Melody POV
My phone buzzed. Once. Twice.
I was barely awake, face buried in a pillow, hair all over the place, the taste of toothpaste still lingering on my tongue from earlier. The morning sun peeked through the blinds, soft and golden.
Buzz. Buzz.
Stella?
I sat up quickly and grabbed the phone.
My heart was racing. I hadn't even remembered the results were coming out today. The exam had been a blur. I remembered flipping through the papers, writing nonstop, and thinking maybe I wouldn't mess it up too badly.
I swiped.
"Hello?"
Stella's voice came through, high-pitched and bubbling.
"MELODY!!!"
I blinked. "Huh?"
"YOU DID IT!"
"What-"
"You didn't just pass, you were thehighest in your department! Melody, you topped the entire class!"
I froze. Wait. What?
"Are you serious?" My voice cracked.
"Check the portal if you don't believe me!" she laughed. "Girl, you're on top of the list. Highest score. Everyone is talking about it! I'm so proud of you!!"
My heart felt like it was going to burst.
I couldn't believe it. After everything, after missing lectures, running from danger, losing sleep, doubting myself…I still made it?
Not just made it. Topped it.
"I...I gotta go-" I stammered, and ended the call.
Without thinking, I jumped out of bed and ran out of the room barefoot, my phone still in my hand, hoodie swaying wildly.
"MARVIS!!!"
I found him in the living room, leaning over the couch, holding a cup of tea, shirt half-wrinkled like he'd just rolled out of bed. His head turned just in time to see me charging toward him.
"Whoa-"
Before he could say another word, I leaped into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist and hugging him tightly, my face buried in his neck.
He dropped the mug. Ceramic shattered. But neither of us cared.
"I did it!" I breathed, trembling with joy. "I did it, Marvis. I passed. I passed! I was the highest! Stella just called me…I topped my department!"
He held me tighter, arms wrapping around my back like he never wanted to let go.
"I knew you would." His voice was low, proud.
"You don't understand—" I pulled back slightly, my forehead touching his. "I thought I'd lost everything. I thought I'd failed at being who I used to be."
His thumb gently brushed my cheek. "You never lost her. She just needed time."
I smiled through the tears that had started to slip.
"You kept me grounded," I whispered.
He leaned in. Close. So close.
And then, his lips touched mine.
Soft. Slow. Warm.
Not rushed. Not heated.
Just… full of relief. Pride. And something that scared me more than anything else. Love.
When we pulled apart, he pressed his forehead to mine again.
"Next time you doubt yourself," he said, "remember this moment."
I nodded, still catching my breath. Still floating. Still his.