Stolen Kisses, Pretty Lies

~Chapter 1~

1989

The hallways of Woodvale High had been scrubbed clean, clear proof of the beginning of the second term. However, the signature, unmistakable stench of body odour still lingered. I hummed a tune as I ambled through the busy hall, my pastel blue Converse squeaking on the linoleum. I adjusted my backpack strap, which was digging into my shoulder awkwardly.

My eyes wandered to observe the numerous brochures and posters on the bulletin; Yearbook Photos, Band, Maths Tutoring. I pushed a blonde lock away from my face and continued to trudge towards my locker, dodging giggling girls and rowdy groups of boys chasing each other around.

I felt a tap on my left shoulder and instinctively turned to my right, a smug smile on my face. "Good morning, Reputation."

My best friend scowled and rolled her eyes, "you never fall for that anymore, its so boring."

"Nice to see you too" I smiled and hugged her, to which she reluctantly returned.

Our lockers were beside each other, which was handy for the occasional lesson-switchover chat. I twisted my lock, putting the pin in and pulling it off the handle when it unlocked. I opened the door, revealing my brightly decorated locker. It was customised with stickers, a small mirror, and dozens of polaroid pictures of my friends and I strung up.

I hooked my bag inside and turned to Rep, who was struggling to shove her skateboard into her locker alongside her bag, before giving up and just forcing the door closed.

"We have a while before class," I said brightly, "anything you want to do?"

"I told Lover I'd catch her by the bulletin board, wanna come?" Rep asked, chucking a mint in her mouth before offering me one.

I took the mint, "yeah, alright."

We walked back down the hallway towards the bulletin I had previously passed to where Rep's girlfriend was waiting. Lover's back was toward us and Rep snuck up behind the girl, before tackling her in a hug from behind, catching Lover by surprise. I chuckled as Lover swung around in surprise but immediately hugged Rep back. I caught up to the girls and said hi to Lover's friend, Folklore, who was gazing at Lover and Rep with a smile on her face.

I moved to stand next to the quiet girl, who hugged me softly in welcome. Folklore always smelt like a flower shop, and her hugs drowned me in the soft perfume. We weren't very close friends, but Folklore had immediately made me like her from the moment we met, with her cozy hugs and welcoming attitude.

"How were your holidays, 1989?" she asked politely, smiling.

"Pretty basic, to be honest" I sighed. "How 'bout you?"

"I spent a very long time reading and exploring. That's about it" Folklore shrugged happily. "Wasn't bad in the slightest."

I nodded, still smiling. "I'm glad one of us had a nice holiday, I was scared Rep was about to lose her head with Lover dragged off to Australia. She no joke sent me like, 60 messages a day about how bored she was." I rolled my eyes, watching Rep lead Lover away somewhere private in my peripheral.

Folklore laughed and I continued.

"She came over to mine a few times and the only way I could get her to shut up was by letting her play Fortnite. I honestly don't know which attitude was more destructive... of my bedroom, or my sanity."

"It sounds as though both were harmed recently."

I widened my eyes and nodded subtly, earning a laugh.

The bell rang overhead and I sighed. "I'll see you in history later, Lorie."

Folklore nodded and we walked in opposite directions, heading back to our lockers. I swung mine open and grabbed my laptop and books required, before heading towards my next lesson where I would meet Lover.

I let the flow of my classmates guide me inside, to where I sat down at my usual desk, and set out my books and necessary stationary. A few minutes later, Lover raced in and took her seat next to mine.

"Sorry I'm late, Ms Lines" she gushed, dumping her things on the desk. There was a lipstick print on her neck and her face was red, either from rushing or perhaps something else.

I caught Lover's eye and gestured to her neck subtly, to which she turned even redder and quickly wiped the mark off. Class started and we opened our work, beginning to type up some notes off the board.

Lover turned to me, "sorry I didn't properly say hello this morning."

I chuckled, "don't worry, its good. If I hadn't seen my girlfriend in weeks, I probably would've done the same."

We began to talk about our holidays, which was mostly Lover chattering about her trip, which I wasn't arguing with.

Lover in herself was an awesome person to be friends with. In all honesty, I wasn't sure if there was anyone in our year who didn't like her, she was too much of a good person. Lover was bubbly, clever, and had a natural aura of sunshine that followed her everywhere. Her appearance matched her personality all too well, too. Wavy blonde hair with pale pink dyed ends and a colourful clothing aesthetic. Quite the contrast to Reputation.

Lover was strong-willed too, always standing up for what she believed in. Like Folklore, she was someone you wanted to be around.

I yawned and combed my fingers through my hair as Ms Lines called everybody's attention back to her to recap something, allowing myself to get lost in thought. I gazed around the room, eyeing off random guys with their tans and summer bodies. Normally, I would've drooled over the sight, but something had switched in me and the boys just didn't do anything for me anymore. I was yet to find out what it was and couldn't be bothered contemplating it too much.

I instinctively started fiddling with my bracelet around my wrist, rolling the charms between my fingers and feeling each individual texture. The bracelet had been a gift from my mum before she'd left to live in the city for work, a few months ago now. There was a small locket heart on the chain that opened and had a small picture of my mum and I inside.

Basic and soppy, I know. But I let it slide since it had been gifted to me with sweet intentions and was a memorable keepsake.

The lesson wrapped up soon enough and I gathered my things, quickly following Lover out into the hall.  

AN: Welcome to my second book yayyyy

(Special shoutout to @No1FolkloreStan ily 😭)