Love's First Kiss

Standing there, witnessing Charlene's high school graduation, Mrs. Craig couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions.

Pride, nostalgia and and a hint of sadness washed over her as she realized how far they had come since that snowy day on September 15th. Her little Charlene was growing up into a young lady

**One month later**

Charlene kept staring out through the car windows as herself, her mum and Charlotte drove to Vintage college.

"I've dreamt of attending Vintage for years" she gushed, her eyes shinning.

Charlotte rolled her eyes "you're finally going to attend Vintage, now stop grinning like a five year old, you're 18 already"

"You didn't have to sound mean" Charlene whined cutely and Charlotte pinched her cheeks playfully.

The scent of freshly cut grass wafted through the air as Mrs. Craig stopped the car.

"Girls, promise me you'll always have each other's backs" she pleaded, her hand trembling on the steering.

Charlene's eyes lightened in excitement "of course mum, we promise" she grinned. "Right bestie?"

Charlotte's gaze grew distant for a while before she nodded. "Right"

Staring out through the window, she allowed her mind to wander, hoping she eventually keeps the promise.

Growing up, it's almost always been about Charlene, her welfare, her likes in fact their lives literally revolved around her, although Charlotte hated to admit it, jealousy was already beginning to lay it's tents in her.

As they arrived the college, the sound of chatters and laughter filled the air.

"Finally" Charlene screamed.

"yay" Charlotte giggled, taking numerous pictures.

"I'll miss you mum" Charlene whispered the moment they were out of the car and Mrs Craig held her tight, the smell of Charlene's perfume mingling with her own.

"I'll miss you too my Darling." She whispered, holding back her tears.

Charlotte watched, a hint of jealousy creeping in.

"acting like they'll never see each other again."

As Charlene released her mum, Mrs. Craig turned to Charlotte.

"I'll miss you Charlotte. Take care of yourself, and Charlene your parents will visit soon."

Charlotte faked a smile. "I'll miss you too Aunt. Take care."

With a final wink, Mrs Craig headed back to her car.

"Bye girls."

Charlene's face lit up. "Let's go. I can't wait to settle in and see Jace."

Charlotte teased, "look who's blushing. Seconds ago, you were bawling your eyes out."

Charlene playfully rolled her eyes, her blush deepening.

"I can't believe we're not roomies" Charlene pouted staring at her room keys.

"C'mon, were still on the same block right?" Charlotte shrugged.

"But you'll make more friends, and .."

"Friends forever, nothing and no one will come between us" Charlotte interrupted her.

"Our childhood promise" Charlene whispered with tears brimming at the corner of her eyes.

They both shared a long hug, before finally breaking it.

"Catch ya later" Charlotte winked dragging her bags to her room.

"See ya" Charlene smiled and walked towards the direction of her room.

Charlene lugged her suitcase up the stairs grumbling,

"Five floors every day? Just great."

Relief washed over her when she finally found room 175.

Getting inside, a sharp gasp escaped her lips at the girly decor.

"Awesome!"

A sarcastic voice cut through her wonder. "You might want to close your mouth... Insects seem to be flying all around."

Charlene turned to the direction the voice came from. "Roommate?"

"obviously" The cute girl with a modeller figure smirked

"I hope you're not one of those spoilt rich brats expecting to have a room all to themselves right?"

Charlene's eyes narrowed. "Rude."

The girl lips curved into a bright smile, before she reintroduced herself. "I'm Hazel."

"You smile huh?" Charlene scoffed in response.

"Who doesn't?" Hazel chuckled "you know... I thought we could actually be friends, but never mind"

Charlene shrugged, and began unpacking in silence.

"Want help?" Hazel asked observing Charlene's difficulty in unpacking her stuff.

'If she's finding it difficult to unpack her stuff now, how will she arrange them in her wardrobe? all alone?' She thought

"If you want to" Charlene mumbled not taking her gaze off what she was doing.

They began unpacking and arranging in silence.

As they finished, Charlene exhaled. "Thanks, Hazel."

Hazel grinned, "You're welcome..." She trailed off realising she didn't even know her name.

"Charlene" She said noticing Hazel's difficulty "Charlene Craig"

"Bad roommate huh" Hazel chuckled awkwardly. "You've got a nice name though."

Charlene smiled genuinely.

"Let's get ready for orientation, I heard there's an after party." Hazel grinned.

"urgg..Another party freak" Charlene grumbled recalling that Charlotte will do anything to attend a party.

"Something like that" Hazel giggle "you love parties too? don't you?"

"I'd rather stay in the library all day" Charlene replied, disdain dripping from her face.

"Nerd" Hazel scoffed walking back to her bed.

****

Meanwhile, in another realm thick with the flavour of magic in different forms.

A shaman sat in his temple, the scent of sandalwood and incense wafted through the air.

A young girl was seated on the woven mat in the temple, her legs crossed and her eyes fixed on the shaman.

The shaman, adorned in vibrant royal regalia, nodded thoughtfully.

"You worry too much young one. The prophecy will unfold itself in it's own time."

The girl sighed, before speaking up her voice laced with concern "but what if they find her first?"

The shaman's expression turned sceptical "how did you even learn of the girl with the scant?"

She suddenly stood, obviously not expecting the question.

"I'll take my leave now" she said her slippers barely making sounds against the stone floor.

As she made her way to the exit, the shaman's voice stopped her. "Diamond, rid your mind of darkness. Let go of malice, lest it consumes you or you become a tool for darkness."

She bowed, her hands clasped together. The soft rustle of her silk robe accompanied her departure.

As the door creaked shut, the shaman sighed, unable to rid the thoughts that suddenly clouded his mind.

"There's a weird cloud around her... I hope it doest consume her" he whispered

"I wonder how she uncovered the truth..." his voice trailed off lost in thoughts.

****

VINTAGE COLLEGE

**After the orientation**

Hazel chuckled, eyeing Charlene's outfit, her gaze lingering on the floral patterns and ruffles that made Charlene look like a walking garden party.

"You're not serious about wearing that to the freshman party, are you? You look like you just stepped out of a Jane Austen novel."

Charlene examined her reflection in the mirror, smoothing out the long, flared gown that her mom had lovingly picked out for her. The soft fabric rustled as she moved, releasing the subtle scent of lavender. She tied a scarf over her long brown hair, securing it with a delicate knot.

"What's wrong with my dress?" Charlene asked, with a pout as she struck a pose in front of the mirror.

Hazel snorted, flopping onto her bed.

"You look like my mom! That dress is way too big, and those ruffles are screaming 'help me!'"

Charlene scoffed, rolling her eyes. "You wish you could pull off this level of elegance."

Hazel grinned mischievously. "Orientation was a total snooze-fest. Time to spice things up. Get ready for some drama, Charlene."

Charlene's curiosity piqued, she turned to Hazel. "What drama?"

Hazel's smile was enigmatic, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You'll see. Just don't cry too much, okay? Self-acceptance is key. And, please, for the love of all things holy, change into something that doesn't make you look like a Victorian-era spinster."

Charlene's eyebrows furrowed, her eyes narrowing. "What are you getting at?"

Hazel waved it off, chuckling. "Never mind. I talk too much. Go forth and rock that... um... interesting dress."

Charlene shrugged and headed out, her dress swishing with each step. "Gotta go. Catch ya later."

As Charlene left, Hazel's expression turned thoughtful, her eyes lingering on the empty space where Charlene had stood.

**

Charlene burst into Charlotte's room, distress etched on her face. "Charlotte, I don't know what's going on with Jace. He hasn't been answering my calls."

Charlotte looked up from her phone, raising an eyebrow at Charlene's outfit.

"Good evening to you too, Charlene. And what. Are. You. Wearing?"

Charlene's flared dress, with its riotous floral patterns and delicate ruffles, seemed to shimmer in the dim light. Charlotte's gaze lingered on the scarf tied over Charlene's hair, her expression incredulous.

"We're not attending a church service, are we?" Charlotte teased, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Charlene flopped onto Charlotte's bed, her skirt rustling against the sheets. "I don't have the strength for sarcasm right now."

Charlotte chuckled, zipping up her own dress, a sleek black number that hugged her curves.

"Okay, drama queen. Let's go to the party. Maybe Jace will be there, and you can... um... dazzle him with your unique fashion sense."

Charlene ignored the jab, her eyes welling up. "Let's just leave already."

Charlotte shrugged, grabbing her purse. "Let's go then. But please, for the love of all things fashionable, try not to blind anyone with that... dress."

Charlene shot Charlotte a mock-glare as they headed out.

***

"Whoa!" Charlotte screamed, her voice barely audible over the thumping music as they entered the packed hall. Strobe lights flashed, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the dancing crowd.

"I missed this!" Charlotte exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. She dragged Charlene through the sea of bodies, Charlene's long dress swirling around her legs.

Hazel watched from afar, sipping her drink with a wry smile. "Some people aren't worth it," she muttered to herself, shaking her head.

As Charlotte vanished into the crowd, Charlene's anxiety grew. She scanned the room for Jace, her heart racing with every false alarm. The music pulsed through her veins, but her mind was elsewhere.

Just as she thought she'd explode from worry, Charlotte reappeared, her face flushed. "I'll be right back, I saw someone," she said, disappearing into the throng.

Charlene's bladder suddenly protested, and she rushed to the restroom. The dimly lit hallway offered a brief respite from the chaos.

As she pushed open the restroom door, a shocking sight froze her in place:

Jace, her boyfriend, was locked in a passionate kiss with....

Charlene's eyes widened, her mind reeling. The music outside faded into the background, replaced with the pounding of her heart.

To be continued...