In the vibrant city of Los Angeles, Kiara Reed, a passionate reader of romance novels and a talented dancer, embarks on a new chapter of her life after her family's recent move. Adjusting to her new surroundings, Kiara unexpectedly encounters a grou...
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I don't know what the actual fuck just happened.
"Earth to Kie, you there?" Grayson waves a hand in front of me, snapping me out of my daze.
"You okay? Just zoned out there for a second," he says, flashing that smile that always reveals his dimples.
Why the actual fuck am I like this?
"Probably because of the books you read, stupid," I silently scold myself.
"Yeah, um, yeah, I'm all good," I stammer, passing him three books and avoiding eye contact.
Once we finish, I settle into a bean bag on the other side of the library.
"I need to cool myself down," I mumble, opening a romance novel.
"What are you reading?" Blake's voice interrupts.
"A romance novel."
"What's it about?"
Yes, I love this question!
As I give a small summary, I can't help but smile like a crazy person.
I'm screaming inside.
The boys and I walk out of the library together after our free period.
We turn a corner, and I bump into someone, her textbooks scattering across the hallway floor.
"Sorry," we both mumble simultaneously, scrambling to gather the books.
The voice is distinctly feminine.
Great job, Kie. You're doing amazing, sweetie!
I sigh, looking up at the girl who is undeniably pretty.
She looks mixed, with her curly hair pulled up into a ponytail, a few curls escaping. But those lashes—wow, they're long.
After we finish picking up the books, we stand up.
"Hi!" she greets me with a beaming smile.
"Hey, sorry about that," I say, referring to our collision.
"No, no, you're good," she reassures me, her eyes shifting to the boys who have come up beside me.
"Kayla."
"Kiara."
Her eyes widen.
"You were at auditions yesterday, right?"
"Yeah, I was."
"Well, you were really good. Like, your technique and movements—ah, they were good. You slayed," she compliments, causing me to burst into an ear-to-ear smile.
"Thank you," I say gratefully.
"Hey, we should talk sometime. I'd honestly like to get to know you," she suggests.
"Yeah, sure. I'd love that, actually. I've been spending too much time with these idiots; I've had enough of boys now."
I hear their gasps from behind me.
She laughs.
"Okay, I gotta get to class. See you around," she says, and I nod.
As she walks away, the boys look at me, barely containing their laughter.
"Just laugh, I know you want to," I tease.
They burst into laughter.
I playfully roll my eyes and continue on to class.
Now it's English, and sadly, I don't have any of the boys with me.
I walk in and take my seat by a window, taking out my things and preparing for class.
"Anyone sitting here?" I recognize the voice.
Kayla.
"Oh, hey. No one is sitting here," I say, pulling out the chair for her.
"Didn't think I'd end up seeing you in here," I remark.
"Same. But I'm happy we're here together. Now I actually have someone to talk to, and we can use this time to get to know each other," she says cheerfully.
"Yeah," I agree.
"Should we do a Q&A thing?" she suggests.
"Sure. You can start," I say.
"Easy and basic. Favorite color?"
"Sage green. Yours?"
"Pink."
"Favorite artist at the moment?"
"Taylor Swift. You?"
"Drake."
"Any siblings?"
"No. You?"
"Older brother, his name is Jayden. He's in this school."
"A place you'd like to go to?"
"Europe, specifically Italy and Greece."
"Africa. I'd like to go to Cape Town."
"Oh, I've heard and seen it's beautiful there."
"Yeah, it is."
"Dream car?"
"G-Wagon."
"Same," I say.
"Type of guy?" she asks.
"Okay, I'm very specific when it comes to boys. I'd like him to be tall, so when I hug him, my head lays on his chest—" She cuts me off with a squeal.
"Yes! I love that. Then his one hand is at the back of your head, and the other around your waist," she says, holding onto the chair with one hand and the table with the other.
"Instant fold," I say.
"For real," she agrees.
"You know, I think we'd make good friends, Kiara," she smiles.
"I agree. Let's just start being friends, starting now," I say, putting my hand out for her to shake, sealing the deal.
"Agreed," she says, shaking my hand. Look at me, making a friend.
Class started a while ago, and we haven't been paying attention at all. We've just been talking, laughing, and gossiping about people.
We've talked a lot. I know she has two friends, Mila and Jordyn, and she thinks they'd love me, so she wants me to meet them tomorrow.
It's lunch, and I'm sitting outside with other students.
Leaning against a tree, I have a chicken wrap in one hand and my phone in the other.
I'm ordering books.
"Hey, Kie!" I hear Nathan's voice call out.
I lift my head, and he, Grayson, and Logan are walking towards me.
"What are you doing there?" Nathan asks, taking a seat next to me.
