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Chapter 5

"Serenity it should be this key"

"Ohh so that's why it sounded strange"

"That's alright, here try the sequence again"

Malkiel smiled as he watched Serenity strum her guitar. He was feeling over the moon right now. Who could've imagined that he would have a one-on-one session with Serenity like this. Although the guitar wasn't his forte, he took the initiative to teach Serenity their song since he also knew how to play it.

Malkiel innately thanked the heavens above, and their friends for giving him this opportunity. He smiled to himself when he remembered how Quincey dragged Kenzo off to see the pub where they'll have another gig. Koa prioritized going on a date with his current girlfriend over remedial classes with Serenity and well, Galene and Drystan had another argument regarding their timetable.

He stared at Serenity, she had brought her own guitar to practice with and he could just swore that she looked even more beautiful while playing it. He was feeling restless now, he had thought that he would be able to calm himself even with Serenity right next to him but he was wrong.

He could feel his nervousness climbing up to the tip of his fingers. He never thought that liking someone would feel as if he was always on edge and happy at the same time.

"Sorry Malkiel, are you getting bored? I swear I'll be able to memorize this by the end of the day"

Malkiel looked back at Serenity who was eyeing him now. He couldn't help but feel appreciated at the thought of someone thinking about whether he was bored or not.

"I wasn't bored and you can take your time Serenity. I'm not going anywhere"

Malkiel smiled at Serenity which the lass gave back sweetly.

"You're good at this you know"

"Teaching?"

"Reassuring"

The slight hint of change on Serenity's voice didn't escape Malkiel's ears. He knew there was more to the story and he wanted to delve deeper but somehow the mood wasn't right.

"Serenity, want to take a break? Let's go to the cafeteria"

Serenity stared at Malkiel, she tried to read what his intentions were but gave up anyway. She wasn't Quincey or Galene and she was never a person reader. She put her guitar down and nodded at Malkiel.

"Just a quick snack then"

"Just what I was thinking of"

The two who walked side by side talked about almost everything. It was a rather rare occurrence that it was just the two of them. Malkiel admitted that he was rather awkward when it was just him and Serenity but he cannot deny the fact that he liked the idea of it just being the two of them.

"By the way do you have any siblings?"

Serenity shook her head at Malkiel's question.

"I don't, I'm an only child"

"Really? who would've thought."

"How about you?"

"I have two older sisters, they're quite close to my age but I can't say that we're really close"

"Don't they bother you with girl stuff?"

Malkiel put his hand under his chin and tried to think of an experience that he can share with Serenity. Something that wouldn't make her think that he was boring. Malkiel almost hit his face when he realized what he was thinking at that moment.

Was he always this self-conscious? He never really cared before whether people find him boring or not thrilling. He felt good with the way that he was but it just seemed different with Serenity.

"I can't think of any, but I do know that they're moody most of the times"

"I think most girls are"

"Even you?"

Serenity shrugged and walked ahead of Malkiel into the cafeteria. Malkiel tilted his head and thought hard if Serenity was indeed someone who shifts mood that easily.

"I don't think you are"

Malkiel blurted out the moment he caught up with Serenity who was looking at the snacks lined up in front of a food stall.

"What?"

"Moody I mean. I don't think you're moody, rather I think Galene is quite similar to how moody my sisters are."

"Really? then what about me?"

"The quiet one"

Serenity let out a chuckle which made Malkiel tilt his head more.

"Are you not?"

"With people I'm quite familiar with? Definitely not"

Then she gave a smile to Malkiel that had made his heart leap a little bit.

"Then, are you familiar with me now?"

Malkiel couldn't stop himself from asking. He wanted to know more, no rather he wanted to be close to her more.

"Maybe? I'm comfortable with you that much is true"

And that much was enough for Malkiel, at least for now.

"Well, I do hope that you'll be more familiar with me"

Serenity gave him a smile before buying the snack that she wanted.

"We have time so I wouldn't exactly worry about it"

This made Malkiel stare at Serenity. Rapid thoughts immediately invaded his mind. What exactly did she mean? Does she feel the same way as me? Am I putting too much thought to what she said? Or wait... can what she said even be interpreted with another meaning?

"Aren't you going to buy something?"

Serenity asked Malkiel who looked like he was in a deep trance. She waved her hand in front of his face but it was of no use. She was about to grab him by his shoulders when she felt a light vibration in her pocket.

She took out her phone and immediately her face lit up a hundred more times than it was before. This didn't escape Malkiel who was now also staring at Serenity.

"Who is it?"

Serenity happily stared and answered Malkiel before putting the phone in her ear.

"My boyfriend"