Bubblegum and Butterflies
Charlize seems to have it all while Daniel, the town's notorious bad boy, spends his days mastering tricks at the local skate park and avoiding responsibility.
Their worlds collide when Daniel, showing off on his skateboard, crashes into Charlize outside their high school. The accident leaves Charlize with a broken arm and Daniel's bubblegum tangled in her hair.
As part of his punishment, Daniel is assigned to help Charlize catch up with her schoolwork. Their mutual animosity slowly transforms into friendship and then blossoms into first love.
But their newfound happiness is threatened when Charlize reveals that her family is immigrating to Australia at the end of the year. As the move approaches, Daniel and Charlize must navigate the pain of impending separation and the intensity of young love.
Heartfelt, bittersweet, and unforgettable, Bubblegum & Butterflies is a love story for anyone who's ever had to say goodbye before they were ready.
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Book Details
Imprint : Fiction for the Soul Books
eBook ISBN : 9798231168170
Paperback ISBN : 9798231866496
First Published Date : 5 May 2025
Language : English
Pages : 238
Words : 26,934
Format : ePub & PDF (you own the files)
Read on : Kindle, Apple, Android devices, Google Play Books, Nook, Kobo eReaders, Computers.
Delivery Time and Method : Downloads will be emailed immediately upon purchase.
Keywords : Small town Young Adult romance, Contemporary Young Adult fiction, High school enemies to lovers, Young Adult Coming of Age, Teen romance South Africa, Bittersweet love story, Skateboarder romance
Read an Excerpt
Perfect was exhausting.
Charlize van der Merwe studied her reflection in the girls’ bathroom mirror. Even though the mirror gave her a vignetted effect because the edges around the mirror were darker than the centre, the flickering fluorescent lights above her gave her face a lens flare look and she could see herself in stark detail. She adjusted her school blazer until it sat just right on her shoulders and tucked in her crisp white shirt so that there were no crinkles in sight. Leaning closer to the mirror, she tucked a strand of her golden hair behind her ear. She inspected every detail. Her flawless French braid, her pale pink lip gloss, and even the delicate curve of her lashes. Stepping back from the mirror it looked as if her reflection was the image of pure, effortless perfection but she knew better. Nothing about her life was effortless.
The bathroom door gave a haunted moan as it squeaked open, and Charlize immediately brightened her expression, slipping on the perfect smile she had perfected long ago and with a lot of practice.
Jolene and Thandiwe tumbled in. The sound of their giggles bounced off the bathroom’s stark white tiles and the sound of their shoes tapped rhythmically on the pale green linoleum.
“There you are,” Jolene said loudly. Her tone held an unmistakable mix of forced enthusiasm and anticipation. They were friends but not good friends. Charlize did not have any real friends. “We’ve been looking everywhere for you. Did you hear about Sarah’s party this weekend?”
Charlize’s eyes flickered with suppressed excitement as she applied another coat of her pale pink gloss. The strawberry sweet scent filled the air, and for a moment it masked the mix of bleach and cheap hand-soap. “Of course,” she said. “I’ve already cleared it with my mom.” She did not mention the twenty minutes of begging and pleading, and lectures about how to socialise responsibly, as well as all the promises of keeping her grades immaculate. Jolene and Thandiwe would never understand. Charlize was sure they never had to fight for permission to do the simplest things.
The shrill sound of the first bell vibrated through the bathroom.
Charlize gathered her bag, feeling the weight of expectations settle heavy on her shoulders but it felt like a familiar heavy jacket.
As they slipped from the bathroom into the crowded corridor of Vaalriver High School, the familiar noise of Monday morning filled the air. Laughter and shouted greetings surrounded them. It seemed as if everyone was still excited from the rugby match against their biggest rival from Saturday where, by the sound of it, Vaalriver High won by scoring a lot of tries.
Charlize barely registered the noise. Her day was planned from start to finish. Classes, a student council meeting, and then three hours of studying for her chemistry test tonight after dinner. A slip in her grades would be unacceptable.
Then she heard him.