Please point out any mistakes that you see. It's greatly appreciated <3
—-
They met up again in college, once good childhood friends, but now, they're two newly formed adults facing the real world.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfW2AsEXK0
"Hey there stranger," she joked, sticking out her hand.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzD1NGuHIt8
The man's eyes widened at the sight of her. He shook her hand slowly, "I didn't expect to see you here."
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oGRTyKgKg
She shrugged, "Aren't you glad?"
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbGAwVzrAm
"Yeah," he said with a smile, "I am."
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO281tCyu2I
Maybe they'll become good friends again.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSl4VJxa866
------------------
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsg9JGcly5
They did. After that exchange, they met often. They were in similar classes since they had the same major. Every morning they would walk up to their first class together after getting some much-needed coffee. They would often meet up to study together.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgfFlke5t5
Not long afterward, everyone knew they were close friends after the first year of college.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZChiiAUtS
Friends.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6S1gGt040
That's what they were classified as. They did things friends would do. Hang out, tell jokes, enjoying the other's presence...
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRlongxf3d
But the hugs lingered longer than necessary. Their touches became more frequent.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDQKjPb7dV
One day, they decided to go to a park near the college. Trees and flowers varying from color to color covered the vast area. Families stood under them for shade as they had a picnic.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWB4QiTzUz
Near the side walk was a man with a silly oversized hat selling ice cream to the passerby's. Children ran and got in line to get ice cream, others were playing tag.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zFepNNzwQ
Claire and Miguel sat under a tree. Claire was wearing a flowy dress littered with pink roses.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVtyoYGyrQ
"What a cliché outfit to wear," Miguel said when he looked at her.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BBt68ZMhX
"Look at you!" she retorted, gesturing at his plain shirt and ripped pants. "At least I have better fashion sense."
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKS3LYAbtU
Miguel didn't make another comment after that. He knew that his fashion sense was awful, especially when he went into Middle School. The time he and Claire met.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTwBtPpKLY
They decided to sit on a nearby tree. Claire put down the blanket she got while Miguel laid out the picnic basket he got.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhFvKnvP37
They distantly heard the yapping and barks of dogs. Claire took out some strawberries from the basket, taking a bit as they sat in silence. A
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡis6ac2DBnV
"You know," Miguel said, looking up at the clouds, "I enjoy your company a lot."
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YH0awhqKh
Claire looked up at the clouds, "Me too."
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQDS1Mg89v
Claire was very pretty. She had light, brown, wavy hair with hazel eyes. Her face was soft with round cheeks that made her look younger than she was, but her sharp eyes were intimidating.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLl1iZARCUd
Miguel also had brown hair, a much darker shade; his curly hair fell on his forehead. He also had dark brown eyes and high cheekbones. To Claire's annoyance, lots of girls swooned for him.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLcZCzOTSS
They turned to face each other.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnp6yzPOLx
Claire didn't know what came over her, just that a strange urge to say something-
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2OXvMu67D
"I like you," she blurted out suddenly. A light red flush covered her cheeks.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAE1YSIQ3rE
Miguel grinned. "I knew you couldn't resist me."
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Cxt37fDGU
That earned him a shove. He laughed as Claire shook her head, embarrassed. She turned away from him, finding the benches far more interesting.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dKAtUgx0S
"Claire?" he questioned. She didn't respond.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgBQui2LLQ
"I uh- I like you too," he said quietly.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wcWTskCrW
She didn't turn around.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoKrJDqgnB
He frowned, maybe he shouldn't joke when someone confesses their feelings. He'll keep that in mind.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ423JSNbslx
"I'm sorry for acting that way, I just..." he trailed off, "I'm not serious, and you know that, but really, I like you to,"
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdr1NMdEwxh
No response.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzM8Q4PZeb
"Claire?"
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO73JJw82w4
She quirked an eyebrow at him. "Well?" She turned around to fully look at him. "Aren't you going to kiss me?"
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzcAWIeJEU
Miguel let out a small, surprised 'oh' as a pair of lips touched his.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWy5YMsjLei
------------------------
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6CZeHprOw
Before, they were inseparable, but now, they seemed like soulmates. Always knowing if something was wrong with the other, knowing what to say, and what to do.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5qCOrsSRG
So much so, whenever she told her friends about Miguel, they would roll their eyes.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYkfrrQzUv
"Uh-huh, we get it!"
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBUwgHN5Pq
Just like that, two years passed by in a flash. Claire was guaranteed an internship after she completed college. Miguel was getting mentored by someone with influence; he might be qualified to lead a company one day.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlwOGUB41f
Two more years left of college.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBENzL69Oy
------------------
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ox0hMhQkJ
It was one of those days. Those days just made life harder. Those small infrequent moments just ruin everything so so quickly.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjZcaRCjqL
Claire and Miguel were having one of those days. Claire was sitting on her bed with a laptop on her lap. Miguel came into their shared apartment after he studied in the library for an upcoming exam.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFyoOGz7go
"Claire?" he said softly from the door. Claire looked up and rubbed her tired eyes. She looked at her laptop then at Miguel. Miguel outstretched his hands. With a reluctant sigh, she closed it and walked over to hug him.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FWnzo2q4g
They both hid a smile.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tqE8ld59m
-------------------
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbv4rPaZSsl
"Hey! Not my ice cream!" Claire cried out, bringing her cone closer to her face as Miguel tried to grab it. He let out a laugh. "Just let me try it!"
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKBZfikbNd
Claire narrowed her brows, but let him try it. Miguel licked it happily. His expression was thoughtful and licked it again until his face suddenly contorted to a grimace. "Ugh- Matt was right. Mint chocolate ice cream sucks."
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzowD92DmR
Claire let out an exaggerated gasp, "Don't insult my precious ice cream like that!"
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6VsED1r8c
"I did and I would forever continue to do so.”
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGFtFbzWPG
Claire fake a frowned as she walked past him, "Well then, I guess this is goodbye.”
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxvI259pfP
"Hey, wait up!"
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTs3BsOPed
------------------
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnArkwYGzS
"Movie night!" Claire shouted as she dashed to the living room. It was Halloween so Claire was a lot more hyper than usual. Miguel shuffled after her. He was holding a bowl of popcorn, soda, and some other snacks to eat.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnAiqas7u6
"What should we watch?" she questioned, looking through the movies available.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05YEenvgcS
"The Nightmare Before Christmas!"
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqlDmek6kJ
Claire nodded as she put it on.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Cp1UHagL3
As the movie played out, both Miguel and Claire added their own input throughout the scenes.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdc3Gm3Di9q
"It's just a phase, my dear..." Dr. Finklestein said when stitching up Sally.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZzbyODQfE
Claire snorted. "Please, I'm stuck with a 12-year-old. It ain't no phase."
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxssFNtQlC
"Now that's just rude-"
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTqhTp9ago
------------------
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaN7x987tg
"Stay still..." muttered Miguel as he looked at Claire intently.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHYKOhVWVq
She sighed but obligated. After a few minutes, Miguel stepped back from his painting to compare them both. With a satisfied smile, he showed her the painting.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYH6Pa8MjPH
It showed Claire sitting on an oak chair as she placed one arm across the table and the other one on her jaw. Her gaze was towards the window. It looked like she was lost in thought, curios of the outside.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJJxv6pCWO
Claire looked at the painting with appreciation, "Very nice..."
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUmS6eLCi6
Miguel smiled, he enjoyed his major, (as much as he could), but art would always have a special place in his heart.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBSr6HbiXg
"Can I look at your other drawing again?"
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKNovMqL48
Miguel looked up and nodded. He went to look for his portfolio of drawings. Claire was one of the main reasons he discovered his passion for art when he was in Middle School.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXXQARCq7o
Miguel spotted the box in their shared closet. He stored most of his drawings there.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTBWE5Y3Z2
Claire stood behind him as he opened the box. He tried to keep his old drawings in order so he could see his progress.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTM2pbNjtn
He placed the box on the ground and took the first drawing out. It showed a bird flying with no color. Miguel knew that would take too much time to finish. The bird's wings extended as it took flight, portraying motion. The background was filled with trees and leaves.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZ240NQt43
"Wow..." said Claire. "The feathers look amazing!"
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD4TfVzL7J
Miguel smiled.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfktkK1UXsd
The next drawing was colored. It showed two hands holding some cotton candy. The right hand had a bracelet that looked eerily similar to the one Claire had.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0TRkyoWhu
"Ah! Is that supposed to show the time where we went to that amusement park?"
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkfsHIEY5b
Miguel's smile widened, "Our 3rd-year anniversary, we decided to go to the park."
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWbrz0bm7l
"Ugh, don't say it like that. It makes me feel old, like a married couple," Claire said.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ67Rbzsr1S
He pulled out another drawing. It showed a giant stuffed bear.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeOwXakmSs
"Leo!" exclaimed Claire. Miguel gifted her a giant stuffed bear for Valentine's day. She found it a bit...cringe, but still decided to keep and name it.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFL1durYSB
Miguel scratched the back of his neck as Claire inspected the drawing. The drawing not only showed the bear, but Claire too. The bear's big arms were wrapped around her small form.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUg5xOKvax
"I like it," she said, and turned to him with a mischievous smile, "If you were jealous of the bear, you should've just said so."
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsMIZ6Xosw
He set the bear drawing aside and pulled out another drawing. It showed an elderly woman smiling brightly. Her hair grey and face wrinkled.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHr4OgxrhaC
"My mom," he whispered, his playful attitude gone.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSPOmtXKNB
Claire looked at him, "Cancer..."
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbfagKuN1I
Miguel nodded, a pit of pain filling in his stomach. "It's okay..." she murmured, bringing him into a hug.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4pPe3Nto1
"I don't want to die, Claire."
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklz6LaLJXm
Claire's warm eyes stared into his, "It'll be fine.." she said. "We'll have fun for the next few years, okay? Lots of fun..."
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurL8zpdVk6
Miguel didn't respond. Her arms around him tightened.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y8g6lCx3M
"Don't cry on me now..."
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDqi94yv2A
They held each other for the rest of the night.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjGgxkrWw6
Claire didn't notice the empty bed later on.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LfFUZ277Y
------------------
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXza1YQ81L
"Claire?" Miguel said one night in their apartment. They were both laying on their bed, trying to sleep.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssQ1BKGzon
Miguel couldn't.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL00v5TXGEr
"Yes?" replied Claire. Maybe she couldn't sleep either.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTlHRtVK9D
"Can you sing for me?"
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAoQ0EjtTX
It was quiet for a moment.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDj3UmUZC1
Claire didn't feel comfortable singing with others around. "I'm not even that good," she'd murmur.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6qmPrK4cd
But then, a soft, but clear tone echoed through the room, "Wise men say...."
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZE9baqKKzO
"Only fools rush in..."
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9M0UnXxc9Q
"But I can't help, falling in love with you..."
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkYOV38dct
For the rest of the night, Claire sang and Miguel listened.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAhnbNvKqU
Miguel silently did agree.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3IloTgHrU
Maybe they were fools for falling, but it felt nice.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BSGKAgO12
------------------
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tM4VTyUXc
"You are NOT cutting my hair, Miguel-!"
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYT8ZSSKX1o
"C'mon! So many YouTubers do this!"
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxj4TQ9Rwp
"Yeah, YOUTUBERS! For content!"
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpCLUPqwoB
Miguel clasped his hands together.
"Please...?"
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEW0eOf2mO
Claire huffed, shaking her head. "You're such a child..."
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXB2s3ilxu
Miguel visibly brightened. He went to go grab the scissors. Clarie already washed her hair and straightened it.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGXKzXkm0a
They were in the bathroom. The yellow lights lit up the small space. Claire was sitting on a stool that Miguel used to own back home. She looked over the freshly cleaned mirror to see her own terrified expression looking back at her. She clutched the chair tighter.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyVBFEbLeE
"I better not be bald after this," she threatened.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEwYdUJXGS
"Don’t worry, I searched this stuff up.” He held her chin, “just for you.”
She turned her head away, a sneer on her lips. Miguel laughed.
He combed her hair and grabbed the scissors.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4JEFHPGVB
Claire's eyes widened, "On second thought-"
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKyW90e3nT
"Too late."
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jk7dNL6q9
She glowered at him as he combed the back of her hair. Her hair was tied in sections. He combed a piece of hair and left half an inch in between his fingers. With his scissors angled, he cut her hair.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiECNSwgI3A
Claire winced.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34AfNEXjlg
Miguel trimmed the back of her hair. Going from section to section. Then went to the front of her hair.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM1eb4wk7d
Claire made random noises here and then when she heard a loud snip from the scissors.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpu6BJHxW6
"Please don't let everything end up unevenly..." she muttered.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KYR9hhAQV
Despite Claire's less than encouraging words, Miguel kept going. He cut her hair and often checked to see if they were around the same length.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVk4yI5YYi7
After a few minutes, he was finally finished.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeRBtXFyTz
"Done!" He exclaimed. Claire opened her eyes and stared at herself in the mirror. Her long wavy hair gone, now replaced with straight, shoulder-length hair. Everything seemed surprisingly well done.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbWvDjReFP
She touched her hair, "I'm impressed.”
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52hbnYszNB
"Shouldn't have doubted someone who's good looking.”
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡns3kGIDJwh
Claire rolled her eyes, "Haha, very funny."
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmjdaZ3n9Q
She looked around the bathroom floor and groaned, "Ugh, we gotta clean all this hair up.”
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS79gl07ki
"Not me!" said Miguel as he walked out of the room. "I did your hair. You just sat there the whole time!"
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ861xqyZgTY
Claire pursed her lips, but let him leave. She grabbed the broom and began working.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwCBOpZ3N3
Three minutes later, Miguel came back, saying something along the lines of, "I was bored and I- hey! I'm not doing this because I feel guilty..."
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JG23ayn7u
Claire secretly hid a smile as he helped her clean up.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkEmvHbPmM
------------------
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dtSRjLiWc
"Matt is weird," Miguel said during one of their gossip nights.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfofRG0yM5b
Claire frowned, "Matt? The mint chocolate ice cream hater?"
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwf6ujWuts
"Yeah," Miguel said, "Something suspicious is going on with him and Liam."
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaHCK9fGV8
She raised an eyebrow, "What makes you think that?"
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyPVMRjr6t
Miguel looked up thoughtfully, "I keep seeing them glaring at each other," Claire stared at him.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLcEx33F7q
"Like- whenever one of them talks to a girl, they glare. I think they might have the same crush, or they're competing against each other to see how many people they can hook up with."
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGR0iFZ6Mu
Claire nodded slowly, muttering "Playboys," under her breath.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJzptaxhkr
"I should probably tell them to stop.”
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbUJ6nJWWB
She gave him a look, 'you think?''
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLgo8noohw
After a moment of silence, Claire spoke up, "You know that one girl in my accounting class? She gave me some chocolate.”
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWq8Ihe5J7x
Miguel let out a hum.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFOg00K5uL
"I remember inviting her to my table since she seemed lonely...She told me it was because I made her have confidence. That's insane," Claire said. "Someone feeling happy because of me. Because of what I did."
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9EsGpcplw
She let out a breath, "I...didn't think anyone would ever care if I left this place."
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRItz3VK1b
They both went silent.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiIHuIgJjz
"Would you believe me if I told you I love you?" Miguel said. Claire froze, her eyes wide.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyJT3NNnGc
"That you love me?" she repeated. She searched his face for a few moments.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlL4EwiiqU
"Do you really?"
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpnOd1j1KP
"I think so," he said. "Love is when we cry for what the other did. Love is when we can learn to accept our actions and say we were wrong without shame. Love is when mistakes won't be repeated. We learn and grow from them."
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5EHUhmOko
Miguel looked at her and clasped their hands together.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgyKgHOAXC
"I love you, Claire.”
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvrY1UP67L
Love.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAHS7R1Ckr
A scary thought.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEfWbGTBGJ
A scary feeling to have.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNhf25AhAZ
But she smiled.
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyEGR5AMxe
"I love you too.”
ns18.223.168.194da2
