Golden Melody

Chapter 9.6

Zatariel Wov

His Pov

I went downstairs for dinner and found the four of them eating in the dining room.

The air crackled with tension, the unspoken rivalry between Thyron and me hanging heavy in the air.

"Riiiel! I'm your date for the prom, okay!" Mimi shouted, waving at me, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"No, you're with me," Thyron countered, his voice laced with a possessive edge.

"Hmpt! I'm going with Riel. I don't want to take it back. Besides, you already agreed to Lois earlier. You can't have two dates, you know," Mimi retorted, her voice firm, her gaze unwavering.

Thyron just 'tsked,' his frustration evident.
Our Valentine's Day prom was coming up, the air thick with anticipation and uncertainty.

"Our gowns and the boys' suits arrived," Marie announced, her voice a cheerful counterpoint to the tension in the room.

"Kyaaaaah! This dress is so revealing, oh," Mimi exclaimed, holding up her yellow gown, her eyes wide with delight.

"I'll ask the designer to alternate your gown, baby," Thyron said, his voice smooth, his gaze fixed on Mimi, his possessiveness evident.

"You know what, Ron, I can't wait to wear this, kyaaaaah!" Mimi exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.

She ran upstairs, carrying her gown, her laughter echoing through the house.

Thyron turned to me, his expression a mixture of anger and frustration.
"I'm going to kick your balls if I catch you doing something unpleasant to her," he said, his voice a low growl, his threat implicit.

He bumped my arm, his touch a gesture of aggression, a reminder of his possessiveness.

I just stared at him, my expression unreadable.

I knew he was jealous, that he was threatened by the growing connection between Mimi and me.

But I wasn't going to back down. I had a right to be with Mimi, a right that he couldn't take away.

I stood up, my gaze meeting his, my determination unwavering. "You need to remind yourself of your own words, Thyron,"

I turned and walked away, leaving him standing there, his face contorted with anger, his words unspoken.

My phone buzzed, interrupting my descent into sleep.
It was Jay, his text a simple,

Savvy Tech 8:45pm
"Come over at my studio."

Seriously?
The academy studio wasn't his personal playground, but I sighed and headed over anyway.

The photography club room was the only source of light in the otherwise dark academy grounds.

The door was unlocked, and I found Jay sitting in the middle of the studio, his camera clutched in his hand.
He looked utterly defeated, his eyes puffy, his nose red.

"Quick shot," I said, aiming my phone at him, trying to lighten the mood.

He looked up, his eyes welling with tears, and I knew this was no ordinary late-night studio session.

I patted his shoulder, a gesture that felt awkward even for me, but I knew he needed it.
He didn't speak at first, just let the tears flow.

Then...

"I was such a jerk," Jay mumbled, his voice thick with unshed tears. "I'm avoiding her. I am so jealous of Axel."

He paused, taking a shaky breath.
"I saw them at the club after the Christmas ball. Axel was kissing her neck, her lips were swollen. They were probably making out. Ofreigha wouldn't betray me, I know she wouldn't, she was just drunk, and Axel took advantage of her."

He looked up at me, his eyes pleading.
"What hurts the most is that she forgave him. They're still friends."

I knew the pain Jay was experiencing.

"I remember when Thyron kissed Miexha," I said, my voice a low murmur.
"The world felt like it was crumbling around me."

"What did I do back then?" I thought, recalling my ridiculous plan to make Miexha jealous by becoming the campus sweetheart with Marie.
It was an absurd idea, and it wouldn't work for Jay.

"Talk to her," I said, my voice firm.
"Confront her. Tell her how you feel."

I knew he loved her so much, and that's why he was so miserable right now.
And Ofreigha, sweet as she was, was probably hurting too, feeling the weight of his silence.

"She's going to prom with Damian," he said, his voice cracking.
"They're even practicing for Their dance as the Mr. and Ms. Wayne Academy. I see them together all the time, being intimate... It's killing me."

"It's not just a simple crush, is it?" I asked softly, my voice barely a murmur.
"It's like he's known her forever, like they have a history."

Jay nodded, his shoulders slumping further.
"Yeah, it's creepy. He's always around her, always touching her, like he owns her."

I knew Ofreigha was a magnet for attention.
Just like her brother.
But the opposite
She was kind, beautiful, and had a sweet spirit.
It was no surprise that the boys in the academy were falling for her.

"Listen, Jay," I said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"You just need to show her that you believe in her, that you trust her. And you need to show her how much you care."

Jay looked up at me, a flicker of hope rekindling in his eyes.
"You think so?"

"I know so," I said, giving him a reassuring smile.

He sighed, wiping his eyes.
"I'll try," he said, his voice a little more hopeful.

I knew he would.
He loved Ofreigha, and he wouldn't give up on her easily.