Chapter 5: Echoes of choice

Some weeks later, Jace was solving some geometry when the flower boys came up to him. 'Hey, Jace," Ronald greeted. 'Hello," Jace said, looking up. 'How are you doing?" Max asked. 'I'm good," Jace replied with a smile. 'I'm Max. This is Ronald and Jason," Max introduced, pointing to the others. 'Wow—Ronald? Dorah told me a lot about you." 'Oh my... I hope it's good and not bad?" Ronald asked, half-joking. 'Good. It's nice meeting you guys," Jace said. 'Nice meeting you too, buddy," Jason added, shaking hands with him. 'Well, we can be friends, you know. There's a lot of things I need to know about your friend," Ronald said. 'You mean Dorah?" Jace asked. 'Yes." 'Ronald," Max called, glaring at him. 'Well, she's my girlfriend," Jace said. 'What? Really?" Jason asked in surprise. 'Yeah." 'Wrong timing... Why am I always too late?" Ronald said, his expression dropping. 'Maddy is coming." 'You've got to be kidding me. Well, I actually don't care. So, Jace, as you can see, we're the Flower Boys, and we'd like to be friends with you," Ronald added, but Jace didn't reply. He just stared at them like they were strangers. 'Don't look at us like that. We're not gangs or bad students. We just do things together—like learning and music," Max explained. 'I know. I've heard a lot about you guys from my former school," Jace said, fiddling with his phone. 'So, what do you think? We can be friends, right?" Ronald asked. 'You sound so confident. How sure are you I'll join you guys?" Jace asked, raising an eyebrow. 'Because you're Jace Esmond, the son of the popular CEO of Fresh Music Company," Ronald replied. 'And you've sung a lot of songs—‘Just Like Magic' is one of them," Max added. 'What? I tried so hard to hide my identity from the public," Jace said, surprised. 'My dad and yours are kind of business partners. I got your pictures and info from him—your dad actually gave it to him," Ronald explained. 'Sorry to disappoint you guys, but I'm already done with music. I'm no longer into it," Jace said. 'What?! Why?" Jason asked. 'I just lost interest. That's all," he replied. 'But you can't give up just like that," Jason protested. 'It's my life and my choice. I can do what I want with it. And I've removed music from my life—it's no longer needed," Jace said calmly. 'For real?" Ronald asked. 'Yes." 'Okay... but you should think about it," Max said. 'Okay." 'We'll be waiting for your answer. I'd be glad to have you as a friend," Ronald said, and they walked away. Minutes later, Jace headed to the toilet. On his way back, he bumped into a girl. 'Oh, sorry," Jace said and squatted to help her pick up the books scattered on the floor. 'It's okay. It happens to everyone," the girl replied. 'Okay, thanks," Jace said. 'I'm Jace, by the way," he added, handing her books to her. 'I'm Miranda. Nice meeting you," she said, then entered the classroom. 'Wow... at last, I know the girl's name—Miranda," Jace muttered to himself and walked into class. --- When they got home, Grandma wasn't around, so they collected the house key from the security man. 'Dorah, who are the Flower Boys?" Jace asked. 'They're the school music band. The most handsome. They're intelligent, and all from rich families. Ronald is the school owner's son. They're every girl's crush, actually. Max is considered the oldest among them. And Jason... urgh, it's even hard to say he isn't dumb or deaf because he rarely talks." 'So that's why you're also crushing on Ronald, right?" Jace teased, winking at her. 'Hey, stop," Dorah said, blushing and looking away to avoid his playful glare. 'It'll be nice being their friend, but I already gave up on music long ago." 'What?! Why?" Dorah exclaimed. 'My mum was killed because of music," he said, eyes getting teary. 'What? For what?" she asked, frowning. 'I don't know the details, but Dad said she was warned. She got shot during her last concert. My mum was kind of stubborn—she still went on with the concert, and boom—she was killed right on stage." He frowned, and tears rolled down his cheek. Dorah didn't know what to say. She just felt sorry for him. 'Did they catch the criminal?" she asked. 'Yes. But there were millions of people there that day—it wasn't easy. The master planner turned out to be someone she considered a friend," he added, making a disgusted face. 'Oh... I'm sorry," she said softly, patting his shoulder. 'It's been four years now, so there's nothing to be sorry about," he said with a shrug. 'But you shouldn't have stopped singing," she said. 'Well, I already did," he replied, rolling his eyes. 'Besides, my dad is still into music. And I'm very sure my mum is proud of me, being like this now," he shrugged. 'Your dad is in music?" she asked. 'Yes. Do you know Fresh Music Company?" he asked, curious. 'Oh yes! That's where they produce my favorite music!" Dorah said, her eyes lighting up. 'That's my dad's company," he said, rubbing his palms together. 'Just don't tell anyone. I'm keeping a low profile—but it seems the Flower Boys already know my identity." 'Since they know, why don't you just join them?" Dorah asked, looking confused. 'I already told you—I'm not interested," Jace said, looking away. 'But—" 'Dorah, stop," Jace cut in, wiping his tears. 'Please, baby," Dorah pleaded, giving him puppy eyes. 'Okay, fine. I'll try. Just stop looking at me like that," Jace chuckled.