Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)

Chapter 879

Lovers, sticky-sweet in their honeyed romance, often wish to spend every moment together.

Alyssa and Julia shared a bed.

Alyssa tossed and turned, sleep eluding her grasp.

Julia, groggy, asked, "What's wrong, can't get comfy?"

Alyssa whispered, "Julia, I'm really envious of you." This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

"Envious of what?"

"Envious that someone loves you so much."

Julia tucked the blanket around Alyssa. "Silly girl, you're still young. You'll meet someone who adores

you just as much when you're older."

Julia's words weighed heavily on Alyssa's heart. She knew she might one day meet someone who had

feelings for her, but the fear lingered that she might not find someone who could evoke the same level

of affection she felt for Michael..

She never imagined falling for a rebel, a bad boy, especially when he was her best friend's boyfriend.

The next day dawned, bright and clear.

Michael arrived early, bearing breakfast from the town's diner: savory grits and crispy bacon.

They sat in the yard, basking in the glorious sunshine.

Julia's mother had spread the wheat out to dry, creating miniature hillocks across the yard.

While they ate, Michael urged, "Eat up, I'm taking you both for a day out in town."

That day was perhaps the happiest Alyssa had ever been.

She could watch Michael all day, even if it was often just his back. Bitter-sweet, yet her heart swelled

with joy.

She saw sights she'd never seen before that day. The vibrant fair, the boat races that held everyone's

gaze.

She tasted cotton candy, candied apples, and roasted corn for the very first time.

On the way back, Alyssa sang. Her voice was exceptional.

The film academy had a music department, and the head of the department had tried several times to

persuade her to study vocal music, to become a singer, but she had always refused.

Walking through the fields, she sang in a foreign language, twirling, running like a bird set free.

Michael quipped to Julia, "What bird language is this girl singing?"

Alyssa overheard.

Pouting, she retorted, "It's an ancient folk song. How dare you call it bird language?"

Michael chuckled, "Well, we can't understand a word, so it sounds like chirping, doesn't it?"

He was teasing her out of fun, but Alyssa got mad. She spun around and dashed off. Truth be told, she

wasn't one to get upset over a joke. Yet, for some reason, she felt a sudden sadness.

Michael paused, "That girl's got quite the temper. She's gonna have a hard time finding a husband."

Julia nudged Michael, "She's just a child. Why do you have to tease her? Go apologize."

When Julia mentioned an apology, Michael knew he had to make amends.

He plucked some wild daisies from beside the pathway and chased after Alyssa.

Handing her the flower, he said, "There now, no hard feelings, girl. If you're upset, Julia's gonna give

me the cold shoulder. Can you believe she cares about you more than me?"

Alyssa's gaze, however, settled on the wild daisies Michael offered.

"Is this for me?" Her eyes lifted to meet Michael's.