Golden Melody (Editing)

Chapter 124

Chapter 124– Live and Buckethatted

—Miexha’s POV

It was only 2 PM, and I was already sweating like a scared boiled egg.

We were all dressed in matching bucket hats—mine pastel blue with tiny bells, Sonata’s had a flaming skull patch, Nightingale’s said “crybaby” in gothic font, and Bluechord’s was just… pink with sequins (he likes pink). Musika wore hers sideways like a DJ in denial. Echojam looked like she stole hers off a 90s anime side character.

And then there was Jayson.

Who hated all of it.

“You’re showing too much forehead,” he hissed, tugging my hat down to my chin.
“Can you not be cute in public for once? What if someone kidnaps you?”

“Then I’ll use my guitar as a weapon,” I said sweetly.

He stood there sulking like a betrayed bodyguard, arms crossed, while our band manager Kuya Aron—whose biceps were the size of my future anxiety—held him back from tackling innocent fans. They even taped my photo over his face like a paper mask.
It didn’t help. He just kept growling.

We were backstage at the Capital City Christmas Festival—our first official live debut. The other performers were seasoned adults. Professional rockstars.

“Aww, look at the little singer!”
“Is she real? Her face is so small!”
“What’s your genre, sweetie?”

I clutched my mic like it was a holy relic.
“U-uh… I’m still exploring. But today we’re doing soft metal?”

Soft metal.
Is that even a thing?

“Smart choice!” someone said. “Gen Z loves chaos with feelings.”

“And we’re adding a romance arc,” Sonata announced proudly, wrapping an arm around me.
“I’m her stage boyfriend.”

I nearly choked on my own soul.

Three strangers pinched my cheeks. I was blushing like a tomato with stage fright and unresolved romantic confusion. Where’s Jayson when I need a fake emergency?

Oh right. Being held hostage with a paper version of my face.

Then—
Lights dimmed.
Instruments set.
It was time.

I stepped onto the stage—legs made of jelly and regret.
My bandmates moved into position like battle-ready soldiers: Sonata on keyboard, Bluechord on bass, Echojam on drums, Musika on synth, and Nightingale at my side with her backup mic and electric guitar.

I inhaled.
Then peeked backstage.

There he was.

Jayson.
Arms crossed. Pouting. But smiling—just a little.
Giving me a thumbs up with that “You faint, I riot” energy.

I scanned the crowd.
At the sponsor table—my parents.

My mom sipped her drink like an evil CEO. Gave me a thumbs up. Crossed her arms again. Classic mom behavior.

Then—
The First Lady.
Sitting in the VIP section.

No pressure, right?

And then—my brothers: Sphere, Rome, and France. Waving glowsticks like overgrown toddlers.

But then…

Zatariel.
Front row.

No Ofreigha.
Just his parents and little sister.

He smiled at me. Like he knew who I was behind the bucket hat.

I short-circuited.
Battery? 1%.
Okay, Miexha. No.
Littlelune. Time to be a rockstar.