The Kiss that Sparked it All

Mara crouched discreetly in the corner, her gaze vigilantly sweeping over each person who entered the auditorium.

As expected, it wasn’t long before a tall, familiar figure showed up-the very person she’d been longing to see for days.

Without a second thought, she burst from her hiding spot and planted herself firmly in front of Balfour.

Balfour was striding purposefully toward the auditorium, irked by the sudden cancellation of a planned rehearsal that had instead gathered all the students here. He was less than pleased now.

His brow furrowed when an unexpected obstacle-a dazed-looking girl-blocked his path. “What are you doing?” he asked, his expression as imperious as ever.

Mara was struck anew by his charisma. “I’ve been looking for you for ages. I wanted to see you again sooner, but I never imagined it would take this long! Sorry, our schools are miles apart, so it took me a while to get here,” she said, her voice tinged with shyness as she offered Balfour a timid smile.

Balfour’s frown deepened. Was this girl mistaking him for someone else? She was spouting complete nonsense. “I’m sorry, but I think you have the wrong person. We don’t know each other.”

Mara’s heart sank. What was he talking about? They had just met a short while ago. How could he completely forget her?

“Do you really not remember me? Or are you just pulling my leg? A few weeks ago, you handed me your handkerchief,” she said, pulling out the neatly washed and folded piece of cloth. “See, this is yours, isn’t it? I’ve been keeping it ever since, hoping to return it to you.”

Balfour squinted, recognizing his handkerchief, but he genuinely didn’t recall the girl before him. “Sorry, I don’t remember. Since I gave it to you, you might as well throw it away. I never take back what I’ve given away, If that’s all, please step aside. I have things to do.”

Balfour was doing his best to mask his impatience, but Mara’s evident disappointment was hard to ignore. He was always the center of attention, and a small crowd had already begun to form around them.

The auditorium was a hive of student activity, and their conversation could hardly go unnoticed.

Mara’s smile grew more strained. “Are you saying you don’t remember me at all? That’s impossible. You must be pretending, right?”

She widened her eyes, searching Balfour’s face for any trace of a lie. Unfortunately, she found none.

Balfour’s expression clearly conveyed that he honestly didn’t recall her.

“Pathetic, clinging to a handkerchief from the school’s heartthrob as if it means. something. Does she not realize how many girls have tried the same thing? It’s just embarrassing!” A group of girls nearby began to snicker.

Balfour was the unattainable prize of their school, and many had tried to win his affection to no avail.

Mara wasn’t even particularly stunning, yet here she was deluding herself in public. She didn’t seem to understand her own worth.

“Can’t her family even afford her a mirror? She should take a good look at herself before trying to hit on our golden boy. What a joke.”

Mara clenched her fists tightly, knowing the day wouldn’t be easy but not expecting total disregard from Balfour, nor the public ridicule that was now her lot to bear.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org