"Just close your eyes, you and I, will go out of space and time." —Natalia Lesz.Chapter Theme Song: 'Fire In The Sky' by Natalia Lesz.••HarmonyI have no idea when we arrived at the school's back section, away from the concert. I can hear the faint sound of the loud music as we sit on a seat situated under a massive tree.The chirping birds are melodies to my ears, and the wind feels cool and refreshing as it dances through the leaves. As the sun slowly sets, it releases slim rays of yellow lights on the bench we're sitting on.This is more like it. Being alone, away from everyone, with the person I love is the most priceless feeling."The school feels a lot better when no one is around." I smile.Blaze nods. "It does. Imagine if it were just us two in the world...it'd be great. At least then, I'd feel like I am 'living' and not just 'existing.'"I look at him. "You feel like you're just existing?"He shrugs lightly. "Yeah. A few weeks ago, I couldn't find the purpose of life. I me
"I can't make you love me if you don't, you can't make your heart feel, something that it won't." —Tank/Adele.Chapter Theme Song: 'I Can't Make You Love Me' by Adele.••Harmony"I have to go," I mumble with a hung head while quickly moving past him. With a loud sigh, he grasps my arm to halt my steps. "Harmony, wait."I hastily free myself of his grip and glance around the area. If Blaze sees us talking, he will certainly be mad. I respect him just as much as he respects me.I take a step back. "What are you doing here?""To see you." He shrugs. "Why aren't you answering my text messages?""I didn't see them..."He simpers and shakes his head. "Now you're lying? You know WhatsApp is known for its 'read recipients' feature, and I see that my messages get 'blue ticked' all the time, you don't have to lie.""Look, Kite, I like you but not in the way you want me to." I sigh. "I love Blaze."He nods and scratches his nose. "Yeah, but does he love you?"I don't say anything, I just look a
"Cause you stop my heart. I can't focus on anything."—Melanie Fiona. Opening Theme Song: 'You Stop My Heart' by Melanie Fiona. •• Blaze "I am almost there, Blaze." A breathless whisper drags me from my idle gazing at the ceiling as Melissa Jones rotates her hips against my groin, her thick black hair perched onto one side of her neck. The golden sun rays pouring through the cream curtains glistens on her wet skin as she bites her plump lips in satisfaction. Shooting me a seductive smile that is immediately replaced with a face of pleasure, she lowers her lips
•• Harmony "And here we are, that's it. Homewood University. Gosh, I am so proud of you, Harmony." My mom reaches over to press a kiss to my head, and I smile softly. High school is over and here I am, about to embark on a brand-new period of my life. I have been academically preparing for this day for at least half of my existence, yet I am still not mentally prepared. I hate changes, and although I understand that they are inevitable I still cannot shake off the huge wad of anxiety coursing through me. Homewood University is enormous. It is oddly parklike with drowsy red-brick walls that appear quite intimidating. The lawn is beautifully green but that large fountain in the center, with that statue rese
“I’ve never fallen from quite this high. Falling into your ocean eyes.” —Billie Eilish. Chapter Theme Song: ‘Ocean Eyes’ by Billie Eilish. •• Harmony My skin glows red, orange, and gold as the flames of the blazing bonfires rise toward the pitch-black sky. The woody fragrance of smoke propagates through the air and the warmth of the fire can be felt but is still not enough to overthrow the chilly night air. Loud music vibrates the dusty earth as ashen debris steadily travel away from the smoke and among the socializing university students. Everyone here seems to know each other, though most of them are first years. The setting is crowded and not my style at all, and I can’t help feeling tiny and out of place. This feels like a party instead of an orientation. Needless to say, I am gravely uncomfortable. I am about to make a U-turn and return to my dorm when April speaks from n
** Harmony “Change the music, idiots!” James bellows toward the DJ section and the music switches to a more upbeat one almost instantly. “Is this a party?” The question leaves my lips before I even realized, and everyone pulls their gazes to me. Attention. I hate attention.Why did I ever open my mouth? “No, it’s not Harmony.” April chuckles. “This is just what Homewood’s orientation looks like.” “Yeah, we’ll begin in a few.” James flashes me a charming smile. I nod shyly and drop my gaze in hopes that everyone will now shift their focus away from me. I hate the spotlight so much. “Are you a freshman?” A smoky voice sounds among us and I glance up, noticing that the smooth tone belongs to Blaze. I swallow uneasily. He makes me feel intensely weird. My eyes travel over everyone. The girls are watching him steadily while James has a faint smirk on his face as he rubs his lips.
“All the good girls go to hell. ’Cause even God herself has enemies. And once the water starts to rise and heaven’s out of sight, she’ll want the devil on her team.”—Billie Eilish. Chapter Theme Song: ‘all the good girls go to hell’ by Billie Eilish. •• Harmony The day has dawn crisp and bright, as the sun drips its yellow yolk through the open window, covering the room with its soft orange hue. I open bleary eyes to regard the clock sitting on the wooden table next to me. 7:05 am. I have class at eight and I’d hate to be late for my first lecture, so although my eyes are heavy and I feel like I’ve been running a thousand miles per hour, I have to gather the strength to get up. I knew attending that orientation-partythingylast night was a bad idea. Feeling lethargic on your first day isn’t something you’d want to start the term with. I’ve been able to over
•• Blaze “April!” I mewl dramatically, throwing my arms around her neck from behind as she stands in line to collect her food. “The canteen is out of burgers.” She rolls her eyes and wriggles away from my embrace. “You and your burgers. Why don’t you just become a burger and eat yourself?” “I’ve got girls to do that for me.” I smile, then turn my attention to the lady behind the counter who has been serving our lunches for two years now. She looks about thirty and her hair is always hidden with a black hairnet. The large apron hides her matured figure, but I can tell she has a remarkable one beneath the white fabric. “Good morning, Pat.” I rest my elbows onto the counter, raising my eyebrows while staring into her face. Her cheeks become noticeably rosy, but she pretends to be annoyed, rolling her eyes as she stirs the pot of Mac and Cheese. I do this every lunch period and she never drops the facade. It’s alr