Chapter 8: Notes of destiny

Jace agreed to be among the flower boys. It was fun being with them, and he learned a lot from the group. Still, he did his best to avoid any conversation that might lead to singing. 'Do you think I can do it?" he asked Dorah one day. 'What's that?" she replied. 'Music." 'Yes. I know you can do it," she said, meeting his eyes. 'Stop running and give it a try." Feeling bored and alone later on, Jace's mind began to wander. Dorah had gone somewhere with her mother—a place he didn't know. His thoughts drifted to the guitar his father had left in his closet. It had been five years since he last touched it. He walked into the closet and paused when he saw the guitar. A bitter smile spread across his face as he stepped toward it. But the moment he reached out, his hands began to shake. He froze, then dropped the idea altogether. 'I need some air," he muttered and headed to the door. 'Grandma, I'm going out for a few minutes," he said as he passed through the living room. 'Okay," she replied without glancing at him. Just as he opened the door, he found Dorah about to press the doorbell. 'Come in," Jace said. 'How did you know I was at the door?" Dorah asked as he stepped aside. 'Actually, I was about to go out for some fresh air." 'Fresh air, huh? Or were you coming to check on me?" she teased, winking. 'I'm serious," he laughed. 'I just needed some air, that's all." 'Grandma," Dorah greeted, settling into the chair next to her. 'Baby, how was the visit?" Grandma asked. 'Not good at all. Do we really have to do this every year?" Dorah sighed. 'I'm tired of going there. It only makes me miss my dad more." 'Sorry, baby," Grandma said softly. Jace excused himself as his phone began to ring. A few minutes later, Dorah walked up to him. 'Who were you talking to?" she asked just as he ended the call. 'Someone you shouldn't know." 'Oh, really?" 'Yes." She snatched his phone. 'You're talking to my friend? So, you finally got her number?" she said, eyeing him. Jace gave a guilty smile as Dorah explained what she and Grandma had been talking about. 'What killed him?" he asked. 'Was it natural?" 'No. Heart failure," she answered. 'Oh, sorry about that," he said, placing his hand on hers and gently caressing it. 'It's fine… I just miss him." 'It's normal." 'Why don't you join the flower boys?" Jace asked after a quiet pause. 'I don't want to be the only girl among them. Besides, I'm not good at singing." 'Well, I heard your crush once saw you singing, and you both sang together. I was told it was a jackpot," he said with a hint of jealousy in his tone. 'He's no longer my crush. I'm trying to forget him, so you don't have to sound jealous," she smiled. 'Who said I'm jealous?" 'I should be the one jealous. You're always telling me about Miranda. You met a pretty, gentle girl. Can you introduce me to her? We've finally talked and I got her name. You even gave her your number, but I didn't say a word, did I?" 'That's because you never loved me from the start. You only saw me as a friend," he said, folding his arms. 'Should I say I'm sorry because I couldn't force myself to love you?" she replied quietly. 'If you can wait till I get over Ronald, maybe we can give it a try." 'If you really want to get over him, join the band." 'What?!" she exclaimed. 'You heard me." 'But—" 'You have to prove you really want to move on. From what I know, he already has a fiancée." 'I know. You don't have to remind me," she said, rolling her eyes. 'That's why I'm trying to get him out of my mind." 'Then do it." 'Fine… I'll think about it," she said, lowering her gaze to the floor. 'For how long?" Jace asked, narrowing his eyes at her. 'For as long as I can think about it. I don't owe you a specific date or time." 'Dorah." 'Jace, what?" 'You know ‘for as long' could mean days, weeks… even years." 'I know," she shrugged. 'That's why I said it." 'You don't want to do it, do you? Don't raise my hopes for nothing," he said and scoffed. 'Stop acting like it's easy! You think it's simple seeing someone I'm trying to forget every single day? That's like telling me not to stop loving him." 'Okay, give me my phone," Jace said, stretching his hand. 'I'm using it," Dorah replied, leaning away from him. 'No, no—Dorah, don't go near my WhatsApp messages!" he exclaimed, trying to snatch it back. 'What are you hiding? Do you have another girlfriend I don't know about?" she smirked. 'No. But I've got crushes—girls crushing on me from my old school, my neighborhood, even from the industry… and now, here. You can't imagine how popular I am," he said with a proud smile. 'Urgh," she grimaced. 'It's not like I care anyway."