Page 21 of Missing

"Your life is about to change forever, Harper," Melody said softly, her eyes locked on mine. "But don't worry, I'll be here to help you through it."

"Thanks, Mel," I smiled, my heart swelling with gratitude. It was comforting to know that I had someone in my corner while facing this new world.

"Anytime, girl," she winked before diving into a conversation about our favourite movies and TV shows. I lost track of time as we laughed and talked, temporarily forgetting about the supernatural chaos that surrounded me. And for a moment, I felt almost normal again.

"Here's to surviving your first day at Oakland Harbour," Melody raised her soda can, clinking it against mine.

"Cheers," I grinned, taking a swig before diving back into our greasy feast. As I took another bite of pizza, my mind wandered to the extravagant school life I had been thrust into. My eyes drifted towards the beautifully carved oak wardrobe that housed the uniforms I was now expected to wear.

"Hey, Mel," I said between bites, "how does all this get paid for? The room, the food, the uniforms?"

Melody took a moment to swallow her food before answering. "Well, Oakland Harbour covers everything for you, Of course, you'll have to pay it back once you start working after graduation."

"Shit, really?" I frowned, thinking about the small amount of savings I had stashed away. It wouldn't be anywhere near enough to cover the costs of the school.

"Yep," Melody replied, popping the 'p' with a grin. "But don't worry too much about it. Most people here end up with pretty well-paying jobs after they graduate, so you'll be able to pay it off easily."

I sighed, relieved by her words but still feeling the burden of debt weighing on me. "You know, in all those fantasies I had about going to college and living the high life, never did I think it would come with such a price tag."

"Welcome to the real world, babe," Melody chuckled, tossing her blonde hair back. "Nothing's ever as simple as it seems."

"Tell me about it," I muttered, taking another swig of soda. In the span of just two days, I'd gone from being a clueless human to a supernatural student in a world filled with magic.

"Can I ask you something?" I ventured, picking at a loose thread on the carpet. "What's the deal with those three guys? You know, the ones who can never seem to decide whether they like me or hate me?"

"Ah, the infamous trio," Melody sighed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, it's not exactly them being hot and cold—it's more about power."

"Power?" I frowned, trying to wrap my head around what she was saying.

"See, when you have three or more powers, finding a match in the supernatural world is... complicated." Melody shifted closer, her blonde hair brushing against my arm. "You can't bond with someone if your powers are greater than theirs. It would just kill them when you share your powers during the bond."

"Wait, so if I bonded with someone less powerful, I'd be like some sort of human power-sucking vampire?" I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all.

"Kinda, yeah," Melody giggled. "But there's a catch—if you're the central figure in a group, you share all your powers with everyone. And in this case, those boys come as a pack deal, searching for their central."

My laughter died down, replaced by a heavy feeling in my gut as I thought about Jessica, Yasmin, and Olivia—the three girls constantly hanging around the boys. "Central, huh? Sounds like a fancy way of saying 'getting more than one'," I said bitterly. A pang of jealousy pulsed through me, wondering what it was that made those girls so special to always be surrounded by the boys. "What's the deal with those girls that follow them like puppies?" I asked, not really wanting to know the answer but unable to stop myself from asking. A feeling of resentment simmered inside me, knowing that I would never have that kind of attention from anyone.

Melody's frown deepened as she spoke, her voice tinged with frustration. "It's ridiculous how obsessed they've been with the boys since they arrived," she said. "But it's clear that the boys have only been interested in fucking them." Her words were laced with humour. "I haven't seen any of them allow for anything more meaningful or genuine."

"So, they've been trying to snag the central position since day one, even though they only have two powers?" I ask confused.

"Yep," Melody confirmed. "They'd die if they bonded, but that hasn't stopped them from trying."

"Ugh, why am I not surprised?" I shook my head, trying to ignore the knot forming in my stomach.

"Anyway," Melody continued, "about mates—you might meet someone and just know they're meant for you. It's like a predestined bond, stronger than anything else. Mates usually stick together because of the intense pull between them."

"Right, so if I was mated with those guys, would I still kill them?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"Maybe, maybe not," Melody shrugged. "If it's predestined, there's a chance you won't. But there's also the possibility that their combined strength as a group could help them withstand the power exchange."

"Great, so I'm destined to be alone until I find another four-power freak like myself?" I couldn't help the bitterness that crept into my voice.

"Unfortunately, that's the way our world works," Melody replied with a sad smile.

"Hey, how come you're not with anyone?" I asked, suddenly concerned for my friend.

"Truth is, I like girls, and there aren't any at my level." Melody looked away, a touch of sadness in her eyes.

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