CHAPTER 1

90 1 0
                                    

JUSTINE

Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.

JUSTINE

The blaring alarm jolted me awake, rudely cutting short my blissful dream of walking down the aisle to Zayn Malik in a stunning Versace gown, the long veil trailing elegantly behind me. I sighed, disappointed at the interruption, feeling the last remnants of the dream slip away.

"Justine, time to wake up!" My mom’s cheery voice rang through the door, punctuated by her uncanny impression of Mariah Carey hitting the high notes. I stifled a laugh, rolling over in bed. "Okay, Mom! I'll be out in a minute," I called back, knowing she was doing her morning routine of playful wake-up calls.

I dragged myself to my spacious bathroom, the scent of freshly delivered flowers welcoming me like an old friend. The luxurious fragrance helped lift my mood as I stood in front of the mirror, inspecting my face for any signs of trouble—acne-prone girls know the struggle all too well. Thankfully, today was a good skin day, and I smiled in relief. My reflection in the ceiling mirror caught my eye, and I gave myself a playful wink at my tousled, bed-head look.

A sudden ping from my phone interrupted the peaceful moment. My mood soured as I glanced at the screen—Mitch. Ugh. Ever since I dumped him, Mitch, the ever-popular jock, has been obsessively trying to win me back. I rolled my eyes, thinking back to how shallow our relationship was. It was all physical—empty, really.

He'd initially pretended to be sweet and attentive, probably to impress my mom, since he was the son of her business partner. But beneath the surface, Mitch was nothing but a jerk.

I should've trusted my instincts when I started suspecting him of cheating. He'd gaslight me every time, making me doubt myself, but deep down, I knew the truth. The final straw was catching him in bed with Chantel—everyone knew her reputation. I was relieved to let him go and remind myself that I was that girl long before he came along. Now he’s just another loser desperately trying to stay relevant by groveling at my feet.

Ignoring Mitch’s text, I focused on getting ready. I went for a natural, glowing makeup look—just a touch of highlighter, mascara, and a soft pink gloss. My hair fell effortlessly into place, framing my face. Satisfied, I chose a chic Jacquemus top, paired with an Alexander McQueen mini skirt and long boots to complete the ensemble. My Hermès Birkin bag added the final touch as I made my way downstairs.

The comforting scent of freshly brewed coffee and pancakes sizzling on the stove greeted me as I entered the kitchen. My stomach growled in response. "Morning, Daddy," I said, giving my dad a quick kiss on the cheek, followed by one for Mom.

"Morning, sweetheart," Dad replied warmly. "You look great today."

"Thanks, Dad. I'm feeling great," I said, grinning as I spotted my little sister, Jenny, sitting at the table. I scooped her up and planted a flurry of kisses on her chubby cheeks, making her giggle uncontrollably. Her laughter was infectious, and I couldn’t resist blowing raspberries on her belly, causing even more squeals of delight. Jenny was my little sunshine—a sweet reminder of innocence and pure joy.

After a quick breakfast and some playful banter with my parents, I gave Jenny one last kiss before heading out the door. Thankfully, traffic wasn’t bad, and I arrived at school right on time.

Walking through the hallways, I felt eyes on me—compliments whispered about my outfit and appearance followed in my wake. I’ve always taken pride in how I present myself, so it was nice to hear the admiration, even if indirectly.

I spotted my best friends, Shaina and Lilly, by Shaina's locker, and my face lit up. Shaina was every bit the confident cheerleader, her toned body wrapped perfectly in her uniform. Her dark skin gleamed under the fluorescent lights, and her charismatic smile was enough to light up the entire hallway. Lilly, on the other hand, was the perfect contrast—graceful and composed, with bright eyes that sparkled with intelligence. She had a quiet elegance that turned heads just as much as Shaina’s bold presence.

"Hey, girl!" Shaina greeted me, pulling me into a warm hug. Lilly, ever the poised one, wrapped me in a gentle embrace.

"It's so good to see you," Lilly said, her voice soft but full of affection. "How have you been?"

"I’m great, but I need a favor," I confessed, glancing between the two of them. "I completely forgot about that math assignment Ms. Tina gave us."

Shaina’s eyebrows shot up in mock disbelief. "You mean the one we got two weeks ago?" she teased, nudging me with her elbow.

Lilly’s eyes narrowed playfully. "And what exactly have you been doing that you couldn’t get your homework done?" Her tone was gentle, but I knew she was waiting for my excuse.

I felt the heat rise to my cheeks. "You know, the usual—homework, extracurriculars, my beauty routine…" I fluttered my lashes dramatically, trying to charm my way out of trouble.

Shaina rolled her eyes. "More like binge-watching K-dramas, I bet," she said, laughing.

Lilly shook her head, chuckling softly. "Alright, alright. I’ll help you, but you owe me, big time." She wagged her finger at me, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

"You're the best!" I hugged her tightly. "I don’t know what I’d do without you guys."

We laughed together as we linked arms and headed to class. We’d been inseparable since third grade, and the bond we shared was unbreakable. I silently hoped for a drama-free day as we walked down the crowded hallway.

But as we approached our classrooms, a sudden commotion caught my attention. Frantic voices echoed down the hall, and I groaned internally. What now?

Pushing through the crowd, I saw Brad, the school’s notorious bully, squaring off with the quarterback. The tension between them was palpable, and girls nearby were whispering frantically, trying to break it up.

I rolled my eyes. What could possibly be going on between these two?

This was definitely not the drama-free day I’d hoped for.

Would you guys prefer images that match the descriptions of the makeup, hair, outfits, etc or I should leave it as it is?

Don't be a ghost reader, I need your feedback!

ECHOES OF THE PAST Where stories live. Discover now