#new chapter

by vampyrl0ser

chapter 7 is out now!! :3

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https://archiveofourown.org/works/86345771/chapters/234828296

✦ chapter 1 link ♡ ✦

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Chapter 18 of Chronicle of a Tethered Soul is live on AO3.

It was nine o’clock that night. I had just gotten off work and was about to head home when my phone buzzed in my pocket. Leaning against my motorcycle, I pulled it out and glanced at the screen. A message from her.

Don’t forget my graduation tomorrow. You promised you’d come!

A smile found its way onto my face almost instantly. Graduation already? It felt like only yesterday she was stressing over her final exams, convinced she wasn’t going to pass. I shook my head with a quiet chuckle before slipping my phone back into my pocket.

There was no way I was showing up empty-handed.

Instead of heading straight home, I spent the rest of the evening wandering through the city, searching for a graduation gift. I stopped by several stores before finally settling on a silver bracelet with a tiny lavender charm, knowing how much she adored anything with flowers. It wasn’t extravagant, but it reminded me of her. Satisfied with my purchase, I made my way home, only to spend the next few hours staring at the neatly wrapped gift on my desk. I wondered if she’d like it, if she’d laugh at how sentimental I’d become over the years. Safe to say, I barely got any sleep that night. The excitement kept me awake far longer than I cared to admit.

The next morning, I woke up before my alarm had the chance to ring. After getting ready in a simple white shirt, a black jacket, and dark jeans, I carefully placed the wrapped gift into my backpack before hopping onto my motorcycle.

The streets were already bustling with life. Cafés had opened for the morning rush, the smell of freshly baked bread lingered in the cool air, and people hurried along the sidewalks, each occupied with their own routine. I was halfway to the university when a red light forced me to stop.

As I waited, my eyes drifted toward a small florist across the street.

Flowers.

How had I almost forgotten?

The second the light turned green, I parked a little farther down the road and hurried back to the shop. Rows of colorful flowers decorated the entrance, but my attention immediately landed on a bouquet of purple roses. They were simple yet elegant—exactly the kind she’d love. After paying for them, I made sure they were secured safely before continuing my ride.

By the time I reached the university, the diploma presentation had already ended. Perfect. Families and friends crowded the courtyard, congratulating graduates as cameras flashed from every direction. Laughter echoed across the campus while bouquets and gifts exchanged hands.

I stepped inside the graduation hall, scanning the crowd for a familiar face, only to bump into someone’s shoulder.

“Daniello?”

The familiar voice made me look up.

“Hey, Vi.”

We shook hands before sharing a brief hug.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

He raised an eyebrow. “Seriously? My little sister’s graduating today.”

I laughed. “Right. Stupid question.”

He smirked before crossing his arms. “How about you? Waiting for her?”

I couldn’t help but laugh again.

“I mean… who else would I be here for?”

He gave me a knowing grin but thankfully decided not to tease me any further.

Our conversation didn’t last long before my eyes wandered past him.

There she was.

Standing with a group of classmates, still wearing her graduation gown, laughing as one of her friends fixed the cap sitting crookedly on her head.

Without another word, I excused myself and made my way toward her.

The moment she spotted me, her face lit up.

“Happy graduation day” I said, handing her the bouquet of purple roses along with the wrapped gift.

Her eyes widened slightly before a warm smile spread across her face.

“You really came.”

“I told you I would.”

She accepted the flowers carefully before wrapping me in a quick hug.

“Thank you”

“You earned it. Congratulations.”

She smiled before her friends called her over for another round of pictures.

“I’ll be right back!”

I nodded, watching as she hurried over to join them.

A small smile remained on my face as I looked around the crowded hall.

That’s when my gaze met someone else’s.

For a brief moment, everything around me seemed to fade into the background.

She stood a short distance away among the crowd, dressed modestly, her expression calm as she searched for someone. Her hazel-brown eyes caught mine for only a second, warm and gentle in a way that felt strangely familiar despite the fact that I’d never seen her before. Neither of us spoke. We simply looked at one another before she broke the eye contact and turned away, disappearing behind the sea of graduates and their families.

The sounds of laughter and conversation slowly returned, pulling me back to reality.

I found myself staring at the spot where she’d been standing only moments ago.