Nine and half years ago, when she was only sixteen, she had been engaged to her childhood friend. When she thought about it now, a smile formed on her face. They'd been so little then, it made no sense to her why they decided to rush on the engagement ceremony back then. For whatever reasons their parents might have had, it was useless now. Both Kendall and her never brought up the topic, but they both knew a certificate constructed by their parents was somewhere hidden as a reminder of their union. Some legal rights had even been taken as proof.
Although she had never really thought much about it, when Sarah made the announcement, it reminded Amber of her old friend.
Amber had been in London for five years and only fully came back after she graduated seven months ago. Seven months ago was when she'd last seen Kendall. Though they occasionally said their 'hello' and 'hi' online.
Amber finally arrived at the Salon, brilliant light making this beauty home to stand out. As she was about to step in, she felt her phone ring again.
"What is it? Jeez!" She found herself muttered out. Swiping on the call button, she heard a voice announce: "Kendall has a new girlfriend!"

✩★✩
BONUS CHAPTER
Seven months ago
✩★✩
He treats her so casual, she too does so.
"Can you act imagine us, kissing?" Kendall had on his face a soured expression; his blue eyes narrowed as white teeth exposed. A chuckle followed.
Amber too had imagined it one time before, but hadn't expected Kendall to speak of it so casually. "Well, what's wrong with me?" She frowned.
Kendall stared at her, and his smile slowly began to fade. She had terrified him. Again.
But she didn't care.
Christmas was a season to be jolly, and so the Rhett family had gone over to spend the merry night with the Shays. It was just Kendall and Amber in the room that evening, as the rest of their family were downstairs chattering and laughing. Because they were the only young ones- except for Kendall's half brother, Jeremy, who was playing outside with some other kids of his age-they decided to step away from the crowd and watch a movie together.
The movie; The Christmas Kiss, had began to stir up mixed feelings in Amber's head. Two people who had been engaged before, but didn't love each other, shared a passionate kiss on Christmas night and fell in love.
Amber had hoped Kendall would fall in love with the storyline, and at least recall he was in a similar situation as the characters. Instead, he'd began to condemn the story, claiming it was just some fake romance scenerio that could never happen in real life.
"I didn't mean to to say anything upsetting to you."
"Well you already did." She roared out. She was angry. She was furious. "We're supposed to be engaged, Kendall--"
"Engaged?" Kendall asked with wide eyes opened, and Amber froze still. "Really? We were like babies back then."
"Young adults!" Cried Amber. "Back then, we might had not known what was happening, but our parents knew. They knew more than us and--"
"I'm sorry, I'm not you." Kendall said, more as a soft whisper. It filled the air and wouldn't stop ringing in her ears.
"What do you mean? Why do you hate me so much!"
"I don't hate you!" He quickly left the bed, then turned his away from her. "But I don't like you either."
Amber wished she hadn't heard him well. It must had been a slip of tongue. "You know what, let's just quietly get back to our movie." It would be best if he kept his mouth shut at that moment.
"You depend too much on your mom. Wear what she wants, eats what she wants --"
"--that's enough, Kend--"
"--you go to places only where she wants you to visit. Your whole life is a map in her hand. She tells you that getting married to me will provide you happiness, well it won't. I don't love you, and I feel I've made myself clear--that's all I've been doing these past years now!"
And he wasn't wrong. But Amber's ego was too huge to accept the rejection. Never.
"Amber, you're a pretty amazing girl. I just wish you'd see that, and just go live your life." He said, then joined her on the bed. Kendall's eyes were a magical realm of comfort. When her eyes met his, she wouldn't stop staring. He was right next to her, lips slightly parted. He was going to say something else, and she didn't want to hear.
With a great heave of courage, she forced herself to avert his gaze. "I'll take my leave now." She hoped her jutted tensed jaw and intimidating frown would scare him off. Instead, he pulled her back, gripping her hands tight. When she tried to pull herself away, his manly strength didn't allow it.
"I've always liked you as a kid," he began to say, "you were the prettiest girl in middle school then you know?" Kendall scoffed, "and then, everything changed."
Amber became more relaxed and sat up straight, resting her back on the edge of the large bed. Kendall joined her too, releasing his grip. His face stared forward to the white painted door at the entrance, as if someone she couldn't see was standing there busy boosting his confidence.
"Whatever happened?" She said softly, and smirked. Kendall was quiet.
Everything was quiet, except for the muffled noises that came in from the living room downstairs. The movie had also been playing all along. They were like that for a while.
"You know what?" Asked Kendall, "I would completely love it if we were allowed to explore our love life ourselves. To grow the rose of love in our relationship, without the interference of our parents, or anyone else. What do you think? How about we start a whole new relationship that involves just you and I?" He asked in a serious tone that conveyed the honesty in his eyes.
How nice would that be? Kendall Shay and Amber Rhett: Newly wedded couple in town.
It would be a dream come true. Just not hers.
✩★✩