" Be a girl
With a mind,
A woman
With attitude,
And a lady
With class."

PLAYLIST - Black Magic
By little mix

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POV of Veronica

What the hell is his problem?! I got seduced by this cold ice cube faced pervert again!

No no no ......!!!!!

How can I have such a bad luck. A few minutes ago I was planning  to save my body from him and now again!

This time I am glad though that I had my handbag with me, I launched it at him, hitting him in the worst way possible while he guarded himself by covering himself with his hands.

"You pervert! Jerk! I won't be that easy on you now! It was your last time and you again this time. You must be doing this on purpose!"

"Stop! Listen to me first.." he winced.

"I didn't do it purposely I swear! You accidentally fell on me."

"Caleb, don't think that you can do anything just because you saved me at the pool!"

"I wouldn't even want to take advantage of you!" He stated arrogantly.

Damn you jerk! It was you who is the culprit and now it is you who are blaming me.

"What do you mean!"

He finally sat up straight and grabbed my camera....my camera!!

"What is so important in it that you can't show me." He said and without waiting for my response he opened it and his jaw literally made an "O" shape.

"This is your so called....creative work?!You...you...were peeking isn't it!"

He said while pointing at me accusingly.

Shit! I'm so done, I quickly snatched my camera from his grip and stuffed it inside my bag, "Who...who...who...is peeking! Jerk. It's none of your business."

I heard the bell rang, I'm glad it did.

"It's time for class! I'll get back at you another day!" I said while he looked at me but I didn't gave him any opportunity to speak. I quickly loaded my things and dashed for the exit door. But remembered something and turned back towards him;

"Right, if you tell anybody about this thing from the last time or today, I will kill you!" And with this I marched away, I hope it would be enough to scare away his soul.

*******

POV of Peter

"The Turkish March is a particularly joyful piece by Mozart, but you made it sound like it was crying! Your fingers lack energy." Our music teacher, Mr. James Mathew scolded one of our classmate who was playing this hard piece a few minutes ago.

Perfection- is what he wants, such a tyrant. Hadn't he heard a famous saying;

No one can be perfect!

All the students including me were seated like lost sheep on our respective chairs while Mr. Mathew was facing us with an equally terrifying expression on his face.

"Did all your muscles grow into your head?" He continued.

Okay this was funny and I really felt like laughing on seeing the miserable expression on the face of that boy, that doesn't implies that I'm a saddest.

But it's just not the right moment moreover I know that how bad I am at it.

"Teacher-" the boy said but Mr. Mathew stopped him mid-sentence.

"I don't listen to excuses. Old rules. You played nine notes wrong, so go and join the other of your foolish classmates."

As per our punishment, a student has to hold a bucket full of water with both the hands extended in front of him with knees bent a little. The number of notes that are played wrong decides that for how long a student has to hold the bucket.

That means that I have to hold the bucket for a whole day cause I am sure that my whole song would be a perfect mess.

"Remember one thing, punishment is to enhance your memory. Don't make the audience return their tickets when you perform for them in the future." He stated with a finality in his tone.

What good will holding buckets do? Instead of doing good it will break our fingers then he'll let us play.

Next turn was of Rachel, she came and sat in the bench timidly. Last time we met, it was when I saw her in the hotel's kitchen before I met that princess. She was really kind and became my friend instantly. Even after I lied in front of Veronica about her and me, I did proposed her, she didn't said no so that definitely means that she agreed to be my girlfriend.

I am sure that I like her, she's so sweet and calm and cute. So what if she's not rich, I have enough money to provide her every best thing in this world.

Unlike Veronica, she's far better and kind. God knows where that crazy princess is roaming around. I just hope that she didn't got lost....but why should I care!

"Peter, you left this country for a year and we ended up with this sort of teacher. You have to think something." Nicholas whispered from my left while Lucas inched a bit towards me to catchup with our conversation.

"Don't worry. Leave it to me." I assured him. But what would I do, Uncle Zion is just so persistent, I am damn sure that he would be glad to have a strict teacher like him in our campus.

Mr. Mathew continued with his theory,"Music is one's soul."

"Reporting!" A cheerful voice beamed from the entrance of the music room. All the eyes turned towards her. No wonder Veronica stands out from the crowd. She came in panting hard as if she has just completed marathon.

Mr. Mathew chose to ignore her and faced us,"I can tell if you're using your heart to practice-"

"Reporting!"

I knew it that she won't give up.

"If you don't want to be punished, practice hard." He said while ignoring her.

She silently came inside and was about to take her seat;

"Stop right there."

She froze where she was. Sir won't go easy on her and by judging her temper, I can estimate that how interesting this scene would turn out to be.

"Who said you can randomly come in? Don't you know that interrupting a concert is very rude."

"Teacher, I am the new student Veronica Hamilton. This is my first day, I am sorry this won't happen again." She replied in her calm and serene voice.

Why didn't she joined any acting group, she would have won an Oscar for her marvellous acting skills. That night she seemed fierce like a tigress and right now she is so meek like an obedient student.

"Fine. Don't do it again."

She nodded and sat near Nicholas.

POV of Veronica

What a fright! I was almost going to loose my face in front of everyone on my very first day.

I gladly sat on my chair and saw few students standing with the wall behind the piano with buckets in their hands.

"Where did you go? What happened?" Nicholas asked.

"Let's not talk about that. What are they being punished for?" I asked him.

"You are new so you don't know. These are the rules that teacher Mathew set. The amount of notes you play wrong is the amount of time you have to squat as punishment. It's very cruel!"

Indeed it is very cruel! I can see some of them struggling to maintain their balance.

"Are you using your hands to play the piano right now? Even the pigs poking around on it with their snouts sound better!" Mr. Mathew snarled at Rachel.

"Fifteen minutes. Next."

"Prince Peter, even their playing ended up like that! I totally don't know how to play. I thought you said you have a way out." I heard Nicholas talking to Peter with desperation in his voice.

"Don't be scared. At the worst, it's just....standing there as punishment." He drifted away.

I saw the other students talking to each other with distress, discussing their fate.

When no one has a solution then I must do something to save my friends. I can't merrily sit here and see everyone getting tortured after all when will my piano skills come to use. I will definitely help them out.

"Reporting!" I stood up from my seat.

"What's the matter transfer student?" Sir asked.

Go for it Veronica, fighting!

"Can you stop doing this kind of punishment?"

"So, the transfer student wants to stand up for them. Right?" He mocked while shooting his icy glance at me.

"No, I think you're correct. They truly didn't practiced. But if you keep doing this you will be wasting my class time."

"Your class time? This is my class. I'm the teacher. I know better than you how to improve your piano skills."

"You rich kids have been spoiled rotten since childhood! You don't know how to respect the rules at all."

"Since it's like this, let's make a bet. You can choose whatever song you like, I, Veronica Hamilton, play a single note wrong then I'll stand there as punishment every time I come here. But if I don't, please stop doing this kind of punishment. Is that okay?" I said it in one go.

I can see the spark of excitement in Mr. Mathew's eyes,"Interesting. Are you saying that I can choose whatever song I want?"

"Of course."

"Alright. Liszt's Transcendental Étude, No. 5, Fox follets/ Wills o' the Wisp." He replied, satisfied with the song he chose for me.

Dear sir, I will make sure that you will regret it.

I heard astonishing murmurs from the crowd, some were saying that it's the hardest piece and the others were even saying that even the teacher doesn't knows how to play this piece.

I came towards the bench and saw the punished students looking at me with a ray of hope.

"Thanks Veronica, I think we're better off if we continue the punishment." Rachel advices me.

Another girl standing beside her said,"You won't be able to get off unscathed this way. Think of yourself." She requested.

I quickly looked up at Peter who was looking equally astonished, Mr. Prince! Get ready to bow at my feet.

I flashed my million dollar smile at him.

I didn't replied but sat and positioned my fingers on the keys of piano. I will prove it that what practice of ten years means.

I started with the song, right pace, right note, making sure that nothing goes wrong. It seemed as if my fingers are mechanical tongs...adjusted to each key....familiar to each chord. I alternated my glance between the keys and the awed expression of the students and the pursed lips of Mr. Mathew who would surely be hoping that I will make a mistake.

Just few more verses and I would complete my task successfully.

While playing I looked at my left where there were beautiful glass windows and suddenly Caleb popped up and his eyes looked into mine.

Am I dreaming or is he really over here? This can't be possible or it can be possible. Somehow his presence brought thousands of wavering thoughts in mind.
An image of him seducing me flashed in front of my eyes.

I closed my eyes but instead of vanishing, this image only intensified.

No, it's not good. It feels like a nightmare....

Shit! I pulled back to present but only after playing a note wrong.

I looked back at the piano and quickly fixed my concentration on it. After a few notes I completed the song.

Everyone was clapping and hooting, thinking that I played it all well but I know and I guess even the teacher knows that there was one note wrong.

I shouldn't have made this bet after meeting that ice cube faced jerk! I should have known that on seeing him it won't do any good. Oh mighty heaven! Do I, a delicate flower like girl has to stand with that heavy bucket everyday?

I stood in front of Mr. Mathew, he clapped a bit and then placed his hands on his knee and said,"Your skills were exceedingly great, your emotions were rich." And then a smile of victory spread on his lips.

"Too bad, you and I both know, there was still a note you played wrong."

I stood still waiting for the final verdict.

"She played a note wrong?"

"I thought it was really perfect."

I heard students whispering among themselves.

"Teacher!"

Everyone looked at the entrance to find Caleb striding towards me. What is he doing here after messing up everything?

"Student Caleb Hudson." He reported.

"I happened to walk by and heard Veronica's performance. I would like to tell my insight."

Mr. Mathew allowed him to speak,"Please speak."

For a second I was almost speechless and a sort of anticipation rose in me waiting to know what he'll do.

"In Veronica's performance just now, the ninth from last measure was a bit different from the sheet music. But, Liszt's era, the scales were divided as chords and melody. Classmate Veronica seemed to have used melodic scales to play that measure. Rather than the chords that are more popular today, don't the melodic match Liszt's style of that era even better?" He stated with his confident voice and looked at me.

What is he doing? Is he saving me?

"I think her performance was very good." He added.

I can't help it but smile, he's not that bad. Maybe this ice cube face do has a heart that can melt.

"According to what Senior Caleb said, this means that Veronica won!" Nicholas exclaimed with joy.

There was a whole round of cheering and clapping.

Without any further explanation he walked out of the room. Jerk, can't he even pass a smile. It would have made him more handsome.

POV of Peter

Prince Peter, don't you think that today's performance of princess Veronica was so dazzling!" Nicholas almost screamed while getting over excited.

First period had finished and we were heading towards our auditorium styled classroom.

Why is he so excited and jumpy about her?! Nothing special, anyone can play piano. I half snorted and gave a look of disinterest.

"Come on, she was really cool! Not only did she dared to face the worst but also fought on behalf of justice." He replied, exaggerating every word he was saying.

"It's just that she plays piano well and used that to gain favour from others. And what are you shaking your head for?" I asked Lucas, who's seemed to agree with him.

"Oh, wasn't she cool enough. You both are a perfect match." He replied.

Perfect my foot, I hate her from head tot toe.

"I am telling you, she is a patient with a princess illness. Don't be conned by her." I warned them.

"Isn't it a good match to put a prince illness and a princess illness together." Nicholas said with a sly smirk on his face and Lucas joined him.

Damn you guys, I wonder if they are my friends or her?

As we came down the stairs, I saw Rachel huddled to the wall, fidgeting with her top's end. What's wrong I need to know.

"Rachel, what's wrong?"

"Nothing. It's Veronica." She said in her sweet voice.

"Veronica? Did she bullied you again?" How dare she do this to her.

"No. I just think that Veronica is such a bright star. Doesn't everyone love this kind of girl?" She peered at me through her fringes.

Veronica. Veronica. What the hell, did everyone got charmed by her illness.

"Who says? She's just a fake girl who likes to show off. Let me tell you, the more she like that, the more I hate her."

Suddenly I felt my shirt being yanked from one end.

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