INNOCENT BEGININGS

The playground was a kaleidoscope of color and laughter, children running and playing without a care in the world. Amidst the joyful chaos, two little girls sat beneath an ancient oak tree, their heads bent close together as they shared secrets only best friends could understand.

"Morgan, promise me we'll be best friends forever," Emily said, her big blue eyes shining with sincerity. She held out her pinky finger, waiting for Morgan to seal the vow.

Morgan, with her wild curls and mischievous grin, locked her pinky with Emily's. "I promise, forever and ever."

Their bond was instantaneous and unbreakable. They did everything together, from climbing trees to playing dress-up. Emily was the sunshine in Morgan's world, a beacon of joy and innocence. As the years passed, their friendship only grew stronger, and so did Morgan's protective instincts.

One summer day, when they were about ten, a group of older kids started picking on Emily at the park. They called her names, pushed her around, and made her cry. Morgan watched from a distance, her small hands balling into fists, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and fury.

Unable to stand it any longer, Morgan stormed over to the group. "Leave her alone!" she shouted, her voice trembling with a mixture of anger and fear. The older kids, surprised by her sudden bravery, paused for a moment before laughing and pushing her away. But Morgan didn't back down. She stood her ground, her eyes blazing with determination. "I said, leave her alone!"

Emily, wiping her tears, watched in awe as her best friend faced the bullies. The older kids, taken aback by Morgan's fierce resolve, finally backed off, muttering under their breath as they walked away. Morgan turned to Emily, her expression softening. "Are you okay?"

Emily nodded, sniffling. "Thank you, Morgan. You're my hero."

Morgan smiled, her heart swelling with pride. "Always, Em. I'll always protect you."

As they walked home together, hand in hand, they talked about their dreams and plans for the future. They imagined going to the same high school, traveling the world together, and always being there for each other. Their dreams were big, and their bond seemed unbreakable.

Years passed, and their friendship only grew stronger. They navigated the ups and downs of adolescence together, always finding comfort and strength in each other. They had their share of arguments and misunderstandings, but they always made up, their bond deeper than ever.

High school brought new challenges and new faces, but Emily and Morgan remained inseparable. They supported each other through first crushes, difficult exams, and family troubles. Morgan's protective instincts never wavered, and Emily's unwavering loyalty was a constant source of comfort.

One autumn afternoon, as they sat on the bleachers watching the school's football game, Emily turned to Morgan with a serious expression. "Morgan, promise me something."

Morgan raised an eyebrow. "Another promise? What's this one about?"

Emily took a deep breath. "Promise me that no matter what happens, we'll always be there for each other. Even if we fight, even if life takes us in different directions, we'll always find our way back to each other."

Morgan's eyes softened. "I promise, Emily. Forever and ever."

Their senior year flew by in a whirlwind of activities and preparations for the future. And now it was senior prom night.

The gymnasium was already buzzing with excitement as students decorated for prom night. Fairy lights draped along the walls, casting a soft glow, while balloons and streamers added a festive touch. Emily stood in the corner, meticulously adjusting a banner that read, "A Night to Remember."

Morgan watched her from a distance, her heart racing. She had always been close to Emily, ever since they were kids. They shared secrets, dreams, and countless memories. But lately, Morgan's feelings had grown more intense, bordering on obsession. She couldn't bear the thought of anyone else being Emily's prom date.

Emily's laughter rang out as she chatted with a group of friends. Among them was James, her prom date. He was charming, confident, and completely oblivious to the simmering tension.

Morgan clenched her fists, her mind racing. She had to do something. She couldn't let James take Emily to prom. As the day progressed, Morgan's thoughts grew darker. She followed James after school, watching as he walked to his car.

"Hey, James," Morgan called out, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside.

James turned, flashing a friendly smile. "Hey, Morgan. What's up?"

Morgan stepped closer, her eyes narrowing. "I need to talk to you about Emily."

James frowned, sensing the hostility in her tone. "What about her?"

"Stay away from her," Morgan hissed, her anger bubbling to the surface.

James chuckled, shaking his head. "What's your problem? Emily and I are just going to prom. It's no big deal."

To Morgan, it was a very big deal. Before she realized what she was doing, she swung her fist, hitting James square in the jaw. He stumbled back, shock and pain etched on his face.

"Morgan, what the hell?" he shouted, holding his jaw.

Morgan's chest heaved with heavy breaths. "You don't deserve her."

In a fit of rage, Morgan didn't stop at one punch. She continued to hit James, her fury and obsession fueling her strength. By the time she was done, James was lying on the ground, bruised and battered, unable to move. Morgan stared at her handiwork, a mix of satisfaction and a strange feeling of happiness washing over her.

She knew she had gone too far, but there was no turning back now. She had to act quickly before anyone found out. She left James lying in the parking lot and hurried home, her mind racing with a plan.

The next day, rumors about James's absence spread through the school. He was in the hospital, unable to walk due to the severity of his injuries. Emily was beside herself with worry, not knowing what had happened.

Morgan approached Emily cautiously. "Hey, Emily. I heard about James. I'm so sorry."

Emily looked up, her eyes red from crying. "Thanks, Morgan. I just don't understand who would do this to him."

Morgan feigned concern. "It's awful. I hope he recovers soon. But, um, I was thinking... since James can't go to prom, maybe you could go with me?"

Emily blinked, taken aback by the sudden proposal. "Go to prom with you?"

Morgan nodded, trying to appear sincere. "Yeah. I mean, we've always been close, and I don't want you to miss out on prom just because of what happened to James."

Emily hesitated, her emotions in turmoil. Finally, she nodded. "Okay, Morgan. Let's go to prom together."

Morgan's heart soared. Despite everything, she had gotten what she wanted. She would be Emily's prom date. But as she watched Emily's sad smile, a pang of guilt gnawed at her. She knew she had crossed a line, and she couldn't shake the feeling that it would come back to haunt her.

As prom night approached, Morgan did her best to be there for Emily, hiding her own dark secret. The night of the prom, they arrived together, and Emily's smile, though subdued, was genuine.

For now, Morgan had what she wanted. But deep down, she knew that true happiness couldn't be built on lies and violence. She vowed to protect Emily, even if it meant facing the consequences of her actions one day.

They applied to the same colleges, excited but nervous about what lay ahead. Morgan's application got disapproved,They knew their paths might diverge, but they were determined to stay close.

Graduation day was bittersweet. They stood side by side in their caps and gowns, holding hands as they walked across the stage to receive their diplomas. They celebrated their achievements together, but the looming reality of separation cast a shadow over their joy.

That summer, they spent every moment they could together, making memories to last a lifetime. They went on road trips, had sleepovers, and talked late into the night about their hopes and fears. As the days grew shorter, the impending separation became harder to ignore.

On the night before Emily left for college, they sat under the oak tree where it all began. The moon cast a silvery glow over the playground, and the air was filled with the sounds of crickets and rustling leaves.

"Morgan," Emily said softly, "I'm going to miss you so much."

Morgan swallowed hard, trying to keep her emotions in check. "I'm going to miss you too, Em. But we'll see each other during breaks, and we can call and text all the time."

Emily nodded, tears glistening in her eyes. "I know. But it's not the same."

Morgan took her hand, squeezing it gently. "I know. But no matter how far apart we are, you'll always be my best friend. We'll get through this, just like we always have."

As they sat in silence, the weight of their impending separation settled over them. But they knew that their bond was strong enough to withstand any distance. They had made a promise to each other, and they intended to keep it.

The next day, they hugged tightly, neither wanting to let go. "Goodbye, Morgan," Emily whispered.

"Goodbye, Emily," Morgan replied, her voice choked with emotion. "I'll see you soon."

As Emily's car disappeared down the road, Morgan stood there, feeling a mixture of sadness and hope. She knew that their friendship was strong enough to endure the challenges ahead. And as she walked back home, she felt a sense of determination. She would always be there for Emily

, no matter what.

Hello ladies and gents this is my new story CRIMSON DEVOTION.

please treat it well