Chapter 65: Music Club Concert?

~“When I look at you, I see forgiveness, I see the truth. You love me for who I am.” —Miley Cyrus.~

Chapter Theme Song: “When I Look At You” by Miley Cyrus.

HARMONY

“What promise did you make?” April asks, coming to sit next to me on the bed.

I’d finally managed to get Maddie to leave after promising her, for the fifth time, that I’d talk to Blaze for her.

I let out a heavy sigh, feeling drained. “She wanted me to ask Blaze if they could be friends.”

April’s eyes go wide. “Oh wow...and you said yes?”

“Yeah...” I rub my arm, and her eyes somehow get even bigger. She shakes her head, over and over.

“Oh, Harmony. Honey, you don’t know what you’re getting into. She’s not looking for friendship, she’s looking to steal your guy. Maddie’s got a thing for him, and it’s not healthy.

“She’s a little off, you know?” She twirls her finger next to her head, and I have to fight back a smile. “She’s not all there. I think when Blaze took her virginity, he took her sanity too.”

I tilt my head. “Blaze was her first?”

She nods. “Yeah...she was a virgin when they slept together. That can be a lot to handle if you’re not ready to commit.

“Blaze was wrong to do that, but he was clear from the start that he wasn’t looking for a relationship. She knew that, but she went for it anyway.” She sighs, her shoulders dropping.

“Poor girl. I feel bad for her...I always tell girls to stay away from my cousin, the sex-machine, but they never listen.”

~Like me.~

“So what should I do?”

She pushes her hair back from her face, puffing out her cheeks. “Well...just tell her Blaze doesn’t want to be friends. Honesty is the best policy.”

“She’ll freak out. Like she did earlier.”

She shrugs. “Yeah, but at least she’ll leave you alone after that...hopefully.”

I nod slowly. “Okay.”

“And Harmony, don’t ever help other girls get close to the guy you like, okay? That’s just not something we do. Especially not with girls who are as desperate as Maddie.

“She’s not looking for friendship.”

“Yeah...” I give her a small smile. “Thanks for the advice.”

She stands up and stretches. “You’re welcome, and I don’t want to see ~Medusa~ in my dorm room again.” She heads for the bathroom, and I chuckle.

“You call her ~Medusa~ too?”

“Yeah...she’s not normal.” She shrugs as she closes the door.

I shake my head and lay back, staring up at the blank cream ceiling. I’ll tell Maddie the truth tomorrow and keep my distance after that.

***

“Excuse me, first-year!”

I recognize the voice behind me and stop, turning to see Justine Meyers coming my way.

I haven’t seen her since our confrontation in the music room a few weeks ago. I haven’t been back to the club since then, mostly because I didn’t feel comfortable knowing the president didn’t like me.

“Hi.” She smiles, and it’s unsettling because I was expecting a smirk and an attitude.

“Um. Hi?” I respond, more of a question than a greeting, as I tighten my grip on my bag straps.

“I know you’re wondering why I’m talking to you. And I know you’re still upset about what I said in the music room. But I hope you can forgive me.

“It was really rude of me, as a sophomore, to talk to you like that. I’m truly sorry.”

~Okay...~

After a few seconds of me just staring at her, she raises her eyebrows expectantly.

I snap out of it and nod. “Yeah, I guess you’re forgiven.”

She smiles again, looking genuinely relieved. “Anyway, I wanted to talk to you about this music concert next month.

“I heard you sing at the meeting on your first day, and your voice is amazing. I was wondering if you’d be our lead singer?”

I shake my head so fast it feels like it might fly off.

“No, no. I’m sorry. I can’t sing in front of people.”

She frowns. “Really? But you sang in front of the group.”

“Yeah but...I just really can’t when it’s a big crowd—”

“She’s lying,” a voice interrupts, and an arm wraps around my neck. I recognize the scent immediately.

I look up to see Blaze smirking down at me. He winks, and my heart melts at his lopsided smile.

My cheeks heat up and I look away.

“She doesn’t suck—at all. She sings like an angel,” he says, and Justine smiles.

“Well, there you have it. You’d be great.”

“No, no. I really can’t—”

“She can.”

I glare at Blaze, and he just grins.

“Justine, I won’t be able—”

“She will be.”

“Blaze!” I frown at him, and he laughs, pulling me closer.

“Relax, green eyes. I’ll be there to watch you, so you won’t be scared.” He lowers his head to look at me. “Okay?”

Justine’s face flashes with what looks like jealousy, but it’s gone as quickly as it appeared. I can understand why she’d feel that way. They did have a fling in the past.

“Harmony, we need you to be our lead singer. The chairman and music teachers will be there, and we can’t afford to mess this up.”

I let out a sigh. She’s giving me those puppy dog eyes and a pout. It’s not exactly convincing, but I appreciate her trying.

“Harmony, share your incredible voice with the world,” Blaze chimes in, spreading his arms wide in a dramatic gesture. I’m tempted to jab him in the ribs.

Honestly, I can’t let this fear of singing in front of people control me forever, right? I need to conquer this anxiety and move forward. Maybe this is the first step.

Besides, my dad wouldn’t be happy knowing I’ve given up on singing. I’ll do it, for him and for Blaze.

I raise my hand in surrender. “Okay, I’ll give it a shot—”

“YES!” they both shout in unison.

~Well, that was unexpected.~

“Thank you so much! Meet us in the music room at four this afternoon, okay? Please be there!” she says, flashing me a smile before walking away.

I turn to Blaze, who’s grinning from ear to ear and wiggling his eyebrows. It’s adorable, but I still want to jab him in the gut for roping me into this concert thing.

I just hope I don’t have a panic attack on stage.

“That was a good decision, green eyes.” He smiles.

“Blaze, if I have a heart attack on stage, my ghost is coming back to haunt you.” I cross my arms and scowl.

“I wouldn’t mind that. If your ghost comes back, I’d love it just as much.” He chuckles.

I turn to look at him. Did he just say...“love it just as much?” Does that mean he loves me?

I’ve never pushed him to say those words because I know he struggles with his feelings. I’ve been patiently waiting for the moment he’s ready to say them.

But that comment...it was profound.

I swallow hard. “Blaze...did you just say—”

“Monie!” A cheerful voice interrupts me, and we both turn to see Maddie bounding toward us.

Blaze’s jaw tightens and he looks away.

“Hey,” I say awkwardly, and she smiles.

“Hey.” Her gaze shifts to Blaze. “Hey, Blaze.”

He grunts and walks away, leaving me feeling embarrassed for her. Sure, she might be a bit obsessive, but his reactions to her are just cruel.

Her face falls, and I sigh. “He’s just having a rough morning.”

“What did he say...about us being friends?”

I remember April’s advice and decide it’s best to be honest.

“I’m sorry, Maddie, but he said he doesn’t want to be friends.”

I hold my breath.

She stares at me for a moment, processing the information. Then her lips start to tremble and she lowers her head.

She doesn’t cry, though. Instead, she gives me that unsettling glare from last night.

“Can I ask you something?”

I nod. “Yeah, sure.”

“Is there something going on between you two?”

Her question catches me off guard. She waits for an answer, a wild look in her eyes.

“Is there?” she presses.

I open my mouth to respond. “Uh, well, we—”

“Maddie!” Mal interrupts, saving me from his terrifying sister. I’ve never been so relieved.

Thank God. She scares me.

“Are you bothering Harmony about Blaze again, Maddie?”

She smiles. “No, Mal. We were just talking.”

~So she’s a good liar too...great.~

“Well, Harmony has literature with me now, so I’ll have to take her away,” he says.

Maddie nods. “Okay, see you later, Harmony.”

I force a smile as she walks away, her long black hair bouncing with each step.

Mal takes a deep breath. “Please don’t listen to my sister, okay? She just doesn’t listen to me. I told her to stay away from Blaze, but she won’t.”

He sounds incredibly frustrated, and I sigh. “I guess she can’t get over him...she must really love him.”

~And that’s not just scary...it’s dangerous.~