Hearts Aflame

    By Chloe Mazzotta

    Hearts Aflame cover image

    20 Apr, 2024

    a group of people standing in a library with books in their hands and a book in their hand,, fantasy art, a detailed painting, Anne Stokes, official art

    Chloe was just another ordinary teenage girl at Glastonbury High, until she literally ran into Damion, the high school dream boy.

    a couple of people walking through a hallway filled with books and folders on the floor of a library, serial art, poster art, Felix-Kelly, official art

    Their first encounter was unceremonious, their belongings scattered across the hallway. Yet, an electric tingle passed between them, an unspoken promise of something more.

    a boy and a girl standing next to each other in a hallway with a brick wall and green doors, vancouver school, a poster, Felix-Kelly, promotional image

    Despite their different social circles, Chloe and Damion found their paths crossing more and more, sharing lingering glances that set their hearts aflutter.

    a couple of people standing in a room with a book in their hands and a book in their hand, sots art, a detailed painting, Cedric Seaut (Keos Masons), official art

    Chloe became entranced by Damion's sensitivity and poetic soul, while Damion was enamored with Chloe's authenticity and brilliant mind.

    a group of people standing in a hallway next to each other in a classroom with a computer screen on the wall, sots art, a hyperrealistic painting, Cedric Seaut (Keos Masons), ultra realistic illustration

    Their blossoming relationship was mocked by their peers. Damion's friends saw Chloe as a wallflower, while Chloe's friends saw Damion as an arrogant pretty boy.

    a young man and woman standing in a hallway next to lockers with lockers on the walls and a hallway with lockers on the floor, vancouver school, a poster, Felix-Kelly, promotional image

    But their love was too strong to be extinguished by the winds of conformity. They drew strength from each other, their bond becoming unbreakable.

    a man and a woman standing in a hallway next to lockers with lockers behind them and a backpack on their shoulder, northwest school, a poster, Felix-Kelly, promotional image

    As their high school days waned, they faced a new challenge - the looming specter of separation as Chloe received a scholarship to a university far away.

    a man and a woman standing in a library with bookshelves behind them and a window in the background, hyperrealism, a painting, Colin Middleton, promotional image

    Despite the fear, they vowed to stay together, to keep their love alive despite the miles that would soon separate them.

    a couple of people that are hugging each other in front of a crowd of people wearing graduation caps and gowns, heidelberg school, a stock photo, Fletcher Martin, movie still

    On their graduation day, they promised each other to stay together no matter what. They held each other, their hearts filled with love and hope.

    a group of people in graduation gowns and caps posing for a picture together in front of a crowd, american barbizon school, a stock photo, Dennis Ashbaugh, promotional image

    As the day ended, they parted ways with a promise to meet again. Even as they went their separate ways, they knew they were halves of the same whole.

    a man and a woman sitting next to each other on a table looking at a book together and smiling, photorealism, a photorealistic painting, Bob Byerley, ultra realistic illustration

    Their love story continued, through letters, phone calls, and visits. Despite the distance, their love remained strong, their bond unbreakable.

    a man and a woman are standing together and reading a book together in the street, with trees in the background, romanticism, a poster, David Park, movie still

    Their love story is a testament to young love, a love that defies social hierarchy, a love that survives the test of time and distance, a love that burns bright.