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.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpw2EAzV71G
"Hey there stranger," she joked, sticking out her hand.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWEnjWKos2
The man's eyes widened at the sight of her. He shook her hand slowly, "I didn't expect to see you here."
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtsJJPR9Cu
She shrugged, "Aren't you glad?"
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkv2aytoSU0
"Yeah," he said with a smile, "I am."
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFrne3ECNy
Maybe they'll become good friends again.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEIRAP4hwO
------------------
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAuayaXGXM
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.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ43orKjyDK
Not long afterward, everyone knew they were close friends after the first year of college.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6coFQlhMeB
Friends.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9Y3MZoLJb
That's what they were classified as. They did things friends would do. Hang out, tell jokes, enjoying the other's presence...
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuet4xWENy
But the hugs lingered longer than necessary. Their touches became more frequent.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoIrV5Oh7o
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.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLgavIn2KE
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.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFjlE878tG
Claire and Miguel sat under a tree. Claire was wearing a flowy dress littered with pink roses.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfUnyo6CDt
"What a cliché outfit to wear," Miguel said when he looked at her.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyEErYs3gT
"Look at you!" she retorted, gesturing at his plain shirt and ripped pants. "At least I have better fashion sense."
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecb50m08G1
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.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUt16sGMsz
They decided to sit on a nearby tree. Claire put down the blanket she got while Miguel laid out the picnic basket he got.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydrzgYS8nv
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
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qPwXByV5n
"You know," Miguel said, looking up at the clouds, "I enjoy your company a lot."
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bVxqVOGI4
Claire looked up at the clouds, "Me too."
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagFNhzDeaS
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.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGp3oVI8ZP1
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.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3KalIpZBw
They turned to face each other.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPSkcByzRS
Claire didn't know what came over her, just that a strange urge to say something-
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0fiSN7o4D
"I like you," she blurted out suddenly. A light red flush covered her cheeks.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3KAuIzfrm
Miguel grinned. "I knew you couldn't resist me."
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfucA3qtULg
That earned him a shove. He laughed as Claire shook her head, embarrassed. She turned away from him, finding the benches far more interesting.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlayNfwvNV
"Claire?" he questioned. She didn't respond.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQj790E9Y1
"I uh- I like you too," he said quietly.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVMDKlR0kc
She didn't turn around.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDerXnHAsUg
He frowned, maybe he shouldn't joke when someone confesses their feelings. He'll keep that in mind.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXlhAslVEt
"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,"
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjwkNbp3nf
No response.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ11i9cM1Vs
"Claire?"
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKRQeY01B0
She quirked an eyebrow at him. "Well?" She turned around to fully look at him. "Aren't you going to kiss me?"
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdk4M76r6Gl
Miguel let out a small, surprised 'oh' as a pair of lips touched his.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCk2l39VoOb
------------------------
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdNYE3Ux11
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.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNHWW3xeMr
So much so, whenever she told her friends about Miguel, they would roll their eyes.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUt2KFz6Xe
"Uh-huh, we get it!"
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddwSpkk50a
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.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPn0YaomBsX
Two more years left of college.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0eD2lvnxA
------------------
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGxfM7b9iU
It was one of those days. Those days just made life harder. Those small infrequent moments just ruin everything so so quickly.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyW1rP9GQ1A
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.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURgvLAH7uK
"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.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrKH4SaLEO
They both hid a smile.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpA4GL7TsbZ
-------------------
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWuHfFHMiV
"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!"
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxiwIhlxhT
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."
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14OQStI1KJ
Claire let out an exaggerated gasp, "Don't insult my precious ice cream like that!"
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YzlYIDRdG
"I did and I would forever continue to do so.”
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdWlf0YfK0
Claire fake a frowned as she walked past him, "Well then, I guess this is goodbye.”
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewYJgx7lqA
"Hey, wait up!"
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvPMXSITcq
------------------
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMNKPF35Zl
"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.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZtoAHdhZN
"What should we watch?" she questioned, looking through the movies available.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUD6yoOBJpd
"The Nightmare Before Christmas!"
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OV8aAyUzp
Claire nodded as she put it on.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLj8tjCI5u
As the movie played out, both Miguel and Claire added their own input throughout the scenes.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRJUr09sCE
"It's just a phase, my dear..." Dr. Finklestein said when stitching up Sally.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQRJr6HwuV
Claire snorted. "Please, I'm stuck with a 12-year-old. It ain't no phase."
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ieVrfW0ns
"Now that's just rude-"
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTRDIfTlID
------------------
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUwy7FZ0OA
"Stay still..." muttered Miguel as he looked at Claire intently.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsorLgyDVg
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.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlUDdGRcxc
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.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusLkJ4bjww
Claire looked at the painting with appreciation, "Very nice..."
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLHR3Lcgo9
Miguel smiled, he enjoyed his major, (as much as he could), but art would always have a special place in his heart.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqy7DyZeJ1J
"Can I look at your other drawing again?"
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiF254EnGV
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.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4nF7GCChw
Miguel spotted the box in their shared closet. He stored most of his drawings there.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyiWHP5wVd
Claire stood behind him as he opened the box. He tried to keep his old drawings in order so he could see his progress.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2XYhG4yrl
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.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpL1RNkdMx
"Wow..." said Claire. "The feathers look amazing!"
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkxX7i3NEA
Miguel smiled.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0OdmejJkh
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.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1g3g9D1TX
"Ah! Is that supposed to show the time where we went to that amusement park?"
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rU1dwEXIH
Miguel's smile widened, "Our 3rd-year anniversary, we decided to go to the park."
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZU1kcGQebt
"Ugh, don't say it like that. It makes me feel old, like a married couple," Claire said.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKIlRHLzBl
He pulled out another drawing. It showed a giant stuffed bear.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjp9n5dVe4Q
"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.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfaRgXUmQG
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.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPF9VCAgq7
"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."
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrSqfdkREp
He set the bear drawing aside and pulled out another drawing. It showed an elderly woman smiling brightly. Her hair grey and face wrinkled.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoITAq7h03Z
"My mom," he whispered, his playful attitude gone.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCxWzCsoA4
Claire looked at him, "Cancer..."
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgq8VV76bgm
Miguel nodded, a pit of pain filling in his stomach. "It's okay..." she murmured, bringing him into a hug.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCovDV9SV5
"I don't want to die, Claire."
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6W714IrimC
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..."
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9BM8lMBRd
Miguel didn't respond. Her arms around him tightened.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJVX2wxo25
"Don't cry on me now..."
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfns0aT8x2
They held each other for the rest of the night.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡselFQdcxHX
Claire didn't notice the empty bed later on.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2II6Niamb5
------------------
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7cI1pGMSU
"Claire?" Miguel said one night in their apartment. They were both laying on their bed, trying to sleep.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnepfyVuivU
Miguel couldn't.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqU5qFWB7a
"Yes?" replied Claire. Maybe she couldn't sleep either.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80A5eCGrom
"Can you sing for me?"
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwJwuflFah
It was quiet for a moment.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eNYlJE5F4
Claire didn't feel comfortable singing with others around. "I'm not even that good," she'd murmur.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioDhbFQu5J
But then, a soft, but clear tone echoed through the room, "Wise men say...."
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65dCn0xY39
"Only fools rush in..."
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAL6FL7b8k
"But I can't help, falling in love with you..."
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9zEQy1I5P
For the rest of the night, Claire sang and Miguel listened.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzkQThDges
Miguel silently did agree.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdE2RLLx0M
Maybe they were fools for falling, but it felt nice.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0SKznPKaU
------------------
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KzmdZXAv6
"You are NOT cutting my hair, Miguel-!"
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoaBBWMocR
"C'mon! So many YouTubers do this!"
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVYlZO71fG
"Yeah, YOUTUBERS! For content!"
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVZLgkxR1Z
Miguel clasped his hands together.
"Please...?"
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEKLTH5DDC
Claire huffed, shaking her head. "You're such a child..."
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IJgTPTmPP
Miguel visibly brightened. He went to go grab the scissors. Clarie already washed her hair and straightened it.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAZRsfGFI6
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.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3MLQttbNM
"I better not be bald after this," she threatened.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFseBvrAq8
"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.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvkZlxXldN
Claire's eyes widened, "On second thought-"
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTmk0cuzGk
"Too late."
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhwREt2L4H
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.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQTLPgkRUa
Claire winced.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sRvvaQ8rd
Miguel trimmed the back of her hair. Going from section to section. Then went to the front of her hair.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSHptE3kVP
Claire made random noises here and then when she heard a loud snip from the scissors.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaev8ysn1e
"Please don't let everything end up unevenly..." she muttered.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVLVuMcP5Q
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.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIGeHo79ES
After a few minutes, he was finally finished.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpCMgcagv6
"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.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xzyVBInCu
She touched her hair, "I'm impressed.”
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzm1O7gwtF
"Shouldn't have doubted someone who's good looking.”
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg88Jh49S52
Claire rolled her eyes, "Haha, very funny."
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncFYQi0dTq
She looked around the bathroom floor and groaned, "Ugh, we gotta clean all this hair up.”
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zdnnxmwY8
"Not me!" said Miguel as he walked out of the room. "I did your hair. You just sat there the whole time!"
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5d8aXa9Km
Claire pursed her lips, but let him leave. She grabbed the broom and began working.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2677XaQ6t
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..."
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1oQcGacJs
Claire secretly hid a smile as he helped her clean up.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwXaTg0riC
------------------
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3Nx9frOb6
"Matt is weird," Miguel said during one of their gossip nights.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAjIWSIaJj
Claire frowned, "Matt? The mint chocolate ice cream hater?"
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJ0W0dq5RN
"Yeah," Miguel said, "Something suspicious is going on with him and Liam."
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdxnizwZnk
She raised an eyebrow, "What makes you think that?"
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTmMMJh3vk
Miguel looked up thoughtfully, "I keep seeing them glaring at each other," Claire stared at him.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMBGSQRIIn
"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."
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLtnmkW6hA
Claire nodded slowly, muttering "Playboys," under her breath.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP79l2wMtp
"I should probably tell them to stop.”
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3g58k3xU6i
She gave him a look, 'you think?''
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDaES8R3VK
After a moment of silence, Claire spoke up, "You know that one girl in my accounting class? She gave me some chocolate.”
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfmbuzxpKW
Miguel let out a hum.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPO6PZTNpc
"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."
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEocPMyUteD
She let out a breath, "I...didn't think anyone would ever care if I left this place."
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz9P2fZ4MH
They both went silent.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUanHP8aLY
"Would you believe me if I told you I love you?" Miguel said. Claire froze, her eyes wide.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9diTVCjWY
"That you love me?" she repeated. She searched his face for a few moments.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eKhJ3Opp6
"Do you really?"
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSs9CdAb9s
"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."
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqANvOYyzbw
Miguel looked at her and clasped their hands together.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygen7OYmux
"I love you, Claire.”
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvcRLW9h33
Love.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMx3q5NWlYN
A scary thought.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkObxmD6Bqi
A scary feeling to have.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMHCYnPeE2
But she smiled.
570Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNBzoFojLS
"I love you too.”
ns216.73.216.238da2
