Chapter 1 QUEEN MARABELLA ISLAND

CHAPTER ONE

March 15, 2014

The sun cast golden hues over Harts Park in Stormcove City, a coastal gem in the Sunmere State of Velmara. Clara sat with her two best friends, basking in the post-Independence Day glow.

Just yesterday, the country marked its 182nd Independence Day with parades and fireworks, celebrating its transformation from a proud monarchy to a thriving federal republic in 1832. Now, the park buzzed with a different kind of celebration, one shared between three girls and their dreams.

A gentle breeze stirred the Velmarian flag above the park gates, its blue, gold, and white stripes rippling beneath the soaring eagle emblem.

Today's celebration, though smaller, was just as special.

The afternoon buzzed with laughter, excited screams, and endless chatter as they celebrated a milestone they'd dreamed about for years.

"I still can't believe we all got accepted into the University of Antares," Clara said, her smile bright enough to light up the park.

Monica let out a high-pitched scream that drew a few amused glances from passersby. "Best news of the year!"

Annalise grinned, folding her arms. "Told you we had a shot."

The three girls twirled and laughed like kids, caught up in the joy of the moment.

Clara hadn't expected to receive her acceptance letter so soon. She'd applied to several universities, bracing for a long wait, but the University of Antares, the most prestigious school in Stormcove and one of the top five institutions in Velmara, had sent her an acceptance letter earlier that day. A dream come true.

"I don't think we should keep this to ourselves. We need to shout it from the rooftops," Monica said, tossing her curly black hair over her shoulder.

"I was just about to post it online," Annalise replied with a smirk.

"Let's celebrate under the moonlight," Monica added, tilting her head toward the sky.

Clara laughed softly. "The moon isn't even out yet."

Monica's eyes stayed fixed on the soft blue sky. "It will be." She'd always felt a strange connection to the moon, like it was watching over her.

Annalise chuckled. "I'm starting to think you were some kind of moon warrior in a past life in your tribe."

Monica gasped dramatically. "You think so?"

"Or maybe... a maid," Annalise teased, barely holding back a laugh.

Monica's jaw dropped. "That's not fair!"

Clara and Annalise burst into laughter, their joy infectious.

Annalise shrugged playfully. "Hey, I'm just saying what I see."

Monica crossed her arms. "Fine. If I'm the maid, then you're definitely my daughter."

Annalise froze, then narrowed her eyes. "Oh, really?"

Monica smirked, satisfied, as Clara doubled over, struggling to catch her breath between laughs.

"You two are impossible!" Clara wheezed, clapping her hands.

Her friends patted her back until she calmed down.

The laughter faded into a comfortable silence.

Clara leaned back on her elbows. "I wonder what university will be like. My dad says the first year have it rough. If I slack off, I might get dropped."

Annalise nodded. "It won't be easy, but we'll handle it."

Clara's smile faltered. "I can't afford to slack off. My parents are doing everything they can to pay my tuition. If I fail, I'll be letting them down."

Her voice dropped. "I've been thinking about applying for scholarships. If I get one, it would ease the pressure on my parents."

Monica and Annalise exchanged a quick glance before speaking in unison.

"Clara, you won't slack off. You're hardworking and brilliant," Annalise said firmly.

"Exactly! You'll ace this, and I bet a scholarship is just around the corner," Monica added, nudging Clara's shoulder.

Clara sighed but smiled. "Thanks, you two. That means a lot."

Annalise leaned back against a tree. "Whatever happens, we stick together. That's what matters."

Monica's grin widened. "And you know what's even better than just being students at Antares?"

"What?" Clara asked, tilting her head.

Monica's eyes sparkled. "Annalise and I are officially part of Team Antares!"

The air around them seemed to buzz with excitement.

They'd trained under Coach Humphrey, one of the university's top swimming instructors, since high school. Normally, first-year students aren't allowed on the university team, but Coach Humphrey put in a good word for them because of their exceptional talent.

They'd dominated regional and national competitions, their names whispered with admiration across the swimming circuit. Their skills had earned them a special invitation to represent Antares at the upcoming Tri-University Swimming Competition, making them first first-year students ever to do so.

"I still can't believe they're letting you both compete," Clara admitted, shaking her head.

Monica beamed. "Me neither! Antares used to be so strict about this..."

Annalise smirked proudly. "Well, when you win that many competitions, they have no choice but to make an exception."

The three burst into laughter, the joy of their achievement settling in.

Monica's expression softened into a dreamy smile. "University is going to be amazing. New faces, new experiences... maybe even romance."

Annalise scoffed. "Romance? Is that all you think about?"

Monica turned to her with a smirk. "Don't act like you're not interested."

Annalise rolled her eyes. "Unlike you, I have priorities."

Clara chuckled, knowing this conversation could go on forever. But deep down, she understood Monica's excitement.

Monica sighed dramatically. "I just hope my parents will let me date."

Clara and Annalise exchanged incredulous looks.

Annalise raised an eyebrow. "Date? Monica, you're fifteen. Shouldn't a boyfriend be the last thing on your mind?"

Monica glared but stayed silent.

"What? Did I say something wrong? Or can't you handle the truth?" Annalise teased.

Clara quickly stepped in before things escalated. She'd known her friends since junior high at Vernisa High School and understood their personalities well.

Annalise was sharp-witted, headstrong, and quick-tempered. She kept her circle small, trusting only a few. People often mistook her reserved nature for arrogance, but Clara knew better. Beneath her tough exterior, Annalise was fiercely loyal, determined, and brutally honest. She was an exceptional swimmer, nicknamed "Aqua Girl" since childhood.

Monica, by contrast, was warm and full of life. Bright, beautiful, and always the center of attention, she had a charm that made her impossible to dislike. But her hopeless romantic streak was legendary. She had sixty-eight crushes in high school, none lasting more than a month.

This time, though...

It was different.

For the first time ever, Monica had fallen for someone, and the feelings weren't fading.

His name was Maxwell Addison.

A seventeen-year-old second-year student at the University of Antares.

Their first encounter had been completely accidental. Maxwell had been riding his bicycle down the street when Monica, caught off guard, stepped in his path. In her effort to dodge him, she slipped and fell.

Maxwell stopped immediately, concern flashing across his face as he helped her up.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice deep and smooth.

Monica barely managed a nod, her heart pounding.

He smiled, a small, apologetic smile before riding off.

And yet, Monica couldn't stop thinking about him.

Then, just when she thought she'd never see him again...

Fate intervened.

She saw him at Lightwood Café.

And to her surprise...

He recognized her.

And just like that, her record of short-lived crushes was broken.

This time, it wasn't just a crush.

It was something more.

Something real.