The Kiss that Sparked it All

“Uh? Oh, I should head back to my room now. haven’t finished my paper yet.”

Mara stood up as she spoke, signaling her intention to leave.

Victoria looked puzzled. “Weren’t you the one who came to me earlier, all excited about watching a movie? I was busy cleaning up, but now that I’m done, you’re saying you want to go back to your paper?”

Mara’s stomach was churning with frustration, and she barely suppressed ‘a sneer. The last thing she wanted was to sit down and watch a movie with Victoria,

Her sister had never given her anything but trouble, always taking and never giving.

What had she done to deserve such a sister?

Mara needed to cool off and think. She couldn’t let Victoria steal the guy of her dreams.

Without offering Victoria any explanation, Mara stormed out and slammed the door behind her.

Victoria sighed. Dealing with Mara’s tantrums was nothing new to her.

But unlike most people of her age, Victoria had a clear sense of what she wanted, and studying was the top priority right now.

Meanwhile, Mara was raging in another room, throwing pillows across her bed.

“Why? Why does it have to be like this? He was my crush first, so why are you getting all chummy with him?”

Mara was restless. Victoria was at the same school and even in the same class as him. What if proximity led to affection?

Mara had only seen him once, and her chances seemed slim in every way. She resolved to find a way to meet him again.

At dinner, when the family gathered around the table, Mara casually brought up the choir video from earlier. “Victoria, what’s the name of Mr. Popular in your class? Maybe I’ve heard of him somewhere else.”

Victoria wore a smug smile. “See, I told you he was a catch. You always dismiss the guys I tell you about at school. There are plenty of good-looking guys, but Balfour’s the cream of the crop. No wonder my little sister is smitten too.”

“Balfour? That’s his name?”

Elton frowned upon hearing their conversation “What’s all this talk at the dinner table?

You girls better behave. No teenage romances, understand? You’re too young. Your main job now is to study. Once you’re in college, I’ll let you be. Victoria, you should be setting a good example as an older sister!”

Victoria stuck out her tongue playfully. “I get it, Dad.”

Mara was surprised. It was the first time she heard her father reprimand Victoria. And yet, neither seemed upset. Why was his attitude so different toward them, even though they were sisters?

She couldn’t make sense of it, and her appetite vanished. She put down her plate. “Dad, Victoria, I’m done eating. I’m going to hit the books.”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Elton’s brow furrowed even deeper at the sight of so much leftover in her plate. “That’s all you’re eating? You won’t have enough energy to study. If you don’t take care of yourself, you’re the one who’ll suffer.”