Love never lasts - Prologue
Chelsea was brought into the world by an alcoholic. The girl was merely a mistake, a product of a one night stand, and she was certainly made to feel the pain her mother went through when she eventually found out. Her mother wasn't capable of the responsibilities that came along with motherhood which resulted in neglect and occasionally, abuse. Her mother had a way of making such a small child tremble through fear, happily making her feel repulsive and unwanted at any desired moment. Chelsea's second birthday was the first time she was admitted into hospital, and unfortunately, not the last either. Bruises branded her small, frail, body, bad enough to cause tears. This time, however, the doctors listened to the half-hearted excuse given, that she'd simply fallen down the stairs, and completely dismissed it, not giving the girl a second thought. Although bruises continued to decorate the girl, no further action was taken and so she stayed at home with her mother, a slave reaching all demands. School started when the brunette turned four although she didn't attend, instead, made to stay at home, missing days to tend to the needs of a woman often found passed out on the couch unconscious, due to the high levels of booze consumed. For one reason or another, perhaps even enjoying the odd sense of satisfaction she got from making a small child suffer, she was so very desperate to cling on to the girl. After two more years, five hospital visits and three broken bones people finally intervened, separating the girl from the unhealthy, unstable relationship she shared with her mother.
Her first night away from home was strange, the girl felt alienated, craving the small comforts that the small, rather damp, dingy flat she had spent her whole life in, provided. The fresh sheets and clean clothes were of little value and Chelsea found herself pining for the familiar comfort of dirty rags she called a bed. The girl found herself snivelling and sobbing as hot wet tears dripped down her face, dampening her pillow. Protests were whispered across the room whilst the brunette lay still crying to herself. She knew she was being unfair by keeping the other children up with her crying so she did her best to be quiet, after all, the girl knew that it wasn't her fault to be crying when placed in such an odd environment. It took the kindness of one silvery haired stranger to soothe her to sleep, climbing into her bed and getting himself tangled up in the heap of sheets huddled around her body. Humming softly, he began rubbing his hand in an all so familiar circular pattern on her back, watching as her icy blue eyes slowly became heavy lidded, watching the blue slowly turn into the peachy tones of her lids. Once she was settled, he climbed back into his own bed, prepared to comfort her if she stirred. After that night, the two settled into a similar nightly routine and eventually became joined at the hip during the day too. They became each other's first real friends, and they relied on the comforts of one another to get them through the days.
Things changed for the both of them when Chelsea turned 14, the boy was 16 then. They still claimed to be friends although gradually their feelings for one another changed and they ended up sharing their first kiss, becoming a couple of sorts – through pity for one another or through genuine affection, the two weren't entirely sure. Chelsea felt like something good had finally happened, that this was meant to be, but of course, things never last. A week after sharing their first kiss something fateful happened. A tall, quite plump man, with wishy washy blonde hair and a face adorned with makeup came into the care home that Chelsea recognised as home. He was looking to adopt a girl who would be able to settle into a quiet village life and be comfortable in his family. After the lengthy process of filling out paperwork, the man, Howard, was quickly introduced to the girl where she was escorted off to Bluebell town.
Chelsea seemed to settle well into the daily routines that bluebell brought, enjoying the simplicity of life there as a bakers daughter. She especially enjoyed the bond she shared with Laney, she was the big sister Chelsea needed, and they both clicked. One thing she did miss, however, is the bond between her favourite silvery haired boy that she'd become fond of. Over the course of the first three months she pined for him, and so letter after letter was written, and she made sure to keep and treasure everyone. As time drifted on, the letters eventually stopped, leaving the two to slowly forget about each other as they got on with their lives, simply becoming another faded memory instead.
The kitchen had become a scene of chaos, flour decorated the counters, creating a snowy looking scene inside. The two girls smiled appreciatively at one another, feeling accomplished as their final batch of double chocolate chip heart-shaped cookies had finally worked this time and managed to keep their shape. The brunette looked at the cookies then back at the bright blonde stood in front of her and grinned. "Ahh, we finally did it this time. Thanks for all your help Laney, you're the best sister a girl could ever ask for."
Laney blushed slightly before giving a goofy smile back to the girl. "You can thank me later Chels, let's just see if you can finally woo Ash this time." She paused for a second and glanced at the girl before erupting into giggles, "Without making him sick too! Although with my help these ones should be perfect so he should be okay." Laney winked.
With a grimace, Chelsea huffed out a response. "Hey you know that wasn't my fault, the salt was just too close to the sugar, and the chilli powder, well, that's Kana's influence I guess."
Laney sighed at the girl, shoving the, now carefully and neatly wrapped, cookies into her hands. "Go give them to Ash now, before the get cold. I'll see you later little sis. I'll be with Cam if you come back and need me for anything. Just make sure you knock first because you know what he's like." She trailed off, remembering how grumpy and cold Cam could be.
The brunette nodded and disappeared out the double wooden doors of the small village café, making her way through the village square towards the quaint little animal shop. Entering the barn out back, she made the boy jump, wrestling him into a bear hug from behind.
"Hey you." The boy acknowledged, his husky tone like music to her ears.
"Soo, you know its winter harmony day, well, I have a present for you."
She heard the farmer groan slightly and so hurriedly added; "It's okay, Laney helped me this time. They're safe to eat, I promise." She paused for a second, biting her lip slightly. "If these are bad then you'll just have to speak to Laney, huh."
Ash let out a contented sigh and ruffled the chestnut locks draping over the girls face. "Thanks, you know, I appreciate it."
Ash fumbled at the packaging. After successfully opening the biscuits, he took one and made a slight disgusted face before biting into it.
Chelsea's face was covered in worry as she watched him chew, his face not really showing off anything. "Are they okay? Did Laney and I do a good job? Oh goddess, I'm so sorry, I bet they're not so good at all because I can't cook at all really and…" She rambled on, making the boy laugh.
"Chelly, shh, they're delicious, stop worrying, okay. These are much better than last years."
Chelsea sighed in relief, glad that this year the cookies had actually worked out. She was awful at baking and everyone knew it so at least this time was a success... Ash lent down slightly and kissed the tip of her nose. "Chelly, remember, meet me 4 o'clock by the fountain, I have something really special to give you today, especially as today is our two year anniversary."
The girl blushed slightly, drifting off to memories of their past, before nodded. Grabbing his shirt, she pulled him closer to her, letting his arms settle on her waist. Pressing her lips against his, she gave him a kiss before nodding. "Alright then, I'll be there, like always."
With that she excitedly scurried out the barn and off to the café in search of Laney. She'd want to know everything and would help her get ready if Chelsea begged hard enough.
A/N: Hey to anyone who may be reading this! Its SBL here with a new story. Please forgive me if my writing is rusty but it's been a while! I'm hoping to update at least once every two weeks so fingers crossed to that, it got a plan and a few already written out so I'm hoping this will be completed! Reviews and constructive criticism are always welcome.
See you at the next update. SBL.