"The name is Galene Astraea Fuentez, also a transferee from Jouska High, nice to meet you"
Astraea? Like starry-night? I glanced at the woman standing behind Malkiel and saw that she was smiling so widely while introducing herself. A happy-go-lucky transferee maybe? My gazes landed on the one sitting beside her who was grimacing and immediately changed what I thought. No, she was smiling because she was just simply happy. A bet maybe? To be honest I couldn't care less but her name caught my attention.
The introductions went on and when it was my turn, I stood up and shortly introduced myself since there was no need.
"Drystan Zael Valdez, member of Phoenix Harmony"
That was all it took for the whole classroom to erupt in cheers. I grinned, our band was already famous despite it being just our second year here in Clandestine High. That was part of our goal of course. We plan to reach the top and this would be our stepping stone.
For some unknown reason, my gaze wandered behind me and sure enough, I found that Galene girl staring at me. Her chin resting on one of her hands, while the other was tapping on her desk.
When I met her eyes, she snickered. And from that day onward, I never liked her.
🎙🎶🎙
"So Drystan has been torturing us for three days straight. YOU MONSTER!!"
I rolled my eyes at Kenzo who was being dramatic. They were talking about how the three girls with whom we became friends hadn't hung out with us. Of course, it was partly because we needed practice and also because I think they already found an organization to join.
"By the way, Ms. Emily said she'll tell us something today"
I stared at the three when my gaze flew to the doorway where Ms. Emily stood. Stopping just in time to hear Kenzo say
"After leaving us in the hands of this monster named Drystan, she comes today? What for? A nagging again?"
"Oh my, I didn't know you hated my nagging that much Kenzo, should I nag you some more?"
I let out a sigh and continued flipping through my music sheets. Kenzo had it coming, he was an idiot for having no filter. I was determined to ignore them when I heard a familiar voice.
"You really shouldn't give Quincey some blackmailing material Kenzo"
I raised my head and saw that beside Ms. Emily was Quincey and behind them was Serenity who was slapping Galene at her back probably to make her stop laughing. I raised an eyebrow when Ms. Emily invited the three in.
I sat on the chair beside me only to stand up again when Ms. Emily said
"You should welcome the new three members of Phoenix Harmony, Quincey, Galene and Serenity"
"EXCUSE ME!!"
What the hell was happening now?
"No offense Miss but we created Phoenix Harmony as our band and just registered it here in Clandestine High so we…"
"So you could promote and use the instruments here during your free time. I am aware, Drystan and it would still be like that. It's just that until your time here in Clandestine High, these three will be with you."
I gaped at Ms. Emily when I saw Galene snicker again. I felt a vein popping in my head. I hate it whenever this woman snickers, it feels as if she is making fun of me.
"I'm sorry, what exactly?"
"Quincey's connections with gigs and parties will be enough for you to get the promotion you desire."
"You? connections? an aloof weirdo like you?"
"Kenzo I swear one more word from you and you'll never see tomorrow"
I looked at Kenzo and saw how quickly he zipped up his mouth, I shook my head. I already knew that this friend of mine is hopeless beyond repair.
"Anyway, Quincey would act as your promoter, while Galene would be your official manager"
"Excuse me?"
I unexpectedly raised my voice which made everyone look at me. I saw how Galene raised an eyebrow but a grin was still plastered on her face.
"Galene will manage your timetable, your meals, your clothes, and your songs"
I hate that. The reason why I rejected having a manager from the very beginning is that I hate having a nosy person around. I don't want anyone telling me what to do and especially I don't like having someone tamper with the song I make. And now, you're telling me that this menace of a woman was to become our manager?
I stared at Galene and found that she was already staring at me too. I saw how her mouth moved and formed the words 'Glad to be working with you' before grinning more.
I felt another vein pop in my head and just knew that my peaceful and quiet days were to be over.
🎙🎶🎙
True enough, my days were never the same after meeting them. I massaged my temples when I felt another headache making its way through.
"Hey Zael"
I didn't need to look back to even know who was calling me, just her voice was enough indication of who she was and truthfully there's only one person on this campus who calls me by my second name.
"No, it's too early for this"
"Stop walking, Hey!!"
I abruptly stopped walking and felt her bump in my back. I turned around and saw that she was massaging her nose while glaring at me. I crossed my arms in front of my chest.
"What? You said stop walking"
Instead of scowling, my eyebrows creased when I saw her smirking. I really hate this expression of hers.
"Zael, you really do care huh?"
I felt another vein pop in my head.
"If you're not going to say anything then stop following me"
"Ahhh its about your song"
That made me stop in my tracks, I glared at her and saw that she was still smirking at me. This woman was making this on purpose. She knew that I was overly sensitive when it came to my songs. In just a few weeks of being together, she already knew how to push my buttons.
"What about them?"
"Love is overrated"
"What?"
I stared at her and saw that she was saying this seriously.
"The lyrics of the songs you wrote were all about love and I'm saying that love is overrated. The concept of it had been used by so many artists and songwriters already, what makes you think your song would stand out?"
"Are you doubting it?"
I felt anger rise inside my chest. Does she dare tell me these things when she doesn't know anything?
"I'm merely just telling you to find other alternatives or concepts for your lyrics…"
"It doesn't work like that"
I didn't even bother listening to the rest of her sentence and walked away. What does she know? How could she even tell me to change the concept and lyrics of it?
I walked inside our room and ignored Galene's yells. I immediately spotted Koa and Kenzo sitting on my desk and Malkiel sulking at his desk.
"Get off of my desk if you don't have anything to do"
The two immediately stood up as I placed my bag on the desk and sat on it. In the corners of my eyes, I could see Galene entering the room.
"Hey, we're not done!"
"Yes we are, now shut up, it's too early to annoy me"
She pinched the bridge of her nose and let out a sigh before placing her things on her desk behind Malkiel.
"Did the two of you argue again? This early?"
None of us answered Kenzo's question and I couldn't be bothered to anyway.
"They're ignoring me, and Malkiel here looks like he carries the burden of the whole world. Koa, looks like it's just the two of us whose normal. Hey...!"
"Why? What's wrong with you Malkiel?"
I glanced at Malkiel whose shoulders were now being tapped by Galene. Her face was etched with a mixture of worry and curiosity.
"Galene, does Serenity have a boyfriend?"
My eyes widened when we heard what Malkiel said, my gaze went to Galene who was now shocked too. But it only took her a second to regain her composure as she sat back in her seat with her arms crossed on her chest.
She looked… angry. I knew that I could make her angry sometimes but this was on another different level. It was like she didn't want to talk about it.
"Ha~ that bastard, why? did he come to pick up Serenity last week?"
"Eh? Serenity has a boyfriend?"
"Yeah, she has one and he's currently attending Jouska High"
Malkiel buried his head on his desk again. I really couldn't blame my friend. It was probably the first heartbreak he ever felt.
"Is that why you're like that?"
"Ha~ Serenity's probably the first girl he liked, so this is his first heartbreak"
I flinched and immediately scowled at Kenzo.
"Kenzo shut up"
"What? But it's true"
I stood up and dragged Kenzo while covering his mouth. This idiot was always dense and could never read the room. I looked back just enough to see how Galene was talking to Malkiel. It was weird. I never thought I could see such a comforting expression from her. But of course, that comforting gaze was only for Malkiel. She probably likes him.