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.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAJ2U9VVCbmm
"Hey there stranger," she joked, sticking out her hand.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAK5I9dJmbm3
The man's eyes widened at the sight of her. He shook her hand slowly, "I didn't expect to see you here."
515Please respect copyright.PENANACjQtxDIkWW
She shrugged, "Aren't you glad?"
515Please respect copyright.PENANAZ69UHpEhXj
"Yeah," he said with a smile, "I am."
515Please respect copyright.PENANAKoXPnp8ac4
Maybe they'll become good friends again.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAWDdmlBcQWm
------------------
515Please respect copyright.PENANAzavVSaty4J
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.
515Please respect copyright.PENANABrStB7cru0
Not long afterward, everyone knew they were close friends after the first year of college.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAPJkU5lqtUn
Friends.
515Please respect copyright.PENANA28x1uecons
That's what they were classified as. They did things friends would do. Hang out, tell jokes, enjoying the other's presence...
515Please respect copyright.PENANACzAhBOOZe4
But the hugs lingered longer than necessary. Their touches became more frequent.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAALNtkT2Gms
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.
515Please respect copyright.PENANA5pUB93INzY
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.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAZg73Dgn2MA
Claire and Miguel sat under a tree. Claire was wearing a flowy dress littered with pink roses.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAqvdWpYxscZ
"What a cliché outfit to wear," Miguel said when he looked at her.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAbpQipwPFEr
"Look at you!" she retorted, gesturing at his plain shirt and ripped pants. "At least I have better fashion sense."
515Please respect copyright.PENANAYqOqOB1VfS
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.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAQEWomqJEpy
They decided to sit on a nearby tree. Claire put down the blanket she got while Miguel laid out the picnic basket he got.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAYPWHeYVGta
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
515Please respect copyright.PENANAh1OAUOi7gJ
"You know," Miguel said, looking up at the clouds, "I enjoy your company a lot."
515Please respect copyright.PENANA8FDMuzs8vW
Claire looked up at the clouds, "Me too."
515Please respect copyright.PENANA7ZnmMcT1rQ
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.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAONy9WhrBCf
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.
515Please respect copyright.PENANA2WVsiwQxao
They turned to face each other.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAzCYS2pCiRC
Claire didn't know what came over her, just that a strange urge to say something-
515Please respect copyright.PENANA6GRueXSR60
"I like you," she blurted out suddenly. A light red flush covered her cheeks.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAUUtztj9TYp
Miguel grinned. "I knew you couldn't resist me."
515Please respect copyright.PENANAGH16zwzNB6
That earned him a shove. He laughed as Claire shook her head, embarrassed. She turned away from him, finding the benches far more interesting.
515Please respect copyright.PENANARhOWawYOx7
"Claire?" he questioned. She didn't respond.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAnz7tXssWfT
"I uh- I like you too," he said quietly.
515Please respect copyright.PENANA6o68Om7Cng
She didn't turn around.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAtjAerhTbFf
He frowned, maybe he shouldn't joke when someone confesses their feelings. He'll keep that in mind.
515Please respect copyright.PENANADJggFg2Uer
"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,"
515Please respect copyright.PENANA4ICdK2HG0S
No response.
515Please respect copyright.PENANA7kdO16uUTP
"Claire?"
515Please respect copyright.PENANAXyhu3EMj3e
She quirked an eyebrow at him. "Well?" She turned around to fully look at him. "Aren't you going to kiss me?"
515Please respect copyright.PENANA5czX32zgo6
Miguel let out a small, surprised 'oh' as a pair of lips touched his.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAoGGUkK7Vtk
------------------------
515Please respect copyright.PENANA8Mo6gyaKJ1
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.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAK25EPfiDoE
So much so, whenever she told her friends about Miguel, they would roll their eyes.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAvXDvPgxNFH
"Uh-huh, we get it!"
515Please respect copyright.PENANADFKwIp1w8q
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.
515Please respect copyright.PENANApFJvNTYSUM
Two more years left of college.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAmieLgp1a0L
------------------
515Please respect copyright.PENANAb9N1RsGmj1
It was one of those days. Those days just made life harder. Those small infrequent moments just ruin everything so so quickly.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAc1AINUevR0
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.
515Please respect copyright.PENANA5KBotfILyr
"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.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAhp6TDGiGiR
They both hid a smile.
515Please respect copyright.PENANA2B57Ltn7ND
-------------------
515Please respect copyright.PENANAv0ZhZLh4UX
"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!"
515Please respect copyright.PENANAbnHVful5PO
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."
515Please respect copyright.PENANAw6P03QzQUj
Claire let out an exaggerated gasp, "Don't insult my precious ice cream like that!"
515Please respect copyright.PENANAj3KN52hBtn
"I did and I would forever continue to do so.”
515Please respect copyright.PENANAMYdRkg8jJt
Claire fake a frowned as she walked past him, "Well then, I guess this is goodbye.”
515Please respect copyright.PENANAgisD4L5oZT
"Hey, wait up!"
515Please respect copyright.PENANACZfic976Qw
------------------
515Please respect copyright.PENANATIAmeWcIDn
"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.
515Please respect copyright.PENANA9xXF0TThn6
"What should we watch?" she questioned, looking through the movies available.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAmpLsvFIBWq
"The Nightmare Before Christmas!"
515Please respect copyright.PENANAHIsVRMjj1M
Claire nodded as she put it on.
515Please respect copyright.PENANA3QRHA5bDRe
As the movie played out, both Miguel and Claire added their own input throughout the scenes.
515Please respect copyright.PENANA4LhhcBm703
"It's just a phase, my dear..." Dr. Finklestein said when stitching up Sally.
515Please respect copyright.PENANA1MA09k14pe
Claire snorted. "Please, I'm stuck with a 12-year-old. It ain't no phase."
515Please respect copyright.PENANARsufKIXZJg
"Now that's just rude-"
515Please respect copyright.PENANAU4BXhNaSJl
------------------
515Please respect copyright.PENANAR1kXEdcAlI
"Stay still..." muttered Miguel as he looked at Claire intently.
515Please respect copyright.PENANA02nFFRfUYG
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.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAIxJJQjtkKt
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.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAeaY0N55zos
Claire looked at the painting with appreciation, "Very nice..."
515Please respect copyright.PENANA02m5HjQnf3
Miguel smiled, he enjoyed his major, (as much as he could), but art would always have a special place in his heart.
515Please respect copyright.PENANA85QFdFEE5m
"Can I look at your other drawing again?"
515Please respect copyright.PENANAgloi8eklw7
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.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAiKdRYKKTKw
Miguel spotted the box in their shared closet. He stored most of his drawings there.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAULP6ye2eRG
Claire stood behind him as he opened the box. He tried to keep his old drawings in order so he could see his progress.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAG0siXr2Tzv
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.
515Please respect copyright.PENANA7VV0t4CpvI
"Wow..." said Claire. "The feathers look amazing!"
515Please respect copyright.PENANAfcZmF6GkrZ
Miguel smiled.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAYTOaqfJpNF
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.
515Please respect copyright.PENANA7dQjM5FyjY
"Ah! Is that supposed to show the time where we went to that amusement park?"
515Please respect copyright.PENANA5VtmJPI3RH
Miguel's smile widened, "Our 3rd-year anniversary, we decided to go to the park."
515Please respect copyright.PENANAvCIVdAa2Us
"Ugh, don't say it like that. It makes me feel old, like a married couple," Claire said.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAe6xKULPHoe
He pulled out another drawing. It showed a giant stuffed bear.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAmSOMNK7AtS
"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.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAzLqSQUSMVK
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.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAaE64XJbH5Q
"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."
515Please respect copyright.PENANAuIjiwd9suj
He set the bear drawing aside and pulled out another drawing. It showed an elderly woman smiling brightly. Her hair grey and face wrinkled.
515Please respect copyright.PENANA2sAw4SJYkU
"My mom," he whispered, his playful attitude gone.
515Please respect copyright.PENANA2nyANOV7ZP
Claire looked at him, "Cancer..."
515Please respect copyright.PENANAnMHFnZHkFK
Miguel nodded, a pit of pain filling in his stomach. "It's okay..." she murmured, bringing him into a hug.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAMKWnYFIuY0
"I don't want to die, Claire."
515Please respect copyright.PENANArP7ZsGxn24
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..."
515Please respect copyright.PENANAclxRW984bL
Miguel didn't respond. Her arms around him tightened.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAc1Abt6UGYU
"Don't cry on me now..."
515Please respect copyright.PENANAbepNjtA18H
They held each other for the rest of the night.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAOKYLQ5NfKJ
Claire didn't notice the empty bed later on.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAephAw7IGfs
------------------
515Please respect copyright.PENANAIlbI4bD7E5
"Claire?" Miguel said one night in their apartment. They were both laying on their bed, trying to sleep.
515Please respect copyright.PENANA4odUvkOXL7
Miguel couldn't.
515Please respect copyright.PENANA2mEwpz7YLj
"Yes?" replied Claire. Maybe she couldn't sleep either.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAoQG14hj1W2
"Can you sing for me?"
515Please respect copyright.PENANAnx47QpwplJ
It was quiet for a moment.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAOXEpzLocUK
Claire didn't feel comfortable singing with others around. "I'm not even that good," she'd murmur.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAitPCf6Acgx
But then, a soft, but clear tone echoed through the room, "Wise men say...."
515Please respect copyright.PENANAgK8DUKjSTs
"Only fools rush in..."
515Please respect copyright.PENANAjlDnNRYwUN
"But I can't help, falling in love with you..."
515Please respect copyright.PENANAlvL1cTYDAx
For the rest of the night, Claire sang and Miguel listened.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAarpOfZQ8nS
Miguel silently did agree.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAZyvqxEf3Rs
Maybe they were fools for falling, but it felt nice.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAyqLw5XRDMY
------------------
515Please respect copyright.PENANAIz1QnUQBdV
"You are NOT cutting my hair, Miguel-!"
515Please respect copyright.PENANACJsGc5WFmP
"C'mon! So many YouTubers do this!"
515Please respect copyright.PENANAjekcMfQXct
"Yeah, YOUTUBERS! For content!"
515Please respect copyright.PENANAXCCvjKYWTc
Miguel clasped his hands together.
"Please...?"
515Please respect copyright.PENANAHLCqySw62w
Claire huffed, shaking her head. "You're such a child..."
515Please respect copyright.PENANAq5zdKVS2XS
Miguel visibly brightened. He went to go grab the scissors. Clarie already washed her hair and straightened it.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAXPPC1EWrbO
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.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAAbbXq7dYz3
"I better not be bald after this," she threatened.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAii5KUYJVQX
"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.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAk7RTYTLOb1
Claire's eyes widened, "On second thought-"
515Please respect copyright.PENANATJiZ9GiehA
"Too late."
515Please respect copyright.PENANAbD9CcZjYa5
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.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAfWf4NvNquE
Claire winced.
515Please respect copyright.PENANA2Hr6dyFTB6
Miguel trimmed the back of her hair. Going from section to section. Then went to the front of her hair.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAejkKgIDRju
Claire made random noises here and then when she heard a loud snip from the scissors.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAeg2HmKfJrZ
"Please don't let everything end up unevenly..." she muttered.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAQNU3xT1rR6
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.
515Please respect copyright.PENANA5cYwkf8LsK
After a few minutes, he was finally finished.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAUlauPfjD7f
"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.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAE2Oy6KYqH9
She touched her hair, "I'm impressed.”
515Please respect copyright.PENANALuaQ0oESB7
"Shouldn't have doubted someone who's good looking.”
515Please respect copyright.PENANAkQKho4se2T
Claire rolled her eyes, "Haha, very funny."
515Please respect copyright.PENANAo51JacPEII
She looked around the bathroom floor and groaned, "Ugh, we gotta clean all this hair up.”
515Please respect copyright.PENANAeP8bsukTaR
"Not me!" said Miguel as he walked out of the room. "I did your hair. You just sat there the whole time!"
515Please respect copyright.PENANARQEDuYZL4M
Claire pursed her lips, but let him leave. She grabbed the broom and began working.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAytW3sqCxb5
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..."
515Please respect copyright.PENANABk9o02eEqF
Claire secretly hid a smile as he helped her clean up.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAYQ5cv1xT6E
------------------
515Please respect copyright.PENANAJdLXIakNjT
"Matt is weird," Miguel said during one of their gossip nights.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAuipDX9jd1w
Claire frowned, "Matt? The mint chocolate ice cream hater?"
515Please respect copyright.PENANAJpt2on4hbu
"Yeah," Miguel said, "Something suspicious is going on with him and Liam."
515Please respect copyright.PENANAtTjnkJ1j6r
She raised an eyebrow, "What makes you think that?"
515Please respect copyright.PENANAz7NhtgqdfJ
Miguel looked up thoughtfully, "I keep seeing them glaring at each other," Claire stared at him.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAUGXzXXxTC2
"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."
515Please respect copyright.PENANAxNT3SMFtp0
Claire nodded slowly, muttering "Playboys," under her breath.
515Please respect copyright.PENANACBhQLTE0dk
"I should probably tell them to stop.”
515Please respect copyright.PENANAcBWQJ0iF8g
She gave him a look, 'you think?''
515Please respect copyright.PENANAB3iETkd0fo
After a moment of silence, Claire spoke up, "You know that one girl in my accounting class? She gave me some chocolate.”
515Please respect copyright.PENANAVI3NI0us7C
Miguel let out a hum.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAljSEmK2YVm
"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."
515Please respect copyright.PENANAZHhNAPFmRc
She let out a breath, "I...didn't think anyone would ever care if I left this place."
515Please respect copyright.PENANA5lIdcKZWG0
They both went silent.
515Please respect copyright.PENANALLH7mBmBHh
"Would you believe me if I told you I love you?" Miguel said. Claire froze, her eyes wide.
515Please respect copyright.PENANA6ODVoRCIYs
"That you love me?" she repeated. She searched his face for a few moments.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAwtnzEKXILU
"Do you really?"
515Please respect copyright.PENANAEod6DK4c8t
"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."
515Please respect copyright.PENANAd8pAV0oSCj
Miguel looked at her and clasped their hands together.
515Please respect copyright.PENANA7tAn0DaPs8
"I love you, Claire.”
515Please respect copyright.PENANAjurxzOEzu7
Love.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAGP6QJCIPR7
A scary thought.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAIpGqZZZDZ4
A scary feeling to have.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAnPnKmWCIlM
But she smiled.
515Please respect copyright.PENANAAq7g4q35Rf
"I love you too.”
ns216.73.216.8da2