•• Harmony “So another thing you need to know is that the food here is nasty as hell,” Mal informs as we walk from the theatre, and I chuckle as I look up at him, listening keenly to every word of advice he’s giving me. He has been here for two years now, so he’s a lot more familiar with the environment. Hence, his words are gospel for me, I need to take everything in like a vacuum. So far, his personality is golden, and it’s really refreshing to finally meet someone here who seems level-headed and collective. No offense, April. I crinkle my nose with a smile, gripping my straps while swinging in my strides. “I have tried the sandwich from their snack bar, it’s not so bad.” “The snack bar isn’t bad, but the cafeteria? Is awful. I think Pat needs to get us better lunches.” And we chuckle. During our shared laughter, my eyes spot an open room, and inside holds a shiny black piano. A stab of nost

** Harmony I place my palm over my head and hurry toward his vehicle, quickly pulling the door and sliding in. I wipe water from my clothes as I look over at him. His expression is stern and unsmiling, and I shrink in my seat. “Are you okay?” “The man is perfectly fine, he can work to earn an income, so I have no idea why you just gave him your money,” he starts, turning his glare at me. I take notice of how dark his pupils have become, and he seems a lot different than who he was thirty minutes ago. “It’s called caring,” I answer. “Or being stupid. He has two legs, just like us. Everyone is trying to find their way in life, he should get up and try too, not fair for him to take other people’s hard-working money.” I drop my gaze to the plastic bag in my lap. He has a point but there is no danger in giving. I won’t apologize for being softhearted; I feel like Blaze just lacks compassion. He sighs when h

•• Third-person Pov “Hey wait up, Harmony!” Stopping in her tracks, she looks around with shirred brows to see Malcolm scurrying up the hall toward her. A smile graces her lips as her small features pipes up in a blink. She hasn’t seen him since Literature class. Even though she has only met him a few days ago, she cannot deny how comfortable she is with him. He is one of the only three males that she doesn’t feel unsettled around—her dad and Collum completing the shortlist. They don’t give off that intimidating vibe that Blaze and other members of the masculine gender does. Malcolm comes to a stop in front of her, catching his breath tiredly. Harmony giggles at the state he is in as he braces his back dramatically. “Hey.” “Hey.” She smiles. “They have this-uh...” He blows his cheeks out, and she chuckles. “Breathe and talk slowly.” “The music club is opening today; their first meet. I

•• Harmony I chew on my lip as I stare at the items of clothing I had laid out on the bed, deciding on what to wear. It’s just to draw Harmony, not a date! I try to remind myself. I sigh and opt for the floral dress. The night air is cold, and so I choose to pair the frock with a yellow furry sweater and let my curly hair flow freely to aid in warmth. I grab my sketchpad and a pouch with my artistic instruments, then quickly shoot Collum a short text before heading out. As I walk down the hallway, I can’t ignore the gob of guilt growing inside me. My mom may not be able to see me, but my dad is probably up there watching me at this very moment. Heading to a boy’s dorm...alone. I try to convince myself that it’s just to draw and that there is no funny business involved in it, but it’s still not enough to silence my yapping conscience. I bite my lip and stop in my tracks, con

“Because...” She’s not sure she wants to share such confidential information but seeing how she has already told him the sad tale of her father’s death she has already crossed the main milestone. “I used to sing in front of my dad and now that he’s dead, singing in front of anyone just makes me feel like throwing up.” There is a small silence between them. Harmony isn’t expecting any act of comfort from him since Blaze has already exhibited that consolatory is not his thing. And he proves her right for the second time when he just skips right over it. “I heard you singing the other day...you seemed fine.” He half-smiles. “That’s because I had no idea you were there,” she says truthfully, and he bobs his head. “Yeah. I guess you’re right.” Her mind flows back to that very moment when he had appeared from behind the wall, and her curiosity spurs. “Why were you there though?” She raises her eyes, removing hair from her face with a finger.