You promised me that you could fly
And I thought that so could I
Until our voices lay scattering
On the glass that had been our home
So I let you go
In this lifetime, or the next
Our worlds will never be apart
Because I swear you are my heart
And I’ll always find you again.”
The piano and my voice twisted together into an elaborate harmony. I didn’t know what it was, but when Charlie played, the piano made a different sound. It was as if we were fated to make music together, and it only soundedrightwhen we were creating it as one. Separate, both of us were good, but together— we were brilliant.
When I’d finished singing, Charlie tapered off the piano, and I waved to the camera. “Thanks for watching, guys. I’ll see you next week with a new video!”
Ezekiel switched the camera off, and Opal bounced up and down. “Eek! Ava, that wasamazing! I didn’t know you could sing like that. I didn’t know Charlie could play, either.”
“It was really good. We can go to the library and upload this right now,” Ezekiel said. “Shouldn’t take too long to edit.”
My stomach tumbled with nervousness at the thought of uploading a new video after so long. I wasn’t sure if my subscribers would forgive me for taking such a long break, but Charlie sounded excited. “I know your fans are going to love it. Thanks for letting me be a part of this.”
“Of course,” I said. I couldn’t have Monica, but I had Charlie. I couldn’t explain it, but since losing her, doing this with him felt like therightthing to do.
The four of us walked to the library together, Oberi giving a tap-dance with her hooves behind us. She was so happy Charlie and I had made the video. Her mood had been amazing ever since we’d officially gotten together.
“Your song was so romantic,” Opal swooned. “It speaks of true love!”
“You know Mom and Dad are going to read into it, since they know Charlie’s your boyfriend now,” Ezekiel teased.
I stopped directly in my tracks, and Charlie slammed into me from behind. He had to grab me to keep me upright as I hissed, “You said something?”
Ezekiel’s face fell. “Oh. Was I not supposed to tell them?”
I facepalmed. “Not yet. I thought you and Daddy weren’t even talking?”
“We’re not. I mean, I told Mom, who I’m sure told Dad,” Ez explained quickly. “I didn’t know you wanted to keep it private.”
I moaned. Charlie shifted beside me. “You wanted to keep me a secret?” He sounded hurt.
“It’s not that I didn’twantto tell them,” I explained. “My parents just freak out every time I get a boyfriend. They’re so overprotective. I wanted to tell them on myown termsthis weekend.”
I glared at Ezekiel, and Opal gave a giggle.
“I’m so sorry! I have a really big mouth,” Ez apologized. Opal continued to laugh.
“I’m sure I’m your dad’s new favorite person,” Charlie grumbled.
“Let me handle it.” I laid a hand on his arm, and tried not to strangle my brother. “It’ll be okay once I talk to him.”
I berated Ez the entire time we were in the library, and he apologized a thousand times more. After we uploaded the video, I walked down to the phone hall, to do some damage control with my parents.
I paid the guard for extra time, but before I could pick up the phone, I saw Marcus standing alone. He was talking to someone on one of the payphones, and looked awfully annoyed. He held Rishi in one arm, who dangled there limply with his tongue sticking out.
