Love's First Kiss

high school graduation, Mrs. Craig cou

he realized how far they had come since that snowy day on Septe

month

e car windows as herself, her mum an

Vintage for years" she g

going to attend Vintage, now stop grinni

Charlene whined cutely and Charl

ss wafted through the air as

ve each other's backs" she pleaded,

itement "of course mum, we promi

distant for a while be

e allowed her mind to wander, hopi

s in fact their lives literally revolved around her, although Charlotte h

e, the sound of chatters a

Charlene

giggled, taking

y were out of the car and Mrs Craig held her tight, t

arling." She whispered,

d, a hint of jea

y'll never see e

her mum, Mrs. Craig

care of yourself, and Charlen

ile. "I'll miss you

, Mrs Craig heade

gir

Let's go. I can't wait to

s blushing. Seconds ago, you

rolled her eyes,

t roomies" Charlene poute

the same block right

make more fr

d no one will come between u

ene whispered with tears brim

long hug, before

lotte winked dragging

d and walked towards th

er suitcase up th

every day?

her when she fina

p gasp escaped her lip

eso

r. "You might want to close your mouth.

e direction the voice

e girl with a model

poilt rich brats expecting to hav

eyes narrow

right smile, before she reint

" Charlene scof

ou know... I thought we could ac

, and began unpac

bserving Charlene's diffic

her stuff now, how will she arrange them

mumbled not taking her g

cking and arran

Charlene exhaled

..." She trailed off realising

oticing Hazel's diffi

chuckled awkwardly. "You'

smiled

ation, I heard there's an a

e grumbled recalling that Charlotte

azel giggle "you love p

y all day" Charlene replied, d

offed walking b

*

m thick with the flavour o

he scent of sandalwood and in

n mat in the temple, her legs cross

vibrant royal regalia

ne. The prophecy will unfol

up her voice laced with concern "

sceptical "how did you even lea

obviously not expe

aid her slippers barely making

d her. "Diamond, rid your mind of darkness. Let go of mali

ether. The soft rustle of her si

an sighed, unable to rid the thoug

und her... I hope it doest

the truth..." his voice tr

*

GE CO

the orie

e lingering on the floral patterns and ruffles th

he freshman party, are you? You look like y

om had lovingly picked out for her. The soft fabric rustled as she moved, releasing the subtle

lene asked, with a pout as she str

d, flopping

ss is way too big, and those ru

eyes. "You wish you could pu

was a total snooze-fest. Time to spice thi

piqued, she turned to

t cry too much, okay? Self-acceptance is key. And, please, for the love of all things

wed, her eyes narrowing.

mind. I talk too much. Go forth and

, her dress swishing with each s

rned thoughtful, her eyes lingering on

ed on her face. "Charlotte, I don't know what's goi

her phone, raising an eye

too, Charlene. And wh

e ruffles, seemed to shimmer in the dim light. Charlotte's gaze linge

rvice, are we?" Charlotte teased

skirt rustling against the sheets. "I don

her own dress, a sleek black

aybe Jace will be there, and you can... um..

, her eyes welling up. "

then. But please, for the love of all things fashi

lotte a mock-glare

*

humping music as they entered the packed hall. Strobe lights fl

kling. She dragged Charlene through the sea of bodi

ith a wry smile. "Some people aren't worth i

scanned the room for Jace, her heart racing with every false alar

e reappeared, her face flushed. "I'll be right back, I

he rushed to the restroom. The dimly lit hal

estroom door, a shocking

was locked in a pas

The music outside faded into the backgrou

contin