Prompt #1 – Introduction
Jake remembered that the day had been sweltering, the classroom hot, uncomfortable, confined. Sweat slowly dripped down his neck, as he listened with wry amusement to Marco loudly suggesting to whichever poor girl he was sitting next to that it was far too hot for her to remain fully clothed. Flies buzzed around his head as the teacher announced that they needed to find a lab partner.
"Hey Jake."
He looked up to find his cousin standing in a direct ray of sunlight, which gave her an unsettling, otherworldly glow. She smiled wickedly, almost like she was entertaining a private joke. He had a sinking feeling he was the punchline.
It was then that he spied the girl half-hidden behind his cousin. The girl he'd noticed all year. Beautiful dark skin, messy, carelessly pulled back black hair and dirt-stained overalls, which she seemed to favour. Something in his chest fluttered wildly and he noticed Rachel's smile grow even more amused.
"Cousin Jake," she said mockingly. "Meet Cassie. She needs a lab partner."
Cassie smiled in embarrassment, the gesture transforming her already beautiful face, and Jake knew his life was never going to be the same.