The Bridge (Golden Lycans Sequel)

Music is Powerful

It's Thursday evening and Christa and I were marking our first week as roommates with a screening of one of Joel's movies. I wasn't used to just sitting there doing nothing for an hour and a half, but after the first half-hour I did get used to it.

"What did you think?" Christa asks as the movie ends. I suck my lips into my mouth and look at her awkwardly in response.

"I'm guessing...not your thing," Christa says with a snort of laughter. I shake my head and laugh.

"No, no it really isn't. I was not quite prepared for how cringe it would be. Also, it's weird seeing Joel playing someone who isn't himself."

"Yeah, it is so weird. Especially the romance scenes. He said kissing that actress was horrific as she not only had a very wet mouth but she snacked on houmous all the time," Christa says, giggling a little.

"That's so grim. On the plus side...you know he's a pretty decent actor, he genuinely looked into the kissing scenes during the movie," I say diplomatically.

"Just make sure you say that when he asks what you thought, tomorrow morning at breakfast!"

"I'm serious, he's wasted in that genre. Does he study drama here?" I ask, as it's been a couple of weeks since I met Joel now and I have no idea what he even studies here at the school.

"Yeah. Drama, English, Psychology and Phys Ed," Christa tells me as she packs away her laptop.

"How did you all even meet? You're all quite a random bunch," I say, laying down on my bed sideways facing Christa.

"Yeah, we are. We truly are..." she agrees.

"So, Finn is actually my fourth cousin on my Mum's side; his Dad's. Finn's family can be a bit tight-knit, so I've been around him my whole life. It was actually me who convinced his parents to enrol him here when it was time to pick a secondary school. A family friend who was quite prominent in the media said their kids were totally protected here and nothing got out about them while they were here. Given the scale of the company Finn's father runs, he was quite keen on the idea," Christa explains.

"Which company is it?" I ask, actually dying to know at this point. Christa raises her eyebrows and laughs.

"I'm not sharing anything. He will tell you when he decides he wants to," she says kindly, "anyway. He got roomed with Joel, and it was before Joel had got his proper big break as a child actor. They seem so different, but they're actually really close, almost like brothers. Finn has one younger sister and Joel has no siblings, so it's been nice for them to have each other here."

"I do see some similarities between them. I think Joel likes to act in real life more than he realises sometimes. The veil drops at points, and he's actually a little bit more like Finn than he'd care to admit."

"I think you might be right about that," Christa agrees.

"The others?"

"Joel met Theo through Phys Ed two years ago and also down the gym. Theo had dated Alice following one of the junior year dances. Alice and I have been in Maths and English with Stacey since we started here, so....that's how we all fit together. Then, you came along in my law class."

I nod, a thought occurring to me suddenly.

"Would you have sat next to me that day if I'd gone and sat in the back like I used to?" I ask curiously. She contemplates the question and then shakes her head.

"No. No I don't think I would have. You clearly moved for a reason and, whatever that reason, what a great decision that was," she replies brightly. I nod and say nothing, thinking about how small decisions can really make big changes later on.

"Well, we should get to bed, the defence team had better be bringing their A game tomorrow afternoon because this prosecution is ready," I say feistily as I head to the bathroom to brush my teeth.

..

More vivid than ever, the crystal-blue water floods my subconscious, spilling into every corner of my mind. It glistens, shifting and swirling, drawing me in like a siren’s call. I don’t hesitate—I dive in, surrendering to the cool embrace that wraps around me like a second skin.

I am weightless. Boundless. Fearless.

The water holds me, cradles me, and for a moment, there is nothing but the gentle ebb and flow of serenity.

Then—a flash of white.

A wolf’s face erupts into my vision, piercing eyes locking onto mine.

The moment shatters.

I jolt awake, heart hammering, breath sharp and unsteady.

"You dream so vividly, huh?" Christa says, brushing her hair in the mirror of her wardrobe.

"Sometimes," I breathe.

"It usually means that your subconscious is trying to tell you something," Christa says pointedly. A white wolf was odd, but today officially marks one week until I come of age, so perhaps there was something to it.

"Yeah, uhh I might be a bit off this week," I say to Christa as I start changing my clothes.

"Oh dear, time for your period?" she asks with a sympathetic look.

"Yeah...that. I might get cranky, eat lots, act a bit weird..." I say, wondering why I didn't ask Christa to move into the room until after I would have had my loopy 'coming of age' week.

We will be fine, Hera says, sounding confident.

How do you know? I ask

Because we are disciplined, remember? We have pure focus.

Yeah let's just see how it goes after we shift tonight.

Christa and I head down to breakfast where almost all the rest of the group are already sat eating.

"Where is Finn?" Christa asks as we sit down with our food.

"He abruptly got a taxi to go back to London last minute, just after dinner," Joel explains, looking awkward.

"Oh..." Christa says, looking concerned.

"I texted him this morning, and he said he'd be back later this afternoon, though," Joel says dismissively.

I feel a little gutted that I won't have Finn there with me in computer sciences, as we had a good time in our class last week. Underneath it all, I also notice that I am missing his simple presence this morning. Every morning since we camped, he had brought an earl grey tea to the table for me when he'd gotten his, now that he knew someone else in the group drank it...I actually feel sad that he isn't here right now.

"You okay, Ser?" Christa asks. I realise I am stood there staring at the other empty seat at the table and I hurriedly pull my chair out and sit down.

"Yeah, just a little bummed that I'll have to go to computer science without Finn. I hope he's okay."

..

After three hours of computer science, my brain is hurting from the many lines of coding that we'd done. I'll be glad when this particular module is done, and we start something I might actually use in the real world.

I've got a free period right now, so I go to the hall to see if anyone is around. I spot Christa and Joel looking downcast at a random table and I go over to join them.

"You guys look like you could do with cheering up," I say to them with a furrowed brow.

"Ha, yeah. How was class?" Christa asks as I sit down.

"It just wasn't the same without Finn, actually," I find myself admitting. Christa raises an eyebrow at me and I avoid her gaze.

"So, it's my eighteenth birthday next week," I announce.

"Yeah, so what are we doing?" Christa asks, perking up a little.

"Nothing substantial. My family want to come see me...actually they probably want to come see the school again more than they want to see me. My brother suggested birthday cake and champagne in the botanic garden. He rang me earlier and said that he really wants to meet you guys," I say tentatively.

"Ooh I'm in. I want to meet Austin and is it...Ella? I vaguely remember her from the year I started. She reminded me a little of that actress ,Anya Taylor-Joy," Christa muses.

"Oh, I actually know who she is!" I exclaim, having watched a show with Ella on Netflix that she was in, about chess.

"Yeah, yeah, I actually know her. Anyway, more importantly, is your hot twin coming?" Joel asks brightly, draining his coffee. Christa sighs.

"Nah, she's got plans up north with her new boyfriend," Joel looks sad at this comment, "I probably won't see her til Christmas if it's anything like last year," I reply. I'm quite happy about that, to be honest. I don't want Serafina to be dangling her alpha heir mate in front of me while I'm slowly allowing myself to head down a path I probably shouldn't be going down.

"So, how did you find my movie?" Joel asks, looking at me with an expectant smile.

"Well, I still don't like romances," I begin, and Joel's face falls, "but, you are a very talented actor. Easily the best part of an otherwise dreadful film."

"It is dreadful isn't it?" he laughs.

"Yeah, you definitely could handle a more serious role," I tell him, "although you looked really good during that final kissing scene, so maybe a serious role with a bit of fluff."

"I hear you, Serena, and I agree. One day I will be playing James Bond. You'll see," he says with a wink. I laugh and nod, I could actually see that happening.

"Gym at four?" I ask to confirm as he stands up to leave.

"Definitely. I actually have something to run by you."

..

At four o'clock, I enter the gym dressed in my usual workout gear, and I see Ollie with a clipboard standing around a few Lycan lads on the resistance machines.

"Ahh, doing some coaching I see?" I say as I approach him.

"Just keeping myself busy until your sister comes back. I'm not letting her leave our bedroom for the whole weekend," he tells me casually.

"Uh huh. Glad I'll be here instead of home next weekend, then," I tease.

"Hey," I hear Joel say as he enters the gym wearing a black tank top and some grey shorts. Ollie turns around and looks Joel up and down before holding his hand out.

"You're one of Serena's new friends? I'm Ollie. I teach here, but I'm also an honorary big brother to this little monster," he jokes as Joel gives him a firm handshake.

"Joel. It's nice to meet you, you're kind of a legend around here," Joel says.

"Hey... haven't I seen you in that drama on Sky?" Ollie asks. I roll my eyes and laugh.

"Yeah man, that's me!" Joel says happily, nodding with a wide smile.

"You're good man, good to see you're still studying. You guys just here for a workout?" he asks.

"Well, actually, I am hoping Serena can teach me some martial arts moves. I've been put forward for a really sought-after movie role, but they require me to audition with a combat sequence prepared," he says, looking at me as he speaks. Ollie laughs and puts his hand on Joel's shoulder.

"Good luck," he says, giving him a squeeze on the shoulder, "she's a feisty one."

Joel looks a little taken aback as I take his hand and lead him to the matted area at the back of the gym.

"Ignore him, I'm not actually going to hit you," I tell him.

"I'd be more concerned about hurting you," he says looking perturbed. I snort at this and shake my head.

"Oh Joel, how wrong you are. I could kick your butt," I promise him, "but instead of that, I'll start by covering the basics, and we shall see how you go."

"That'd be great," he says, nodding happily.

I get him to do some stretches before I start showing him the basic elements of our w****y combat and self-defence classes, such as blocking attacks from the front as well as attacking from the front, and by the end of the hour, I've taught him how to do a pretty successful roundhouse kick.

"There is so much more I can teach you, to be honest. You should come by the class I teach on Saturday mornings. It's at seven o'clock in the sports hall," I tell him while he's chugging some water from his bottle.

"Yeah I reckon I will. That was really good fun," Joel says, giving me a fist-bump.

"I really enjoy this stuff," I admit.

"How come you haven't even broken a sweat?" Joel asks, looking at me strangely. I shrug. I want to tell him it's because I'm not as human as he is.

"I'm very...fit, plus girls don't sweat as much as guys," I suggest. Joel checks his phone and frowns a little.

"Decent. Finn is back," he mutters with a frown, "I guess we will see him at dinner."

..

I head back to the room and find Christa there, looking a little upset. I really want to know what's going on today, but I know better to ask.

If she wants to tell me, she will.

"Good gym session with Joel?" she asks, forcing a smile.

"Yeah, he's going to come to my class on Saturday morning. He has a movie role he wants to audition for, and he needs a combat sequence for it," I explain as I pick out some clothes to wear to dinner.

"Finn is back," Christa says. I nod without looking up at her, "he's coming to dinner, but he is not good. He...got some bad news. Just...well...actually I don't need to tell you to be kind. You always are."

I nod and head into the bathroom to have a quick wash and change.

Christa and I head down to dinner just before six, and I'm pretty psyched to see chilli con carne on the menu for today. We go over to the table where the others are and my heart leaps a little at the sight of Finn back at the table where he belongs. I sigh to myself over this unconscious reaction.

I take one of the free chairs opposite him, and I can see that he isn't right.

His eyes aren't as bright as they usually are and, despite being the tallest person I know, he looks a little diminished there in his chair. He looks up at me as I bring my chair in, our eyes meeting briefly. I can see pain there, and I subconsciously bring my hand over toward his. Catching myself, I instead force myself to pick up my fork and start to eat my dinner.

"...Yeah she's amazing. Honestly, you should come along too on Saturday morning. She's like a female Jackie Chan," I hear Joel saying to Stacey and Alice at the other end of the table.

"Dude, I'll come along just to see her beat your ass," Theo jokes. I smile to myself at their comments. I would love it if they all came along on Saturday.

"Apparently I'm training him to be the next James Bond," I say across the table.

"Nah he's far too young, he needs to age like a fine wine first. Give it twenty years," Stacey jokes.

"Have you told everyone about your birthday?" Christa asks me. I stop chewing for a moment as everyone looks up at me. I swallow my mouthful.

"Er...yeah, six o'clock next Friday evening in the botanical garden, if anyone is interested..No pressure. Birthday cake and some other food," I reply.

Finn abruptly pushes back from the table and takes himself over to the drinks area to make himself a tea.

"Christa is he okay? He really doesn't look okay!" Alice whispers. Christa looks back at her and shrugs.

"He got some bad news. I really can't say anything else. There isn't much that any of us can do about it, unfortunately. Just...give him space, he will cope...because he has to," Christa says sadly.

I finish my food, my gaze drifting toward Finn as he stands by the hot water taps, absently stirring his tea—over and over, as if lost in the motion. I know how to help him, or at least, I think I do. Not because I understand him completely, but because I know what would make me feel better if I were in his place.

Decision made, I push back my chair and walk over.

"Hey," I say softly, stopping beside him.

His hand stills, the teaspoon clinking against the edge of the mug as he looks down at me, his face shadowed with something heavy.

"I missed you this morning. Three hours of mindless programming just wasn’t the same," I say, offering a small smile.

The sadness shifts in his face, just enough for me to see the real Finn still there, buried beneath it all. He smiles—just a little—but it’s something.

"Eight o’clock," I tell him, my voice quiet but firm. "Come to our room. Bring your guitar."

Without thinking, I reach out, my fingers brushing against his arm in a small, instinctive gesture of comfort. His skin is warm beneath my touch, but I don’t linger. Before I can second-guess myself, I turn and head back to the table, saying my goodnights before leaving for the room.

"What did you say to Finn, at dinner?" Christa asks me, as soon as she comes through the door.

"Something that I hope will help," I say tentatively..

"What would that be?" She asks curiously.

"Depends if he shows up to our door at eight o'clock, I suppose. It might not work in the way I hope, but I think it might help."

"Well, he seemed a little less withdrawn when he got back to the table, so you must've said something right," Christa tells me, looking pleased, "so why here for eight o'clock?"

I sit down on the edge of my bed.

"Because when I'm upset, stressed or frustrated, playing my guitar helps. Singing also helps. I...am therefore hoping it might help him," I explain to Christa.

"So, if I find you out there, it could be for therapeutic purposes?" Christa asks with a laugh.

"That, would depend entirely on the song," I say with a chuckle.

Eventually it gets to ten past eight. Just when I'm thinking that Finn isn't going to show, we hear a quiet knock on the door. I look at Christa and she shrugs.

I get off my bed and open the door, feeling a sense of relief to see Finn standing there with his guitar.

I step out of the way, and he walks in, stooping slightly to get through the door frame. For a school with a regular batch of tall Lycans coming in every year, our door frames are unreasonably short, it seems.

"I'm going to grab you both some tea," Christa says, sliding on her slippers and slipping out while I’m still holding the door open.

I close it behind her, turning back to Finn—only to realise, with a sudden jolt of awareness, that we’re alone in my bedroom.

For a moment, I don’t know what to do.

I glance up, meeting his gaze. His light blue eyes hold mine, and for the briefest second, something about them feels familiar—like a memory just out of reach.

“Come on,” I say, tilting my head toward the balcony as I walk past him and push open the door.

Finn follows without a word, settling into one of the wooden deck chairs. He leans back slightly, his posture looser than before but still weighed down by whatever’s on his mind. I grab my guitar from its stand and step out onto the balcony, curling up cross-legged on my usual chair.

Please let this help.

“Music is powerful,” I say after a beat, my voice quiet, but sure, "I don’t think there’s any bad feeling that it can’t ease, even just a little.”

I run my fingers lightly over the strings, the familiar touch grounding me.

“Whenever I’m sad, or overwhelmed, I come out here and I just...play. I keep going until I feel something...shift.”

I glance at him, watching his expression carefully.

“I start with a song I connect with, one that makes me feel something tangible. And if, eventually, I start singing too…then I know it’s working.”

My fingers settle into place on the frets, ready to play, "it doesn’t fix things. It doesn’t erase whatever’s wrong. But it’s like… a light breaking through the dark. Just enough to remind you that the darkness is fleeting, that it won’t last forever.”

"If it does not?" he asks quietly, his voice thick, his first words of the night.

"Then I play another," I say gently, offering a small smile, "and another."

Finn nods slightly, adjusting his guitar on his lap, but his hands remain still. He exhales, gaze dropping to the floor, his shoulders heavy with something unspoken. I realise then—he’s too lost in whatever’s weighing him down to even think of a song-and that thought breaks my heart a little.

I pluck a few strings at first, letting the chords and the melody grow until it takes shape—familiar, recognisable.

Finn looks up, meeting my eyes.

And in that moment, I realise—I’m not just playing for him.

I’m playing for myself, too.

Because my own emotions—my conflict, my feelings for someone who isn’t Lycan—press against my ribs, demanding release.

So, I let the music speak for me.

"When you try your best, but you don't succeed..." I start to sing quietly. I thought I'd feel embarrassed singing on my own like this, in front of him, but I actually don't.

"...when you feel so tired, but you can't sleep, stuck in reverse."

He starts playing a few strings on his, which uplifts me a little...he's trying...

"...and the tears come streaming down your face..."

He strums the chords alongside me now, and I cannot help but smile back at him, transported back to the campfire all over again.

"...lights will guide you home, and ignite your bones, and I will try to fix you..."

He slowly, but surely begins to sing with me, a pleasant warmth beginning to fill my chest as we continue the rest of the song together, maintaining eye contact the entire time. I sigh happily at the end, feeling rather tumultuous.

The sudden silence feels light, and all I can hear is my heart beating strongly in my chest.

"Thank you," Finn then says, a tentative smile forming.

I smile back just as Christa clears her throat from the doorway, who we hadn't noticed was standing there with two mugs of tea in hand.

"Ah, nice—thanks, Christa," I say gratefully as she sets them on the small table.

"Do you need another?" I ask Finn.

He shakes his head.

"No, I do not need another. But I would very much like another," he admits, looking a little more like himself.

"Come join us," I say, glancing up at Christa. I start to rise, but she lifts a hand, stopping me.

"I'd love to, but I need to make a phone call."

She disappears inside, leaving Finn and me alone again. I pick up my tea, taking a cautious sip—only to grimace immediately.

Christa is terrible at making tea.

"Ah… yeah… I would not," Finn says with a shake of his head, amusement in his voice.

I laugh, setting the mug down.

"Well, that's—"

"—dreadful? Yes," he finishes with a short chuckle, "she should really stick to making coffee."

We lapse into a comfortable silence, watching the steam curl from the mugs, the night settling around us.

"My mother is quite unwell," Finn suddenly says.

I look up, caught off guard. His voice is calm, but there’s a weight to it that makes my stomach tighten. I don’t know what to say, so I say nothing.

"She became unwell yesterday, late afternoon. She went into the hospital overnight, and today she had a series of tests. My father had a prior work engagement he could not get out of, so I went with her. My younger sister does not know yet—she is still only nine," he explains, his jaw clenching slightly as he stares out into the darkness beyond the balcony.

"An ultrasound, then a CT scan, followed by a biopsy, a lumbar puncture, blood tests, and an iron infusion," he lists methodically, his voice tight, controlled, "she'll get the results by Wednesday, maybe Thursday. But from what they can already tell, the prognosis is not...ideal."

I swallow, my heart aching for him.

"I'm really sorry to hear that," I say carefully, feeling the weight of my words, the inadequacy of them, "growing up, we see our parents as these pillars of strength. Indestructible. The ones who always have the answers. But then, one day, we’re the ones who have to be strong for them—and that’s when we realise they’re just like us. And the carefully crafted illusion is gone. I think… that’s when our childhood really ends."

Finn turns to me, his gaze searching.

"You have experienced something similar?" he asks, concern flickering in his expression.

"No," I say softly, "but as you know, my grandfather passed away over the summer. Even though he lived far longer than anyone expected, it was still hard on my dad—for weeks, really. For all of us." I pause, my fingers tracing patterns on the body of my guitar, "I think… this job is his way of finding purpose again. Something to do. Something to focus on. And this place—it’s perfect for that. There’s always something going on, something to sort out."

As I say it, I realise it’s true in a way I hadn’t fully acknowledged before. My dad was still struggling. He’s just burying it in responsibility.

"Did you do this with him too?" Finn asks, his voice lighter, a small chuckle escaping.

I shake my head.

"No. It was my grandfather who taught me how to play. I think…it would’ve been bittersweet for my dad." I frown slightly, suddenly wondering if I’d been wrong. Maybe this would've helped him? Just as I hope it’s helping Finn now.

Finn watches me carefully.

"How did you know this would help me?" he asks, genuine curiosity in his expression.

I inhale deeply, considering how honest I want to be.

"Well…" I hesitate, then go on, "I thought it might help because it helps me. And you and I…we seem more than a little alike in the things we enjoy, in the things we connect with. So...I just…knew it would." I glance at him, my voice softer now, "the light had gone from your eyes…and now it’s back."

He doesn’t look away. His gaze is steady, intense—so blue. He’s smiling at me, and I try not to think about how handsome I’ve come to find him. My heart betrays me, skipping slightly, quickening.

What am I doing...

"You’re not wrong," he says simply, nodding as he adjusts his guitar. Then, clearing his throat, he adds, "Umm…this is one of my mother’s favourites."

His smile deepens, his eyes momentarily distant, lost in a cherished memory.

He starts to strum, the melody slow and familiar.

A second later, I join in, because—coincidentally or not—it’s one of my mother’s favorites, too.

..

Christa comes back just a few minutes after Finn leaves, slipping in just before the ten o’clock curfew. I’ve just changed into my pyjamas when she sits on the edge of her bed, watching me with a particular look—half knowing, half amused.

"I saw Finn heading off on my way up here..." she starts, shaking her head lightly.

I purse my lips, offering only a small shrug, avoiding her intent gaze.

"Not only did he seem less down than before—he was actually happy."

"Music is powerful," I say simply, turning on my bedside lamp and switching off the overhead light.

Christa exhales.

"I don’t think it was just about the music, Serena. But… thank you," She pauses, "I actually called his parents earlier to update them. They were worried about how he was coping today, given everything. His mum was so grateful when she heard he was here with you, playing music...singing..."

I nod, my fingers tightening slightly on my duvet.

"Yeah, he told me what happened today," I say, walking into the bathroom to brush my teeth. Christa follows, looking at me with sudden curiosity.

"Wait—did he tell you everything?" she asks, a little urgently.

I frown slightly, shaking my head as I squeeze toothpaste onto my brush.

"Just that his mum got sick suddenly, had tests, and that his dad was caught up with work, so he took her," I say before starting to brush.

Christa relaxes a little, nodding.

"Okay. Yeah. I’m glad he opened up. But… don’t tell anyone else, okay?"

I shoot her a look that clearly says, Why would I? and nod.

She lingers for a moment.

"Thank you, again. For tonight. I won’t forget it," she hesitates, then adds, "Finn is right—you are a wolf. You look after us like we’re your own little pack."

I inhale sharply, her words striking something deep inside me. Before I can respond, she turns and leaves the bathroom, giving me space.

I wish I could tell her how much that meant to me.