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𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 !
ᵃᵘᵍᵘˢᵗ
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ASHLEY WALKED IN HOPEWELL HIGH SCHOOL IN A BAD MOOD, her footsteps heavy as she moved through the crowded hallways. Her usual bright demeanor was clouded by frustration, and she barely acknowledged the familiar faces she passed. Her eyes scanned the rows of lockers until she spotted Renee, who was busy retrieving her books. Without hesitation, Ashley made her way over, her fingers absentmindedly playing with the silver chain around her neck—a gift from Renee on Valentine's Day.
As Ashley approached, Renee looked up from her locker, her expression instantly softening when she saw her girlfriend's troubled face. "Hey, baby, what's wrong?" Renee asked, concern lacing her voice as she wrapped an arm around Ashley's waist, pulling her close.
Ashley let out a heavy sigh, leaning into Renee's comforting embrace. "Just stressed about theater," she admitted, shaking her head slightly as if trying to rid herself of the lingering tension. "The rehearsals have been brutal, and I can't seem to get everything right. It's like... no matter how hard I try, it's not enough."
Renee frowned, her brow furrowing as she listened. She knew how much theater meant to Ashley—how passionate she was about every role, every line, every scene. "You're doing your best, Ash. And you're amazing. Everyone knows it," Renee said, her voice soothing as she gently rubbed Ashley's back. "Maybe you're just being too hard on yourself. You always push yourself so much."
Ashley sighed again, but this time there was a hint of relief in it. Renee had a way of grounding her, of making her feel like she wasn't carrying the weight of the world alone. "Maybe," she murmured, her fingers still playing with the silver chain. "But I just... I want it to be perfect, you know? I don't want to let anyone down."
"Hey, how about we go somewhere today?" Renee suggested, her voice light and hopeful as she grabbed Ashley's hands, her thumbs gently brushing over the shorter blonde's knuckles. "Just you and me."
Ashley hesitated, her eyes flickering with a mix of uncertainty and affection. "You don't have to do that," she began, her voice soft, almost as if she was trying to convince herself as much as she was Renee.
Renee shook her head firmly, her grip on Ashley's hands tightening just a bit. "Uh, yes I do," she insisted, her tone playful yet sincere. She leaned in, closing the small gap between them, and kissed Ashley with a tenderness that made Ashley's heart flutter.
Ashley smiled against Renee's lips, the warmth of the kiss spreading through her like a comforting wave. She pulled back just enough to look into Renee's eyes, her worries and stress momentarily forgotten. "Okay," she finally agreed, her smile widening. "Just you and me."
౨ৎ 🍓。˚🍰♡ ˚₊‧
After school, Ashley and Renee laughed as they ran down the path through the woods, their footsteps echoing against the fallen leaves. The excitement of the spontaneous adventure pulsed through them, their earlier stress forgotten as they made their way toward the familiar treehouse. Salem, Ashley's younger sister, had built it when she was just 11, and it had since become a cherished spot for secret hideaways and heart-to-heart conversations.
As they reached the treehouse, Ashley glanced at Renee, curiosity piqued. "What are we doing here?" she asked with a playful grin, following Renee up the wooden ladder.
Renee paused halfway up, turning to look down at Ashley with a mischievous smile. "You'll see," she teased, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
They climbed the rest of the way up, and as they entered the small, cozy space, Ashley noticed the familiar surroundings—the makeshift curtains, the old, worn-out beanbag in the corner, and the string lights that still flickered faintly.
Ashley sat down on the worn mattress inside the treehouse, a small smile playing on her lips as she watched Renee dump the contents of her bag onto the mattress. The items tumbled out—a couple of snacks, a bottle of soda, a notebook, and Renee's trusty polaroid camera.
Without hesitation, Ashley reached for the polaroid, her smile widening as she aimed it at Renee. The blonde looked up just in time, her eyes shining with surprise and amusement.
Click.
The camera captured the moment perfectly, the soft whirring of the polaroid bringing the picture to life. As the photo developed, Ashley waved it in the air with a laugh, admiring the candid shot of Renee. The blonde was caught mid-laugh, her joy and spontaneity immortalized in the small square of film.
Renee and Ashley sprinted towards the park, their laughter echoing through the air as they raced each other to the swings. Ashley hopped onto one of the swings, her feet barely touching the ground as she let herself sway back and forth. Renee stood behind her, giving her a playful push, sending Ashley higher into the air. Each time Ashley swung back, their laughter grew louder, their joy infectious.
After a while, they left the park and made their way back to Ashley's house. They ended up lying on Ashley's bed, facing each other, their heads resting on the pillows. The room was bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, casting a warm light over them.
Ashley smiled as she looked into Renee's eyes, feeling a deep sense of contentment. Everything felt right in that moment, like the world outside didn't matter as long as they were together.
Renee reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from Ashley's face. "Let's be together forever," she mumbled, her voice soft but filled with sincerity.
Ashley's heart fluttered at Renee's words, and she nodded, her smile widening. "Forever," she whispered back, leaning in to close the gap between them, sealing their promise with a tender kiss.
౨ৎ 🍓。˚🍰♡ ˚₊‧
Renee stared at herself in the mirror, a heavy sigh escaping her lips. She wiped away the remnants of tears that had begun to form, trying to steady herself. Her eyes fell on the familiar gold necklace resting on the counter—an old, cherished gift from Ashley during their time together. She hesitated for a moment, then carefully fastened it around her neck, the weight of it both comforting and bittersweet.
She picked up the wedding invitation from the dresser, her fingers tracing the elegant lettering on the thick, cream-colored paper.