𝑺𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌 . . . original character

001. 𝓼ummers faded

[ chapter one ]

CLARA BELMORE adjusted her hair in the mirror for the second time, making sure every strand was in place. she was always precise, always organized. it's what kept her grounded. today was the first day of junior year, and even though she'd spent the summer with her closest friends, something about the start of the school year felt heavier.

her journal sat open on the desk behind her, pages filled with thoughts she hadn't shared. lately, there were things couldn't even tell noah, and that was new. noah, her bestfriend since the second grade when they shared their bonded love for one direction, had always been the girls sounding board. but now, with the confused, lingering feelings she developed for the boy. . . it was too much. too much to write about.

"clara! come on, we're gonna be late!" noah's voice boomed from downstairs, and she could hear the easy laughter in his tone.

clara grabbed her maroon colored bag and headed downstairs, where noah leaned against the door frame, flashing that effortless smile he always wore. he looked comfortable in his baggy jeans, his hair still messy from the mornings rush. his cleats poked out of his bag — football practice after school, per usual.

"morning, sunshine," noah teased, holding the door open for her. "ready for another year of school therapy sessions?" he was referring to how clara had become the group's unofficial therapist. whether it was lottie's outfit crises, or carlos jokes getting taken the wrong way, clara was the one everyone went to.

clara rolled her eyes, playfully shoving noah. "well, someones gotta keep you all mentally stable, right?"

outside, waited lottie, noah's sister. the early morning light flittered through the trees as they walked to the car where lottie was fixing her makeup. the town always looked so peaceful this time of year. like it was still stuck in summer while the rest of the world moved to fall.

once the two hopped inside the car, lottie sat in the back. the short haired girl wore a perfectly put-together outfit. pink sneakers, a matching headband, and a denim skirt. clearly embracing her role as the groups everyday barbie. she greeted clara, her smile wide and welcoming.

"hi, claraa!" lottie said loudly from the back, shoving her light colored lipgloss in her bag. "i was on the phone with carlos. y'know, he's so negative. i showed him my new nails and he said i wouldn't survive gym class this year, could you believe that?" the short girl rambled quickly.

clara grinned, flashing a look to noah. "they look cute. we'll see how long they last." she joked.

after a pitstop to starbucks, the three arrived to the school. filled with excitement and anticipation, they made their ways over to the fountain, where the group usually had met up since freshman year.