Just Add Starcrossed

Prologue

Summer is upon Saffron falls again, the ever cozy, amazing town that's full of lovable, of course mysterious people. And magic.

That's right! Magic is real! And it blends well into yummy yet complicated recipes!

Kelly Quinn, the girl who co-owned the renowned magic cookbook with her two best friends Hannah Parker-Kent and Darbie O'brian, has today turned seventeen. The book has moved on, and they are all former protectors now, but it doesn't mean that the magic isn't in their lives.

The three girls have vowed to use magic for greater good, and they shall continue to do so.

Right now, however, after enjoying the birthday party Mister and Missus Quinn threw for their daughter, the girls are all gathered in Kelly's room, chatting.

"It's dark outside..." Darbie comments looking outside the window and rising to her feet.

"Yes!" Hanna joins the girl. "And that's the cue for us to leave."

"What? I thought you guys might stay over..." Kelly pouts, but she still hugs her two best friends.

The friends bid good night, promising to meet the next day in the Piezer park, sharp at ten in the morning, so they can all kickstart their summer of fun.

***

The following morning as everyone meets up-- a pleasant or rather not surprise is waiting for everyone.

"Chuck?!"

Sitting on one of the many wooden benches in the Piezer Park is the infamous Chuck aka Charles Piezer.

"Hi girls!" He waves, a sunbeam smile on his face.

"What are you doing here?" Kelly frowns.

Chuck has become a friendly face. It was proven he had a good heart, but even so, it's strange to keep bumping into him like this.

"I came here to add more fun to your summer of fun--" Chuck stands, rising up from the bench. He's dressed in old styled clothes-- suspenders and a white shirt, but seems like no one's bothered to look at him.

Hannah and Darbie are frozen next to her, and Kelly opens her mouth to speak.

"You came to do what?"

"What you heard..." Chuck smiles innocently.

"Okay... Could you just explain?" Kelly smiles back, taking a few deep breaths.

"Yeah, since your school holidays are on, I thought I'd thank you girls once again. Treat you to something fancy."

Kelly chuckles. "You don't need to do that..."

"I do." Chuck steps forward, tousling his hair with a boyish smile and looking a teensy bit awkward. "I'm having a gala time with Rosie back home, and it's all thanks to you."

Kelly nods, and keeps a straight face even as Darbie mutters 'it's creepy if you keep thanking us like this'.

"That's understandable. But--"

"I bet you can't say no to this one. Spending two weeks in my time. I'll show you guys some real fun-- in the wild, wild west."

Kelly is cut off by Chuck's sudden proposal. Serious fun in the wild, wild west. Who can resist when he puts it that way?

Hannah does. "No thanks," says the girl. "Our parents wouldn't allow it."

With a chuckle, Kelly shakes her head. "Yeah, it's not easy. Time travel for weeks... we might get sick or..."

"No, you won't!" Chuck presses forward eagerly. "I found the perfect recipe that would keep you guys sane for two weeks. I promise. Please. Let me do this and show you guys some true hospitality."

Kelly is taken aback by the teenage boy's words. Well, maybe not a teenage boy anymore. He's grown. She thinks, and he looks like a man now, handsome one at that.

Darbie who hasn't spoken in a while elbows Kelly.

"What do you think? I wanted to see the dinosaurs, but the wild west is okay too... maybe we can add it to our summer of fun?"

"We can't!" Hannah shrieks, protesting the idea. "How will we explain it to our parents?"

"You can always tell it's a school trip or something--" Chuck interjects but the three girls don't pay him attention.

They are all thinking hard. They are tempted to say okay, but they turn to face one another discussing their current situation.

"We should do this..." says Darbie. "It's not everyday we get to visit the cowboy era."

"I kind of agree..." Hanna mumbles. "But I'm scared..."

"This could be fun..." Kelly murmurs. "But first we should convince our parents."

"I may have an idea..." Darbie grins. "I promise, leave our parents to me."

Darbie isn't the clumsy one anymore, not so much, but Kelly doesn't know how the girl can pull it off. Nevertheless, she exchanges knowing glances with her best friends and turns to face Chuck.

"Okay! We're in... and... just to be clear. We owe you for this..."

Chuck smiles when Kelly does.

"Not at all. Sunday sharp ten am. Be here. I'll see ya guys then."

There's a woosh. Kelly catches the last vestiges of the handsome guy's smile before he disappears. What? She used the word twice... Her teenage years are about to end-- and now is the time when the hormones work their magic? She's never found anyone handsome or attractive back in school, so why now?

'Must be the movie I watched yesterday...' Shaking her head, she pushes all thoughts of Chuck away. She faces Hannah and Darbie again.

"Okay guys! We need to have fun today... but we also need to plan!"

***
TBC!!