Chapter 10: Harmonies of heart

'I'm sorry," Dorah said as she walked into the kitchen where Jace was. 'For what?" Jace asked, grabbing an apple from the table before walking back to the sitting room. 'I'm the one that forced you into trying to sing," she said, following behind. 'No need to apologize," he replied as they sat down. 'I'm the one who should be sorry—for not doing as you wanted." He lowered his gaze. 'You never told me music affects you this deeply," she said, watching him with concern. 'I'm sorry. I actually want to give it a try too. My dad is looking forward to me overcoming this," he said quietly. 'Then you can overcome it," Dorah said softly. 'You've got to make your mum proud in heaven. Let her be able to say, ‘That's my son.' Make her proud of who you are today. Tell her you're okay—that she shouldn't worry about you." 'Yeah," he murmured. 'Let's go," she said, standing and pulling him toward her room. 'Where are you taking me?" he asked as Dorah tugged him along. 'First time entering your room. Grandma never allows me in here. She's always like, ‘Ben, that's a girl's room. You're not allowed in there.' Now I see what she was hiding. It's beautiful. Lots of Barbie wallpaper, huh? Still childish," he teased, glancing around. 'Oh, come on, cut the crap," she scoffed. 'You have instruments too? Keyboard, two guitars—wow. You record songs yourself? Just like my room back home," he said, clearly impressed. 'Grandma bought and designed everything for me. You can just say I'm lucky," she replied, pulling a guitar from its bag. 'Wait, that looks familiar," Jace said, puzzled. 'Really?" Dorah raised an eyebrow. 'Yes... it's mine." 'It's mine now. Grandma gave it to me for safekeeping," she replied, strumming a string. 'That means it isn't yours. It's still mine," he grinned. 'Okay, want to hold this?" she asked, offering it to him. Jace raised his hands in surrender. 'You don't want me to hold that." 'Why? Just hold it. It won't kill," she said, walking toward him as he backed away. Dorah smirked. 'Just a touch." 'No, I don't want to," he said, bumping into the bed—cornered. 'Dorah, don't come any closer," he warned. 'What will you do?" she teased in a different accent. As she stepped forward, he grabbed her hand and flipped her, making her land softly on the bed. He hovered over her—unknowingly catching the guitar before it hit the floor. 'I'm gonna do this," he said, locking eyes with her. They stared at each other, neither breaking the gaze. 'Control," Dorah thought, blinking rapidly. 'At least I got you to touch the guitar," she whispered. They both turned to glance at the guitar. Jace quickly stood up, palming his face as Dorah giggled. 'I love that expression just now," she smirked. 'You're not okay," he said, smiling. Dorah patted the space beside her. 'Come and sit." Jace joined her. 'You always get what you want, right?" he asked, watching her strum. 'Yeah, most times." She sang gently: --- I'm lucky to be loved by you, yeah Do you really love me? Love me like you said you do, babe You really really love me, uh-uh For loving me the way you do, babe—yes, it's true I'm lucky to be loved by you, yeah Ooh, yes it's true, I'm lucky to be loved by you, yeah --- Jace joined in, their voices blending. 'Puff," Jace exhaled, smiling widely. 'See? Easy. Just a piece of cake," she said, setting the guitar aside. 'Wow. I must confess—that's the best thing I've heard in five years. It lightened me up. I feel... new. Like I'm back," he said, grinning like a kid. 'I'm glad to hear that," Dorah said, placing a hand on her chest, a little flustered. 'You're the best. You really made my day," he said, pulling her into a hug. She hugged him back. They slowly pulled away, eyes locking again. Dorah opened her mouth to speak but no words came. Jace's hand slid to the back of her neck as he leaned in, brushing his lips against hers, then deepened the kiss. She rested her hand on his chest, letting herself fall into it. Then—suddenly—Dorah pulled away, sitting up with a start. 'This isn't right," she muttered, running a hand through her hair. 'I'm sorry. Dorah, please—" She bolted out of the room. Jace sat frozen. 'Gosh! What did I do?" he said, already frustrated. --- The next day... As Mrs. Howard dropped Dorah off at school, she noticed Jace standing at the school gate. 'Seems Jace is waiting for someone," she commented. 'What?" Dorah asked, looking in the direction her mum was pointing. 'Oh, okay," she added, rolling her eyes. 'Hmm, okay," her mum replied, shaking her head with a knowing look. 'Mum, don't stay too long at work today. You've got to watch your health." 'Okay, baby," Mrs. Howard replied as Dorah opened the door. 'Take care of yourself too," she added. 'Okay, love," Dorah said, closing the door and waving as the car drove away. She turned and immediately bumped into Ronald. 'Oh, good morning, sir," she greeted quickly. 'You never heed to corrections. I'll let that slide for now, but next time just address me like you do Jace," Ronald said, hands in his pockets. 'Okay," she nodded. 'You've been avoiding me," he said, rolling his eyes. 'I don't want to develop false hope." 'But I want you to develop the hope—for me. I want you, Dorah." 'Can we not talk about this?" 'But....." he paused as he saw Jace approaching. 'Meet me at the lake during break. I'll be waiting," he whispered before walking off.