“I’m jealous, I’m overzealous. When I’m down I get real down. When I’m high I don’t come down. I get angry, baby, believe me. I could love you just like that and I can leave you just as fast.” —Julia Michaels.
Chapter Theme Song: ‘Issues’ by Julia Michaels.
••
Harmony
The car is silent as we propel along the slippery road, the sound of rain splattering against metal and the faded roars of passing vehicles filling the frigid void.
I had no idea the ride to the mall would be this long. I am dying of anxiety being in this tiny space next to him, and the fact that he’s half-naked makes this situation even more nerve-wracking.
I quietly puff air from my cheeks, rubbing my palms along my legs in restlessness. Blaze glances over at me and softly smiles before focusing back to the road.
“So, who taught you to play the piano?”
I gaze at him at the posi
** 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
"Terrors don’t prey on innocent victims."—Imagine Dragons. Chapter Theme Song: ‘Bad Liar’ by Imagine Dragons. •• Blaze “Yo, where have you been?!” James glances at me from the PS4 game he’s playing on the small couch, the loud game system reverberating throughout the cramped dorm room. “You’ve been MIA all morning.” Instead of responding with words, I coil my fingers under my T-shirt and tug it over my head, fluffing it into a ball before sailing it straight into his face. He hisses and grabs it from next to him, keeping his eyes on his game as he blindly throws it across the room. It lands on the floor and I shake my head as I drop my bag of snacks and car keys on the table. Nasty fucker. Making my way to the mini kitchen, I kick the garment out of my way as I stifle a loud yawn. I open the fridge and retrieve a bottle of cool water before nudging the door cl
•• 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
“Guess it’s true, I’m not good at a one night stand. But I still need love ’cause I’m just a man. These nights never seem to go to plan, I don’t want you to leave will you hold my hand?”—Sam Smith. Chapter Theme Song: ‘Stay With Me’ by Sam Smith. •• Harmony When I get to my dorm room April is on the bunk bed painting her fingernails while Yuna and Tia are sitting on the floor’s mat painting theirs. It appears they are getting ready to head to another party. And at this point, I strongly suggest that this university makes partying a part of their curriculum. They look up at the closing of the door, greeting me with kind smiles. “Hey Harmony,” April says, steadily applying the purple paint onto her thumbnail. Her hand shifts and she loudly curses, reaching for a napkin while she tries to position the transparent bottle onto the bed. I watch he
•• 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
“Open up next to you and my secrets become your truth. And the distance between that was sheltering me comes in full view.” —Sara Bareilles. Chapter Theme Song: ‘Breathe Again’ by Sara Bareilles. (^You can listen the song at the part where Harmony sings it in the chap :) •• Third-person POV Beguiling. That’s the only word staining Harmony’s thoughts as she delicately sketches the portrait of theimpeccableboy sitting in front of her. He must have been one of God’s most cherished art pieces, his most laudable design that left even him in awe after he had finished molding him. Before Blaze, she has never had the prospect to admire the masculine sexuality. Of course, she was sometimes forced to interact with them during her years of primary and secondary education, but none of them has ever evoked such favorable feelings. The
“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.
“Lips meet teeth and tongue. My heart skips eight beats at once.” —Billie Eilish. Chapter Theme Song: ‘Watch’ by Billie Eilish. •• Third-person POV Harmony feels as though the world is standing still as his lips finally meet hers. The flutter in her heart greatly intensifies at how warm and soft he feels against her mouth. Her eyes are squeezed shut to avoid all possible distractions. This is her first kiss; it’s a sacred moment for her and she needs to savor in every bit of it. Though this isn’t how she imagined it to be like. They say 'he who kisses with his eyes open, isn’tfeelingat all,' well the saying has to be legit since Blaze’s eyes are currently half-opened, watching her in satisfaction. Her lips are just as delicate as she looks and he’s very much aware that she has never kissed anyone before him since when he nudges her bottom lip with his tongue, she re