Prologue

"Congratulations!" The members of the club greeted us, led by the juniors whose voices echoed around the room.

We were gathered inside the music room to celebrate our little success. Our group joined a band competition, and we brought home the crown. It was not a huge event, but the fact that we won means we can get big in the future.

I can not wait to be successful together with my bandmates.

I went straight to the sofa we bought using the card of our co-member, Ali, during our first year of building the club. His father is the CEO of a known car company in our country. He would not notice if we used a few numbers. And besides, he is very supportive of his son.

My eyes scanned the entire room filled with party decorations. The colors played within metallic silver and metallic blue. The kids must have thought of this thoroughly. Knowing some of the juniors we taught, they are very picky, but it is for the best.

Those were the official colors of our club which have witnessed our ups and downs through the years.

"Aya! Would you like a drink? Cola? Juice? Uh, Fruit Punch?" My eyes widened from the sudden question, "Did you guys really-" I could not finish my question when Lander laughed. Oh boy, my soul left my body for a second.

He is one of the best freshmen we accepted when we were still in our sophomore year. He plays many instruments and can even learn fast; A genius one to be exact.

"Of course not!" He said while hitting his lap, still laughing. "You looked like any minute you were about to pass out, which is the reason why I said that. We do not even have the budget for those, and besides we only have cola for drinks."

"Hey, that is a bad joke. And for that, I want the fruit punch, but I will give it to you." I said that seriously and smirked while playing with my knuckles. He gulped two times before faking a laugh.

"Aha, I think I have to go somewhere else. Be right back, Aya!" I shook my head and laughed at his actions.

The decorations and vibe of the room fit our type. We do not want it extravagant, but rather: cool and classy.

Looks like the club will be passed on to great members. I said to myself.

They have brought the usual menu whenever we gather. And those are pizzas, burgers, fries, and the never absent cola.

I took a pizza using my left hand, and the other hand held a cup of the drink. Then I walked around the room like a boss. And I only stopped a few steps away from our mini studio room. The boys are playing a song inside, probably one of the songs they made.

I already heard their demos before, but it is just not right. I can sense the intentions when they wrote the songs, I can see it in the lyrics too. But when they sing it, there is something I needed more. The feelings are not there yet, and I want them to find those things in the future.

We accepted them for their skills. So, I believe that they will find their souls in their music too.

I bit from my pizza only to find out that I am only holding the crust.

Where is my pizza!? I thought.

My eyes darted to the person in front of me, stuffing my beloved food. This food-stealing monster!

"Damn, Jay. Get a life."

"I just got it though." He said while pointing to his mouth that is still chewing the pizza. I hope he chokes.

I sneered at his remark and turned around. Finishing my cola, I threw the cup into the trash bin like a well-known basketball player. The faded laughter by some freshmen and sophomores surrounded the other side of the room. So, I went back to the sofa where my people are sitting.

"Sup, August! How is the money counting?" I asked as soon as I sat down on the single black sofa.

"Shut up, Aya. I am still counting." He said that while still counting the money and listing some numbers on a paper. A few seconds later, he stopped, put his hands on his sides, and looked at us. "You all know I am bad at math, so why do I have to handle this job?"

"That is the whole point." Simone answered him.

"Pointless."

"Come on, guys. Do not fight when the kids are around. Do it later, one on one." I smirked while wiggling my brows and fist-bumped with Ali after I said that convincing statement.

We were quietly sitting on the sofa; while August was busy doing maths. The moment he finished his thing, we all clapped at him, gaining attention from the other club members. They were curious about what was happening, but they still followed us like it was the right thing to do.

Ali called Jay after the commotion and whispered something. I guess he already told him about our plans, just by looking at Jay's reactions. Of course, he would love our incredible idea.

The afternoon passed, filled with laughter and memories. We had fun playing board games and watching a movie which most of us slept on. One thing for sure was that the main characters got back together. Whatever.

We were busy talking about club stuff when we heard a knock on the door. Everyone was looking at each other's eyes. I don't know if they are questioning one another or they are hoping that one person would sacrifice and do the honors of going to the door.

As if heard by a genie, someone stood and went to the main door's direction. I'm telling you, this is not normal, because that person does not usually do that, especially when he is peacefully sitting in his seat.

He received some 'oohs' from our clubmates. A miracle happened before our eyes! I must take a good shot of this.

The door is placed on the right corner, which only lets us see Lander's side profile while he's talking to the person on the other side.

"Simone! Someone is looking for you!" Lander shouted after some serious conversation. He looked confused, not buying the other person's talk.

"Me?" Simone unconsciously asked out loud to himself.

"Is there any Simone here aside from you, dumbass." This asshole Lander retorted.

"Did you do something bad?" August wondered, not minding Lander's remark.

"I don't think so. I'm keeping a good profile here, remember?" He answered back, this time he is playing with his thumb. The thing he does whenever he's anxious.

"Hey! Do not think of anything bad, bro. Maybe it is another one of your admirers. They filled your locker last time right? And you panicked because some of the chocolates melted which brought an entire army of ants inside."

"Yeah, so comforting." Simone frowned.

Everyone laughed at the memory Ali shared. I could still remember Simone's face! We even used it as our group chat photo for months and as our wallpaper on each other's phones.

After all that noise, I spoke. "Ali's right, Simone. Now go. If they will give you chocolates, give them to me!" I gently pushed him so he would reach the door faster.

Lander came back to our place when Simone reached the place.

"Who was that?" August asked Lander, who is now busy playing UNO cards with the other juniors.

"I don't know, man. But he's holding a box, so I'm guessing it's a package." He answered without even glancing at us.

A lightbulb flashed in my mind when I heard the word package. Oh dear, I think I know what it is.

I turned in Simone's direction and smiled awkwardly. His brows are like two magnets waiting to meet because obviously of confusion. While carrying the box on his left side, he closed the door using his right hand. He slowly walked, shook the box gently, and looked in our direction again.

"What is this? I can't recall ordering something from this shop." Checking the box once more.

"Sim! Thank you!" I said after I snatched the box from his hold. It took him a minute before he recovered from the shock.

"What was that?"

"Bro, did you forget? I asked if I could use your name when I bought my materials last week."

He tilted his head to his right until realization hit him, "Oh yeah, I remember! Did you buy a lot? It is kind of heavy and I heard things inside when I shook it earlier."

"I just bought the usual."

"Are you writing again, Aya?" August asked, almost whispering, as he scooted closer to Ali.

"I- I am trying to remember it back. It's not like the days will stop coming if I don't. I'm just not getting any younger, Gold."

"Stop calling me Gold, Yami." He retorted, which made my jaw drop. Not my second name?!

I rolled my eyes before saying, "It arrived earlier than my estimated date, though? I was expecting it to be here next week, which is one of the reasons why I used Simone's name, so he could get it."

Our side was eaten by silence, opposite to the other members who are so loud cleaning the room.

"It's good that you're trying to do it again, Aya. We miss your art, your songs, and the first version of you that we have always loved."

"Don't you like what I am now?"

"We love any version of you. We- I mean, I am glad that you chose us to be one of those trusted people to witness this side of you. But," Ali trailed off so I raised both of my brows, waiting for the continuation. He sighed before adding, "But it was made by the saddest memory you had."

My attention diverted to August when he added to what Ali said, "True. You are very special to us, Aya. We will wait for you to be back! We will always be right here with you."

I turned to Simone now who is thinking deeply. He looked at me when he felt my gaze at him, "What? They already said all the nice words, what should I add, then? Stay healthy, I guess."

We laughed at what he said. He looked so innocent. Mind you that he looked, I'm not talking about his mind.

"Boss!" Someone said so loud, which caught everyone's attention. Our gaze fell to Lander-- who is now carrying his bag. He's looking at me.

"Boss Aya, we're done cleaning." He said while smiling with his teeth shown,

"Now, come on kids! Let's go." We looked in the direction he was facing only to see some freshmen and sophomores carrying their bags with a smile.

"What's with these fishy actions?" August broke the weird silence while crossing his arms.

"It's nothing. Bye!" They ran for their lives which we all found cute.

A few minutes later, we found ourselves preparing to go home too. As I was busy thinking about what dinner to get at my condo, Simone spoke.

"Do you still have time? I know a coffee shop nearby and they just recently opened. I am dying to taste their most-suggested drink!"

"What is it?"

"Uh,Coffee?"

"Bye, Sim."

"Alright! I actually don't know, but it gained five stars after a week of opening!" All of our eyes widened. There's a coffee shop like that in our place?

"Pass. I prefer reading books at my condo and feeling the serene moment."

"Way to go, miss party pooper."

"I'm not in the mood, Gold."

"Damn with that Gold." He pouted and went back to his thing. Ali stopped fixing his bag and looked at me.

"You have never joined us ever since we became friends, Aya. We kept on inviting, but you kept on refusing. Now, we won't take any rejection from you." He said that as the final verdict of this issue.

"Okay. I'll join you, just this once!" Is this a dream? If I am dreaming please wake me up. I'm not the type of person who can easily be forced to join friends who go out daily.

We hopped on Ali's black Audi, where Simone sat on the shotgun seat to guide him. They bickered a lot because Simone is weak at giving directions. Thankfully, we reached our destination safely.

As soon as we arrived, my eyes wandered to the entire cafe. It is way bigger than what I have imagined, and there are tables outside the place too.

Moonbuck Cafe, Feel the moon with just a buck!

That's what Sim has been telling us. Gold and Ali entered the place first. And I was left with Sim, who was waiting for his sister to come by. She forgot her keys, so she asked Sim for his.

After all those sibling things, he led the way. Being the gentleman he is, he closed the door without me passing through yet. However, as I opened the glass door, I never knew that it was my life-changing moment.

My ears moved, my heart thumped, and I felt goosebumps all over my body. I finally heard someone who sings wholeheartedly, giving all of his soul to the song.

He has the sweetest voice of an angel that I think would be the next voice I will love.

I turned to the mini-stage where the voice was coming from. There he stood while singing with all of his heart, feeling the emotions of the song.

I guess coming with my friends is worth it.

When he finished the song, he opened his eyes, and our eyes met like it's the most perfect thing to end his performance. And then waves of memories came to me. There, I knew I was finally back.

Because I found you.