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"Hurry up, Gina, you're going to be late!" My mom yells from down the steps, pulling me from my mini dance session in my room. I glance over at the time, mentally cursing myself when I see that I am, in fact, almost late for class.

"Coming!" I shout back, rushing around to grab all my essentials and shoving them in my bags. I run down the steps with a giant grin on my face, my backpack slung over my shoulder and my drawstring bag in my hand as I run over to kiss my mom on the cheek.

She smiles as well and kisses my forehead, "Are you sure you've got everything?"

I nod and reach behind me to feel my bag, "Yup! Homework, notebooks, normal books, pencils," I drawl in a small breath and continue, "Shoes, towel, mixtape, change of clothes, and also my water bottle."

She laughs while shaking her head, turning her back to me to grab something from the counter behind her. When she turns back around she holds out my favorite purple headband, "Don't forget this, you know how much you complain about your hair in your face after class."

I gasp softly and take the headband from her, quickly shoving it in my bag before I forget it again. I'm always forgetting things, then complaining about it later. It's a vicious cycle. I glance up at the time then give her a quick hug, running off towards the garage. "Thanks Mom, love you!"

"Love you too, sweetie, drive safe!"

I hop into my car and rev it to life, grinning at the feeling of the engine purring and the feel of the steering wheel under my finger tips. If there's one activity I love more than dancing, it's driving. I switch to reverse and back out of the garage, facing forward long enough to wave goodbye - again - to my mom who is standing by the doors now smiling and waving.

Ten minutes, two stops, and one awful parking job later, I'm in the College parking lot staring at the awfully colored building that I love so much. I sigh and sip on the last of my Starbucks tea, my shoulders slumping forward sadly as realization dawns on me.

I still have to wait seven hours before I can go to dance class.

"C'mon, G, it's almost eight already. Our professor is going to lock us out again if we don't hurry!" My best friend, Sarah, announces rather excitedly, and also slightly laced with fear, as she opens her car door and jumps out. I roll my eyes at her and pull my keys out of the ignition, quickly shoving them in my pocket then grabbing a piece of Watermelon gum from the same pocket. Popping the gum in my mouth, I stretch as I exit my car, slamming the door behind me. Sarah, short with bright red hair and a personality of sunshine, graciously waits for me at the front of the car.

Sarah and I have been friends since kindergarten; Both of us bonding over wanting to stay inside during recess to get more reading time in rather than play outside near the boys. To this day, we have been inseparable, and I couldn't be more happy to have her by my side.

A lone sigh pulls me back out of my thoughts as I reply, "As much as I love learning, I also love dance. And today seems to be the day that dance is more important to me . . . Let alone interesting." I kick a lone pebble across the lot, my heart stopping in terror when it almost dings into the side of another students car.

Sarah laughs softly at me, "Time will pass soon enough, but the more you think about it, the slower it goes. Also, you're forgetting the rules again - No gum during class?"

I groan loudly, drawing some attention towards us from a group passing by, and send a small pout Sarah's way, "I hate it when your logic is foolproof."

She shakes her head and loops her arm through mine, "Stop complaining and come on, we're gonna be late to class."

I shrug nonchalantly, "Oh well," I roll my eyes when she sends me a death glare, picking up my pace to match her speed walking, "Alright, alright. I'm going, do you see me going?"

She mutters something under her breath before we push through the large school doors, unleashing the loud sounds of feet shuffling through the halls and lecture doors slamming shut. Students everywhere are chattering about one thing or another, each basically yelling just to hear each other over the group beside them.

Seriously, everyone needs to learn how to whisper.

"Zander!"

I jump slightly and look towards Sarah ready to give her my darkest glare, only to find she's gone and already ahead of me. Zander, her dashing boyfriend - Who, might I add, I set her up with -, grins and sweeps her into his arms, planting a soft kiss onto her forehead then letting her back down onto the floor. My heart aches as I look at them, but a happy smile spreads across my cheeks to hide the pain. Though I am great at pairing other people together, I can never seem to take my own advice. I squeeze through the little crowds of people to stand beside them, my precious feelings long forgotten as I look at my two best friends.

It took them long enough, I swear I had to work so hard to get them together!

Sarah looks over at me and rolls her eyes playfully, "You're speaking your thoughts again, G."

My eyes widen and my face immediately heats up in embarrassment, "Whaaaaat? I have no idea what you're talking about . . ."

Zander snorts back a laugh, "Sure you don't, but you're not wrong either." He nudges my side with his elbow, giving me a victorious grin, "I mean, that date turned out perfectly."

My lips break out into a grin as well, "We did great!" I reach up and meet Zander's hand in a high five.

Sarah rolls her eyes at us but smiles, then hooks her arm around Zander's, "C'mon we're going to be late to class."

Zander groans in annoyance as she drags him down the hall, "But we're always five minutes early!" I giggle to myself as I watch Sarah whack his arm, those feelings from before trying to claw their way back up my chest. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Squaring my shoulders and standing up a little straighter, I open my eyes and walk down the hall with confidence.

Not today, Satan. You won't stomp on my heart today.

~•~

• Author's Note. •

Here's the prologue! I quickly came up with this idea after I finished SKFTGG and just could not let it get away from me! Wow...that little bit of Zarah ❤️❤️ I've missed writing about them, and each piece I write is so special to me ❤️❤️ If you have not read Stealing Kisses From The Good Girl - I Highly suggest that you do, simply because it's the main story line and you'll get to read some more of Gina in there (Or all about Zarah if you're interested *wink wink*)

Casting call!!! Omg guys I've realized how much I love doing these so here we go!

Gina Robertson (20) -

Kyle Peters (21) -

Zach Peters (20) -

Fiona Davis (21) -

Lena Robertson (43) -

Bryan Thomson (22) -

Sarah Jones (20) -

Zander Mills (21) - And yes, Sarah made him wear those ears! 😂

Marcus Peters (43) -

Raven Florentino (38) -

Cecile Florentino (15) -

Ahhhhhh, another beautiful cast!!! 😍😍 I wasn't planning to cast them but I found the girl for Gina and just couldn't help myself to cast the rest! 😂 And Lena!! She's soooooo gorgeous!! I hope I look half as wonderful as her when I get older! 😂😂😂

Again, this is the spin-off to Stealing Kisses from the Good Girl. If you would like to read more of Gina's character, pop over to that story first! 😘❤️

I'm planning on taking off with this story - but I will need your encourage along the way!! So don't forget to Vote, Comment, Share, and Follow me! 😘❤️

Much love,
~Molly

Written 11/3/2017 - Published 06/14/2021

Paperbacks, Hardcovers, and Ebooks of Saving Ariel is available on Amazon and on my website, authormollyk.com ! If you have read the book before, please go leave a review for me on Amazon! All of your support helps get Axiel's story out into the world! 🥰

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