"Golden Melody" is a tale of love, dreams, and resilience, exploring the power of music and memory as Zatariel fights to bring back the melody of their hearts amidst the challenges they face.
Will their shared passion for music be enough to bridge...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
(13 year old Zatariel and 25 year old Zatariel)
As I made my way back to my seat, I tapped the shoulder of the girl sitting next to me she was still sleeping.
She stretched and yawned, pushing the bonnet off her face. Her long brown hair cascaded down her shoulders, framing her face like a halo of sunshine. I watched her, mesmerized, as she shifted to let me pass. She wore thick, nerdy glasses, but they couldn't hide the sparkle in her eyes. When she turned to face me, I couldn't help but think, Is she a doll or a human? She was so effortlessly beautiful, so captivating. My heart skipped a beat.
"Sorry, *yawn* is it over?" she asked sleepily.. I nodded and sat down next to her.
"Almost," I replied, my voice a little shaky. She seemed so casual, like she hadn't just missed the entire ceremony.
"Sana nga, I'm bored," she said with a chuckle, turning to me again. Her smile was like a ray of sunshine, warming my heart. Then, she raised her right hand with a playful grin.
"Welcome to Wayne Academy. I'm Miexha Verra, but you can call me Ex," she introduced herself.
Ex? I don't even have an ex; that's awkward.
"How about Mimi instead? I don't have an 'ex,' so calling you that feels weird," I said with a chuckle, trying to sound nonchalant, but my heart thumped in my chest.
She laughed lightly, a sound that was both sweet and mischievous. "Alright, Mimi it is. You're the first person to suggest that!"
I couldn't believe how forward and friendly this doll-like girl was. But wait she's a Verra? Could she be related to Director Cienna Verra?
"By any chance, are you related to Mrs. Cienna Verra?" I asked, trying to sound casual, but my voice betrayed my nervousness.
She tilted her head, a playful grin on her face. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, you share the same last name," I pointed out.
She nodded. "Good observation. Yes, she's my mother."
My eyes widened. "Oh, so you're the youngest daughter?"
"Yep! But please don't make a big deal out of it," she said, waving her hand dismissively. "I just want to be a normal student."
"Understood," I replied, still processing the information. Not only was she intriguing, but she was also the daughter of the school Director.
She stood up suddenly and grabbed my arm, her touch sending a jolt of electricity through me. "Looks like it's over, everyone's leaving. Tara!"
Caught off guard, I stood up and let her lead me out of the auditorium. "Do you always pull strangers around?" I joked, trying to hide my flustered state.
She glanced back at me with a mischievous smile. "Only the interesting ones."
I felt my cheeks heat up. "So, what makes me interesting?"
She shrugged. "hmm, ewan. Maybe it's because you fell asleep during the ceremony too."
I raised an eyebrow. "I didn't fall asleep; I was on stage giving a speech."
"Exactly," she teased. "Must've been a real snooze-fest, even the speaker wanted to bail."
I laughed, a genuine laugh that came from deep within me. Her teasing was so lighthearted, so charming.
As we walked together, my curiosity grew. Who was this girl who acted so nonchalant about being the Director's daughter? And why was she showing interest in me?
"Oy, Mimi," I began, "what brings you to Wayne Academy? I mean, besides the obvious."
She looked up thoughtfully, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. "I heard the top student here is someone worth meeting."
I blinked. "Wait, what? How did you know?"
She winked, her smile sending a shiver down my spine. "A little bird told me. Or maybe I have my sources."
I shook my head in disbelief. "You're something else."
"Masama ba?" she asked, feigning innocence, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
"No," I said quickly. "Just... unexpected."
"Good. I like keeping people on their toes," she said, releasing my arm as we reached the courtyard. The warmth of her touch lingered on my skin, a reminder of her presence.
Suddenly, Thyron Sebastian sauntered over with a casual grin, breaking the flow of our conversation.
"Hey, what's going on here?" he asked, his gaze shifting between the two of us. His tone was a little too casual, a little too possessive.
I felt a twinge of irritation. "Nothing," I muttered, trying to sound nonchalant, but my fists clenched.
