After the saying goodbye to her fans, Serena was escorted back to her dormitory by Leonard and her parents. It has been a long day filled with excitement and pleasant surprises. Thus, upon arrival they did not stay long and just congratulated her again before leaving. On her part, she just wanted to soak in the tub and relax.

Recalling the events of the day, a smile blossomed on her face. She still felt like everything that happened earlier was so dreamlike. She especially liked people cheering for her and Charlton. Although she knew that they were already over, she could not stop her musings. Spending time with him, working alongside him again, feeling that they were once again, a team, even so minutely, made her realize that no matter how much she tried to move on, she just can't. She missed talking to him, sharing jokes with him, having him beside her, ugh…. she just misses everything about him. Was there still some possibility of them getting back together? Should she start dropping hints on him again? But how?

She shook her head and chastised herself. What was wrong with her? It was not like it was her choice to separate. From the start it was Charlton who has left her. She should just move on like he did. However, no matter how much she tried, she could not get him out of her head, much more her heart.

--

In school, the excitement about the signing event subsided after a few days as everyone's attention shifted to the coming intramurals. Serena did not participate in any of the events as she knew that she already had her hands full.

On the 24th, after the attending the opening and marching parade, she, together with Geoffrey and Leonard, proceeded to the private music room to again work on the melody of the song.

"What do you think?" Geoffrey asked after Serena sifted through the document containing the list of potential candidates he selected to sing parts of the song.

Serena was impressed. Geoffrey really went out of his way to prepare the list. He even included a brief profile of each person she did not recognize. "This list is really good. But is it possible to make all of them agree to participate?"

"If you think that they are good enough then I will send them the invite immediately" Geoffrey replied.

Serena looked at the list again, there were 9 of them from the student council, Grace Astoria from the faculty, and 10 other students from different kingdoms she have not met. Their numbers have also been evened out, 10 boys and 10 girls.

"Then, I will leave that up to you." She said smiling gratefully.

After coming to an agreement, they again started working on the melody of the song. It took hours of them working together, but Serena was just not satisfied with the outcome. No matter how she explains it, the two just can't follow. At the end of the day, they did not have much progress from where they left off last time.

--

By the second week of March, the pressure was already too real. Although they already confirmed the list of people singing and the lines of the song has already been distributed, the melody and the harmony of the song was still a mess. Well, at least according to Serena. Thus, they decided to consult with Felix after their class.

"Sir, would you mind staying for a while? We wish to request for your input regarding the song we're working on." Serena requested as she approached Felix who was collecting his things.

"Sure. Should we discuss it here?" He replied.

Serena looked around the room, seeing that there were still students around, she shook her head. "If it's alright, please join us in the private music room as this song is something confidential at the moment."

"Alright." Felix replied. When he was ready, he followed Serena, Geoffrey, and Leonard to the music room.

Serena started explaining everything regarding the song, afterwards, she asked Leonard to play on the piano while she and Geoffrey sang some of the lines.

"In my opinion, I think that the melody is already good. However, what it lacks is impact. Have you thought of using additional instruments? Perhaps adding strings would do." Felix suggested.

Serena nodded her head, she did consider that, but she thought that just like the previous songs, just using the piano would work.

Geoffrey and Leonard winced, their skills in music were already very good, but what they excel at was classical music. All the concepts and ideas that Serena comes up with were all new to them and something that they have never even considered.

"Sir Felix, can you help us on the harmony at the very least?" Serena requested.

"Let me try." He replied.

Leonard scooted off the stool and Felix sat in his place.

"what do you think of this?" Felix asked as he played the keys of the piano.

Serena nodded her head but there was still something missing. Was the piece too modern for this era? Does she have to make do with this?

Felix himself felt dissatisfied with what he came up with, but what can he do? He was not cut out for Serena's music genre. Seeing Serena's lack of enthusiasm, he can only sigh.

"Honestly Serena, the music that you come up with is not something that I or even most of the greatest musician of this age are used to. Perchance have you tried asking assistance from Charlton? Based on your previous works, I believe that he will be able to provide better contribution than me."

Serena can't even pretend to smile. She did think of him, plenty of times really. However, she knew that he was busy with the fundraising event that he's leading with Emily. Besides, she was even one of the instigators to make that happen. Furthermore, she has been trying to be a little more friendly with him whenever she sees him, and although he was polite in return, he was obviously going out of his way to avoid interacting with her.

Like just last week, in the orphanage during lunch, Geoffrey and the others were meeting with the facilitators, and she was on the table with only a couple of children. Their eyes met as he was walking to find where to sit while carrying his tray of food. She smiled at him and used her eyes to direct him to sit with her. But he just smiled at her, shook his head as he moved to sit with the others, his back facing her. It was like a slap to her face but all she could do was pretend that it did not happen.

It maddens her especially when he makes her feel like she was some desperate abandoned woman trying to chase him back.

"It would be nice to have him with us, however, I doubt that he would have the time. He's very busy working on his project too. Anyway, thank you for the advice Sir Felix, we will try adding the strings." Serena responded. What else could she say?

--

TBC