CHAPTER ONE
March 30, 2014.
“I find it unbelievable. So happy we all got accepted into the University of Antares; this is the best news of the year,” Clara said, with a smile radiating over her face.
Today was the best moment of their lives; she had spent all afternoon with her friends at the park screaming at the top of their voices. Clara did not expect to get admitted quickly; however, luck was on her side.
“I don’t think we should keep this good news to ourselves; we should announce it to the world,” Monica said excitedly.
“I planned to do that,” Annalise replied.
“Let’s celebrate right under the moonlight,” Monica said.
Monica looked at the blue skies, hoping the moon could show up.
“I have no doubts within me each time I tell you the possibilities of you being a moon warrior in your past life,” Annalise said.
Monica turned to look at Annalise for a while and smiled.
“I think you’re right. I was a moon warrior in my past life,” Monica replied.
Annalise laughed at Monica’s response.
“You amaze me a lot, Mony. Maybe you weren’t a Moon warrior; I think you were... You might have been a maid,” Annalise laughed.
Monica looked displeased with Annalise.
“That’s not fair,” Monica responded.
Clara and Annalise burst into laughter.
"Well, my dear friend, if I were a maid in my supposed past life, then I think you were my daughter,” Monica added.
Monica was satisfied; it got deep to Annalise; she smirked, causing Clara and her to laugh uncontrollably.
“oh! really?" Annalise replied, frowning.
“Yeah, it felt good,” Monica said, still laughing uncontrollably.
“You know both of you are fun to be with; we have had enough rib-cracking jokes for today,” Clara said, laughing and gasping for air.
Her friends patted her back to help Clara calm down. She felt better and smiled, hoping she would not laugh so much.
“I wonder what life at college is going to be like. We need to work hard. The first years are not all rosy. My dad said I should work hard to avoid being dropped by the university. I can’t wait to experience life at the tertiary level,” Clara said.
“I don’t want to let my family down. But I hope they allow me to date,” Monica said.
“Do you want to date? You are so full of surprises. Don’t you think having a boyfriend should be the least of your priorities? By the way, you’re just fifteen,” Annalise replied.
Monica glared at Annalise and did not say a word.
“what? Why are you looking at me like that? Did I say something wrong? You simply cannot accept the truth?” Annalise asked.
Clara saw this was leading to a misunderstanding as she watched her friends glaring at each other. She had been friends with Annalise and Monica since junior high at Vernisa High School long enough to understand their differences and characters.
Annalise is known to be the bossy type, sometimes quick-tempered, and often misjudged as melancholy. Clara had never judged her that way. She regarded Annalise as beautiful, intelligent, smart, and courageous. Although Annalise keeps a small circle of friends, a girl of few words, she says things like they are; she is high on trust issues, which makes her suspect people easily. The most interesting thing about her is her love and talent for swimming. She learned to swim at the age of four, which gave rise to her nickname, the Aqua Girl.
Monica is a sweet girl, charming and bright, beautiful, intelligent, fun to be around, honest, and full of love. She has a funny record of sixty-eight crushes on boys while in high school that never lasted more than a month.
However, this record is about to break as Monica finally falls in love with a boy she met in her neighborhood.
Maxwell Addison was his name; he was a seventeen-year-old student at the University of Antares in his second year. He was riding his bicycle so fast that he accidentally made Monica slip when she tried dodging his bicycle. He suddenly stopped to help her up. Luckily, there was no scratch; he apologized and rode off. Monica could not stop thinking about him since then. Two months passed, and she still could not stop thinking about that one-time encounter. Fate, however, placed a smile on her face; she met him at Lightwood’s Café. She thought he would not recognize her, but to her surprise he did.
AROUND OCTOBER 2013
“hi! Remember me?” Maxwell asked, smiling.
“Yes, I do. You were the boy who rode a bicycle two months ago that accidentally made me slip,” Monica replied.
"Wow, you remember? I am so sorry about that day. I am grateful you didn’t get a bruise,” Maxwell pleaded.
“I forgive you. Some boys would have acted rude and blamed me, but you didn’t, so I appreciate that,” Monica replied.
“Sorry for my manners. My name is Maxwell Addison.” Maxwell said.
“I’m Monica West,” Monica replied.
“Would you mind if we talked sometimes on the phone and maybe hung out, if you are comfortable with that?” Maxwell requested.
“Yes, sure, I don’t mind,” Monica said.
They exchanged contacts. They both seem to have a connection. For the first time, Monica was in love. They found themselves drawn to each other day after day. After five months since Monica met Maxwell, she felt it was high time she told her friends about him. Unfortunately, her friends did not take her seriously. They laughed over it due to her personality of never acting on her feelings.
Maxwell confessed to her how much he loved her and asked her out. She was ready to accept him, but she knew her parents wouldn't accept him, and she could not hide it from her friends; she decided she was going to bring it up at the park when they met. She told Maxwell to give her some time to think about it. Monica felt restless; she was not ready to lose him. She thought about secretly dating him, but she could not bear to keep it away from her friends.
“Well, girls, I think you both should stop glaring at each other, and let’s talk about this,” Clara suggested.
“She made me feel bad, putting it out like that I'm just fifteen,” Monica explained.
"Look, we came here to celebrate and not contend. I will be honest with you, Monica. I have not seen you react this way; obviously, you are serious about dating. I understand if you feel bad when Annalise used the word just fifteen; she did not mean to put it out that way. I recall you speaking about a boy you met in your neighborhood months ago, and we did not take it seriously. Look, I am surprised you are in love, and it is not a crime to feel that way, but as your close friend, I advise you not to date yet. First, your parents will not approve because of your age; second, you just got admitted to the university; you need to stay focused; and finally, next month you are turning sixteen. I know you are scared of losing him, so I advise you to be patient and talk to him to hold on till you are sixteen. We could keep your secret when you become official next month. You can make it open when the time is right. Bear in mind that Annalise and I are always here for you, and we won’t hesitate to tell you the truth,” Clara said.
“I feel so emotional right now,” Monica said excitedly.
“And one more thing: when you told us about the boy you fell in love with, we didn’t take it seriously, but we observed you were acting all different. We decided to watch you after a month, and when you didn’t say anything about losing feelings, we watched again for the next two months, and we coincidentally saw you with him at Lightwood’s café. We were able to meet and have a talk with him. And from the look of things, he loves you and cares so much about you. But we feared it might affect your studies since you know how first-years always are to everyone who is in that university. We only want the best for you. That doesn’t change the fact that we promised to drag him to the ocean floor if he ever hurts you.” Clara stated.
“Annalise, Clara, you both did that? Am so surprised. I appreciate it. Thank you so much.” Monica said, expressing her gratitude.
Annalise has been quiet ever since. She felt bad for putting out that word to Monica. She never meant to hurt Monica's feelings, but she genuinely cared for her. Clara noticed and understood her quietness. She held Annalise’s and Monica’s hands.
“We are friends, best friends. We are sisters; we are a family. We are not bound by blood but by love and trust. We are sworn to protect each other and even our deepest secrets. No matter how things go south or the sudden change in weather, we will stick together. One day we are going to accomplish all that we dream of: fall in love, get married, and raise a family. Let us be each other's strength; that way we fight even our greatest fears and weaknesses,” Clara said.
Clara’s words were so strengthening and emotional that they hugged each other and finally laughed. A figure stood in front of them, interrupting their moment. It was Maxwell. He had a date with Monica and wanted to congratulate her and her friends.
“Hi girls,” Maxwell greeted.
“Hello, Maxwell,” Annalise and Clara replied.
Monica went to hug him; she was so excited. Maxwell smiled in a way that left the girls mesmerized.
“Congratulations and welcome to the University of Antares, the School of Bright Stars.”.
“Thank you,” the girls replied.
"I'm sorry. I'm here to steal your friend from you both. I hope that’s fine.” Maxwell pleaded.
“Yes, we are cool with it,” Annalise responded.
“You both should get going or you’ll be late for your date,” Clara said.
Monica hugged her friends, said goodbye, and left with Maxwell. She seemed incredibly happy. To Monica, it was a day of double joy.
“They look perfect together, don’t you think?” Clara asked.
“Yes, they do,” Annalise replied.
“We are going to experience these feelings someday too,” Clara said, still admiring Monica and Maxwell.
“I doubt I will. I do not want to invest in a relationship that is not going to last. I do not think I am ready to get my heart broken again. Am just a lovelorn.” Annalise replied, looking angry and unhappy.
Clara could see how deeply hurt Annalise was and felt so bad about it.
“I know how angry and hurt your heart is, but never do you call yourself a lovelorn. If you did not love Monica and me, then I doubt we would have remained friends. I recall when Dean, my first crush, made fun of me a lot at school. You stood by me; you did the same for Monica. You never wanted us to get hurt, Annalise. Only a great lover will do that, and you are that person. I see your beauty inside. I do not care what others have to say about you. I only care for the one person who never wants to see her friends get hurt. I think you are not going to like what I am about to say right now. But Skye still loves you, and he was your childhood friend, and you both loved each other very much. I have this premonition that he will come back for you and you alone. And by then you will understand why he did what he did,” Clara said.
“You think so?” Annalise asked.
“Yes, I strongly believe so,” Clara replied.
“I hope you’re right,” Annalise said.
“I think it is time to go home,” Clara announced.
“Yes, it is,” Annalise responded.
Annalise and Clara stood up and walked to their homes. Clara and Annalize parted ways. Clara was close to her home when she saw a boy who walked past her, turned back to look at her, smiled, and continued walking. She couldn’t stop looking at him till he left her sight completely and was interrupted by her sisters, who saw her.
Her eyes twinkled; her heart raced faster. "Clara, what is going on with you?” Clara asked herself.
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