Before you start, take into consideration that the male lead is mind reader.

Meghan's POV

A white illustration, a vacant page you never notice in a thick book. A deserted globe such as the lonely moon visited occasionally. Or more simply a cycle of boring episodes; that's what my existence equals.

A strong scent of Antiseptic was irritating my senses, but I wanted to quickly get out of this place for another reason, a stupid reason.

A client was waiting in front of me as the pharmacist struggled to find the medication he was looking for.

I checked the wall clock for the seventh time. Twenty minutes passed since I entered the drugstore. What I needed was really embarrassing to mention, so I didn't dare to say anything.

When the client finally left, the pharmacist stood, his fingers tapping over the counter, probably waiting for me to speak.

"I—I w—w—want painkillers and—" I hesitated. "O—one sanitary pad, please..."

Yes, I finally said it!

"Excuse me, can you say it louder?" The employer narrowed his eyes. He then sighed probably because of my pathetic stupidity. Stuttering would never leave my life.

"P—painkillers and Sanitary pads, please." I managed to steady my voice this time, but my heart proceeded running a marathon over such a trivial matter. I was shy, extremely shy, and I couldn't do anything about it.

When I completed my difficult mission which was to buy some necessities before my time of the month, another task popped up: to go back home without the occurrence of a disaster— I mean— without having to confront a human being on my way.

I stopped on a corner because I had to knot my shoelaces. I crouched down, arranging my summer dress between my legs but when I lifted my head up again, I found an unfamiliar boy. He was staring at me, not at my face, but a little lower, at the bust of a fourteen—year—old hopeless girl who was undergoing puberty.

He ran away after our eye contact, but that still triggered my brain to overthink about it again and again... why did that happen to me? That question kept repeating itself.

I shifted my feet to go home, my back bending forward. Amber would surely be angry if she saw me. She'd yell at me to straighten my back. She was my only true friend. Every summer we would hang out together... However, this year, she didn't come often because of her preparation for karate competitions. She was a badass.

I was some distance away from my house when I heard familiar voices taking the same road as me. Those voices belonged to my classmates; they were heading to our neighbor's giant house. As I recall, they came every Saturday.

Vast walls shielded that house but any passerby could see its light—colored shades along with the mystical sculptures hung on its roofs. The magic of that building gave me the impression of a fairy tale castle.

I wonder what my classmates are doing there. Are they playing interesting games? Those were the questions I was foolishly asking myself.

I stopped walking when I noticed Samantha, one of my classmates. She didn't go along with the others who already entered the castle but instead, she was waiting at the doorstep of my house.

Why?

She waved her hands at me. "Hi, Meghan! Lucky me you're here!" She cheerfully greeted me.

Again why? Did she just say that she was lucky to see me?

"Hi..." I felt weird. She never spoke to me before.

"I'm heading to Noah's house. Want to tag along with me?" She asked.

Noah was also one of my classmates. He lived in that tremendous castle and I was never able to communicate with him properly because of my shyness.

I replied after thinking for a long moment, "Okay! ... But W—wait I'm not invited!" Realization turned my unsteady voice into a stammer.

"Oh, you didn't know that everyone was allowed to enter his house on Saturdays? Come on! We'll have a lot of fun! I will wait for you, just get ready!" She said cheerfully.

I asked my mom and she was fine with it. I put my sandals on before getting off. I was so happy; I was going to have fun without Amber's help.

What a huge gate... I thought when we got nearer. I saw this metallic door all my life but I never dared to approach it.

She clicked a button beside that heavy iron door and a deep voice panned out of that unusual device. "Can I help you?" It was probably one of this house's attendants.

"Hi, could you tell Noah that I'm Samantha, and that I came along with Meghan?"

We waited a minute until the door opened. I couldn't suppress my eyes from widening at the sight of what was in front of me; a marvellous garden. I never saw it before because of the thick stoned fence that were blocking the view. The fountain was spreading swirls of water; some dips were hitting the well—polished lawn, rejuvenating its blossoms. This garden was the dream playground of every teenager. I felt like Alice in Wonderland.

My classmates were all gathered there together squatting on the comfy lawn. They were picnicking as it was noon.

Samantha joined her friends and I found myself alone again. I thought she just forgot about me. I didn't blame her.

I flinched when he moved towards me. The calm and well—collected boy; Noah Grimes. "Make yourself at home," he said, emotionlessly as his gray eyes turned dark at the shadow's tree behind me.

"T—thanks," I stuttered, my cheeks flushing. I tugged my neck. I couldn't look at him in the eyes as I was really weak around handsome boys. He resembled the prince from Cinderella.

I felt like he was about to say something when Tommy Spencer, a boy who always makes me anxious and other classmates noticed me.

"Meghan is here!"

"Hello, Meghan!"

They greeted me but I just reddened and remained silent as always.

One of them, Kevin if I remembered well made an announcement that I didn't grasp at first. "How about we do that ritual today as there is a new girl!" He declared with a nasty smile.

"Yeah, how about it?" Another boy grinned.

Why are their smiles suddenly turning evil? What ritual are they talking about? Are they a cult or something?

The girls were giggling like chippies and I remained puzzled until one of them whispered in my ear, "The boys are going to do a contest and you're the prize," she smirked.

My innocent ears didn't grasp that well. "W—what?"

"Whoever wins gets to kiss you," she explained.

Then I understood that I was far from their level and questioned myself... What in the hell I'm doing here?