On the 7th of January, Leonard and Serena left the duchy after lunch to travel back to school as the classes were to resume the next day. They arrived there before sunset and parted ways to settle in their own rooms.

Serena wanted to meet Charlton immediately, but she had no way to contact him. Thus, she decided to wait for tomorrow. Anyway, what was one more day in addition to the 17 days, not that she was counting, they have not seen nor communicated with each other since they broke up.

--

"I missed you Serena, Milly! I have lived for 18 years without you two by my side, but suddenly I felt so incomplete without you! I'm so glad to be back!" Gizel said as they met up in their dorm's lobby. It was quarter to nine, and they were about to head to class.

The girls all laughed as they hugged each other in greeting, telling each other how they missed one another.

"So, what have you guys been up to during the break?" Milly asked.

"Not much, same old. It's much more exciting to be back here in school." Gizel replied. "By the way, Serena, I think congratulations are in order. Do you know how your songs shook our home? All my relatives are going gaga over it the whole Christmas break."

Serena laughed, "you must be exaggerating. It must be so because the phonograph is a new device."

"You think!? Via! You tell her."

"Yes, Serena, Gizel is not exaggerating. Their home has been full of our relatives with various excuses to go over and visit just to listen to your songs. Although the phonograph is indeed a new device, they did not play the other discs that came with it like they did yours." Via renumerated.

"Honestly, that was also the case on my end. Everyone wanted to come over because they can't purchase it in the market. The song has been on repeat in our house for the last 2 weeks, and, I must say, I never get tired of listening to it." Milly laughingly shared.

Gizel nodded then continued, "You know, if not because only a limited people were able to listen to it, I bet it's about to replace our kingdom's national anthem. Anyway, Serena, Milly, I told my parents about you guys and they are very much looking forward to meeting you. Also, Serena, since you're quite popular specially now with your songs, they have been boasting it to all our friends and relatives that we're close… so if you two don't mind and if you have time, we would like to invite you to our home this coming summer! My family will be honored to have you two with us."

"Ah… I will still have to seek my parents' permission about that. I have never been to any other kingdom aside from here and our home. I really hope that they will agree. Just thinking about it already makes me feel so excited!" Milly was first to answer.

Serena grinned. She loves going abroad and spending it with her friends will be awesome. Aside from that, she also thought about asking Charlton to come along, she can already imagine herself with him enjoying the vacation. "I also need to seek permission, but I will try my best to persuade them so I can go." Serena answered.

"Great!" Gizel said.

"Anyway, guys, let's go. We don't want to be late." Via said.

--

Upon arriving in their class, Serena noticed that the girls were all looking at her with glossy eyes. Then one suddenly squealed. And another followed. They bombarded her before she can walk to her seat.

"SERENA!!!!!!!! I need to get your autograph! You are fantastic, amazing, awesome, AHHHHHH!!!! I don't know how to describe it! But… when I heard the song playing, I just knew that I had to purchase this. PLEASE PLEASE SIGN THIS!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!"

"Yes Serena! I am now you number 1 fan! Please sign this for me?"

"AH… I think I can die now with no regrets!" another said as she pretended to faint.

Gizel, Milly and Via looked at each other. Okay, they knew that Serena's level of popularity just hit the roof, but they didn't imagine that it would be by this much.

The other girls have more control of themselves, but they all brought out their copies as they smiled at Serena.

Serena did not know how to react at first. She has never been this popular in both her lifetimes. Was this how Hollywood stars felt? She was shocked, but she was very happy too.

Gizel and Milly seeing Serena smiling and blushing knew what to do.

"Okay girls, calm down, our Serena is now a star. So, let's clear the path and give way so that she can get to her seat." Gizel instructed.

The girls cleared the path and followed behind them.

"Okay, everyone who wants an autograph, please line up, no pushing please. We only have 5 minutes left before our teacher arrives." Milly announced.

Via stood at the side watching over the girls, ensuring that they don't go jump over the line.

Serena wanted to laugh but held it in lest her fans think that she was laughing at them. So she just continued to smile sweetly at everyone.

The girl who screamed earlier was first on the line. "Serena, we have never even talked before this, but I look up to you even then. I knew that you were someone special. Ahhhhhh… I'm Jessie by the way, in case you don't remember."

Serena chuckled. "I know, Jessie Hue from Balamb, right? Wait, let me write a short message too."

"WOWWWW you actually know me!???? I'm so touched! From now on, I will always be your number 1 fan! By the way, although I know you are engaged to the crown prince, I just want to say that you and Mr. Charlton looks great together."

Serena like what she heard, so her message became longer with a lot of hearts.

Then the next girl followed. Basically, they said almost the same things. Not long after, their teacher arrived clearing his throat. Serena was only able to sign 4 covers.

The girls went back to their seats, and their teacher stood at the platform behind his desk.

--

TBC