Never Been Kissed 9
Never Been Kissed by Daisie Sam
Chapter 9
The weeks flew by in a whirlwind of stolen glances, whispered secrets, and late-night study sessions that somehow always ended with them curled up on Amelia’s couch, lost in a world of their own creation. Ethan, emboldened by Amelia’s support, started leaving his poems anonymously in her locker – heartfelt verses that spoke of stolen moments, shared dreams, and a newfound love that bloomed brighter with each passing day.
One crisp autumn afternoon, as they walked home from school, Ethan stopped abruptly, his gaze fixed on a flyer plastered on a lamppost. “The annual school writing competition,” he announced, a hint of excitement in his voice. “First prize is publication in the local literary magazine.”
Amelia’s eyes widened. This was her chance, the opportunity she’d dreamt about for years. But a wave of self-doubt washed over her. “There’s no way I’m good enough,” she mumbled, kicking a stray pebble down the sidewalk.
Ethan placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch warm and reassuring. “Don’t be silly,” he said, his voice firm. “You have a beautiful way with words, Amelia. You have to enter.”
His unwavering belief sent a surge of confidence through Amelia. Maybe, just maybe, he was right. Taking a deep breath, she looked at him, a determined glint in her eyes. “Okay,” she declared, a newfound resolve filling her voice. “I’ll do it.”
The following days were a blur of activity. Amelia poured her heart and soul into crafting a story, channeling the emotions and experiences of her blossoming relationship with Ethan. She wrote late into the night, fueled by coffee and a newfound sense of purpose.
Finally, the deadline arrived. With trembling hands, Amelia submitted her story electronically, a knot of nervous anticipation twisting in her stomach. Now, all she could do was wait.
The announcement of the winners coincided with the school’s annual talent show. Amelia and Ethan sat together, their fingers intertwined, a mixture of excitement and trepidation hanging in the air. As the names for the various categories were called out, Amelia’s heart pounded like a drum solo.
Then, came the announcement for the short story category. The principal paused for dramatic effect, and then declared, “And the winner is… Amelia Bennet!”
Amelia gasped, a mixture of shock and elation flooding through her. Ethan squeezed her hand, a proud smile beaming on his face. Before she knew it, she was making her way to the stage, her legs slightly wobbly but her head held high.
As she accepted the award, a framed certificate commemorating her achievement, a wave of gratitude washed over her. This wasn’t just about winning; it was about proving to herself, and to everyone else, that her voice mattered, that her stories deserved to be heard.
After the talent show, congratulations poured in from all corners. Even Jessica Miller, her former tormentor, offered a grudging nod of respect. But the sweetest reward was the look of pride and admiration in Ethan’s eyes.
“See, Amelia?” he whispered, pulling her into a hug. “I told you you were amazing.”
That night, under the twinkling lights strung across their backyards, they celebrated Amelia’s victory. As they shared a slow dance, the melody of a love song filling the air, Amelia knew this was just the beginning. Her story, once confined to the pages of her notebook, was now unfolding in real life, with Ethan by her side, her biggest supporter and her co-author in this beautiful, messy, and utterly exhilarating adventure called love.
