Ella Sullivan is an 18-year-old high school senior with a sharp wit and a penchant for sarcasm. Her life revolves around her close-knit group of friends and the love for her dog. But her world is thrown into disarray when she encounters Ms. Catherin...
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———༺✵༻——— POV Ella ———༺✵༻———
The familiar crunch of gravel underfoot follows me as I walk up to my front door. The sun's already low in the sky, casting a warm, muted glow over the yard as I push inside and call for Max. His nails click on the floor as he bounds up to me, tail wagging, tongue lolling in a happy pant. I crouch down, giving him a quick scratch behind the ears, and check his water bowl, refilling it before heading to the back door to let him out.
Outside, I grab one of his favorite balls from the porch, and he immediately perks up, giving me that excited, hopeful look. I throw it across the yard, watching him chase it with a burst of energy, feeling myself relax for the first time all day. Finals stress has been gnawing at me, but moments like these are a balm to my nerves.
After a good while, with Max thoroughly tired out, I head back inside, grabbing my books from the table where I left them last. It's Friday, typically a study-free zone in my mind, but with finals looming, there's no choice but to push through. I decide to ease into it, tackling English first. It's straightforward enough, and I could use something manageable.
I settle in with my notes, quickly reminding myself of what we covered—various themes, some poetry analysis, and the collection of short stories our teacher drilled into us. I start jotting down keywords on a separate sheet, building a list I can revisit later. It's calming, almost rhythmic, and I start to lose myself in it, feeling the tension in my shoulders ebb away with each page I organize.
Just as I'm about two-thirds of the way through, my phone vibrates on the table. It's a text from Catherine, asking if I'd like to come over for dinner. I don't hesitate, already grinning as I reply that I'm in, just need a few minutes to get ready.
I head to the kitchen to fill Max's dinner bowl before making my way upstairs to change. I swap my sweats for a pair of fitted jeans and a soft sweater, quickly touching up my makeup. Back downstairs, I make sure Max is content—he's already on the couch, looking like he's claimed it for the night. I pet him, murmuring a quick goodbye before heading out.
Walking across the lawn to Catherine's, I feel a little rush of anticipation. The lights glow from her windows, casting a welcoming warmth as I step onto her front porch and knock lightly. Almost immediately, the door swings open, and there she is—Catherine, with that familiar, playful smile that makes my heart flutter.
Before I can say a word, she pulls me in, her lips finding mine in a kiss that feels both electric and comforting. Right there on the front step, her kiss pulls me in, and I feel myself leaning into her, melting against her warmth. The world around us seems to fade away, the chill of the evening air forgotten as I lose myself in the sweet familiarity of her touch.
But just then, I hear a strange noise. It's faint at first, a soft clicking sound, like photos being snapped. I pull back, momentarily confused, and glance around, searching for the source of the distraction.
