Cherreads

Chapter 1 - A Beautiful Sunny Day

On this beautiful morning, sunlight streamed into the room with radiant intensity, illuminating every corner and creating a warm, cozy atmosphere. Yet this brightness was both comforting and annoying, as it brushed against my face, forcing me to turn my head to the other side to escape its glare. I was in a deep sleep, like that of a baby, until the piercing sound of my alarm interrupted that sweet moment of peace. At that moment, I felt a strong reluctance to get up, my body still numb and unwilling to leave the comfort of my bed.

(It was 5:30 AM)

In a nearly automatic motion, I slammed the alarm button without even looking, desperate to prolong that peaceful feeling. I remained sprawled out on my stomach, taking up every inch of my bed, legs spread wide and clutching a pillow tightly against me like a source of comfort.

Without a blanket, I felt a bit vulnerable, almost suffocating the pillow in a desperate embrace. I had no desire to wake up—not now, not at that very moment when the outside world still felt so far away. Deep down, though, I knew I had no choice but to get up and face the day ahead.

— Ugh… I really don't feel like going today...

I let out a tired sigh, slowly lifting my head from the pillow. It felt like my mind was begging me to stay in bed just a bit longer, but I knew that if I gave in, I'd lose precious time.

Finally, I got up for real, even though fatigue still clung to me and my eyes were barely open.

I slowly stood up from bed, taking a moment to stretch and prepare my body to face a new day. The exhaustion was so strong I found myself yawning widely, instinctively covering my mouth with my hand.

Then, I headed to the bathroom to splash some water on my face.

I cupped my hands under the faucet and brought the cool water to my skin, hoping to refresh myself. As I looked into the mirror, I realized I looked like a zombie—dark circles clearly visible. It's the same realization every morning:

We all look awful when we wake up,

and it's totally normal—but something we just have to accept.

To start my morning routine, I picked up my toothbrush and began brushing my teeth, hoping it would help me feel a bit more awake and ready for the day. Once I was done, I rinsed my mouth thoroughly to get rid of any toothpaste residue, then wiped my mouth with a clean towel.

Next, for smoother, glowing, radiant skin, I applied my skincare products. I started by gently massaging cream into my face, making sure my skin absorbed all the nutrients. Then I used lip balm to hydrate my lips, making them softer and less chapped.

For my outfit, I slipped on a crisp white shirt and a dark blue sweater embroidered with the Stanford University logo—proof that I'm a student there.

To complete the look, I chose a light blue, slightly grey mini-skirt, long white socks, and black ballet flats—stylish, yet casual.

Once dressed, I moved on to the final step:

Makeup.

I began by dabbing foundation onto a sponge and gently tapping it over my face to even out my complexion. Then I applied brown eyeshadow to my eyelids, giving my gaze more depth. I used an eyelash curler to lengthen my lashes, then coated them with mascara, making sure to get every lash from root to tip.

I added a sleek line of eyeliner to give my eyes that dramatic cat-eye effect, enhancing the intensity of the look. I also contoured my nose and applied highlighter to brighten key areas of my face.

To finish off my beauty routine, I put on pink lipstick, then added a gloss over it for a shiny, seductive finish. I topped it off with a light touch of red blush on my cheeks, adding a fresh glow.

And just like that, I completed my look—satisfied and ready.

Afterward, I headed to the kitchen to have breakfast.

It was 6:15 AM, giving me plenty of time to enjoy my meal.

I poured myself a bowl of colorful, donut-shaped cereal—sweet and delicious. I always pour the milk first, then the cereal, to preserve the crunchiness.

I sat down comfortably, eating while checking my phone and scrolling through the latest Instagram posts. This moment of calm was precious—it let me enjoy both my food and stay connected to my online world.

On my Instagram account, I'd managed to gather 10 million followers, making me one of the most popular students at my school. This fame attracted the attention of many fashion and beauty brands that wanted to collaborate with me—a testament to the influence I had built.

When it comes to my looks, I often get compliments. My bright blue eyes resemble the depths of the ocean, and my shiny blonde hair enhances my allure. My lightly tanned skin reflects my love for the sun and tanning sessions. My face is symmetrical and well-proportioned, framed by long lashes that emphasize my almond-shaped eyes.

My lips, full and juicy, often catch people's attention.

Standing at 5'10" (1.78 m), I'm tall enough to pursue modeling, which is already a lucrative activity for me at my age.

My body, with its voluptuous curves, often draws admiring glances—even though I don't have a very large chest. I'm also very athletic and stick to a healthy diet because I want to maintain the image of the "perfect girl" I strive to project.

While eating my cereal, I couldn't help but check the comments and the number of likes—over 10 million on every post.

As the most-followed influencer at school, my marketing strategy worked perfectly.

I received a flood of positive comments, though also some negative ones—usually from jealous people. I chose to ignore them because, really, if you have a lot of haters, that usually means you're popular, right?

I ate alone, peacefully.

My parents were away on a three-month business trip, leaving me free to enjoy my independence. After finishing my cereal, I placed the bowl in the sink and drank a glass of water—a simple but soothing gesture.

— Ahh! That feels good!

Then, as I turned to sit on the couch, I suddenly got a notification on Instagram—from Brandon, my boyfriend.

> "Hey babe, how are you? Want to hang out right now?"

I opened the message, took a moment to read, and replied:

> "Right now? Okay."

After that, I lay down on the couch, placing my phone beside me, my hand gently letting go of it.

A soft sigh escaped my lips, revealing my lingering fatigue.

After spending a few moments resting like that, I eventually sat up. I grabbed my coat and got ready to head out.

Before leaving, I made sure the door was properly locked.

I carefully turned the key in the lock, listening for the quiet click that reassured me everything was secure.

Then, I set off toward the small market where Brandon had said he would be waiting.

As I walked away from home, I felt a twinge of excitement at the thought of seeing him.

When I arrived at the market, I scanned the area, searching for his familiar silhouette.

I finally spotted him, waiting patiently near a grocery store, his face lit up with a bright smile.

I walked toward him, and the moment our eyes met, he started coming to meet me.

In a tender gesture, he hugged me, lifting me slightly off the ground as his hands gently rested above the hem of my skirt.

His smile was contagious, and he warmly said:

— Hey babe, you look amazing today.

Touched by his words, I couldn't help but beam:

— Oh, thank you, Brandon! It's always a pleasure to see you!

— How about getting some ice cream?

That way we can enjoy a bit of our day before heading to class.

— Yes! I agreed, barely containing my excitement, my eyes shining with joy.

As he gently set me back down,

I instinctively took his arm, my hands resting against his skin in a gesture both tender and genuine.

There was something strong between us—a deep connection built over time, a silent reflection of the affection we shared.

Brandon is an exceptional guy—both kind and admirable.

He's the star player of the rugby team, standing out not just for his impressive skills on the field, but also for his role as team captain, which he fulfills with natural confidence.

His charisma and leadership inspire his teammates, who admire him for both his physical strength and his brilliant strategic mind.

Brandon's lightning-fast reflexes, athletic build, and controlled power give him a serious edge.

His body, sculpted from years of training, reflects unwavering determination, making him a formidable opponent—and a rare, dependable ally.

Yet beneath his strong exterior lies a gentler charm.

His bright smile, always accompanied by dimples that softly crease his cheeks, radiates sincere warmth.

There's something deeply human in the way he smiles—a quiet light that soothes as much as it fascinates.

Standing at 6'3" (1.90 m) with broad shoulders and a naturally athletic frame, he makes an impression without even trying.

His skin, gently kissed by the sun, and his naturally wavy brown hair give him a wild yet polished appearance.

But it's not just his looks that leave a mark—it's the entire world he embodies.

On social media, he shares his workouts, extreme challenges, and passions with no filter.

His YouTube channel, followed by over 9 million subscribers, is a thrill ride of adrenaline, precision mechanics, and pushing the limits.

Luxury cars, breakneck speeds, wild getaways…

For him, every moment pulses with power and risk.

It's not just a lifestyle—

It's a philosophy.

———

In the end, we entered a small grocery store just to grab some ice cream.

As we stepped through the door, a cashier stood behind the counter. We greeted him with a casual "hello," and he responded with a warm smile.

Without wasting time, we headed straight for the freezer where the ice creams were neatly arranged.

I picked a vanilla scoop—my favorite flavor—while Brandon chose pistachio, a flavor I've never understood.

I can't stand the taste of pistachio.

After picking our ice creams, we went over to the cashier.

— How much is it? Brandon asked.

— That'll be €3.50, replied the cashier.

— Alright, and he handed over exactly €3.50, thinking it was a fair price for a small ice cream.

— Here you go.

The cashier took the money and carefully stored it in the till.

— Thanks! Have a great day!

After paying, we stepped out of the shop and enjoyed our ice creams while holding hands.

I was the type to slowly lick my ice cream, while he bit into his without hesitation.

How does he not get brain freeze? I always wondered.

We continued walking together.

{To be continued...}

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