The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 1957

Ivy had been on a job application spree, sending out resumes like messages in bottles cast into a vast, indifferent sea. Each time she checked her email, the emptiness of her inbox echoed back at her, filled with silence rather than replies.

She sighed in resignation, “Man, why’s it gotta be so tough to land a job?”

Flopping onto her bed, Ivy’scrolled through her contacts on her phone.

Thanks to Clara’s meddling back in school, making friends was like trying to catch smoke with her bare hands – nearly impossible.

After graduation, the numbers dwindled even further.

But there was one girl, Megan, who often shared detention duties with Ivy. They had a good relationship, and even after graduation, they occasionally kept in touch with greetings.

Ivy opened Megan’s chat and hesitated before typing. [You around?]

long for Megan’s reply

hang

as a

a bit and agreed to meet for dinner that evening.

decided it was time to spruce up before heading

open her closet and was surprised to find a bunch of

to shed some light on the mystery.

why are they

“These were personally selected for you

It was Grandmother.

to be so thoughtful and considerate. Touched by the gesture, she picked out a simple,

a distance and quickened her pace

to?” Megan took Ivy’s hands,