The rest of the school day passed like a blur for Pearl.
Even though classes continued, her mind stayed trapped inside the library.
That voice.
That presence.
The way her heart had nearly stopped when he sat beside her.
And most of all—
the way she had run.
Every time she remembered how close he had been, her chest tightened.
It felt foolish.
Strange.
Why was she running from someone she had never even properly met?
By the time the final bell rang, Pearl felt both relieved and restless.
Outside the school gates, Mathew was already waiting for her.
He waved when he saw her.
“You took longer today.”
Pearl forced a smile.
“Library.”
Mathew nodded, not questioning further.
The two walked home together.
The streets glowed like always.
People passed by.
Children laughed.
But Pearl heard none of it.
Her thoughts were louder than the world.
Did he hear my voice properly?
Did he notice me?
Did he… see me?
Her heart raced again.
And then—
her diary.
Her footsteps suddenly stopped.
Her diary.
She had left it.
In the library.
Her eyes widened.
That small sky-blue diary where she wrote her thoughts, songs, and little dreams.
And inside—
the silver moon charm bookmark she always kept.
Mathew turned back.
“What happened?”
Pearl quickly shook her head.
“Nothing.”
She couldn’t tell him.
Not when even she didn’t understand why losing it felt terrifying.
What if someone found it?
What if someone read it?
The thought alone made her nervous.
When they reached home, their mother welcomed them warmly.
“You’re both back.”
Pearl smiled faintly.
Their mother looked at them.
“Go freshen up.
Lunch will be ready.”
Later, the family sat together.
The warmth of home should have calmed her.
But it didn’t.
Pearl looked at Mathew.
“How was your first day?”
Mathew leaned back.
“It was fine.”
Pearl smiled.
“That’s all?”
He laughed.
Then slowly started telling her everything.
The teachers.
The students.
The class.
And then—
Leo.
Pearl froze.
Her fingers tightened around her spoon.
Mathew didn’t notice.
“Some boys tried to intimidate me.”
Pearl looked up instantly.
“What?”
“It’s fine,” Mathew said calmly.
“Before it got worse… Leo stepped in.”
Pearl blinked.
“Leo?”
Mathew nodded.
“Yeah.”
Her heartbeat shifted.
“What is he like?” she asked, trying to sound normal.
Mathew thought for a moment.
“Kind-hearted.”
Pearl’s eyes widened.
Kind-hearted.
That wasn’t what she expected.
“But…”
He paused.
“He feels distant.”
Pearl lowered her eyes.
That word again.
Distance.
“He helped me,” Mathew said.
“But it feels like he keeps everyone away.
Like there’s a wall around him.”
He sighed.
“If you ever meet him… just be polite.”
Pearl looked at him.
“Why?”
“He’s not bad,” Mathew replied.
“But it’s better to keep some distance.”
Distance.
Again.
Everyone said that.
And somehow—
it hurt.
More than it should.
That night, Pearl sat beside her window.
Moonlight spilled across her room.
Soft.
Silent.
Beautiful.
But then—
her diary.
Her eyes widened again.
She had really left it there.
Her chest tightened.
What if someone had found it?
What if someone had opened it?
What if—
Leo found it?
The thought made her heart race.
She pressed her hand against her chest.
Outside, the moon glowed quietly.
Unaware to her—
the silver moon charm she always carried…
was no longer with her.
It now rested inside her diary.
And that diary—
was in Leo’s hands.
Far away, in his room—
Leo sat on his bed, holding the diary.
His thumb brushed over the silver moon charm.
And his dark eyes stayed on one page.
The same melody.
The same song.
The same voice.
His Melody Girl.
And without even realising….
Leo smiled.