Capítulo 4: Chapter 2: Golden Voice

I'm longing for solace and quiet place, to stay with. I've been roaming around the school, watching, glaring, and walking out of the mob. "Hey Xian! You need a companion?" I looked behind me, irritated and disappointed. "No!" I told her, directly and frankly.

"Tss. Such a snob! Fine!" She rolled her eyes at me and put the snacks she's carrying, at the trashcan. I never waste my time talking with those kinds of girls, desperate, attention seeker, and girls who make the first move towards a man they like.

I put my hands on the pocket and start walking. "You jerk! At the right time, you will meet a girl that will change you and your whole life! What an aloof handsome guy! Tsk!" The girl told me from afar. I stopped, and I felt an unfamiliar feeling in my soul.

Sophie the blind.

I shook my head, trying to get rid of Sophie. Why would I think that blind girl?

"Leave me alone!" I replied coldly. I'm not sure if she hears it, I just want a peaceful place to rest on. I walked towards the library, and I thought it's the best place for me but I'm wrong. There are a lot of girls inside. They're not reading, I saw two girls giggling while looking something at the phone.

I walked back, along the way I saw Yhen and her friends. "Hi Xian!" A Chinese girl greeted me.

"Xian, about what happened yester –"

"Forget about it!" I told her, leaving Yna gaping and shocked. "Yna!" A black-haired girl holds her arms, trying to stop Yhen from doing anything. I glared at Yna, and turn my back at them.

I was startled when she grab my uniform, "Let me go, woman! You will never appreciate seeing me mad and furious!" I clenched my teeth as I utter those words. She's getting to my nerves, I don't like her!

"I... I just want to tell you that..." Yhen gulped. She's nervous and she's sweating. "Just say it!" I raised my voice at her and all of them step back and hold their breath.

Yna put her hands closer to her chest and looked up at me. "I like you, Xian!" I narrowed my eyes and replied, "I don't like you, Yna! You better leave me alone." I left her, standing and hurt. I don't care about anyone's feeling, they're the one causing those pains.

"I'll do everything you want, Xian! Please, give me a chance to prove my love for you." Yna grasps my arms. She's begging and her eyes telling me the same thing.

"Give yourself a little respect, Yna. You are beautiful, intelligent, and talented. You will meet someone who will love you as much as you love him. You deserve that 'someone', Yna." Yna stiffened. "Why? Do you like that blind girl, Sophie? Just tell me, Xian! Just tell me right now!" She's nothing but a desperate woman.

I walked away from her, from the crowd who's watching us. I didn't answer, I don't have an idea either. I was walking in the hallway when the phone rang.

Mom is calling... I barely clicked the answer button. "Xian, Yhen told me what happened. Can you please see me at my office now?" Mom told me, in her usual voice.

"I'm on my way, Mom," I replied and hung up.

I knew it! They planned everything! Mom forcing me to marry Yna, because of money, protection, and popularity. I can't deny the fact that Yhen's family are the third most wealthy family in the country. The first was the Chan Family and us, on the second spot.

I put back my phone and I saw Vier passed by. He looks angry and indignant. "You will regret it, Sophie." I heard him, mumbled.

I wanted to ask him what happened but I heard someone singing. I walked around the hallway, looking where the voice coming from. Until, I reach the last room of the building.

I slowly walked inside the room and there she is, Sophie. She was closing her eyes, savoring each word of the song. She used her hands as a microphone.

Her voice was soft, I felt I'm home. I'm in a peaceful paradise. Now, I discovered that Sophie has a golden voice. I'm not familiar with the song she's singing but I was about to leave when the rang.

I'm doomed. I saw students walking back to their respective rooms. They are all coming here! Sophie stopped, perhaps she knows that her classmates will rashly back here.

So, I looked around and I saw the best place to hide, at the back of the door. I've never done this, never.

"Sophie, where is Kate?" I heard one of her classmates asked. "She's absent, she's not feeling well since yesterday."

"Then, who's gonna send you home?"

I clenched my teeth upon hearing it. So, it means that no one will help Sophie. "Ugh! I'm going crazy now! Sophie! Sophie, why you're making me like this." I whimpered.

"Mrs. Gyie is coming!"

My classmates yelled that Mrs. Gyie is coming. I heard them running back to their chairs.

"Good day everyone! Since the Foundation's Day is near, the president and the principal of this school decided to host a singing contest. It's your time to shine, and to reach your dreams because the winner will receive twenty US dollars and have a chance to compete in the upcoming National Singing Contest this coming 2021."

A singing contest? I smiled widely, imagining that I'm singing in front of the crowd. But, I remembered that I'm blind. Perhaps, I'm not qualified.

"Sophie! Sophie! Sophie!" My classmates cheer me.

"I'm not sure if I'm qualified with the contest." I lowered down my head, and played with my fingers. I can't see their reactions. "Sophie, anyone can join! As long as you can sing." Mrs. Gyie replied. I was enlightened, finally. Finally, I can reach my dream.

"For the audition, you can approach Mr. Yu. Do you have any questions?"

"None." All of us answered.

"All right! All music teachers are going to be busy because of the contest, so I'll be excused for two weeks. Understood?" My classmates answered. We are all happy, we've been waiting for the Foundation's Day.

How I missed wearing thick and scary makeup for our horror booth. How I missed walking around the park. How I missed seeing my parents' smile and their blooming faces. How I missed seeing everything that surrounds me, everyone that loves me. How I missed seeing what real life is.

I missed everything, so much. I hope that one day, someone will help me to surpass my struggles. To help me to see the world, again.

"Goodbye cl –" We heard a loud noise from nowhere. "What happened?" I asked my seatmate. It took her to answer me, so I nudge her elbow. "Hey, why they're all screaming?" I asked her again.

I don't know, but I heard girls screaming and yelling right now. "Xian is here! He's been hiding at the door." She told me, slapping the armchair.

Xian? The guy who saved me from Yna, yesterday? Why would he hide at the narrow, and small space?

"Xian, what are you doing there?" I thought Mrs. Gyie already leave.

"He's hot! You can't see his face, Sophie but I'm telling you that he's like a King. Handsome, tall but aloof." I forgot her name but she's telling me nonsense.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Gyie, but I came here to give it to someone." I heard Xian's voice. It's deep and husky.

"Sophieeeee! I really like him!" She whispered at me, giggling.

"Who's someone?" Mrs. Gyie asked him.

Xian didn't answer her, I heard nothing from him. "Sophie, Xian is looking at me. Ugh! Perhaps, he likes me!" I'm not interested in that thing. Until she poked my shoulder. "What?!" I raised my voice, its not funny anymore.

"Woah! Xian is walking towards you, Sophie!" I was startled. Why would he give me something? We've just met once. "He's not. Don't mind it." I replied.

Until I feel someone stepped out at my shoe. "Sophie." Someone put something on my palm. "What are you doing here?" I asked him. Literally, I am clueless. "I just want to give that to you, Sophie," Xian told me.

I touch it, it's a long thing made of steel. A necklace. "A necklace? It's not mine, Xian." I replied. Mrs. Gyie told us that she's leaving, that's why my classmates screamed at the top of their lungs.

"Sophie, you'll gonna be trending later!" She told me, in a low voice.

"Wait!" Xian gets the necklace at my palm and he walked behind me. I feel his warm hands touching my neck, my skin as he put the necklace on me. "Xian, please stop it!" I told him.

"Wait for me here at 4:30, I'll send you home Sophie," Xian whispered in my ears and I smell his fresh breath. The way he calls me by my name gives me goosebumps.

I couldn't move my whole body, I felt like I was glued to the ground. I can't even utter a single word.

"Sophie! Sophie!"

"And the winner is... Sophie Lim!" One of my classmates uttered.

"See you later, Sophie!" Xian told me. I nodded but deep down I'm too nervous. I felt butterflies in my stomach that I never felt before.

Xian was so fragrant that I can't get over with it. I'm still shocked, but I remembered that I'm blind. I'm not normal, and I know no one will love me, no one will never be.