Golden Melody

Chapter 11.1

Zatariel Wov

His pov

My fingers traced the worn edges of a framed photo, a picture of me and Mimi, our faces beaming with joy, taken during our first day at the entrance of Green Garden.

So much has happened in the past three years here in Wayne Academy, a whirlwind of memories swirling in my mind. The laughter, the tears, the triumphs, and the heartbreaks, all intertwined, those experiences that had shaped me.

I smiled as I packed my belongings, carefully folding each item, each one a memory of my time here.
The worn-out textbooks, the faded posters, the crumpled notes, they were all part of the story of my high school years.

*Knock, knock.* I opened the door to see Marie standing there, her black tube cocktail dress shimmering under the dim light of the hallway.

She looked stunning, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint.

"Aaahhh, babe, I'm going to miss you so much." She hugged me tightly, her arms wrapping around my waist.

I hugged her back, a bittersweet feeling settling over me.

We had become close over the past year because of our pretend campus sweetheart act.
But the truth is that Marie was really into girls, and she's now currently dating Jay's twin sister, Asha, who shared her taste.

"I'm going to miss you too, Marie." My voice was a low murmur, a whisper of a truth that we both knew but never spoke aloud.

We separated after a while, our eyes meeting for a fleeting moment.
"Hurry up. We're late for the ball." She gave me a playful wink, then turned and walked away, her heels clicking against the polished floor.

I nodded at her, a bittersweet smile playing on my lips.
I went back into my room, the weight of her words settling over me.

I knew that our goodbye was more than just a farewell to a pretend relationship.
It was a farewell to a shared secret, a shared understanding that had bound us together in a way that transcended the boundaries of romantic love.

I slipped on my suit, the fabric smooth against my skin.
The graduation ball was just a formality, a final farewell to the life we knew.
But I knew that the real goodbye, the one that mattered most, had already happened.

I looked at myself in the mirror, my reflection a stranger in a familiar face.

The past three years had changed me, and had shaped me into the man I was today.

I was no longer the naive boy who had first stepped foot lazily in Wayne Academy.
I had grown, I had learned, and I had fallen in love.

The grand ballroom was loud with the energy of a thousand conversations, the clinking of glasses, and the pulsating rhythm of the band.
But all I could see was Mimi.
She stood on the stage, bathed in the warm glow of the spotlights, and her Pink gown.

She sat down at the grand piano, her fingers hovering over the keys.
A hush fell over the room as she began to play.

The first notes flowed from the piano, a cascade of sound that filled the ballroom, a melody of hope and longing.

"I've been working hard so long
Seems like pain has been my only friend"

she sang, her voice a clear, powerful soprano that soared through the air.

"I will, break these chains that bind me,"

My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing the rhythm of the music.

"Happiness will find me. Leave the past behind me. Today my life begins."

I watched her, mesmerized, as she poured her soul into the song. Her eyes were closed, her expression focused, her fingers dancing across the keys with a grace and fluidity that took my breath away.

"A whole new world is waiting,"

she sang, her voice rising in a crescendo.

"It's mine for the takin'. I know I can make it. Today my life begins. Today my life begins..."

The melody swelled, filling the ballroom with a sense of anticipation and excitement.
I could feel the energy of the crowd, their cheers and applause.

The final notes of the song faded, and the applause erupted, deafening and overwhelming.

Mimi opened her eyes, her gaze sweeping across the crowd.

She saw me, standing near the back of the ballroom, my gaze fixed on her.
She smiled, a small, fleeting gesture that sent a jolt of electricity through me.
She nodded, a silent signal that our plan was in motion.

I didn't wait for the applause to die down.
I slipped out of the ballroom, my heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.

I made my way to the parking lot, with quick steps.

The cool night air hit me as I stepped outside.
The sound of the band faded into a distant hum, replaced by the quiet rustle of leaves and the distant hum of traffic.
I leaned against my borrowed van, my eyes scanning the parking lot.

It wasn't long before I saw her. She emerged from the ballroom, her pink gown.
She was carrying a backpack, her movements hurried and determined.

I walked towards her, my heart is racing.
She saw me, her eyes widening in surprise and she smiled, a small, grateful smile that warmed my soul.

"Riel," she whispered, her voice a breath of relief.

I took the backpack from her, my fingers brushing against hers.

The warmth of her touch sent a shiver down my spine.
She was here.
She was with me.
We were finally free.

We hurried towards the van, our steps quick and silent.
I opened the door for her, my heart overflowing with a mixture of anticipation and fear.
We got in, and I slammed the door shut.

We were finally on our way to our new home.

New beginning.