DENIED BEFORE ASKED

THE GIRL WHO BELIEVED IN TRUE LOVE

CHAPTER 6

Saturday mornings in Ashford Town carried a different kind of peace.

There was no rush to get to school, no teachers waiting with surprise quizzes, and no hurried footsteps echoing through the streets. Instead, children played outside, shopkeepers opened their stores at an unhurried pace, and the town breathed as though it had all the time in the world.

Peaches loved Saturdays.

Not because she got to sleep in—her mother would never allow that—but because they gave her time to dream.

After finishing the morning chores, she slipped through the small wooden gate behind their house and wandered toward her favorite place in the neighborhood—a quiet garden tucked away from the busy streets.

It wasn't grand. Wildflowers grew wherever they pleased, butterflies floated lazily from bloom to bloom, and an old stone bench sat beneath a broad tree whose branches offered welcome shade. To most people, it was just another forgotten corner of Ashford.

To Peaches, it was magic.

She settled onto the grass, hugging her knees as a gentle breeze played with the loose strands of her dark hair.

"What are you thinking about today?"

The familiar voice made her smile.

Betty stood at the garden entrance with two chilled bottles of orange soda in her hands.

"You always find me," Peaches said.

"You always disappear here."

Betty tossed her one of the bottles before sitting beside her.

For a while, neither of them spoke. They simply watched the butterflies dance among the flowers.

Then Betty sighed dramatically.

"I've decided."

Peaches glanced sideways.

"That sounds dangerous."

"I'm going to marry someone rich."

Peaches burst into laughter.

"That's your grand life plan?"

"It solves most problems."

"You don't even know any rich people."

"I'll meet one."

"And if you don't?

Betty shrugged.

"Then I'll marry someone funny."

Peaches laughed again, shaking her head.

"You?"

"What? A girl can dream."

Peaches looked toward the blue sky stretching endlessly above them.

"I want to fall in love."

Betty blinked.

"You're fifteen."

"So?"

"So... we're in Grade Ten. We should be worrying about exams."

"I can worry about exams and dream."

Betty nudged her shoulder.

"You read too many romance novels."

"Maybe."

"You watch too many romantic movies."

"...Maybe."

"You expect some handsome boy to appear out of nowhere and sweep you off your feet."

Peaches smiled, refusing to deny it.

"I just think love should feel... different."

"Different how?"

She took a moment before answering.

"I don't want someone because everyone says I should date. I don't want flowers just because it's Valentine's Day. I don't want to pretend."

Betty listened quietly.

"I want to meet someone who makes my heart recognize him before my mind does."

Betty stared at her for a long second.

"...That's the weirdest thing you've ever said."

Peaches laughed until tears gathered in the corners of her eyes.

"I knew you'd say that."

"No, seriously. Your heart recognizing someone before your mind? What does that even mean?"

"I don't know."

"Exactly!"

"I'll know when it happens."

Betty leaned back against the tree trunk and groaned dramatically.

"You're impossible."

"And you're impatient."

"I live in reality."

"And I live in hope."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

The wind rustled through the leaves above them, carrying the sweet scent of flowers across the garden.

Neither girl knew it then, but the dream Peaches had spoken aloud would one day come true...

Just not in the way she'd imagined.

Love Quote: "Some hearts don't search for the perfect person—they simply wait for the one they can't explain."