Chapter Three: Bubblegum and Butterflies by Lynette Ferreira

The late afternoon sun blazed mercilessly over the school courtyard, casting sharp shadows on the paved walkways. Charlize adjusted her backpack and stepped out of the main building, her every movement as poised as always. Her friends flanked her, their laughter and chatter a comforting hum as they discussed Sarah's upcoming party. She smiled faintly, her mind already cataloguing what she’d wear and how she’d juggle her parents’ expectations.

Just as she rounded the corner toward the front gates, the distant hum of wheels on concrete reached her ears. Charlize’s brow furrowed. She glanced up, catching a glimpse of movement—a dark-haired figure weaving recklessly through the courtyard.

“Daniel McCarthy,” Jessica whispered, leaning closer. Her tone held equal parts awe and disdain.

“Of course it’s him,” Charlize muttered, irritation flaring. His shirt was untucked as usual, his tie nowhere to be seen. He sped closer, his skateboard zipping over the uneven bricks.

“Hey, watch it!” a student shouted as Daniel swerved too close to a group near the steps.

Daniel didn’t slow down. Instead, he kicked the board harder, popping it up onto a nearby bench with infuriating ease. 

Charlize’s jaw tightened. Did he ever think about anyone besides himself? “Ugh,” she muttered under her breath, turning back to her friends.

Daniel, mid-trick, miscalculated the landing. His board veered wildly to the side, skimming the edge of a bench before catapulting him toward the crowd.

The next moments passed in a blur. Charlize felt the impact first—a hard collision against her shoulder that sent her sprawling to the ground. She threw out her arm to catch herself, but the awkward angle sent a sharp, white-hot pain shooting up her wrist.

A sickening crack echoed through the courtyard.

“Oh my gosh!” someone shrieked.

Charlize blinked, dazed and breathless, clutching her arm as pain radiated in waves. Her elbow throbbed, her wrist burning as if it were on fire.

Then she smelled it.

Chappies.

“What the—” Her free hand flew to her hair. Sticky strands clung to her fingers, and her heart sank.

Bubblegum.

The humiliation hit her like a slap. She struggled to sit up, cradling her arm to her chest as she glared at the boy who’d caused this disaster.

Daniel stood a few feet away, his skateboard on its side, one wheel spinning idly. His dark hair fell across his forehead, and he looked genuinely startled for a split second—before his expression shifted into something infuriatingly indifferent.

“Seriously?” Charlize snapped, her voice sharp enough to cut through the snickers around them. She winced as the movement jostled her arm, making the pain spike anew. “What is wrong with you?”

Daniel shoved his hands into his pockets, the corner of his mouth twitching like he was trying not to laugh. “Hey, not my fault you were in the way.”

“The way? I was walking,” Charlize’s cheeks burned as she tried to stand, her legs trembling. “Do you even think before you do these stupid stunts?”

“Relax, princess.” He gestured vaguely toward her hair. “It’s just gum. You’ll survive.”

Charlize’s fists clenched despite the pain. “You think this is funny?”

Daniel shrugged, though the faint smirk tugging at his lips gave him away.

Charlize turned, catching the amused stares of half the courtyard. Her arm throbbed unbearably now, and tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, though she refused to let them fall. “You’re unbelievable,” she muttered.

Daniel’s smirk faltered slightly as he noticed how pale she’d gone. “Look, it’s not a big deal—”

“Not a big deal?” Charlize cut him off, her voice rising. 

“You’re the one making a scene,” he shot back, his tone hardening.

Charlize wanted to scream. Instead, she picked up her bag. “Stay away from me,” she spat, her voice low and venomous. She turned on her heel, ignoring the sharp pain in her arm. Her friends hurried to follow, their concerned voices a low hum in her ears as she made her way toward the nurse’s office.

Daniel watched her go; his smirk fully gone now. He scratched the back of his neck, glancing down at the skateboard lying on its side.

“Nice going, genius,” Luca said, appearing beside him.

Daniel sighed, bending to pick up his board. “She’ll be fine,” he muttered, though he didn’t sound so sure. As he walked off, a knot of guilt twisted in his chest. He didn’t mean for anyone to get hurt—especially not her.

Continue reading 4/?

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