Serena felt her eye twitch. It sounded like they always had lunch out together with just the two of them, and she had no doubts that that was how it sounded to Charlton's ears. Not that she's assuming that he cares about it much.

"Sorry to say but I think I have to go. I still have an appointment with Emily for our project." Charlton said as he excused himself. Honestly, he did have to meet her later, but it was not like he didn't have time to spare for lunch. He just thought that he couldn't stand another round of seeing Geoffrey and Serena together.

Serena could not help but note Charlton saying Emily's name without any prefix. She knew that they were already over, but does he have to rub it on her face that he has long since moved on? Anyway, clearing her mind, she still had to ask.

"Can we work on the song again later? Or any other time when you're available? I believe that your input is very valuable, and I don't think that we can do this without you." She said honestly. There was no need for pretense in front of the staggering reality. They need to finish the song by the end of March, and they won't be able to do so without Charlton's help.

Charlton felt like he has been punched in the gut. How can he say no to her? It was the first time that she has ever asked for his help so openly. However, he could only limit their time spent together, "I already have the song memorized and will work on the melody and harmony. By next week, we can meet again, and I will play it for you three. Would that work?"

Serena was a little disappointed but could only nod in response. "Then, how does Saturday after lunch next week sound?" After their meeting for the ball, Serena was free. She's not joining any event for the intramurals anyway.

Charlton nodded his head, he only had matches for the fencing competition in the morning and was free in the afternoon.

--

When Charlton got back to his dorm, he started working on the song immediately. He brought out a clean sheet music and started writing on it. Tapping on his table as if it he could see the keys of the piano in front of him and can hear the sounds he was making.

He wrote and rewrote on the sheet music and did not notice the passing of the time. He only noticed the time when it was already quarter to four as his stomach grumbled due to hunger.

He belatedly remembered that he forgot his meeting with Emily. He was supposed to meet her at 2 in the afternoon to rehearse their performance which will be the finale of their project's event and also talk about the promotional stint that they will be doing.

Emily has been nothing but agreeable to him. She was actually quite nice, and he could see why Geoffrey liked her in the first place. Anyway, he was already 2 hours late. He wondered if she was still waiting. No matter, he still has to go there to check.

To his surprise, looking through the glass window, he saw Emily was still waiting inside. She was behind the piano, and she seemed to be concentrating on whatever she was playing. Then, when she raised her head, she saw him, and her eyes immediately brightened. She gave him a beaming smile, and he could only awkwardly smile back feeling guilty.

Emily stood up from her seat to open the door which was not locked in the first place. Anyway, shrugging her irritation away, she could only pretend that everything was fine, and that she was some angelic person that would forgive him for his transgressions. He was after all, the most popular male of their age nowadays and will prove to be very useful in the future. No use in burning bridges she hasn't even crossed yet.

"I thought you forgot, but I still waited just in case, thankfully I did as you're here now." She said first before he could apologize, just so she can drive the point clearer and make him more guilty. To look like she's a very understanding person, she even smiled.

"I'm very sorry, Ms. Emily. Next time, you don't have to wait for me in this kind of circumstance. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?" he asked. He did not feel quite right just to say sorry and not do anything about it.

Emily giggled with his words, really, this Charlton makes it so easy. If it were Geoffrey, he would just apologize and shrug it off. "You don't owe me anything, but if you really want to make it up to me then let's just say you owe me a favor. You can't say no when I want to collect it."

"It's nothing evil, right?" he asked. Sometimes, he finds her a bit funny too. If he were not already in love with Serena, he can see himself liking someone like Emily. She was from humble origins, but she has this drive to improve herself. He admires her for it.

"Of course not. Do you think I'm someone evil? Besides we're friends." she asked for effect.

"No, not really. But okay, I'll owe you a favor as a friend. But let me get things straight. I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but we can only ever be friends. Alright?", although he knew that the was being presumptuous, it's better this way so that no one would get hurt.

Emily would be lying if she were to say that she was not offended. She understands why he liked Serena, but he didn't have to live like a monk just for her. Anyway, she can only smile back at him and nod her head. She didn't really like him that much anyway.

--

TBC