Chapter 2 QUEEN MARABELLA ISLAND (2)

CHAPTER TWO

Flashback: Around October 2013

The air was crisp with the scent of autumn leaves when Monica heard a familiar voice behind her.

"Hi! Remember me?" Maxwell's voice carried a warmth that made her turn.

She raised an eyebrow, arms folded. "Yes, I do. You're the boy who almost ran me over with his bicycle two months ago."

His face lit up in surprise. "Wow, you actually remember?" He ran a hand through his hair, looking sheepish. "I felt terrible about that day. I'm really grateful you didn't get hurt."

Monica smiled, a small, teasing curve to her lips. "Some boys would have blamed me for standing in their way, but you didn't. I appreciate that."

"Still, I owe you an apology." He extended a hand. "Maxwell Addison."

She took it, the warmth of his fingers lingering as she replied, "Monica West."

A comfortable silence stretched between them before Maxwell spoke again. "Would it be okay if we kept in touch? Maybe talk on the phone sometimes? Hang out, if you're comfortable with that?"

Monica hesitated for a second but found herself nodding. "I wouldn't mind."

They exchanged numbers. From that moment, something unspoken tethered them together. Monica, for the first time in her life, felt herself drawn to someone in a way she had never experienced before. It was subtle at first-random texts, shared laughter, fleeting glances. But as the days turned into weeks, she realized something undeniable.

She was falling for him.

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Monica had always been the type to brush off fleeting crushes. Her friends knew it, which was why, when she first mentioned Maxwell months ago, they laughed, assuming it was just another passing fancy.

But this time was different.

They could see it in the way she spoke, the way her eyes held a certain softness when she mentioned his name. And yet, when she brought it up again in March, Annalise's response stung.

"You're just fifteen, Monica," she had said, shaking her head.

Monica clenched her fists. "You make it sound like I'm a child. What's wrong with liking someone?"

Annalise hesitated, guilt flashing across her face. She hadn't meant to sound dismissive, but the words had already left her mouth.

Clara stepped in. "Okay, let's take a breath, both of you. We're here to celebrate, not argue." She turned to Monica with a gentle but firm look. "Honestly, I've never seen you react this way before. You're serious about him, aren't you?"

Monica sighed. "I am. But it's frustrating that no one takes me seriously."

Clara exchanged a glance with Annalise before speaking. "Monica, I remember when you first mentioned Maxwell back in October. We didn't think much of it because, well... in high school, you never really acted on your feelings. But this time, we started noticing something different about you. And when we accidentally saw you and Maxwell at Lightwood Café a few months later... we realized that maybe, just maybe, this wasn't just another crush."

Monica's eyes widened. "Wait-you saw us?"

Clara nodded. "It wasn't planned. We just happened to be there." She smiled. "You never talked about losing interest in him. And for the record, your crushes have never lasted more than a month. But this? Five months and counting?"

Annalise finally spoke, her voice softer now. "I didn't mean to make you feel small, Monica. I just... I worry about you. You've just been admitted to university. Your parents won't approve of you dating yet, and you know that."

Monica's shoulders sagged. "I know."

Clara reached for her hand. "Then maybe... just wait a little longer. You turn sixteen in April. Talk to Maxwell, explain everything. If he really cares about you, he'll understand."

Monica bit her lip, considering Clara's words.

Annalise exhaled. "Look, we may not always say things the right way, but we're your friends. We won't let you go through this alone."

Monica felt an unexpected warmth fill her chest. "You both really care that much?"

"Of course," Clara said, smiling. "And also, if he ever hurts you, we'll personally drag him to the ocean floor."

Monica let out a small laugh, tears pricking at the edges of her vision. "You guys are the best."

Clara exchanged a glance with Annalise before speaking. "Monica, there's something you should know."

Monica's brows furrowed. "What?"

Annalise exhaled, as if deciding whether to say it. "We... may have done a little investigating."

Monica blinked. "Investigating?"

Clara winced. "We didn't mean to invade your privacy! We just-well, we had to be sure he wasn't some guy who would hurt you."

Monica stared at them, speechless. "You... talked to him?"

Annalise nodded. "A few times. First, when we saw you both at Lightwood Café. Then, a couple of other times."

Clara quickly added, "It wasn't anything major! We just asked some harmless questions."

Monica crossed her arms. "Like?"

Annalise sighed. "Like if he knew how serious you were about him. If he saw you as just a friend or something more."

Monica's heart pounded. "And what did he say?"

Clara smiled. "He didn't dodge the questions. He admitted he really likes you, but he doesn't want to pressure you into anything you're not ready for."

Monica's breath hitched. "He... said that?"

Annalise smirked. "Word for word."

Monica was silent for a long moment before a laugh escaped her lips. "So, that's why he greeted you two so easily that day."

Clara grinned. "Yup. We're practically on first-name terms now."

Annalise crossed her arms. "I still don't approve of you dating this early, but... I trust him a little more now."

Monica's eyes softened. "Thank you."

Clara noticed Monica's emotions and Annalise's quietness. She held both of their hands and squeezed gently.

"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 will accomplish all 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.

Her words were so strengthening and emotional that they hugged each other and finally laughed.

Just then, a shadow fell over them. Monica turned-and there stood Maxwell.

"Hi, girls," he greeted with an easy smile.

Annalise and Clara exchanged knowing glances before replying in unison. "Hello, Maxwell."

Monica, still emotional, stepped forward and hugged him. Maxwell chuckled softly, his arms wrapping around her in return. The moment felt electric.

He pulled back slightly, looking at all three of them. "I just wanted to say congratulations. Welcome to the University of Antares."

"Thank you," the girls replied.

Maxwell glanced at Monica's friends. "I hope you don't mind, but I was hoping to steal Monica away for a bit."

Clara grinned. "We're cool with it."

"Go on," Annalise added.

Monica turned to them. "I'll see you guys later, okay?"

Clara winked. "Go enjoy your date, lovebird."

As Monica and Maxwell walked away, Clara and Annalise stood in silence for a moment, watching them disappear into the crowd.

"They look perfect together," Clara murmured.

Annalise sighed. "Yeah, they do."

Clara turned to her friend, her expression suddenly serious. "You know... one day, we'll experience this too."

Annalise let out a humorless laugh. "I doubt it. I don't want to invest in something that won't last. I don't think I can handle another heartbreak."

Clara reached for Annalise's hand, squeezing it gently. "I know your heart is hurting, but don't ever call yourself a lovelorn. Annalise, love isn't just about romance. If you didn't have love in your heart, Monica and I wouldn't be here, holding on to you the way we always have."

She paused, searching Annalise's eyes. "Remember Dean? My first crush? The way he embarrassed me in front of everyone? You stood by me when I felt worthless. You did the same for Monica-again and again. You've always been the one making sure we never got hurt. That's love, Annalise. That's who you are."

A soft breeze brushed against them, and Clara's voice became even gentler. "I don't care what the world says about you. What matters to me is the girl who has always fought for her friends, who has loved us fiercely, even when she struggled to love herself."

Annalise swallowed hard, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"I know you won't like what I'm about to say," Clara continued, "Annalise...You may not believe it, but Skye still loves you. He always has."

"You loved him once, didn't you?"

Annalise scoffed. "That was a long time ago."

Clara hesitated, then took a deep breath.

"You were children, Annalise, and yet the love you shared was so real, so strong, that even now, it hasn't faded. He made mistakes, but I truly believe he'll come back for you-because you are worth coming back for. And when that time comes, you'll finally understand why he did what he did."

A tear slipped down Annalise's cheek, but this time, she didn't wipe it away.

Annalise stared ahead, lost in thought. "You really believe that?"

"I do," Clara said firmly.

A pause.

"I hope you're right," Annalise finally whispered.

The evening breeze grew colder, signaling it was time to leave.

"We should head home," Clara said.

Annalise nodded. "Yeah."

They walked side by side in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Eventually, they parted ways.

Clara was just a few streets away from home when she saw someone-a boy walking past her.

He turned back slightly, met her eyes, and smiled before disappearing into the night.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Her sisters called out to her, but Clara barely heard them.

Her eyes twinkled, her pulse quickened.

What just happened?