A Love Too Late.

Chapter 1

Somewhere in California, Rose is getting ready for the summer festival at her school, she's helping her teachers set up her class's booth, where her classmates are preparing to display homemade dishes from their cultural cuisines. After finishing her task, Rose calls her best friend Sarah. Although Sarah isn't a student at the high school, she's eager to attend the summer festival. She's heard from friends that the school is full of cute and attractive boys.
Rose and Sarah have been friends since the age of 9, having gone through thick and thin together as kids and teenagers. Sarah is the ultimate optimist when it comes to love and boys—she loves the ideas of love. Growing up, Sarah didn't receive much affection or care. Her mother, a single mom raising Sarah and her younger sibling, struggled with alcoholism. As a result, Sarah longs for relationships full of love and care.

It's 11am at Katherine Middle & High School and the preparations for the festival are in full swing. The large school, with three sprawling courtyards, is gradually filling with food stalls, game booths and activity stand.

Rose and Sarah walk around the school grounds, with rose showing Sarah the different courtyards. After a while, rose leaves Sarah to meet her parents at the school entrance. She picks up the couscous her mother made and brings it to her class's booth, where all the food will be sold to raise money for the class fund. Her parents chat with their teachers and classmates before heading to the area where other parents gather.

Rose meets up with her girl clique at the booth – a group of seven girls, including Mira, Mila, Ella, Cansu, Berfin, Hazel and herself. All of them have the same origin, turkey. Mira and Mila are fraternal twins who knew Cansu before school trough family connections. Hazel and Berfin are second cousins, Hazel has been Rose's best friend since the third grade. Although the girls meet by Chance at the beginning of middle school and became friends, over time, they split into smaller groups what happens with bigger friend circle as usual. (I think anybody can relate to this situation) Mira, Mila, Ella and Cansu formed one circle, while Hazel, Berfin and Rose became a trio. Despite the divisions they remained a clique throughout their school years.

Mila and Mira have been popular on campus since the sixth grade and their names are well known. This popularity extends to the entire clique, including Rose, though she never quite understood her own role in it. Rose and Hazel are the more reserved, ''nerdy''members of the group. Rose has always been more international in her friendships, bonding with the kids from different cultural backgrounds, whereas the other girls tend to stay within their own cultural circles. Because of this, they often advise Rose to stick with ''her own people''.

After chatting with the girls and their boyfriends, Rose decides to go look for Sarah.

Rose's P.O.V

After a bit of searching, I finally find Sarah at one of the game booths run by the upperclassmaen. She's playing a game and chatting with some people. I'm always amazed at how quickly Sarah makes friends. Eventually, she notices me standing behind her. As she turns, I see a huge smile on her face and a lovestruck look in her eyes. Right away, I know she's spotted a boy she likes.

Sarah: ''Rose, I think I'm in love''

Rose: ''What are you talking about?''

Sarah: ''I just met the cutest guy over there. He's cute, hot, cool and gorgeous.''

I glance in the direction of the game stand, trying to figure out who she means.

Rose: ''and ? did you talk to him?''

I can't quite tell wich boy she's talking about.

Sarah: ''No, I didn't. He wasn't paying attention to me; he was goofing around with the others. But just look at his smile - how adorable is he?''

Sarah points to a guy with the backward black cap, red writing on his shirt and long hair styled like Justin Bieber in 2010.

Rose: ''are you sure you want to talk to him?''

Sarah: "Yes! Why?"

Rose: ''Usually, you go right up to guys you like. What's making you hesitate?''

Sarah: ''I know, but he didn't show any interest. He didn't talk to me or even notice I was there. I need you to come with me for support.''

Rose: ''alright, but I'm just going to stand there. I won't say anything, okay?''

Sarah and I walk over to the game booth where her''cute guy''is hanging out. She starts by making a joke to catch his attention. I choose to stand just behind her, silently giving her the support she needs.

Despite Sarah's efforts, the boy barely glances her way. caught up in his own world with his friends. Sarah tries to catch his eye, but it seems like he's too distracted to notice her presence.

The 'cute boy'enters their lives...but doesn't seem to realize it yet.