows everything, so I never dwell on it anymore.

"It was great." I didn't want to give her too much information because Malena... well, she tends to be a bit of a blabbermouth. I don't know if she does it on purpose or if she's just that dense, but I never over shared with her anymore after the time she told the whole university I have a small phobia of cats.

"Really? Did you see Cassandra Seraphine there?"

I raised my eyebrows at her question and sat up.

"Cassandra Seraphine? She was in Singapore?"

Malena nodded. "I thought that's why you went. So you could show your skills off to her and impress you and..." She continued to ramble, but my mind was already drifting away.

The reason would make sense.

Cassandra Seraphine is a retired violinist, but she was once known to sell out her recitals wherever she went. She's world-famous and it's hard to get an audience with her. Mostly because she likes staying indoors, but because her personality is a bit rough that some people have trouble dealing with her, even her publicist. I heard she was even worse during her prime years.