Golden Melody (Editing)

Chapter 121

Chapter 121 – The Christmas Ball

Miexha's POV

December 24 – Christmas Ball Night.

Also known as: The Annual Wayne Academy Hunger Games, Sugar Cookie Edition.

The night when everyone overdresses, oversmiles, and pretends they haven't been secretly plotting each other's downfall all semester.

I was in the powder room, enduring the final stage of my transformation. My stylist curled my hair like I was a barbie doll on display, rambling about face shape, symmetry, and how "bangs hide confidence."

"Let's sweep those bangs off your face, darling," she chirped, curling iron in hand like a weapon.

I flinched. "Let's not. Just trim. Small. Microscopic."

Because, fun fact: when your boyfriend treats your face like it's a national secret, you start to believe it.
Jayson once declared,
"My girlfriend's face is forbidden to the public," like I was a confidential file under federal protection.

Still, I caved. A tiny trim. Just enough to show I had a forehead. Barely.

They slid me into a red velvet dress—knee-length, glittering just enough to whisper festive, not desperate. My brown hair fell in chocolate curls, tied with a bow the size of my self-esteem.

I looked in the mirror.

For once... not bad. I didn't look like I was about to collapse in the nurse's office. That was progress.

Then Asha walked in.

Wearing emerald satin, slit up to judgment day, heels tall enough to qualify as weapons. Goddess mode: activated.

I peeked down at my chest. Flat.

"They'll grow next year," I whispered to my reflection.

Asha glanced at me, smirked.
"You finally look like a semi-evolved species. Congrats."

I stuck out my tongue.

Then we exited together.

And there he was.

Jayson.

Sitting in the Dom Mansion living room, wearing a tailored black suit like a bored CEO on teen babysitting duty. His eyes found me—and instantly, judgment.

"Change," he said.

My eyebrow shot up.
"Excuse me?"

"You'll freeze. You're sickly. If you collapse tonight, it's on me. I'm already your boyfriend. I'm not signing up for extra medical bills."

"Wow," I muttered. "Romantic."

He ignored me and turned to the maid. "Bring her coat."

Minutes later, I was wearing a black designer trench.

Asha smacked his head lightly. "You're acting like you're in love with her."

Jayson's ears turned red.

"I'm trying, okay?" he muttered. Like love was an academic subject he was struggling to pass.

And just like that, he grabbed my hand and dragged me to the car without another word.

The ride was awkward.

Because last year... I didn't dance. I didn't smile. I just sat alone in the cold garden, hoodie up, heart locked.

Until Zatariel found me.

He didn't speak much. He didn't mock my hoodie or my silence. He just... sat. And for the first time, I didn't feel like I had to prove I was worth sitting next to.