Chapter 16

"Looks like it didn't work"

"Yeah no need to spell it out loud Kenzo"

Malkiel wanted to avoid looking at Serenity but he really couldn't help it, his gaze always tries to find her even when they're in a bustling place. He stares up ahead where Serenity and Quincey were busy giving out water and food for the audiences who were gathered for their jamming session. 

"She'll melt Malkiel"

Malkiel's attention went to Galene who was now handing Drystan another mic just in case the microphone in front of him dies down. Last night's dinner was awkward because Serenity kept on avoiding him and he was just so sorry to his friends who had to put up with it all because he messed up.

"I still don't know what I did wrong Galene"

Galene then glanced at Serenity before returning her gaze towards Malkiel. 

"Then maybe you did nothing wrong, just because things don't go the way you want them to doesn't mean you're entirely wrong. Give her some time for now"

"Well, I can put up with it for a little longer bud"

Malkiel's gaze then went to Drystan who was standing right beside them. The two of them were smiling at him and he felt somehow relieved that they weren't mad at him for making things worse.

"Besides, you got some performance to kill today. Should you need any medium to let it all out then your drums are the perfect set"

Galene winked playfully at Malkiel before setting out giving the four guys the center stage. His gaze turned to Drystan who was now pointing at the drum set at the back of the makeshift stage. Koa and Kenzo were also beside them smiling widely at him. Malkiel heaved out a sigh before setting out to sit in the drum set. It was then that one of the organizers for the camp went in front to introduce them.

"Hello, my name is Khiel and I'll be hosting this special event for the day. We are so fortunate to be given the opportunity to give you some of the music that we love. So I hope you'll enjoy them as well. Now without further ado, let me introduce to you, the youngest of all the bands from the Music Camp and undoubtedly the dark-horse when it comes to music making, Phoenix Harmony"

"oohh I like how he introduced them as the dark horse"

Serenity smiled at Galene as they watched the audience cheer and clap for the boys who were taking center stage and opening the small event the camp hosted. Her gaze locked on Malkiel who was also staring right back at her. 

Then it began. 

Along with the beat of his drums, Serenity felt herself being taken away towards a different place. Koa and Kenzo's guitars moved to the beat that Malkiel's drums were making and not a moment later Drystan's voice resounded throughout the whole venue.

I'm opening up, so don't let me down

The first time you ever looked at me

You were driving by in a brand new jeep

Flash forward just a couple weeks

I gotcha, stuck in my head like a song in the top 40

Everyone cheered on as Drystan sang to the upbeat song that they had made weeks ago but Serenity's whole attention was on Malkiel. His gaze never left hers and hers never left his'.

Gonna keep you locked up tight my heart is a safe

I wanna be the only thing you'll never replace

Malkiel who used to shine onstage whenever they played had a serious and cold demeanor. There wasn't anything playful with how he looked right now. He was just seriously staring right back at Serenity.

I'm opening up, so don't let me down

If I asked you to stay would you stick around

Just one flip of your hair in this warm ocean air

I'm opening up, so don't let me down

Oh aye oh…

So don't let me down

She knew that it was because of her, she could feel it but she didn't expect that seeing Malkiel act like this would make her heart ache. She knew that she somehow had hurt him by avoiding him but she didn't know how to act around him now that she had confirmed how she felt.

Girl I'm not one to ever speak my mind

But there's just something I can't keep inside

Love at first sight girl you got me blind

You're all I see when I close my eyes

Ever since she had met him, he always had this sunshine personality on him. He was mischievous in his own way but he was also a ray of sunshine that made everyone around him happy.

Gonna keep you locked up tight my heart is a safe

I wanna be the only thing you'll never replace

He made her happy. That she noted was one factor why she was falling for him.

I'm opening up, so don't let me down

If I asked you to stay would you stick around

Just one flip of your hair in this warm ocean air

I'm opening up, so don't let me down

Oh aye oh…

So don't let me down

Serenity stared at Malkiel and suddenly she had the urge to utter his name and so she did and the most amazing thing happened.

Malkiel's eyes widened, a sign of surprise as he didn't expect Serenity to utter his name when she had been avoiding him so openly. Serenity stared at him before uttering his name again. He couldn't hear her amidst the crowd's cheers but he could see how her lips moved to utter his name.

And that was everything he needed.

I'm going out on a limb here but believe me I'm sincere

I want ever second, every minute, every hour, every day of this year

With you in my arms to hold you otherwise I wouldn't of even told you

But those great looks made me forget about facebook and get a little more social

So I approached you like you're freakin tremendous all nerve

It's like my first trip to the dentist

And this isn't something that I'm used to I'm still in your ear like a Bluetooth

Cause I think you're the prettiest

And now to tell you I'd have to be an idiot my name's Koa

You met me now and the only thing left

Is to not let me down!

Serenity heard the cheers grow louder as Koa finished his rap but all she could see was the wide grin of Malkiel as he stared at her. Suddenly, everything else around her seemed to have vanished. She felt as if it was just Malkiel and her in that venue and she could feel her heart getting lighter as Malkiel smiled at her.

I'm opening up, so don't let me down

If I asked you to stay would you stick around

Just one flip of your hair in this warm ocean air

I'm opening up, so don't let me down

Oh aye oh…

So don't let me down

Serenity clutched at her chest and heaved a deep breath. She was doomed, she thought. 

Because as the song draws close to the end all she could think of is how one smile from him could lift up her mood. How one boyish grin of his could make her heart pound crazy enough for it to hurt.

She had fallen for Malkiel without even knowing it and she was continuously falling.