Destiny Gift (The Everlast Trilogy) - By Juliana Haygert Page 0,10
the floor, crossing her legs.
“I heard you singing.” My voice carried a dreamy tone. It became like that whenever I spoke of music. “Were you rehearsing?”
“Not really. Just killing time.”
“You’re so lucky. I wish I was in the music program with you.”
“You aren’t in the music program because you don’t want to be. With your voice, your audition would last twenty seconds, tops.”
“I can’t. You know that.”
“What I know is that you like to play the Good Samaritan.” Olivia grabbed one of her Spanish guitars. “If you were a little selfish, you would follow your dreams.”
If I could follow my dreams, I would wake up and see Victor by my side every day.
“How is the new piece going?” I changed subjects, drawing her attention away from my lack of backbone and to her upcoming composition class.
“It’s good, but I need a break.” She handed me the guitar, an impish smile radiating across her face. “Let’s sing.”
Smiling, I took the guitar and positioned myself at the edge of the sofa so I had better control over the instrument. Olivia got up and went to the keyboard crammed against the wall.
I ran my fingers over the chords. “What do you want to sing?”
“I’m open to suggestions. What inspires you today?”
An image of Victor smiling at me flashed in my mind. I named a popular love song featuring deep, haunting melodies and a seductive tone.
“Hmm, romantic.” She winked and I blushed.
We sang and played as the world outside melted away. While singing, there was no chaos, no violence, no darkness. I closed my eyes and the world was almost perfect. Only missing Victor.
Olivia and I were a good duo, not only while singing and playing, but in our friendship too. I met her when Raisa and I moved in next door. I couldn’t believe my luck when she had told me she was a music major and had invited me to sing with her. Every now and then we would get together to sing. But on weekends, Olivia usually went out with my roommate, Raisa. The two of them insisted upon my presence, but I always declined. I preferred to remain home and wait for a vision.
We were on our fourth song when a knock on the door made us stop.
“Who is it?” Olivia asked, getting up.
“The only one who can bear you two singing,” Raisa said.
Olivia went to open the door, and paused. “Apologize, or you can’t come in,” she threatened, portraying a faux-serious face. I laughed.
“Ah, get out of my way.” Raisa barreled in. She stuck her tongue out and walked past Olivia, winking at me. She was a tall brunette with hazel eyes and short brown hair—she had almost killed the poor hairdresser who took off too much, then demanded her money back. Olivia wished I had Raisa’s strength and would go for what I really wanted—to major in music. But Olivia didn’t have a family in need. Medicine would provide me with enough money to help my family.
“Bah, I’m gonna call your parents. Where are your manners?” Olivia asked, pretending to be outraged.
“I left my manners at their house when I moved here.” Raisa pushed a pile of books from the loveseat, not caring when they scattered across the floor, and sat down. For a moment, I wondered if Olivia would complain, but observing the state of the rest of the loft, I doubted it.
Raisa took off her shoes. “Do you have anything to eat?”
“Raisa,” I said, amused. “There is plenty of food at our house.”
“I know, but it’s always the same stuff,” she complained. “Olivia has some different candies.”
Laughing, Olivia beckoned toward the kitchen as she sat back on the stool. “Help yourself. If you want to wash the dishes too, I won’t protest.”
“In your dreams,” Raisa yelled from the kitchen, already opening the few cabinets, digging for whatever she could find. “So, there’s a party tomorrow. You coming with us, Nad?” She came back into the living room carrying a bowl of chocolate-covered cookies.
I chuckled. “You know I’m not coming, but I admire your persistence.”
“I’m going to give up on you one of these days.” Raisa threw a cookie at me. She’d been saying that for almost a year now. “Come on, just this once. I know you’ll love the party.”
And that was when I saw her. The world flew away and her flawless face appeared, almost hovering in front of me. “Go,” Ceris said, her voice firm, chin set, eyes flashing. Determined.