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Chapter 5

When they reached the fifth floor, they leaned on the railings and stared at the sky. The majestic view of the setting sun before them was so breath-taking and the cold wind could've made the scene awkward especially now that she's watching the sunset with someone for the first time but for an unknown reason, she felt comfortable.

Aleisha was savoring the ambiance when Ash broke the silence.

"Why do people love to watch the sun set? What's so good about watching the day end and the darkness of the night eating the light?"

"It's the fact that you get to see such a majestic view before the sky turns dark. But there's nothing wrong with darkness, nature still rewards us with the moon and the stars to bring light to our night.", she answered, the vibe of the surrounding making her poetic for a moment. Silence ensued afterwards. Both of them just enjoying the view.

When the sun was gone from their sight, they decided to go down since it's starting to get dark. They noticed that there are still many students roaming around the school. They were walking silently when Ash noticed that the Music room was open with a big "Autitions going on" signage posted on the door. He stopped right in front of the music room and looked at Aleisha.

"What time is your curfew?", he asked her with persuading eyes.

"Hmm, yeah. My curfew's 6:30pm. Why? You wanna audition? I wont support you", she teased.

"Very funny. Let's go in now.", he replied, faking an unimpressed expression as he opened the door for her.

Inside the room, a few students are lined up, waiting for their turn to sing in front. Ash got a registration sheet from the table, filled it up and waited for his turn while Aleisha stood up in the corner of the room, listening to the auditionees. 

When it was time for Ash to go upstage, he asked if he could borrow the guitar and luckily the staff said yes so he stood there in the center of the small stage, more like a platform, looking cool despite only wearing his school uniform with its buttons opened, showing his inner shirt.

"What day is it? And in what month? This clock never seemed so alive"

As he started singing, his eyes roam around the room to search the crowd for the face he wants to see. 

"I can't keep up and I can't back down. I've been losing so much time"

His very first friend in this school. The girl who caught her attention from the very first time he laid his eyes on her. 

"Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do, nothing to lose"  

There she was, standing in the corner with an encouraging smile on her face. 

"And it's you and me and all of the people. And I don't know why I can't keep my eyes off of you"  

 He smiled sweetly back at her. He could see her blush.  How he loved her smile. Wait, did he just say loved? 

"This song is for you", he tried to tell her through his eyes. She still has her smile on her lips, but a shy one this time.

"And it's you and me and all other people and I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you"

When he finished his song, the whole room resounded with applause . It was then when he realized that the small room where the audition took place became a mini concert hall because the people gathered in front increased in number.

After he thanked everyone for listening, he approached Aleisha who was still mesmerized by what she heard and they went out of the room together.

"Oh, i didn't know a handsome man like you has such a great voice.", she complimented him.

"Oh, handsome? You think I'm handsome? And that i have a great voice?", he teased her with a cheeky look on his face.

"Knock it off, will you? I was just returning the compliment you told me earlier.", she replied.

"Whatever. So we're a perfect match then.", he answered with a smile while his eyes were glued on the floor.

"What?", she looked at him, shocked and confused at the same time. She heard him clearly, she just wanted to make sure she heard the right thing.

"Nothing. So, will i walk you home?"

"No. I'll ride a jeepney going home." 

"Then I'll walk you to the jeepney stop." 

"If you insist.", she answered. She didnt know if she's hallucinating but she thought she heard him say "yes!". Hmm, maybe it's just her imagination.

They walked together until the jeepney stop and Ash didn't leave until she was able to ride safely. He told her to be careful and she did the same. 

On his way home, Ash recalled what happened today. It was the best first day of school, and he thinks he found his first love. Who knows? She might be the one. The thought excites him.