ONESHOT

Hi, I'm Kate. I'm going to tell you an unlikely story that took place 10 years ago, when I was 17, soon to be 18.

One day, we decided to go out and buy some ice cream, and on the way ...

"Kate, be serious for a moment. Make up your mind so that we can go to the park, I want to ride my bike.", moaned my best friend for the umpteenth time.

"Alexia, you should learn what patience is, I've never met a person so impatient as you."

"Thank you, now, hurry up."

"Okay, ok, I'm going to have 'vanilla/chocolate."

"Finally !" she said, taking the ice cream, then she walked over to the cash register.

...

We were in the park, each on its swing, ice cream in hand, our bikes were on the ground next to it.

"Umm, I'm cold." Alexia closed her jacket,

"Kate, give me your gloves, it's too cold!"

"I would point out to you that it was you who decided that we were going to organize an outing in the middle of a winter vacation to the park, despite the cold. And you knew very well that you are very sensitive to cold, what an idea, frankly." I said giving her my gloves,

She looked at me sadly,

"But I missed my wife." She said with tears in her eyes

"You're exaggerating, we saw each other yesterday, and why did you decide to be outside? We could have stayed warm at home."

"Because I wanted ice cream?"

"Don't ask me that. Plus ice cream in winter-"

"I know, but I wanted ice cream and I also wanted to talk to you without my family or your family being around." She lowered her eyes, looking at the ice cream in her hand, as I watched her, waiting for the rest. She looked at me, then looked at her ice cream, to finally hand it to me, with one of her famous 'silly smiles',

"Do you want to taste ?"

"No, it'll be fine. Plus its mint and chocolate flavor, I don't really like this combination." She nodded and retracted her hand,

"Alexia, what do you want to tell me? She lifted her head again and adjusted her position on the swing to face me. She searched for her words, but couldn't find them, her mouth opened, closed, it looked like a fish feeding,

"Spit it out!!!"

"I crush on someone !!!" She said in a whisper,

"Oh! And?"

"Woman, is that your reaction?"

"What were you expecting?"

"I do not know, a little more shocked what?!?"

"Ah, okay… wait" I did my best to sound shocked, but she still wasn't satisfied.

"Forget it, this is too weird. Okay, you wanna know who is it?"

"Lick your ice cream first, then we'll talk about it," I said, looking at the melting ice, it disturbed me.

...

2 days later

"Kate !!! Join me at the park to go buy candy together !!!!"

"Don't you have enough toothache to quit sweets, seriously?"

"No, come on now."

"But I'm too lazy to go out" ah, the story of my life.

"Katibear, please"

I pretended to throw up,

"I don't know why you use that nickname when you know very well that I hate it."

"Are you coming or not ?"

"No."

"Oh, well okay, then I'll leave you, bye."

2 minutes later

"Argh, damn it." I got up and finally decided to join my silly friend, she really has a knack for making me feel bad, even without doing it on purpose.

...

Later in the day

"Hey, Kate!"

"Hmm?" I said, lying on my bed.

After our little outing, I decided to go take my nap. So we came to my place.

"Apparently there is a celebrity coming to our lost corner."

"How do you know ?"

"Um, because that's where we live?"

"No, how do you know this so-called celebrity is going to come here?"

"I heard someone say it and if you ask me who it is I don't know, and I forgot, I forgot the person and where did I read the info, All I know is it's on social media now. "

"Ah, ok. Can you let me sleep now?"

"Hmm, sleep."

1 week later

"Kate !!! She is so beautiful !!! If it is for her, I will become gay !!!"

"Yeah, the same for me, I'll be straight for her," Henry added on the phone.

I sighed, "Maxi, Henry, who are you talking about?"

"Of Double R of course, who else do you want us to talk about?"

"Who's Double R, Maxi?"

"Kate, are you serious? For the past week, we've been just talking about her, it's Reina Red."

"Oh, it's her! Why did you give her that ridiculous nickname?" 'Come to think of it ...'

"Say, is Alexia with you?"

"No, she couldn't come. She got sick, and I think she must be alone."

"I feel like we're not going to stop hearing her complain."

"I think so," said Henry,

"Alright, we're gonna leave, you bitch. We gotta go take pictures and videos-"

"-for Alexia." Have I finished

"Yes, that's it. Goodbye!"

"Bye." And I hung up the phone

20 minutes later

+ I warned you not to go out all the time with this cold, but in addition to being sensitive, you're stupid. It'll teach you to listen to me next time +

+ 😭😭😭😭 you're mean !!! ☹☹☹☹☹☹☹ +

+ And you, you're stupid. +

+ Thank you for the compliment, well, I'll leave you. I feel sorry for myself. My mother wants to torture me with my hair. +.

+ Do you have to go braiding? Are you not sick? +

+ Yes, I'm sick and yes, I have to go braid my hair, C U +

+ Ok, love u+

3 days later

As I expected, Alexia kept complaining. We were once again on the swings in the park, but this time Maxime and Henry were with us.

"Alexia," Henry began,

"Hmm?"

"Why do you want so much to go out when it's cold?"

"I dunno."

Henry had opened his jacket and Alexia was currently in his arms. For Alexia, Henry was like a radiator.

"What do you mean you don't know?"

"I don't know how to explain it to you, but since the start of the holidays, I feel like something is pushing me to go out. Like I'm going to miss something important in my life ... This is too weird. "

"In any case, that didn't stop you from missing your swea- that celebrity." 'Oops, nice save. I knew she would have been angry if I had said that word, not because she didn't like it, but because she couldn't see her.'

Alexia parted her head from Henry's chest, gave me a look, then repositioned herself in Henry's arms to shield herself from the freezing wind. Maxime approached them and covered Alexia from behind.

"Alexia, if this continues, you're going to get sick."

She didn't answer me, she's really stubborn, that one.

A figure approached me and stopped at my level, I turned to see who it was. It was a woman whose face was covered by a mask, glasses, and a beret. 'Cliché!'

"It's cute !"

"What ?"

"Your friends ?" she said, nodding to Maxime, Henry, and Alexia.

"Oh, yes. Thank you." Her gaze never left the trio.

"Kate!" I looked away from the woman

and turned my attention to Maxime,

"She has a fever !" 'Oh no !'

I quickly got closer to them,

"Don't worry, I'm fine," said Alexia, separating from Henry and Maxime. She took three steps then stopped,

"Uh, finally, I think I'm sick. My head is spinning-" Before her body could touch the ground, the woman from earlier caught up with her.

"Salut, beauté," Alexia said before passing out.

'Does she know her?'

I turned to the others, who were already looking at me. And just like me, they didn't understand the situation.

Out of our amazement, we finally got closer to the woman and Alexia.

I quickly noticed that Alexia was having trouble breathing, but we couldn't open her jacket.

"What do we do ?" I asked, turning to my two friends,

The problem was that my parents and Alexia's parents had gone to watch our fathers' tournament. And knowing them, they would surely come late, hence the fact that Alexia was going to sleep at my place, so we invited Henry and Maxime.

We're not going to lie to each other, I don't know how to take care of people.

Maxime and Henry understood my distress.

"We'll have to buy her some medicine, the only downside is the pharmacy is closed," I said with concern evident in my voice,

"Kate, calm down. We need to get her warm and get her temperature down first," said Maxime seriously,

"Henry, my baby, you will have to carry her."

"Max, my skin is on my bones, if you haven't noticed. The sportiest of the group is not me, it is the one who is currently sick."

Maxime and I heave a sigh at the same time,

"We're going to have to call someone with a car to take us home," Henry added,

"Who?"

"Uh, excuse me," the woman said with Alexia in her arms.

"I can bring you if you want."

The three of us looked at each other, turned to this woman who looked strangely nervous, and we nodded.

I have the impression that she was smiling behind her disguise,

"Where's your car?" asked Maxime,

"There." She said, pointing to the parking lot next to the park,

"Henry, you carry!" Said Maxime, turning to Henry,

"What?!? Argh ... ok." We positioned Alexia on Henry's back and headed for the parking lot.

I was positioned behind Henry to make sure Alexia didn't fall off his back.

"I feel like I know her" whispered Maxime looking at the woman in front of us.

"Hmm, and who is that?"

"I don't know, I can't remember."

"Oh, okay."

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

"Wait !" I said before letting anyone get out of the car.

I was in front, with the woman, Maxime was behind me, Alexia between Maxime and Henry. Her condition did not seem to be improving.

'Where the hell are they?' No matter how hard I search all my pockets, I couldn't find them.

"What's the matter ?" Henry asked,

"Wait for me, I'll be back." So I avoided answering Henry, well for now.

'Shit, shit, shit!'

I quickly got closer to the house, the car was far away, so they couldn't see me.

I rang several times, I looked at the doormat and nothing. Nothing at all. 'Damn !'

I tried to remember the day and finally realized that I was a stupid person too.

I ran back into the car, it started to rain.

After I got in and closed the door, I turned to my friends, "Okay, we've got a little big problem. I don't have my keys!"

"You lost them!?!"

"Uh, no. I forgot them before I left for the park. My parents were the last to go out. And I still don't know when they'll be back."

"You can come to my apartment if you want, while you wait for your parents to come back."

"No, you've been disturbed too much already."

She turned to me,

"You don't bother me. It makes me happy to be of use. Besides, I can't leave you in this rain, with a sick friend."

... ... ...

"Here! You can put this on in the meantime." She handed us pajamas,

"Me, I take the pink," Henry said excitedly before heading to the bathroom.

"I'm taking the black one," said Maxime, also heading for the bathroom.

"I'll take the dark green," I said before joining my friends,

15 minutes later

"Okay, we have to change Alexia," said Henry,

"Uh no, without me, I don't want her to hit me afterward." I just nodded in agreement with Maxime,

Someone was heard laughing, it was the woman who had finally decided to take off her disguise, but we couldn't clearly see her because the light was dim.

"Is she that terrible?" she said, smiling,

Henry shook his head, "No, not terrible, but very, very modest."

I turned to Maxime and Henry, "What do we do then? If she stays with wet clothes, her condition may get worse."

Henry shrugged his shoulders and Maxime seemed to be lost in his thoughts.

"I KNOW !" shouted Maxime suddenly, making us jump,

"You are Reina Red!" She said excitedly, pointing at the woman. I lowered her hand, giving her my famous "it's disrespectful" look.

She showed me an embarrassed smile,

"Is that now that you notice it?" said Henry,

"Wait, Henry, did you know that?"

"It wasn't that hard to guess." did I say.

"Wait, you too Kate?"

Before I could answer her, we heard Alexia moaning before she opened her eyes and sat down with the woman's help.

"I'm thirsty," she said in a hoarse voice,

"Wait, I'll be back," said the Woman, Alexia nodded. She looked completely stunned.

"Alexia"

"Hmm?" said the latter without moving,

"Can you take your clothes off and put on the pajamas in front of you?" Henry asked, Alexia, lifted her head and looked at the pajamas on the coffee table that was next to the sofa where she was and nodded,

"Can you give them to me?" said Alexa

I walked over to her, took the dark blue pajamas, and gave them to her.

She took it with a trembling hand.

And she started to take off her clothes, first her hoodi, we had already taken off her jacket and shoes before putting her to bed on the sofa.

"Hmm, should we turn around-" Henry began before stopping when Alexia took off her shirt.

"Dayum?!?" cried Henry,

The woman quickly came back to join us,

"What's going on? What's going on?"

Henry with a trembling hand pointed his index finger in Alexia's direction, the woman followed his gaze and froze as well. But she quickly recovered and returned to the kitchen without a word.

"Hmm, Kate?" said Alexia softly, her voice still hoarse,

"Yes ?"

"Please help me take off my pants."

I moved closer and started to help her.

At one point, I had to put her on her feet since she also needed help getting dressed.

However, before I could help her put on the pajamas, the sound of a camera flash was heard, I turned my head, covering Alexia with my arms ...

It was Maxime with her phone in her hand, she smirked at me and continued taking pictures until Henry snatched the camera out of her hand, but only to send the pictures to his phone.

Unfortunately for them, later when Reina learned what they did, ordered them to remove the photos and "stop acting like morons" were her exact words.

I shook my head before continuing to help Alexia. When we were finally done, the woman finally came back with glasses of tea on a tray.

She put it on the coffee table, then took a glass and handed it to Alexia.

But the latter did not take it, she just brought her lips to the edge of the glass and began to drink.

The woman smiled and looked tenderly at Alexia, "Drink softly ..."

I couldn't hear the rest of her sentence since my phone vibrated in my pocket, I looked at the caller, "Mom" I saw display on the screen. I got up and went to the kitchen to take the call.

10 minutes later

I finally came back to the living room. Alexia was lying on the sofa with her eyes closed, with her head on the woman's thighs.

Maxime and Henry were on the carpet on the floor. They were watching television, hearing me coming, all three of them turned their heads in my direction, I approached them, Henry and Maxime made room for me and I sat between them.

"So ?" Asked Maxime to my right.

"My mom called me just to let me know that during the game my dad got injured and since Alexia's parents went with them, they're going to stay in a hotel until my dad gets out of the hospital tomorrow. "

"How can you get injured at a pétanque tournament?" Henry asked,

"By receiving the ball in the full head?" replied Maxime sarcastically,

"Reina, do you mind if we spend the night here?" I asked,

"Not at all," she replied with a smile,

"You three can take my bed-"

"Where are you going to sleep?" Henry cut her off,

"This is a sofa bed," before I can say anything, she continues, "I'm going to sleep here with Alexia since I think we did enough sport today carrying her. I'll take better care of her if I'm with her. " Her gaze looked determined, indicating the end of the discussion. My instinct was telling me to trust her, and that's what I did. My instinct is never wrong ... Well if it existed.

... ... ... ...

In the woman's room,

"Wow, today has been a tumultuous day," said Maxime,

I nodded in agreement

"Ah, by the way, you still haven't told me."

"What ?" Henry asked,

"How did you know who she was?"

"Alexia." This was my only answer,

"Developed."

Henry sighed before answering, "Alexia talks to us all the time about her, and she has so filled our brains with things about her that I recognized her just by her walk."

"Besides, she dressed up to go out, and we know that a celebrity, her, is here."

"It still doesn't explain anything," said Maxime, perplexed,

"Her voice."

"I do not understand. "

"Maxi, you should do an effort." I said, before adding, "Before we left the park, you said you felt like you knew her?"

She nodded,

"Well, we had the same feeling, but unlike you, Kate and I were insightful."

"Ohhhh ... but I don't understand how-" 'Oh, no!'

"Good night, Maxi. Good night Henry." I said quickly, Henry did the same. Thus leaving Maxime with her endless questions.

The next morning

I was having a wonderful dream, in front of me was food, a lot of food and only for me, when suddenly I was on the ground.

Groaning in pain, I sat down and looked around. 'Oh, that's right.'

My gaze fell on Maxime, who was sleeping on her stomach and who had her right arm and foot hanging in the air.

"Seriously Maxi," I said quietly, shaking my head, realizing that she caused my fall, I picked up my phone which was on the bedside table.

6:31

I decided to get up, slipped the phone into my pajama pocket, and walked out of the bedroom.

I headed for the kitchen before stopping in the middle of the living room. I pulled out my phone and started taking pictures of the two people lying on the couch.

Alexia's arms were around the woman. The woman was lying on Alexia, her head in the crook of Alexia's neck.

'It's cute.'

I went to the kitchen to get some freshwater, before heading back to the bedroom, but going back to the living room-

"Kate." I heard Alexia's hoarse voice whispering,

I approached her, she had her eyes closed.

"Hmm?" I said, resting my arms on the top of the couch, paying attention to my drink.

Alexia opened her eyes, looked at me, then whispered, "Go get a pillow, please."

She didn't need to ask me twice, I quickly left for the bedroom, being as discreet as possible.

I saw the long and rather large cushion that Henry, Maxime, and I threw on the ground yesterday, I lifted it with one hand with my glass in the other, drank some water, and walked over to Alexia and the woman.

"Here, I have it"

"Help me separate from her and place the pillow in her arms, please." I did.

Ten minutes later, we were finally able to separate Alexia from the woman.

"Pass me your drink, please." I gave it to her, she took a sip before returning the glass to me.

"So now where's the toilet? I feel like taking a piss." She took a step and then shook her head slightly,

"You'll have to help me, Kate, I'm feeling a little dizzy."

15 minutes later

Alexia and I were currently in the kitchen, me making breakfast, and she was sitting on the counter drinking her tea.

Footsteps were heard, I turned around.

"Hello, Max. Hello Henry," said Alexia, her gaze fixed on her tea,

"Hello," they said at the same time, they moved closer to us, the sleep still presents in their movements, and sat down on the chairs before resting their heads on the counter. Alexia says,

"Let me guess, you smelt the food?" They nodded, Alexia must have seen them nodding out of the corner of her eye since her gaze was still on her tea and she had a small smile on her face.

I just smiled and turned to continue cooking.

2 minutes later

I have finished the dishes for Maxime, Henry, and mine.

Alexia preferred to have croissants and tea.

Before I could sit down to eat, too, noises were heard coming from the living room. The sound of rapid footsteps, which moved away then approached the kitchen to finally stop with the woman's appearance in front of us.

Three pairs of eyes were looking at her, mine included. She looked embarrassed, her cheeks turned pink, she lowered her head before leaving the kitchen.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Alexia sigh, drink her tea, put the cup down next to her before finally tearing her gaze away from the cup and putting it down where the woman had been a few seconds earlier.

She finally made up her mind to come down from the counter and go after the woman,

"Be careful not to fall!" I told her, she nodded and left the kitchen.

"Hmmm-"

"Not now Maxime, if you have any questions, ask them after breakfast."

... ... ... ...

We were in the living room trying our best to explain Alexia's relationship with the woman,'maybe I should stop calling her the woman', but so far it was a wasted effort.

"I still do not understand." Henry and I let out a frustrated growl.

Alexia currently had the wom- sorry Reina in her arms. Thus leaving it to Henry and me to explain the situation and their relationship.

"In summary, Max, Alexia 'that moron' started to send messages "DMs" to Reina when she was not yet well known. These messages were intended to congratulate her, to encourage her, to wish her a good day, a happy new year, a happy birthday, a merry Christmas, and so on. Innocent stuff, Reina watched them but never answered. Only that made this moron happy. One day there was the famous scandal about Reina which broke out, people who did not know her, since as I said at the very beginning she was not very well known, started to lynch her before finally realizing that it was all false. But during this period, Alexia 'that moron' wrote and sent encouraging paragraphs, full of misspellings, to Reina every day. This helped Reina immensely during this dark time. The only bright spot in the scandal was that Reina's popularity significantly increased. And one day, when Reina won her first prize, Alexia congratulated her and- "Henry stopped, grabbed the glass of water next to him, and began to drink.

"And what ?"

"Maxi, please, let him drink."

"Ahhh, ok where were we, ... oh yes the prize." He put the glass down, "Alexia congratulated her, and Reina decided to thank her fans. So she texted Alexia thanking her, but pfft-" He started to laugh, me too, given that I knew the rest of the story. Maxime looked lost, Alexia had positioned her head in the crook of Reina's neck in embarrassment, and Reina was laughing lightly.

"But what ?" asked Maxime,

Henry stopped laughing, caught his breath, then continued,

"But Alexia asked her who she was haha ​​then haha- he caught his breath again- then Reina not understanding the situation sent her, I quote: Reina?

And Alexia replied that it was wrong to impersonate someone. And their conversation continued like this, with an Alexia accusing Reina of being a usurper and a Reina trying to make her understand that it is indeed her. Reina finally decided to make a video call with Alexia. Alexia reluctantly agreed, and they started talking to each other at the end of their conversation, Alexia said she knew Reina was using some sort of app that showed Reina's face as a sort of hologram instead of showing her true face, but she was happy to have been able to speak with her, and she hung up. Reina, frustrated by Alexia's debility, called her back a few days later, and it was the same scenario. They liked to chat, but Alexia always ended their calls the same. Reina then asked her what she needed to do for Alexia to believe her. The latter replied: Nothing, I believed you from the moment I heard your voice, now just be happy. Reina told Alexia that she felt like it was 'a a goodbye' and Alexia replied that maybe it was the case as Reina was going to be very busy, and she didn't want to bother her anymore, she said goodbye to her and then cut the call and blocked Reina. "Henry said sadly,

"Then ?"

It was my turn to explain the situation to her,

"Then Reina contacted us, Alexia told her about us, and she had all four of us added as friends on her private account, we tried to talk to Alexia. But she was too stubborn. It took a call from Reina in tears. Me who had to hit my best sprint, to go and slaughter Alexia with a Henry who was for the first time ready to fight, even if he knew he was going to get his ass kicked -

"Hey !!!"

"You know very well what I'm saying is true." Maxime laughed.

"Well, after we broke into her house, we knocked on the door before, we went straight to her room, greeting her parents in our tracks. And we made her call Reina when we confirmed that she was going to talk to her, we left them. Later, we finally understood why Alexia was behaving like this. " I said, turning my gaze to Alexia, who had not left the crook of Reina's neck.

"Why ?" I turned to Maxime,

"Because she was starting to have feelings towards Reina. But since Reina was a famous person, and she felt like a burden, she preferred to cut ties somehow. But it was too late, the admiration she felt for Reina became a terribly stronger feeling than that, it consumed her from the inside out without being able to speak to Reina. After their discussions that day, it was learned that Reina also loved Alexia."

"So they decided to have a long-distance relationship, I am not able to do that, that's for sure. Reina decided to come to our lost place because of Alexia," said Henry

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Alexia raising her head, looking Reina straight in the eye, smiling, and Reina in turn smiled at Alexia's goofy smile.

"Ok, and how long has this been?"

"Alexia was 11 when she started cheering on Reina, they got into a relationship a few months, 3 months, I think, before Alexia turned 16-"

"Wait, how old is Reina?" asked Maxime harshly,

"Alexia and Reina are 4 years apart, so she was 19 when they got together."

"Wait WHAT?!?"

"Maxime, calm down"

"That I calm down ? You're serious-" Henry cut her off as she did to me.

"Stop cutting her off and listen to her, damn it!"

Maxime lowered his head, "Sorry" she said softly,

"Well, what I meant was Alexia's parents, mine too, know about it and we've always made sure that their relationship doesn't hurt any of them. So you don't need to worry, Maxi. "

She nodded, then looked at the two lovebirds. "You have been together for a year, then?"

Alexia and Reina looked at each other, then Alexia shook her head without looking away from Reina's eyes and said with one of those always famous goofy smiles, "No, today we celebrate our two years together."

Reina kissed her,

"Ok, now the question that bothers me the most is," 'oh, no not yet.'

"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked sadly,

And Alexia, finally, decided to answer,

"You really have a bad memory, Maxime. I've always told you about it, you were the first one I told that Reina was talking to me."

"I thought you were making me one of your famous jokes again."

"When I asked you to bring me back pictures and videos of the day with Reina. Henry was there, we talk a lit bit about it. We always talked to you about it, but as long as we don't talk to you about foods, the words go in one ear and come out the other ", says Alexia laughing, and we laughed too.

Ding-dong

We all looked at each other and we smiled,

"Looks like they've finally arrived," I said before getting up to open the door for them,

"Are you ready, my love?" Alexia asked, and I saw Reina nod her head out of the corner of my eye.

1 week later

It had been three days since Reina had left us ...

She had a tour to prepare, and Alexia kept pissing us off because of her departure.

"Kate !!!" said a tearful Alexia on the phone,

"Listen to me carefully Alexia, if you call me again to talk about your sweetheart, I will pick you up wherever you are, and I will make you eat both of our phones?!?!" I said annoyed by these sappy romances.

"Okay," Alexia said softly, before cutting the call.

'Okay now, I blame myself. Argh, damn it. ' I called her back, and she connected the call, but didn't say anything. I sighed!

"Are you up for a trip to the park?"

"..."

"You know I can't see you nodding your head," I said smiling,

"Hmmm."

"Alright, I'm warning the others."

New year 20 × ×

In 8 days it will be Alexia's birthday, even though in 10 minutes it is the New Year, she didn't look excited since she couldn't wish Reina a happy new year. The latter was still busy with her 'tour', so Alexia did not want to 'disturb' her, according to her.

"Alexia, get out of the car and go join your friends." Alexia had to move her buttocks despite herself, her mom could be very convincing.

She moved closer to us and rested her head on my shoulder as she sat down next to me.

We were having a barbecue, on a campground which was right next to our home.

The place was illuminated by garlands hung on the trees around the fields, light poles, and campfires.

Maxime's and Henry's family were also with us,

"Hey, the parents said it's soon the countdown," said Tiana, Maxime's little sister,

"Thanks, Tia," said Maxime

"We are coming," Henry added,

"Let's go," I whispered to Alexia,

She nodded and stood up, she held out her hand to help me up, and I took them.

The four of us joined our families, hand in hand. It was kind of our little ritual.

"It is going to begin !" yelled a person in the crowd, I learned later that it was my father, in front of us was a stage where there was a big screen where the figures were going to be displayed - oh

10

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5 The group and I looked at each other.

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4 We got closer to each other.

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3 Smiles, we hugged each other 'group hug'

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2 We all smiled, getting ready for the grand finale.

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1 We looked at the sky, took a deep breath and-

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0 -When the screen finally showed this number, our heartbeats for a moment unified, we uttered this cry of victory or joy that each one had their own resolutions. We gave ourselves courage for an uncertain but fascinating future. They uttered this cry which, for me, announced the arrival of a year full of obstacles, but which will remain despite everything a-

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5 minutes later

After the effervescence of the arrival of the new year subsided-

"Happy New Year, Happy New Year !!!! ..." Henry said shaking me, and he ran to Alexia to shake her too, but the latter unfortunately knocked him to the ground, well whatever, shaking my head, I turned my gaze to the fireworks in the sky. Alexia moved closer to me.

Suddenly all the lights went out, for 5-10 seconds no noise was heard. Then, a light illuminated the stage, more precisely a person sitting on a stool, guitar in hand and microphone in front of her.

"Hello everyone, my name is Reina Red." And there, all the parents turned into groupies, mine were the worst.

"I am going to perform today the favorite song of my darling, at the moment." 'Aww' were heard. The sweetheart looked frozen in place and when I saw their gazes met out of the corner of my eye, the darling in question had smirked and the starlet on the scene blushed. And we heard aww 'again, she blushes even more. The moron next door had a big smile planted on her face.

I gave her a light blow behind the head,

"Oww,"

"Stop looking at her like that, you are distracting her."

"How do you want me to look at her," she said before stopping when her eyes met her beloved's eyes once again.

"As you look at her now," I whispered,

She nodded but did not take her eyes off her lover.

And the latter debuted the song, 'Oh, Firework'. "Not bad."

She motioned for someone to come, before starting the last or second verse and finishing the pre-chorus. I thought it was Alexia, but she didn't move an inch, and she didn't look shocked. Still, she didn't know Reina was coming so how- 'hmm, I think it's a couple's trick.' I said to myself.

I thought nothing could shock me yet, but there-

The person she was signaling to join her was - drum roll - Maxime!

Maxime timidly walked up to Reina, the latter handed her the microphone, she took it and-

"Here, take it !" Henry said, snatching my attention from the stage. He smiles at us as he hands, Alexia and me, a small flashlight.

"When the time comes, you light up and lead the way." Alexia nodded and let out a little "ok" before I could say anything I heard her- 'Wow, her voice is wow.'

She looked happy- Maxime was happy to be on stage. Our eyes met, all of a sudden, I had the impression that time had frozen, but this moment was brief, well that's what I thought at that moment, because I saw Alexia getting ready to turn on the flashlight.

The last chorus was fast approaching, I prepared myself for the grand finale and there - Alexia raised her arm, in her hand the flashlight, I did the same, Reina stopped her guitar,

Not understanding the situation, Maxime was hesitant. My eyebrows crossed, but Alexia was the one who reacted the quickest,

"GO MAXIME !!!!!!!!!!!" she yelled,

The latter regained her courage at hand and started singing the pre-Chorus. The first light came on, Alexia's, followed by several other small lights, and I was the last to seal this luminous field by turning on my flashlight too.

I closed my eyes, opened my mouth to sing loudly

" 'Cause baby, you're a firework

Come on, show 'em what you're worth

Make 'em go, "Oh, oh, oh"

As you shoot across the sky

Baby, you're a firework

Come on, let your colors burst

Make 'em go, "Oh, oh, oh"

You're gonna leave 'em all in awe, awe, awe ~ "

At that moment it was as if time had frozen again, our voices were united, the beating of our hearts was once again united ...

"Kate !!!" Alexia pulled me out of my thoughts,

"What are you thinking about ?" Before I could say anything to her, she noticed the flower and the packet of chocolate I had in my hand.

"Who are the chocolates for? Wait- Don't tell me, let me guess. Your parents. Maxime. Right?" I nodded, she started to laugh

"Thank you for your support."

"You know very well that you don't need my support, Kate. And I think Maxime will be happy." She held out her hand,

I looked at her questioningly, she shook her head then smiled.

"Show me the box of chocolate." I handed her the box with the flower since it was hung by a tape on the box, my parents were afraid I might forget it.

She was looking at the different pictures of the chocolates with the description of their contents on the lower part of the box. I, too, began to look at the contents of the box.

I felt a presence next to us, I looked up to find out who it was. Alexia did the same.

"Hey, Maxime" Alexia greeted,

"Hi, Maxi." She smiled at us, then her gaze landed on the box of chocolate Alexia had,

"Alexia, who gave you the box of chocolate?"

"It's Kate, but it's not for me. I just asked her to see what was in it."

"Oh okay." Said Maxime, "I'll leave you alone" before disappearing into the crowd in the hallway, it was recess.

Alexia looked at me silently, raising an eyebrow,

I sighed, "What did I do wrong?" I asked, not understanding the situation, Alexia shook her head a little, gave me the box and the flower, before positioning herself behind me, put a hand on my back and whispered in my ear.

"I think she thinks the chocolates and the rose are for someone else."

"Huh, who? "

"I don't know, go ask her." I did not move,

"Run after her to apologize." 'Me, apologizing for what-'

She pushed me lightly with the hand that was on my lower back, and strangely I started to run like the wind, it wasn't easy to avoid the students, but I was determined.

So, as I face an uncertain future, let's go back to what happened next. Reina had decided to stay to celebrate Alexia's 18th birthday with us on January 8th. And then she had to leave, but unlike last time, Alexia took it well. Following the little incident that happened on New Year's Day between Maxime and me, apparently everyone noticed it, my parents continued to try to got Maxime and me together, with the help of other parents of course.

So on this Valentine's Day, they gave me an ultimatum. Either I finally resolve this ambiguity that there is between Maxime and me, or I decide to do nothing which will lead to my eviction from the house for 3 days, my father was in tears when he heard this, after deliberation between my father and mother, it was reduced to 12 hours. Also, other parents won't open their doors for me and I also couldn't communicate with my friends apart from Maxime, of course.

I of course opted for the first option, the second was not more complicated than that, but I wanted to talk to Maxime, so my mother gave me the rose and my father the box of chocolate.

Out of breath, I finally found Maxime at a place in the school where very few people came, curled up on the stairs. The group and I liked to call it our secret, not so secret, place.

"Maxi!" I said as I moved closer to her and the stairs she was sitting on.

"Leave me alone." she said to me, 'Is she crying?'

"Maxi, are you crying?"

"No, go away." You could clearly hear the sadness in her voice,

I hugged her after I sat down, "You know Maxi, the box of chocolate and the rose are for you."

She lifted her head out of my arms and looked me straight in the eye,

"That is true?" I smiled at her innocent gaze and nodded,

"Yes, that's right. Why would I lie to you."

I hugged her again and was in comfortable silence,

"Maxi?"

"Hmmm?"

"What exactly do you want from me?" I asked,

"I don't know. It's just that on New Year's Day ...", she explained to me that on New Year's Day, the feelings she had been having towards me for the past few months were confirmed on that day- then she also described to me what exactly she felt at that time.

"But, Maxi ..." I started frowning,

"Hmm?" Said Maxime,

"What you are describing here is how I have felt for you for over a year now." Maxime immediately left my arms, I immediately missed her warmth.

She looked at me in shock,

"I- she stopped, lowered her head, took a deep breath, and then continued-you fancy me?"She asked me with tears threatening to leave her eyes.

"If what you've described to me means you like me, then yes, I like you." She suddenly threw herself into my arms and kissed me, when our lips touched it felt like I was melting.

A few hours later

Alexia was laughing, Henry looked lost, nothing unusual.

"Are you in a relationship?" Alexia asked after calming down. We nodded.

She smiles and then says, "I'm happy for you."

"I still do not understand," said Henry,

"Remember when I said Kate was innocent, and you said, no one in the group was innocent since we all read 'kinky stuff?" Alexia asked Henry,

"Yes, why ?"

"I wasn't talking about that innocence, I was too lazy to correct you at the time, the innocence I was telling you about, is related to the feelings she can feel, she could never put a name on it. Basically, she struggles with feelings. It's that innocence I was talking about. It's always been difficult for Kate to describe, express and understandher feelings."

Henry had a serious face,

"And it's only now that we notice it." Maxime nodded in agreement with Henry, both of them having an expression of sadness on their faces.

Alexia laughed, "You are dumb."

The main people concerned had a questioning face,

"You always noticed it, but you were so used to it that you didn't have a problem with it, I noticed it just because I'm the type to be very observant, and I like to describe what I do feel, trying uderstand it. " She said, shrugging her shoulders at the end of her sentence,

We nodded, completely agreeing with what she said, it would be fun to know how Alexia sees the world through both of her eyes. She always seemed to find everything interesting to see.

"Oh, by the way, I have a new crush. You want to know who it is?" 'And it begins again !'

"Go, show it," said Henry excitedly,

Alexia pulled out her phone and showed it to them.

"What ?! No, she's my waifu !!!" cried Henry.

"Get out! I asked for it before !!!"

"Uh, not at all. It's my waifu since I was the one who introduced you to this manga." 'Oh, not you, Maxi.'

"Sorry, Maxime, but I'm ready to do anything for her. You can take my old crush." 'Okay, I'm leaving.'

"Wait for us, Kate!"

The final year 20xx-20XX classes finally said goodbye to high school x after obtaining the baccalaureate.

To congratulate us, the principal organized a ball for us, the senior year classes only.

Alexia and I arrived in costume. Henry and Maxime opted for dresses. And I'm not going to lie to you, I had the same reaction that the other students had when we arrived when I saw these two goddesses.

"Woohhhhoooo, Alexia, accompany me on the dance floor, Wooohhhhooo~," Henry said, bringing Alexia with him.

"Let's go, Kathleen." Since we officialized our relationship that day, she started calling me by my full name. It didn't bother me.

We also got closer to the dance floor. To make a massacre, my dance moves were incredible, note the sarcasm. Henry was not bad, but then Alexia and Maxime were amazing, these two were on fire. Maxime strangely caused my body heat to increase with her hypnotizing movements. As for Alexia, she made the dance floor tremble with of course her very dear companion, Henry.

They even prepared a surprise choreography. But did not tell us anything more. Only that they will need Reina's help.

A few minutes later, we decided to take a break

" Guys!!!"

We all three turned to Alexia,

"Reina is here !!! We're coming back !!!" she yelled so that we could hear her despite the music.

We nodded to let her know we understood, and she walked out of the gym.

Maxime approached me, turned, took my hands, positioned them on the lower part of her stomach, and bringing her back against the front of my body.

"How are you ?" I whispered in her ear, she nodded and then turned her head to ask for a kiss. I smile and give it to her.

Then we heard exclamations of surprise and joy.

"Reina," I whispered, positioning my chin on Maxime's shoulder.

Reina was once again on the podium, and in the spotlight, she began to sing. Then follows an outburst of teenagers to the podium.

Reina then stopped singing and said, "Clear the way in the middle, please. It has to be a circle."

They did as requested, "Okay, now I'm going to perform two songs for you, requested by mister bad bitch Henry and Co."

At her words, Henry stood in the middle of the circle as if it belonged to him, with a vexed expression Alexia came back with a chair which she put down in the middle of the circle and sat on it still with an annoyed air. This confirmed to me that it was Henry who wanted to be nicknamed "mister bad bitch Henry" and Alexia "and Co" Co, diminutive of the word company, I learned later.

The first song was 'fire on fire', the performance strangely reminded me of Reina and Alexia's story. Filled with external trials, but they always emerge victoriously and love each other even more.

The story of passionate love.

I saw some people wipe away their tears at the end of the performance.

The second song was 'mirrors', I couldn't take my eyes off that performance. She described wonderfully the relationship between Maxime and me. It was filled with internal trials this time, but like the previous performance, the two people came out again victorious and their love stronger than before.

The story of tender love.

That day there were a lot of tears, but also laughter and surprises.

Everyone agreed that Alexia and Henry were the biggest surprises. Some even confessed that they felt like it was going to be a disaster due to Alexia's annoyed expression and Henry's imposing side. But at the end of both performances, they assumed that was part of the performance. When I asked Alexia the question, she replied that she looked annoyed because Henry did not allow her to be a little longer with Reina and that famous' imposing side Henry 'was just Henry playing the diva. She then told me that she had to hang up the phone to make up for lost time with Reina and I said "Ok, bye" before hanging up.

10 years later

"Hmm, I have a question. Do you think we should have worn completely black clothes?"

"Sweetheart, why are you asking this question?"

"I ask a question, and you answer me with another question. Ah ... whatever, because seeing Henry's face looks like he's going to a funeral, haha."

"Alexia if you don't shut up, we're going to attend a funeral, and it'll be yours," said angrily Henry, he was overwhelmed by stage fright,

"Oh, sorry. I'll leave you then." Alexia said before leaving the lodge.

"Don't you think you've been a little harsh? She's just trying to lighten the atmosphere in her own way."

"I know, Max. But I really can't calm myself down right now."

"Don't worry about Alexia, Maxime."

"Are you sure, Reina?" The latter nodded,

The door of the lodge opened,

"Do you know where Alexia is?"

"Who is asking for her?"

"Ah, sorry. Hello, my name is Eduard Riles, one of the employees dedicated to the preparation of the dishes, and you, you are?"

"Reina Red-Nael" she nodded at Henry and said, "Next to it is Kathleen -I waved to him- and Maxime Léon-Sylvestre. And finally him, it's Henry the bride or the groom, it's as you see fit. "

"So this is for you," he said, giving him a packet with 12 vials, "This will help reduce your stage fright, and you can take as much as you want, it's not dangerous. I'm leaving, goodbye. ''

I glanced at the package, my eyes widened. "Henry, give me one."

"Wait, does this really work?" said Maxime

"Honey, that's what she gave us on our wedding day to calm our nerves."

"Ah, good. Give me a bottle, too."

He sighed, "I'm going to have to thank her and apologize to her." All three of us nodded.

10 minutes later

Henry, in his father's arms, walked towards his future husband.

The path was filled with flowers.

"The dress looks great on him" complimented one of the guests,

The ceremony began, our parents were in tears. Reina too, she'll surely say it's the hormones' fault.

"It's the hormones, don't worry." I heard her whisper, surely Alexia must have asked her if she was okay.

After exchanging the rings and sealing it all with a kiss. Henry became, Henry Richard-Johnson.

We then had to all go to the great hall to start the party.

Everything went well, Henry danced with his father. Same thing for his husband, Hiram, who danced with his mother.

Reina walked to the podium, but dragging with her, my wife.

Alexia and Henry appeared with the same clothes they wore on the day of the prom and started dancing to the same songs, but this time with Maxime, the same choreography, changed a little, giving an even more exceptional performance than last time. But this time a new song has been added.

The third and final song, 'I won't let you go'. The performance was very intense, whether it was Alexia or Henry, or our loves singing. Everything was intense, in their movement, their expression, their presence, everything told the unspoken story. The people were winners, but they were victorious in both the outer and inner trials this time. The two were the winners as their growing love finally allowed their hearts to unite, it looked like the exact description of Henry and Hiram's relationship. Isn't that crazy love that we have here?

Epilogue

It will soon be 10 years since Alexia and Reina got married. They got married a few months after Alexia graduated from high school.

They are currently awaiting their fourth child.

Maximilien Reina Red-Nael, 9 years old

Gabriella Lucas Red-Nael, 6 years old

Katherion Brenda Red-Nael, 3 years old

Alexia Loris Red-Nael, (2nd unborn daughter)

They wasted no time, and it was Reina who carried all the children. Alexia, unfortunately, cannot bear children, and it is a blessing according to her. Fun fact: She passed out when Maximilian and Gabriella were born, she almost passed out for Katherion, but Reina did not let her do it.

Maxime and I have been married for three years now, and we were able to welcome our little miracle into our home. She is now 2 years old.

Rinae Angel Léon-Sylvestre.

After many attempts, Maxime was finally able to get pregnant with our little miracle. We never gave up hope, despite the many failures.

And today I have the opportunity to announce to Maxime, the expansion of our little family.

After their marriage, Henry and Hiram adopted a 5-year-old boy whom they named Alexandre Robert Richard-Johnson

Epilogue 2

One second after the performance ends

Exclamations of surprise are heard and everyone begins to applaud.

Henry extended a hand to Alexia, who was on both knees, final pose according to them, to help her up.

And that's the tragedy, the coup de theater. Cries of surprise were heard. Alexia looked lost, she did not understand the reaction of the guests. Henry turned to Alexia, his eyes widening.

"Hmm, excuse me, I just wanted to warn anyone who dares to take pictures or videos of my wife that I will not hesitate to file a complaint."

Everyone turned their heads to the person who spoke, Reina of course.

Those who wanted to take photos and videos immediately stopped, those who filmed the performance too. Reina was very serious, and very dangerous when she used her serious mode.

"Alexia!" She looked at me, "Aren't you cold?" She tilted her head slightly to the side, I motioned for her to lower her eyes. She did so, understanding the situation, she immediately turned around Maxime and Reina were the only ones who could see her.

After she finished buttoning the shirt, she finally turned to us, embarrassed by the situation, 'Always so modest'. We heard, awwww, of disappointment.

"And yes, ladies, this whole chocolate bar is just for me."

Alexia began to hide her face in her hands and once again awww, but this time of admiration was heard.

Our love stories can be defined in three words: tender, crazy and passionate.