The Kiss that Sparked it All

Balfour was simply waiting for his driver when he spotted a girl he mistook for Victoria.

Victoria was in his class. When he saw her standing alone and crying pitifully, he felt compelled to offer her his handkerchief.

He had a good impression of the hardworking Victoria and hadn’t had such patience in a while.

“You want to be the best? Then give it your all. If you don’t have the chops or the will, then don’t sweat it. Life’s a show you put on for yourself, not for anyone else’s eyes.”

Mara repeated the words, stunned, “Yeah, live for myself.”

Just then, Balfour’s ride pulled up. He nodded at her, “I gotta leave. You should head home.”

Mara watched as Balfour drove away.

Balfour was unaware of the profound impact his random act of kindness would have on another’s life.

As he vanished from her sight, Mara’s heart raced. Was this what a crush felt like? Clutching the handkerchief to her chest, she took a few hurried steps to follow, but the car was gone in a flash, disappearing before she could even catch the license plate number. Balfour’s appearance was dreamlike, but his words had wrought seismic shifts in Mara’s life. If she wanted to outshine Victoria, she’d pour her heart into it. And if not, she’d tru learn to disregard the opinions of others.

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Mulling over the boy’s words, Mara settled onto a bench at the bus stop until Victoria, flustered with friends in tow and caught up.

“Mara, where have you been? I’ve been looking all over for you. Come on, let’s go home. Don’t be so headstrong, Dad’s been stewing on the couch since you left.”

Mara was surprisingly composed, offering Victoria’s friends a polite thanks, “Sorry for worrying you. How about I treat you to milkshake?”

Victoria and her friends exchanged puzzled glances. Mara had never said thank you before, usually just scowling in Victoria’s direction.

What had gotten into her today?

Her friends waved off the offer, concern etched on their faces, “No worries, we were just bored at home. It’s fine. You being safe is what matters. Don’t make your sister and your dad worry.”

Mara nodded, “I get it. It won’t happen again.”

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Then she turned to Victoria, “Sis, let’s head back. I won’t make you or Dad worry anymore.” Without waiting for a response, Mara marched ahead, leaving Victoria and her friends bewildered.

Once home, Mara shivered as she was confronted by her truly livid father. A mix of fear and guilt washed over her.

It was Victoria who took her hand and approached Elton, “Dad, I’ve brought Mara back. She wants to apologize. Let’s put this behind us. We’re still a family, right?”

With an encouraging look from Victoria, Mara nodded, “I’m sorry, Dad. I’ve been too stubborn. I did a lot of thinking today.”