Chapter 1

6:59 AM, early morning 

"Sharlene...Sharlene...Sharleneeee wake up You brat! How long are you going to sleep?"

Sharlene Yang, a 14-year-old youngster, with deep brown eyes, fair skin and long black hair, could hear her mom’s voice. 

"Momm can't I just sleep for a bit just 5 minutes then I promise I'll wake up pleaseeee", She was yawning.

"Do you even know that it's already 7:00 and Daniel will come soon".

"How naggy...", she rolled her eyes.

Sharlene woke up. She stretched her arms and hurried towards the kitchen. 

"Sharleneee!!! Sharleneee are you ready?? Come out we're late today!!", not so soon after, Someone shouted.

A young boy with fair skin, dark brown eyes, and dark brown hair was downstairs, he was a little taller than Sharlene. He had come to pick up her as usual.

It was their daily routine. Daniel would call Sharlene and together they would go to school. They were almost like siblings. Daniel was one of the most popular schoolboys, who was excellent in everything, literally everything we say, from sports and studies to his gentleness and charms. He was the dream guy of every girl.

Yes, Sharlene and Daniel, most of the things they did together from playing to going to the market. The girls of their school were jealous of Sharlene, most of them hated her too. They were more like family members than neighbors. Sharlene and Daniel were best friends since kindergarten. They went to the same school and soon after they became neighbors. Daniel's mom was a cheerful woman and so was Sharlene's mom.

.

Days went... Many springs and winters came...... They left silently... Without anyone noticing.... Days were as usual. People did their own work. The nightingales sang on the tree. Their sweet melody made everyone aware of the spring which was near. Time went by. The spring also went silently. The days started to grow colder and colder. And finally, winter arrived...

Sharlene and Daniel were also as usual following the daily routine. Their friendship had grown even more deeper.

Finally, it was Sharlene's 16th birthday. She woke up and dressed as usual. Then she went downstairs. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHARLENE!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHARLENE!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR SHARLENE!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!", shouted mom as soon as she got down. Then she hugged her mom. "Mom, I'm finally 16 after all these years", said she. "Yeahh my darling is growing up so fast and getting prettier", said mom. Then she dressed up.

The little Sharlene had grown to be a smart and pretty girl.

Then she waited for Daniel. But he wasn't showing up. That Daniel , who would show up half an hour before school, was late today. Sharlene was anxious. 'Is Daniel sick? Is he preparing something for me as a surprise? Perhaps he'll come soon, I'll wait a little longer', Thought she. She waited and waited but he didn't appear. Maybe he's already gone to school. I'd better go to school or else I'll be late or else Mr.Lee will scold me again.'

Daniel wasn't in school either. Mr.Lee, their homeroom teacher, entered and said,"I'm so sorry I didn't warn you guys earlier but Daniel Wu, your classmate, had to make a sudden transfer due to his family problems. So, our class will have one less student from now on." Sharlene felt like her heart was about to burst. Sudden tears filled up her eyes. Adira, who had been liking Daniel for 4 months, stood up and asked," Sir, which school did he transfer to?"

"We were not notified about his school . Okay class turn to page no 46.... let's start today's class."

It was the worst birthday gift for Sharlene. Sharlene couldn't even say goodbye to one of her most loving friend, she was heartbroken as he didn't even speak to her about the transfer.

Neither did she know that she'd not meet him anytime soon....

The cruel fate had clutched Sharlene in its plam and she had to get out of it ~

It was very lonely after Daniel left. Sometimes she even forgot and waited for him to call her to go to school together. Ms. Jennifer was quite worried about her. Sharlene was usually healthy, but after the incident she would get mentally ill. She'd often stare at the walls and tears would roll down her eyes and she'd burst out crying.

...

Not until a new guy named Lex Han appeared in her life, he treated her as good as Daniel used to, which made her remember daniel even more. 

Lex was very worried about her. She'd love to sit alone. The cheerful Sharlene had become depressed and gloomy. He wanted to replace Daniel and make her forget those memories but all his efforts were in vain. Sharlene's room was full with the photos and memories of Daniel and her.

Mr. Andrew and Mr. Ryan were still business partners. They did their work but it looked as if they were just strangers. Mr. Ryan never bought up Daniel and his mom, and Mr. Andrew didn't want to bring that up either.

Her mental health was getting worse day by day. Her therapist was also very worried about her. Sharlene's studies were also affected by her mental health.

Sharlene was living her life to the hardest, still hoping Daniel would show up. Days went on... no one having a single known of Daniel and his family. Sharlene requested her dad many times but not soon after she knew that they had finished their project and did not even have a single trace of where they were and what life they were living.

Soon, Sharlene got used to living without Daniel. She made up with Lex and they became best friends, but deep inside her heart there was still a secret place for Daniel.