Eternal Promises (Book 1 Of: Eternal Emotions)

The Clash At Coral Bay

The sun hung low over Coral Bay, casting a warm glow on the shoreline. Aria Sinclair, at fourteen, stood barefoot at the water's edge, her wavy chestnut hair whipping around her face as the salty breeze teased her. The rhythmic lull of the waves should have brought comfort, but today it only amplified the simmering irritation rising within her chest. There he was: Liam Hawthorne. Leaning against a weathered pole, his sandy-blonde hair glinting like sunlight off water. A smug grin stretched across his face as he caught sight of her. "Hey! Look at the beach nerd!" he shouted, his voice dripping with venom as laughter erupted from his mindless entourage. Aria clenched her jaw. "What the hell is your problem, Liam?" she retorted, her voice taut. "What? You think you're special just because you hide behind that stupid camera?" he taunted, flipping her the bird with a wicked smirk. "You're just another pathetic loser on this beach." "Classy, as always. You seriously need to grow up," she fired back, refusing to let his aggression intimidate her. "Oh, I'm sorry, did I hurt your little feelings?" he sneered, stepping closer. "Maybe I should get you a tissue. God knows you need it, while I'm here enjoying life." "Enjoying life? Is that what you call being a wannabe bully? You're a fucking joke, Liam," she shot, fists clenched at her sides. "Cute comeback, but you really don't get it, do you? You're not worth anyone's time. Just a sad little girl clinging to your fantasies," he taunted, his blue eyes alight with cruelty. "Better a sad girl than a sad prick addicted to attention. You think you're so cool, but deep down, you're just insecure," she shot back, annoyed that he struck a nerve. Liam chuckled, a harsh sound that echoed through the tension thickening around them. "Insecure? Yeah right. That's rich coming from you. Do you even have any friends, or are you too busy sulking? Maybe that's why you hide behind that camera—because you can't handle real people." "Please, I'd take solitude over hanging out with you and your bunch of idiots any day," Aria retorted, feeling the heat rising in her cheeks. "Solitude? More like you're a fucking weirdo who can't fit in," he revved up, his eyes narrowing with glee. "No wonder you stick to your pathetic little fantasies—you're not built for reality!" "Keep talking, Liam. It just shows how desperate you are for attention," she snapped back, refusing to back down. Lightning crackled overhead, and for a moment, the confrontation felt almost electric. "You think you can lecture me about attention?" he barked. "You're the one who needs the validation, you sad little girl." Rain began to splatter down, soaking them both in an instant. "Nice try, but I don't need validation from a pathetic loser like you," Aria spat out, feeling fierce. "Damn, you really are full of yourself," he snickered, now taking a step toward her. "What's it going to take for you to realize you're a nobody? Hey, look, I'm talking to a wall—what a fucking surprise!" "Look in the mirror, jerk! All you see is a frightened little boy desperate to feel important!" she shot back defiantly, heart racing. He stepped in closer, invading her space. "Say whatever garbage you want. The only reason you're here is that you're too scared to face reality. You think your little drawings make you special? Newsflash: they don't mean shit!" "Maybe they mean more than your dumb jokes—at least I'm not an utter tool wasting my potential," she hissed, feeling anger swell in her chest. "Oh please! Don't flatter yourself. No one cares about your stupid art," he jeered, laughter from his group echoing across the beach. "But hey, keep pretending like you're going to change the world, kid." Aria leaned against the wall, arms crossed, her eyes fixed on Liam like a predator sizing up its prey. "You really think you're something special, don't you? With that pathetic 'bad boy' facade? Let's cut the crap—your dick is probably as small as your fragile ego. You flaunt that mouth of yours, but I bet you can't back it up." Liam raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Oh, really? You think you've got me all figured out? You're probably just full of shit." "Please," she scoffed, a cruel smile flickering across her face. "Save the bullshit for someone who gives a damn. I can guarantee you've got nothing worth my time, and I don't need you to waste my day with your lame bravado." He stepped closer, trying to close the distance, but her ice-cold stare held him back. "Keep running that mouth of yours, and I'll make you regret it. Once I show you what I can do, you'll wish you hadn't played this game." Aria's gaze never wavered, cold and piercing. "Begging? That's laughable. You think you could ever have me begging for anything? Your pathetic attempts will just make you look like a damn fool. You're going to need more than empty threats to impress me." "Zing. But don't get too cocky," he shot back, leaning in just enough to test her resolve. "When the time comes, you'll be the one wishing for another chance." She cut him off with a cold chuckle, her voice low and devoid of warmth. "I'll believe it when I see it. Right now, all I see is a sideshow. You're just a blip in my world, and until you show me something real, I'll assume you're just another nobody trying to play a part. Don't waste your breath on me." "Trust me," he said, trying to inject some confidence into his words. "When the moment arrives, you'll be eating those words." "Don't flatter yourself," she replied, a steely resolve in her voice. "By then, I'll have moved on. You'll be just another regret on my list, and I won't need to give it a second thought."  

New chapters added to "Eternal Promises" everyday! Check it out everyday before midnight (EST) for a new chapter before you fall asleep. Enjoy some simple, theatrical romance, comedy, and tragedy between these two enemies-to-lovers in our newest book.