*Krrrrinnnggggg!!!!*

The phone started ringing.

Serena and her friends, Gizel, Milly, and Via, were in her room in the dormitory, busy reminiscing about their year-end ball dance the other night and just bonding together as their graduation was already tomorrow.

Beatrice, her maid picked it up.

"Milady, it's a call from Columbia's." Beatrice informed.

Serena excitedly went to answer the phone. She knew that it should be Charlton, that has been their code since a telephone has been installed in her room. She missed him so.

After he graduated, their meetings became less frequent but their nightly calls over the phone made it feel like they were together every day. However, a month ago, he had to travel to Torton for a task delegated to him in line with his work as the vice minister of works.

Anyway, she received the phone from Beatrice and place the earpiece on her ear "Hello?" she said.

As expected, his low baritone voice sounded from the other line. "Did you miss me?" He asked.

Serena smiled. She missed his voice too. "Of course. Do you even need to ask?"

"Good, because I missed you so very badly." He replied.

Serena could not help but chuckle as she shook her head. He was being too sweet. "When did you arrive?"

"Just about 10 minutes ago. Say, what do you think should I do? I want to head there now, but I just read a missive from Kylo that he's arriving today and requested that I fetch him. The letter must have arrived after I left as it was dated about 2 weeks ago. Do you think I should just delegate the task to Jack?"

"It's been almost a year since you last saw him. But don't you feel tired? You just got back."

"A little, but I'm very energized with the thought of seeing you. Him, just so-so."

Serena giggled, "Stop lying. I know you miss him too. Just go there and fetch him already."

Charlton grinned, "Alright. I'll head there right after, though I bet he will tag along. Surely, he misses Via, by the way, don't tell her. He specifically said in his letter that it should be a surprise."

Serena nodded, "Ok, I know, I know. You take care, okay? I love you."

"Okay, I love you too, and see you later."

--

Charlton went up his room to freshen up before leaving. It was half past noon, but since the travel time was now shorter, he will be able to arrive at port of Cornwell in just about an hour.

After, he went down again, and got the car key of the new car model Ben gave him last month before he left. He wanted to show it to Serena and have her ride it with him. However, he hasn't had the time yet plus he can't afford to ride it with her in public. They were still in a secret relationship, though he hopes that he could change that soon.

Anyway, it's also good to fetch Kylo with it even though he gets to be his first passenger. At least that way, they can visit the school and people won't think it strange if Serena were to ride it with her friends. Almost everyone knew that Kylo and Via were together.

He shook his head. Talking about Kylo, he's been a changed man since he got together with Via. He's not the same playboy he used to be when they were younger, and now, he's even working as a proper 2nd prince of Alighieri. He did miss their time together and was curious on how he's faring.

Riding his car, he drove out of their ducal mansion.

--

The girls continued their talk in her bedroom. They played every song they produced together, and the songs Serena produced on her own. They painted each other's nails and so on and so forth.

"I will miss you all so much. After graduation, it's time to return to Militeia for me and well, find myself a husband. I can't believe that I will have my social debut without you guys by my side." Gizel lamented.

"Me too, I wish we can remain here and just live this way…" Milly seconded.

Serena also felt that she will miss the girls. "Yeah, me three. On the bright side though, we can still write to each other and visit from time to time."

Via chuckled, "Yes, that's true. Not only that, but there's also the telephone. Although long distance calls are expensive, it's not like that would be a problem for us."

"Talking about long distance calls, I guess Via should be a pro with that. How is it going between you and Kylo by the way? Isn't he coming for graduation?" Milly asked.

"I don't know. The last we talked was 2 weeks ago, he said he's very busy and might just head straight to Militeia to visit me later." Via replied. She and Kylo have been together for almost 2 years now, and their relationship only went stronger.

"I see. Anyway, if there's one thing I like about graduation, it's that I won't have to see Emily's smug face any longer. Like ever since she became popular, yeah, she's keeping the image of holy Mary, but ugh! I can't believe people buys it! I know that deep inside, she's this two-faced bitch and that she's laughing at everyone for falling for her act!" Milly shared irately.

"Yeah, me too. I hate her still. Serena, you better put her in place when you make your social debut. Hmpft! That annoying twit! I just want to squash her!!!!" Gizel said.

Serena shook her head. After their little competition last time, Emily became a hit. Her song, 'A dream is a wish your heart makes' became her steppingstone, and every song she produced thereafter became a hit. By the way, since Charlton graduated, he stopped being a producer and only ever works on her songs. While Emily became a producer herself.

"Girls, don't worry. When have she ever won against me?" Serena said confidently.

The girls all laughed. It was true, be it grades, looks, profit on her song, and social standing, Emily have never won.

Then, Beatrice knocked on her door.

"Yes? Come in." Serena said.

"Milady, the receptionist called and said that you have a visitor downstairs." Beatrice reported.

Serena grinned it must be Charlton and Kylo.

The girls looked at her in askance. They didn't think that it would be Charlton as the relationship between the two was still kept secret. Who could it be?

"Who do you think could it be?" Gizel asked.

"Maybe Serena's parents?" Milly curious asked.

"If it's Serena's parents, they would just come up directly." Via answered.

"Pray that it's not Geoffrey then." Gizel said.

Serena shook her head. Her relationship with Geoffrey after he graduated has been stagnant, thankfully. Although he sends flowers, and sometimes calls her, the number of times which he did can be counted with her fingers. He apologized saying that he's very busy with his position as the crown prince. So, the whole year, she has only seen him 3 times. Well, she's not complaining at all.

Anyway, trying not to give away the surprise, she said "Let's go down to find out."

--

TBC