Valkyrie (Kate O'Hearn) - By Kate O'Hearn Page 0,79

for several weeks, Freya had come to enjoy a lot of their music. It had seemed strange at first, but now she realized it would be added to the long list of things she would miss.

Leo Max was the first to speak as he held out his hand to Tamika. ‘Wanna dance?’

Tamika grinned and followed him and soon they were swallowed into the thick of the moving crowd.

‘Go on,’ Maya said to Freya. ‘This is your night, why don’t you and Archie dance?’

Freya looked over to him. ‘Want to?’

He nodded.

Together they walked into the crowd and started to dance. She studied her friends. It wasn’t like any of the dancing she’d seen at Valhalla, but soon Freya was moving in time to the beat of the music. Others from the school that she knew danced past her, calling her name and commenting on her lovely dress.

‘It’s great to see you finally out of your coat!’ called Kevin as he danced with Elizabeth. Their eyes were sparkling with the thrill of actually being there.

Soon the whole Geek Squad had found their way to the centre of the floor. Song after song, they continued to laugh and dance together. Even Orus joined in, hopping from shoulder to shoulder as he bobbed up and down to the rhythm of the music.

Eventually Maya made her way on to the dance floor and the two Valkyries danced together, surrounded by their closest friends. Freya felt an overwhelming sense of belonging. For this one night, she was truly one of them. There wasn’t the separation of human and Valkyrie. It was simply friends sharing in the joy of each other.

When the next song ended, the lights in the gym were turned up. There were cries of protest from the dancers as their Principal took to the DJ’s podium.

‘Good evening, everyone,’ Dr Klobucher called as she raised her hands in the air to get their attention. ‘I hope you are all having a wonderful time.’

All the students cheered and shouted. Up on the DJ’s stage, Dr Klobucher’s eyes sought out Freya in the crowd. When they found her, she smiled. ‘I hope you will forgive me, but I would like to ask a favour. I’m sure some of you have heard what a wonderful voice Greta has. But I’ve never heard her sing.’

The crowd cheered and roared as the Principal’s eyes focused only on Freya. ‘Would you please come up here and sing for us?’

Freya shook her head. ‘I can’t,’ she said.

‘Sure you can,’ Archie said as his face glowed with pride. ‘Go on – I’ve never heard you sing either. Please do it for me. Just this once.’

That comment cut right through to her heart. Archie was making a final request. How could she say no? This would be her final gift to him.

Freya looked over to Maya. ‘Will you join me?’

‘But this is your school and your night,’ Maya protested.

Freya held out her hand. ‘Please – just like we do at Valhalla.’

‘Come on,’ Orus cawed. ‘Let them hear you sing together.’

Even Grul joined in and prodded Maya to sing with her sister.

Finally she surrendered and took Freya’s hand. Together they walked up to the stage and joined Dr Klobucher.

‘I promised I wouldn’t tell anyone you were leaving,’ the Principal whispered to Freya. ‘But I couldn’t let you go until I heard the song of the Valkyries. Please . . .’ She stood back and indicated the microphone on the stand.

Clutching Maya’s hand, the two sisters approached the microphone. Without musical accompaniment, they both started to sing at the exact same moment. Freya was melody while Maya automatically took harmony. The song poured over the crowd.

Not a sound was made from the gathered students as the two Valkyries raised their voices high and clear and sang as they did at Valhalla. The mournful melody drew tears from the students and teachers as they were enchanted by their voices. Finally, when the last notes were sung, a long silence filled the gym. Archie and the Geek Squad were the first to break it by clapping their hands wildly and screaming. Soon the entire gym burst into roaring applause.

Maya squeezed Freya’s hand and leaned closer. ‘And you were afraid they’d forget you? Now they will remember this moment for the rest of their lives!’

Freya’s heart was beating fast as she felt the love surrounding her from everyone.

Everyone, but one.

JP stood at the entrance to the large gym. At first no one noticed, as all eyes remained locked on