Page 77 of The Hopeless Romantic’s Guide to Enchantment

Leanna had a bow in her hair, and a tear in her tights from climbing a tree earlier that morning; she tugged her skirt down to hide it when the older gentleman gave her a courtly bow. “Well, aren’t you a lovely little rose. Our Edward will be thrilled to have a playmate so nearby. Edward, say hello.”

And there he was. The bane of her existence. She couldn’t have known it then – in fact she’d admired the boy, even thought him handsome in his fancy attire. He was a few years older than her and it showed in the confident way he carried himself, his dark locks flopping over his brow, making his entrance, looking at her with skepticism that made Leanna nervous.

“Hello. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.” He had such pretty manners, as he took a bow, delighting her mother no end.

Leanna kicked the gravel with her foot in response to the pomp and pretense, and her mother pinched her arm hard enough for it to hurt, to bruise. Leanna winced, shrinking back, and Edward advanced, green eyes sharpening.

“Leanna, do not be impolite. Greet him.” Her mother nudged her forward and Leanna rolled her eyes, dipping into the most uncommitted curtsy.

“Hello Mr. Lowen,” Leanna said, chafing when Edward grinned as if he found something about her obstinance amusing. It angered her.

Leanna had too many things in her life that caused such reactions, and she certainly did not need another. Her hope of befriending the boy had dwindled, her short temper burning it to ashes. So, when the adults retreated inside for a piece of pie, Leanna was left alone with the green-eyed boy gentleman.

“Does your mother pinch you a lot?” Edward asked, bluntly.

Leanna flinched, appalled. “ That’s an impolite question. Or do you only fake manners for the adults?”

Edward frowned. “They’re not fake.”

Leanna rolled her eyes again, walking down the gravel drive, tearing the red bow from her hair as she went and tossing it behind her.

“Wait!” Edward called, catching up to her as she stalked back to her home. This boy was irritating and if she had to speak to him any longer, she was going to lose her mind. “Where are you going?”

“Away from you,” Leanna said, pertly sticking her nose in the air as she quickened her pace. “And away from your perfect family.”

Edward smirked, folding his arms, walking backwards in front of her so she could still see his face. “You sound jealous. I’ll share them with you, if you give me something in return.”

Leanna halted and so did Edward. “I don’t want your family, and I have nothing you’d want.” The final part was said with a bitterness she didn’t like. It wasn’t the annoying boy’s fault her family was so broken, but reminding her of it was unnecessary and cruel.

“Give me a kiss.” Edward’s green eyes glinted with pure evil as he tapped his cheek. “Right here.”

Leanna had schooled her features into curiosity. “Alright.”

Edward gaped, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. “What? You— What?”

“Close your eyes,” Leanna ordered, waving a hand at him, giving the impression she was irritated he hadn’t done it already.

Edward’s eyes drifted shut and Leanna drifted closer.

Pulling back her fist and swinging with all her might into his cheek.

Edward stumbled to the ground, falling flat on his bum with the most hysterical expression on his face; so hysterical Leanna could not contain the laugh that burst out of her.

“You witch!” Edward glared, leaping to his feet and rubbing at the red spot blooming on his face. “And to think I felt sorry for you.”

Leanna pulled back her shoulders, indignance fueling her as she poked a finger against his chest. “Well now you know better, proper boy.”

From that day forward, Leanna Dowen and Edward Lowen had become bitter enemies. Over the years they’d avoided each other… that is, when they weren’t playing nasty pranks. Leanna had once bought a magical tonic from the local apothecary with all the coins in her piggy bank that turned Edward’s hair bright pink for a month.

Edward had retaliated by slamming a tree branch against her bedroom window, making her believe a ghost was haunting her, and the high jinks continued, on and on… until Edward went off to school.

Leanna remembered the day she snuck into their yard to put a rodent in his bedroom, one that talked, when she’d seen the empty made-up bed; the normally disheveled bedroom, perfectly clean and perfectly untouched.

She didn’t know why, but it had upset her more than any prank Edward had ever played.

It felt thrice as cruel.

But that was twelve years ago and Edward Lowen was now just a bitter childhood memory.