Last Year - First Love

Title: Last Year, First Love

CHAPTER 1

Annie’s POV

If I’m being honest, high school has never been my idea of a fairytale. I’m not the girl chasing popularity or caring what anyone whispers behind my back. I’ve mastered the art of staying in my lane, avoiding drama, and focusing on one simple goal: survive senior year, graduate, and get the heck out.

But of course, drama isn’t something you choose—it’s something that finds you. And in my school, drama has a name. Emelia Carter. Or, as she insists on being called, Queen Emily. She walks the halls like she owns them, chin up, crown invisible but somehow still heavy enough to make her think everyone else is beneath her. I don’t hate her hate feels like giving her too much power. But despise? Yeah. That’s the word.

Then there are the popular guys, the so-called dreamboats every girl seems to melt over. Everyone except me. I honestly don’t get it—they’re walking cringe compilations in letterman jackets.

Today, though… today is different. It’s the first day of my final year in high school. My last first day. I’m happy, but also a little sad mostly because soon I’ll have to say goodbye to Becky and Sussy, my ride-or-die best friends since middle school. We’ve shared homework answers, heartbreaks, and more snacks than I can count. The thought of us going to different colleges feels like a slow ache I’m not ready to face.

It’s 7:30 a.m. when I finally drag myself out of bed. Morning routine: skincare, check. Daily pep talk from Dad’s handwritten notes, check. Today’s says:

" Annie you are the best don't let anyone dim your shine"

Dad’s voice in my head makes me smile. Downstairs, Mom is yelling about me running late while Dad flips pancakes, defending me like I’m still five years old.

“She’s just a kid,” he says.

“Oh please, you spoil her,” Mom shoots back.

By the time I get to school—8:30 on the dot ,I’m standing at the gates staring at the building, feeling like I might cry. But I remind myself: this is my last year. If nothing else, I should make it count.

I don’t even make it to my locker before Becky and Sussy come charging at me like I’ve been gone for years.

“Girl, you look different,” Becky gasps.

“You look hot,” Sussy agrees. “Like… insanely hot. What happened?”

Here’s the part I forgot to mention: over the summer, I lost weight, got serious about self-care, and had what TikTok would call a glow up.

“Hard work and determination,” I say with a smirk.

“Sure, Annie,” Becky laughs. They all laugh.

Then Becky gets that mischievous sparkle in her eyes.

“Okay, new year, new us. Who’s ready to break out of their comfort zone?”

I narrow my eyes. “Define ‘break out’.”

Sussy leans in like she’s sharing a state secret. “Parties. Late nights. Cute boys…”

Right on cue, the popular guys stroll past. Becky and Sussy practically melt into puddles, eyes glued to them like they’re some kind of Greek gods.

“Oh, please,” I groan. “Close your mouths, you’re drooling.”

“They’re perfect examples of cute boys,” Sussy says dreamily.

“Agreeee,” Becky echoes.

“Not for me,” I shrug.

That earns me twin eye-rolls. “Sometimes we wonder if you’re even straight,” Becky teases.

“I am,” I laugh. “I just… don’t know my type yet. But when I see him, I’ll know. My heart will know.”

They both give me that you’re hopeless look before Sussy changes the subject. “Alright, Miss My-Heart-Will-Know, let’s get to class.”

We split up after school, but I can’t stop thinking about what I said. When I see him, I’ll know.

The thing is, I don’t know it yet…

But tomorrow might change everything.