"Sona, darling, why don't you show your friends Lineage Hall?"

"Muma, I don't know-"

"We'd love to see it, Ms. Chat,"

Walking down the long stretch, none of the three said a word. This was long before they knew each other well. Sona's two moms had invited Tessa and Marlowe over (despite Sona's protests). They thought it would be good for Sona, who didn't exactly have the most friends.

Tessa hadn't spoken a word since her arrival, her headphones on her ears. Sona wondered if she could even hear Marlowe's chatter. Marlowe was lovely and talkative, but that was to try lesson the awkwardness surrounding the three. Sure, they all got a job at that new club; DancerTech. And sure, they've known each other for a good while now. Even then, they still weren't close. Until this day.

Lineage Hall was a long corridor near the rear of the large home. It was decorated with candles lighting a straight path. Their light struck the red walls, bouncing and reflecting off the intricate pictures. Jewels and fabric and of course paint was used in the portraits. Describing the looks of a long family line. Two sides, meeting at the end of the corridor. That wall had three pictures; One for Sona's mom, one for Sona's other mom and-

"Sona, is that YOU?!" Marlowe raced to the picture, skidding to a halt before it. She gazed up at it, wonder filling her eyes. Tessa walked up beside Marlowe, looking up at it. She was so stunned she did something Sona had never seen her do before; She took off her headphones.

"Um.. yeah..yeah that's.. that's me.." Sona rubbed her arm. The painting sparkled, but all she could focus on were the marks on her face. The one thing she wanted to change. Sona would've stayed back longer if it weren't for Tessa waving her over with a smile. Another surprise, Tessa wasn't exactly a smiler.

She took the smallest steps possible, trying not to look at the portrait that loomed over her. When she finally reached the space beside Tessa, the girl placed a hand on her shoulder. She was giving Sona that knowing looking, a look of understanding.

"You look amazing, I didn't know you were a desi girl," Marlowe chuckled and Sona choked back a laugh.

"My parents are both Hindus, this is from back when my cousin was getting married. I had to wear a Sari and have my hair in a style that was intricate, but wouldn't take too long and would stay while I danced. I was the first time I wore my hair like that. I haven't needed to try another hairstyle since. Muma decided hey, why not get my portrait done then before the dance. The family painter was there and everything, and I had plenty of time to sit down. I wasn't excited about it, I didn't exactly like having my photo taken, let alone having a portrait done. But Muma managed to convince me to smile by telling stories behind the painter. So I'd face the painter whilst facing her. I like my Mumas stories, they're the kind you hear in a wattpad story. The whole good girl meets bad boy cliche- except it was good girl meet bad girl in her case,"

Sona went on, eyes glimmering. Tessa tilted her head at her, and stopped her when she poked Sona's cheek, specifically the stretch mark. Sona jumped back, and Tessa laughed a tad.
"You have lightning bolts, my friend, they should be your pride, not your shame,"

Sona's eyes turned to plates, and Tessa laughed even more. Marlowe nodded as they both looked back to the photo. Tessa placed her headphones back over her ears, closing her eyes briefly in thought. Sona whispered a thank you, thinking Tessa couldn't hear her as she turned back to the portrait herself. She didn't notice Tessa's eyes flicker to her, and her whisper a "you're welcome". But Marlowe did, and didn't say a word about it.

That was the spark. The match. The beginning of the fire the three controlled. Now to see where that would take them..

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OKAY
SO
A FEW NOTES ON THIS

• Yes Sona is a Hindu. What? I don't like having alll mah OCs being Christian. Especially when I'm not one myself :3 If you're wondering, Tessa is a Agnostic and Marlowe is atheist.

• So Tessa actually started speaking more to them after this, and yes she is a wise owl guys. She does have a bit of a struggle speaking though, English not being her first language.

• *HUGS SONA* After this She also gets a tad less insecure about her stretch marks. Its only a smol but but it's a start!

• BIG SISTA MARLOWE TRYIN TO GET THEM TO BE FRIENDS IS MAH SOUL

• Sona is definitely one of mah prettiest babs, Like shes right up there with Fayre and Marlowe. I DONT CARE WHAT ANYONE SAYS ABOUT STRETCH MARKS MAKING HER LESS PWETTY THEN THEM. SHE. IS. GORGEOUS.

• "Muma" is pronounced "Mum- a" and along with "Umi" which is pronounced "Um- me" is what most gals like Sona would call their mom.

SO YEAH
SaltyMemeDweeb  THERE YA GO
DION BETTA LOVE HER

DancerTech Tessa, Sona and Marlowe (c) Moi
DancerTech Dion (c) SaltyMemeDweeb