Chapter 6: Choir and Unpleasant Memories

Things go on like this for the next three periods, Dane asking if he didn't quite understand something, me answering and just talking like we were on one of our walks. Finally fourth period comes around and with it, Women's Chorus. Dane got to the men's room to 'change' so I go on to the choir room. I get my music from the closet and go to my seat.

Teri happily plops down beside me, "So, tell me about him."

I don't get what she's talking about at first, but then it dawns on me and I shrug, "There's not much to know about him, why are you interested?"

Teri shrugs in response, "I'm just curious, it's not everyday I meet your family."

I roll my eyes good-naturedly, "Please, you see my brothers every time you come over and you see my cousin Kyle practically every day in the halls."

"Yeah, but they're not cute." Teri blurts out before blushing.

I grin, "I knew it! You're getting a crush on him, aren't you?"

Teri blushes even deeper, "Maybe. He is really cute."

I chuckle, "What about Darien?" I tease her.

Teri smiles, "I think he may be the real Darien."

I nearly fall out of my chair from the combination of shock and intense laughter that I can't stop because of the images of my best friend and my guardian in his true form getting married that flood my mind, "Dane, the real Darien? Teri, I hate to tell you this, but that's not possible."

Teri frowns, "Really, why is that?"

I open my mouth to answer but am interrupted by the bell and Mr. Avery, our director, "Alright class, get to your seats. I'll take attendance and then I have an announcement to make."

I lean over to Teri and whisper, "I'll tell you later, but trust me, he can't be." I then lean back and yawn as Mr. Avery takes attendance.

Suddenly, there's a bright flash of light and I'm back on Jupiter, but younger then in my other memories. I'm at a ball of some sort and the prince of Jupiter's standing in front of me, his hand extended towards me, "Come on, give me just one dance, please?"

I want to say yes, but hear myself say instead, "No way. I didn't want to come to this stupid thing in the first place. I am not dancing. Not with anyone else and certainly not with you!" I then turn and stomp out. I want to go back to him, to dance with him, but my body won't allow me to, and I feel as if I'm a prisoner in it.

Another flash occurs and when it fades it's a few months after the first memory. How I know how much time has elapsed, I don't know, but I do anyways. This time I'm on my bedroom balcony, sitting in a chair and watching the stars.

Suddenly the Jovian prince is on the ground, calling up to me, "Princess, would you care for a moonlit stroll? Sure a short walk through the garden isn't to much to ask, is it?"

Once again my body acts in a way against my will and I sigh, "Go away Cade, I'm not going to go anywhere with you. How long are you going to keep this up?"

Cade looks to the ground before shuffling towards the gate. He's almost out and my heart goes out to him when he turns and says, "Until you love me like I love you." before leaving entirely.

Yet another flash, this time longer, accompanied by a strange, high-pitched ringing sound. Just as the bright white light starts to fade, I hear Dane's voice, distant and echoey, like he was saying something from across a canyon, "Princess, remember, sometimes what you're looking for is right under your nose."

The light continues to fade and I hear various voices calling out to me. They sound urgent, worried, I wonder what they're so worried about. Everything goes black and I know that the ride's over, I'm back in the present. I groan and open my eyes to find the entire class looking at me worriedly. Mr. Avery asks cautiously, "Melody, are you okay?"

I blink and then nod, "Yeah, yeah, I'm okay, I'm alright."

Mr. Avery doesn't look convinced; "Do you want to go down to the nurse?"

I close my eyes and try to offset the headache I feel coming like a freight train, "Yeah, I think I should." I get the pass and go down to the nurse's office, telling the nurse on duty that I have a killer headache before laying down, praying that I can sleep through this thing.