Heart pounding like a blacksmith's hammer, feet trembling like a tunning fork, hands shaking like a leaf ...
The fire engulfed the surroundings, dark flames rubbed and licked the air, smoke crawled into my nostrils, enraged roar striked to and fro, but I was stuck in the tower with absolutely nowhere to go. I looked on with terror as the dragon spat fire and I found myself staring at death right in its face.

Out of nowhere, a knight in shining armour leaped and fought the dragon. He vigorously kicked the creature and stabbed into its body with an exceptionally large sword. Pained shrieks arose as its life dissipated, exploding into ashes.

He expertly climbed the tower like a mercenary on a rescue mission. I felt a halo of warmth as he wrapped me in his arms. I was saved! Just like a fairytale!

Somehow, by some freakily captivating ancient magic, true love manoeuvred its way into the depths of our beings- the instant we locked lips.

The emperor threw a big wedding feast for us the next day. And we lived happily ever after.

-------------------

The music echoing from the vintage music box jolted me out of my daydream.

I jumped to put on my jeans squeezing my botylicious behind to fit in it; threw on a silk blouse, reached for a long, skinny silk scarf and wrapped it around my low ponytail; then slipped on an elegant pair of ballet flats. I looked into my crossbody bag to check the presence of the essentials: lip gloss, mint, money, sunglasses, handwipes, phone and keys. Satisfied, I left my room and bubbly descended down the stairs, singing My Favorite Things from The Sound of Music.

As I opened the front door ready to go out, my mom called, "Alison, where are you going?"

How did she spot me when she was so engrossed in the housewives' show that she was watching. Maybe I should have sneaked away inconspicuously like a tarantula on a slice of angel food, I thought.
"I am going to Hailey's house to hang out."

"Take care!" she shouted. "And be back here before 7pm."

Hailey and I have been friends since kindergarten. Our friendship is one that was born naturally, as if ordained by the cosmic, fitting perfectly like a jigsaw puzzle and destined to last forever. Hanging out with her is always an adventure, like hunting for a treasure, thrilling to the core. Never a day goes by without us talking nonstop about our crushes, doing our homework and being messy. We always have a currated plan of variety of things to do. With the absence of any homework, the fun level will be off the charts.

Sometimes, I wished Hailey and I lived together in the same house, breathing the same air, playing games, perhaps bickering and what not. Then again, the constant prank wars I have with my brother is sure to drive her away. This is not to label Hailey as a spoilsport, she does enjoy a good prank so far as she is not the receiver. We are not identical twins, however, many a time, we have been able to fool many, including our teachers, with our staunch imitation of each other.

Although, I am not a big fan of short trips, those to Hailey's are my favorite. I make sure to either ride a bicycle or walk for those short trips, rather than drive as I aimed to protect the environment by not further contributing to green house gas emission. Walking down the streets, I saw a grey veil forming by the clouds, I immediately knew I had to run for shelter.

As I cast my eyes around looking a comfortable place to hide, I was blessed with sight of the most gorgeous man on the planet- scratch that, I mean the entire universe. He had a dreamy inaccessible look that would cause any woman's ovaries to tingle. I kept gazing at him, then suddenly I felt his eyes looking directly into mine as if searching my complex soul. Butterflies were sommersaulting in my belly, my blood was boiling, sensations run down my spine- my thoughts were running wild- I started picturing him and I together. The sudden downpour and thunderous sound of raindrops hitting the roofing sheets snapped me back to reality, but then he was gone. I quickly ran to the grocery store nearby.

I begun glancing through the magazine section- Vogue, Oprah, women's health, cosmopolitan, seventeen and GQ. One particular issue of the Women's Health magazine caught my attention- it was about making vulnerability your superpower. I was totally engrossed in the knowledge that freely poured on every section of the MAG that I felt delighted at the turn of events.

I stepped out of the store when it stopped raining and I spotted a masculine figure running towards me. It was the handsome man I saw earlier. My heart started racing and my knees started trembling.

"Hey, I am Ryan. I saw you earlier and I thought that we should at least have a conversation. What is your name?"

Is cupid favouring us? I mentally asked myself.
"I'm Alison. How has the day been for you?" I asked shyly.

"Beautiful day out today, but the weather has been brutal. Do you mind if I accompany you to where you are going?"

"That's nice, yes, you can. But I must say that I have not seen you around here before."

"I am an international student at Rosewood high. I recently moved here. What about you?"
The wall of tension started falling down. There was fluidity and smoothness in our conversation.

"I am also a student of Rosewood High."

"That great, You are probably a straight As student."

"Guilty! I have to give my best always because my parents give so much and expect so much. I am so glad that I have music to keep me sane from all the pressure."

"I love music too. I play the piano and write songs. They call me the next next Elvis Presley"

"Next next?"

"That's because there are some contenders."

"You are so funny . But it does makes sense. I absolutely love everything rap and Hip pop. Harry Styles fan right here. Watermelon sugar high is my current jam."

"I can provide you all the water melons." He said while winking his right eye. "So why is a pretty girl like you walking all by herself?"

"I am going to my friend's house. Actually, is right here." I said pointing to Hailey's house.

"Hope to see you around soon," he told me.

                             ****

Ms Teddy, my godmother and mother to Hailey came to the door to usher me in, after she saw me fumbling with their doorbell.

"Good evening Ms. Teddy."

"Good evening Alison. Hailey is in her room."

On seeing my friend, I gave her a hug and smile, then sprawled onto her bed like a high jumper and watched as my friend brought out the matte and gel nail polishes out.

"Which shade do you want?"
"Pink."
"Hailey, I just saw the most handsome guy ever." I said while filing my nails.
"You say that about every guy you have a crush on, what makes this different?"
"You have to see him for yourself. This guy is hot. He actually accompanied me here."
"Yea, yea. Okay. Hope to see him soon, then I can judge for myself."
30 minutes later, I looked at my watch and couldn't believe how time had flown.
"OMG! It's so late, I better get going before mama bear rips me apart."

I walked out of the door to see Ryan waiting outside.
"Hey Alison, Do you live close by?"
"I live at Bali street close to Washbay," I blurted out.
"Yeah me too. I live 2 blocks away. Mind if we can continue this conversation over phone call.

I exchanged numbers with Mr. Perfect. I didn't want to say goodbye. It's like we've known each other forever. Physical feelings were floating inside me.

What the hell is happening?

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