Side Story 2: The Song of the Stars

After thinking about it for a few days, Caleb decided it would be a good idea to write a song and record it as part of the demo he would send to the Mozart Conservatory. He was determined to win that scholarship and prove that he could not only play the piano, but also compose a melody that would leave everyone who heard it amazed.

The idea hadn't come out of nowhere. Caleb remembered those first weeks with Cristina. She talked too much about her past, about the family she once lost and never saw again. It was as if Cristina longed to talk to someone—about wanting to share a life she had been forced not to tell for years.

Above all, Caleb listened to the stories Cristina told with such emotion. They were tales about princesses and fairies where magic was always present. To his neighbor and new friend, magic was provided by the stars.

"What's the name of that song" Caleb asked one day when Cristina sang one special melody he didn’t recognize.

“It doesn’t have a name” Cristina answered. “But I call it the Song of the Stars. Was the special song my grandmother always sang for me.”

"Since when do butterflies fly this high?" he asked his father one night. 

Cristina always talk about butterflies and how she always saw them in her window. For first time, Caleb saw them. Their wings where in a special tone of blue. And while flying those insects spread a mysterious blue dust behind.

Both were in the living room, listening to some music. Caleb was finishing up some homework, and his father was studying a new musical score. Elías turned to look out the window. It was true. The butterflies were right there. The clock showed 9:22 at night. He made a confused expression when he checked the time again and looked at the butterflies.

"I'm not an entomologist," Elías commented. "But I can assure you I've never seen blue butterflies flying at this height, let's not even talk about this time of night."

"Don't you remember, Elías, what happened when we were in Brandt?" Alisha walked into the living room to join her family.

She was already wearing her pajamas; her black hair falling behind her shoulders was still damp; Elías couldn't take his eyes off her. Alisha sat down next to her husband, who simply took her hand.

"What happened in Brandt?" Caleb asked curiously.

“Was a funny situation," Elías began to tell. "There was a week when we couldn't gave our concert. Rumors say there was a territorial dispute because of what they called witch clans."

"Witches?" Caleb asked, surprised. The last thing he expected was for him to give that label to a group of people.

He thought of Cristina. She had commented on something similar, calling people who had magic "witches." She even called her friend that way... Circe. From time to time, she even called Maya a witch. The most curious thing for Caleb was that none of them ever got offended when she said it openly.

"Yes, witches," his father continued relating. "Two rival clans were fighting near the auditorium where we were performing. Their names were really curious: the Saiph and the Bellatrix clan."

"What we could understand was that the Saiph clan was the one ruling that area of the city," Alisha continued.

She had turned to the window. The butterflies were still there, continuing to flutter. She was amused watching them. For some reason, she felt relaxed just seeing them. Without realizing it, she put her head on Elías's shoulder, and he simply hugged her in silence.

Caleb watched his parents' interaction, somewhat blushing. It wasn't that he was uncomfortable, just that he wasn't used to seeing such a display of affection from his parents. He liked it and even imagined himself in that situation with Cristina.

"The Saiph clan was the one with influence in that part of the city," Alisha commented. "Businesses, houses, families lived there. It was an important commercial area. That's why the Bellatrix clan wanted to take over that zone."

"It was the first time we saw what an authentic fight between witches looked like. Just like in the movies: magic and destruction everywhere," Elías remembered. Not with fear, but with a certain charm, as if he had never been in danger. "Too bad we had to escape. They told us it was the best decision to do."

"By the way, Caleb," Alisha said, trying to change the subject. “Have you chosen what pieces you're going to play? For the scholarship."

"I'm going with an Aria in D minor form Bach. Also I'll go for an Étude in A minor from Chopin, and finally Mozart's Rondo alla Turca." Caleb was about to mention the melody he was composing, but he wanted it to be a surprise. He didn't want his parents to pressure him about it or comment on something he didn't want to hear.

And so it happened. Caleb began practicing the four pieces he was going to play and submit in the demo to win the scholarship. During his free time, he started writing Cristina's melody: the Music of the Stars. During those weeks, he stopped going on outings with his friends; he even stopped frequenting Hilda, who complained that he never have time for her anymore.

What was a secret to Caleb was something his parents and even his teachers whispered about. Caleb didn't know how to keep a secret, and he practiced the melody he was writing late at night or very early in the morning so that, in his logic, nobody would discover him.

That was why he could never approach Cristina and confess his feelings—because that melody was his confession. When he saw how Alex and Cristina started dating as a couple, his whole world fell apart. The melody wasn't finished yet. It still needed some details to be polished.

"Caleb, son..." Elías approached his son one night. "You can't keep going like this... you’ll get sick..."

Caleb didn't say anything. For days now, Caleb had been depressed. He truly loved Cristina and, lacking experience, was letting his emotions controlled him. Elías saw the sheet music in the trash that he knew his son had been working on for weeks. He picked it up and read it in silence. He hummed the melody, which made his son react.

"You weren't supposed to know..." was all he said.

"We always knew you were working on this melody," Elías confessed, which caught Caleb by surprise. "Don't look at me like that. I'm your father. Don't give up. You can use this melody for the Mother's Day event. Don't let your talent go to waste."

Caleb took the score. Maybe... just maybe, he could have a chance with Cristina if she heard the melody. The battle wasn't over yet. At the very least, he wanted to be honest and let his friend know that she inspired him to improve and to write music.

"Thanks, Dad," Caleb said with a smile. Elías hugged him.