Chapter 176 Preperations (1/2)

Sam was extremely busy during the days leading to Valentine's Day.

At night, he would be busy making the musical box.

If he was to purchase an 18 note musical mechanism with a winding key, it would be $15. That wouldn't do. So for a couple of hours during classtime, Sam would be researching on how to build his own musical mechanism.

However, he decided to upgrade it so that it wouldn't need winding up. He had many parts when making a robot so he devised a way so that the musical mechanism would wind itself up when it was in 'sleep' mode i.e. when the box was closed.

Of course, he would still add the musical key should the mechanism fail or if Betty wanted to listen to it again quickly.

Next, he had to decide on the music that would be played. There were so many to choose from. At first, he thought a lullaby would be good, but discarded it. Then, 'Twinkle twinkle litte star' came to mind but he threw that thought away.

Finally, he chose ”Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers.* It was an old song and he doubted Betty would know it so the nuances of the song would most likely be missed. Still, Sam felt that it was the best song for his first gift.

Though Sam had to admit, it may not actually be appropriate for it was a song depicting a guy missing his love as they were separated, and that the guy was worried whether the girl was still waiting for him.

Still, the lines that got to him were in the first verse, ”Oh, my love, my darling - I've hungered for your touch. A long, lonely time” and the lines ” I need your love, God speed your love to me”.

Sam sighed.

He just hoped it wasn't a prelude to something ominous; that is, she leaves him and he has to wait for her.

Before that, however, he has to get her!

The music box was rectangular in shape, with two compartments. The compartment on the left side was 2/3 the size of the music box and was empty. This was where Betty could keep her hair ties.

The compartment on the right side was fully covered, and there was a small knob on its top. This compartment was actually two levels.

The lower level was completely sealed and housed the musical mechanism. The top level was just big enough to fit a winding key. If Betty wanted to wind up the music box, she just needed to lift the top off by pulling on the knob and the winding key is revealed.

At the bottom of the musical box, there was a panel on the right side that could be detached if needed. This was where the musical mechanism was screwed on. If there was a need to fix it, he could access the musical mechanism easily that way.

Sam took three weeks to make the box and another week to decorate it. He wasn't a painter, so he opted for something easy but classy. The age-old 'wooden' look. He hoped Betty didn't mind such a 'masculine' look.

Sam wasn't the only one that was preparing things for Valentine's Day.

✿✿ Kay, Sarah, Sophia ✿✿

Sophia was busy staring at the recipe book, wondering whether she was doing the right thing. This was the first time Valentine's Day was celebrated at Sakura Academy since she enrolled and she was quite excited about it.

Excited, but worried as well.

She looked over to the other two: Kay and Sarah, who were giggling as they were going through the list of ingredients to buy.

The three of them were here to test out several types of cookie recipes, to find the best one to make for Valentine's Day. Kay had wanted to make some for Sage Class members, as a gesture of thanks and friendship.

”I still feel it should be chocolate, not cookies,” insisted Sophia as she flipped through the pages.

”We've gone through this, Sophia,” said Kay, ”It doesn't really feel personal enough when it's chocolate. I mean, it's just melting chocolate and putting it into a mold.”

”Yeah, but cookies are just so ... meh ... I mean, isn't chocolate naturally associated with Valentine? That, and flowers. Cheesy confessions, too,” said Sophia with a sigh.

”Is there someone you plan to confess to, Sophia?” asked Sarah.

”No, of course not,” Sophia scoffed, ”No one catches my interest.”

”Not even Ali?” asked Kay softly, but loud enough for all of them to hear.

Sophia sighed and sat up straight, ”You know as well as I do that that guy is 'off limits'. He has 10 wife candidates AND he's a Muslim. He can't marry a non-Muslim.”

”He's a great friend and if he didn't have all that baggage, I certainly wouldn't mind the possibility,” mused Sophia, ”He's good looking, funny, caring and overall, a really nice guy. Too bad he's not in the market. Going after him is like going for a married man.”

Kay nodded, understanding.