Precious Keepsakes

Slimthick Vic sits at the table scribbling a quick pep-talk on a scrap of paper, then folds it and tucks it into Anna Claire Clouds’ backpack with a wink. Anna grins, kisses her step-mom on the cheek, and heads off to school like every other morning. Later, Vic’s hunting for her missing charger and ends up digging through Anna’s dresser. Inside the top drawer she finds every single note she’s ever written—stacked, ribbon-tied, and clearly read a hundred times. She freezes, heart in her throat. Anna walks in, sees what Vic’s holding, and the truth spills out: she kept them all because they’re the only keepsakes she has now that her real mom is gone. She couldn’t risk losing Vic too. Vic pulls the smaller blonde into a fierce hug, murmuring that she isn’t going anywhere. The hug melts into something hotter. Vic’s lips brush Anna’s—then linger, then open. When Vic pulls back, wide-eyed and apologizing, Anna just smiles, cups Vic’s face, and admits she liked it. A lot. She wants them even closer now, no holding back.