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.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9p6yCxuu6
"Hey there stranger," she joked, sticking out her hand.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnOu8d7LYV
The man's eyes widened at the sight of her. He shook her hand slowly, "I didn't expect to see you here."
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5WwRry2pz
She shrugged, "Aren't you glad?"
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpUzsaRbHL
"Yeah," he said with a smile, "I am."
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRe1Xp85wh3
Maybe they'll become good friends again.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yrNn1NDtu
------------------
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexieQVHy09
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.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4b9edCKakA
Not long afterward, everyone knew they were close friends after the first year of college.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0x2IVnobf
Friends.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0QwncQqfT
That's what they were classified as. They did things friends would do. Hang out, tell jokes, enjoying the other's presence...
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgwpyJNn1P
But the hugs lingered longer than necessary. Their touches became more frequent.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpOF6IwR4i
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.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGJ7IVeXgj
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.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kQKrM4bFT
Claire and Miguel sat under a tree. Claire was wearing a flowy dress littered with pink roses.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKsJiPc2r0
"What a cliché outfit to wear," Miguel said when he looked at her.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHsEBImfte
"Look at you!" she retorted, gesturing at his plain shirt and ripped pants. "At least I have better fashion sense."
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGmlOWsEap
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.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXr2C81bCW
They decided to sit on a nearby tree. Claire put down the blanket she got while Miguel laid out the picnic basket he got.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAbPn6aDOs
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
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFg2DxyiuX6
"You know," Miguel said, looking up at the clouds, "I enjoy your company a lot."
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ16D5oxUvB
Claire looked up at the clouds, "Me too."
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqVakH61qf
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.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwetmdo1Fqj
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.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VZAfOp68x
They turned to face each other.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4elFWh9KhQ
Claire didn't know what came over her, just that a strange urge to say something-
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6Amygqvip
"I like you," she blurted out suddenly. A light red flush covered her cheeks.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoMzpxm0BN
Miguel grinned. "I knew you couldn't resist me."
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxpTyOq96n
That earned him a shove. He laughed as Claire shook her head, embarrassed. She turned away from him, finding the benches far more interesting.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHGM1T0yVd
"Claire?" he questioned. She didn't respond.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooOYy9tnpc
"I uh- I like you too," he said quietly.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTA0yawGQo
She didn't turn around.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Qb3j0dRTR
He frowned, maybe he shouldn't joke when someone confesses their feelings. He'll keep that in mind.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaF6VBcCl6j
"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,"
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaa3T4pnlH4
No response.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBGxaizxj0
"Claire?"
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJbPADy8U9
She quirked an eyebrow at him. "Well?" She turned around to fully look at him. "Aren't you going to kiss me?"
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJiXu7mIWQ
Miguel let out a small, surprised 'oh' as a pair of lips touched his.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubP4lKYvsa
------------------------
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMMhy55CA4
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.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67RJee040a
So much so, whenever she told her friends about Miguel, they would roll their eyes.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Z0u1pwMCC
"Uh-huh, we get it!"
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZpqzZi4ag
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.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dAsLouE1q
Two more years left of college.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD28wCtlHVA
------------------
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KGeJo3Fi1
It was one of those days. Those days just made life harder. Those small infrequent moments just ruin everything so so quickly.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIljuVUReM0
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.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eskKb82Nl
"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.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYU7VQCjyJO
They both hid a smile.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzBDK6QgSE
-------------------
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfumjDQizD
"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!"
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91whL6UUgY
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."
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IRBR13uIj
Claire let out an exaggerated gasp, "Don't insult my precious ice cream like that!"
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUq5BnFClpv
"I did and I would forever continue to do so.”
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkMlvzb2Z6
Claire fake a frowned as she walked past him, "Well then, I guess this is goodbye.”
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPO0lOiCc3m
"Hey, wait up!"
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcWgWNeZrG
------------------
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdF13tJUvw
"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.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYhUPKz1EB
"What should we watch?" she questioned, looking through the movies available.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKoyCV4m12
"The Nightmare Before Christmas!"
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKKBPyDBPG
Claire nodded as she put it on.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOQBlta1ul
As the movie played out, both Miguel and Claire added their own input throughout the scenes.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzjHSnyMpl
"It's just a phase, my dear..." Dr. Finklestein said when stitching up Sally.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIPDm3yP2z
Claire snorted. "Please, I'm stuck with a 12-year-old. It ain't no phase."
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1MWE6Kegg
"Now that's just rude-"
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0yjb7uapQ
------------------
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFP9jTvvNf
"Stay still..." muttered Miguel as he looked at Claire intently.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIQNaDeIQz
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.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37hh2qGY9D
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.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMUYIh4Ecb
Claire looked at the painting with appreciation, "Very nice..."
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmN1TioG43y
Miguel smiled, he enjoyed his major, (as much as he could), but art would always have a special place in his heart.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IEsYnTcXP
"Can I look at your other drawing again?"
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLcDnmPdSK
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.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7KmNt4R0Y
Miguel spotted the box in their shared closet. He stored most of his drawings there.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKqrp4Hpcb
Claire stood behind him as he opened the box. He tried to keep his old drawings in order so he could see his progress.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkIQ2RgvxT
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.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Yl4qzidnM
"Wow..." said Claire. "The feathers look amazing!"
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfITMZhqjXb
Miguel smiled.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsOUWsNxAv
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.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HvP5tn8MT
"Ah! Is that supposed to show the time where we went to that amusement park?"
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRY2pbXZVls
Miguel's smile widened, "Our 3rd-year anniversary, we decided to go to the park."
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5N91VGNSX
"Ugh, don't say it like that. It makes me feel old, like a married couple," Claire said.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdps4uyfLZ
He pulled out another drawing. It showed a giant stuffed bear.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9mtn7MNa0
"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.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgR0RFdYTK
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.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mJht1eFgx
"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."
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGPcFEJpsG
He set the bear drawing aside and pulled out another drawing. It showed an elderly woman smiling brightly. Her hair grey and face wrinkled.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMlq6mN9Hg
"My mom," he whispered, his playful attitude gone.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxIgqXcw1o
Claire looked at him, "Cancer..."
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwqxBmiBnh
Miguel nodded, a pit of pain filling in his stomach. "It's okay..." she murmured, bringing him into a hug.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCncgFqGzz
"I don't want to die, Claire."
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM37ZLMgDC2
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..."
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pJHXtKJWg
Miguel didn't respond. Her arms around him tightened.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtAkKJ651Q
"Don't cry on me now..."
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLhO5cTeOw
They held each other for the rest of the night.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxT7JO0Wvf
Claire didn't notice the empty bed later on.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Gr0K9F28i
------------------
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaqTrf1UJa
"Claire?" Miguel said one night in their apartment. They were both laying on their bed, trying to sleep.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqb0l7OirV
Miguel couldn't.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jeQEQSEFf
"Yes?" replied Claire. Maybe she couldn't sleep either.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkJKhILEgg
"Can you sing for me?"
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02XVNk3b3k
It was quiet for a moment.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UHq4SjUau
Claire didn't feel comfortable singing with others around. "I'm not even that good," she'd murmur.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkghlQbbSp
But then, a soft, but clear tone echoed through the room, "Wise men say...."
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1I20VXn62f
"Only fools rush in..."
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRioMazLmmW
"But I can't help, falling in love with you..."
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeQO2xPkIi
For the rest of the night, Claire sang and Miguel listened.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iBBCJHr08
Miguel silently did agree.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDI09QguRT
Maybe they were fools for falling, but it felt nice.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnobhXFq5q
------------------
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGABkfywBRE
"You are NOT cutting my hair, Miguel-!"
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMRpd5Av1T
"C'mon! So many YouTubers do this!"
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUrDDyHCYT
"Yeah, YOUTUBERS! For content!"
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtdQ0UkBIe
Miguel clasped his hands together.
"Please...?"
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFs3yWv5Nj
Claire huffed, shaking her head. "You're such a child..."
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXloLhJ2QJw
Miguel visibly brightened. He went to go grab the scissors. Clarie already washed her hair and straightened it.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxyJ2Ha9pq
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.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjW7DDV1rSt
"I better not be bald after this," she threatened.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiwx90yYij
"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.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXVyjATnfj
Claire's eyes widened, "On second thought-"
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0vD32LsPk
"Too late."
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBWkgVxcFI
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.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJBZxXVNkl
Claire winced.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74UGOfBSxU
Miguel trimmed the back of her hair. Going from section to section. Then went to the front of her hair.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBS2vj2J1l
Claire made random noises here and then when she heard a loud snip from the scissors.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMJkejp1tc
"Please don't let everything end up unevenly..." she muttered.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfWzahOAnQ
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.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPq86yvJxsj
After a few minutes, he was finally finished.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGbdQpXvqY
"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.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWA7KPyLaY
She touched her hair, "I'm impressed.”
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFRBfbmRaI
"Shouldn't have doubted someone who's good looking.”
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8N90nr3Hr9
Claire rolled her eyes, "Haha, very funny."
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmuRjPsM7x
She looked around the bathroom floor and groaned, "Ugh, we gotta clean all this hair up.”
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRJBb04t8n
"Not me!" said Miguel as he walked out of the room. "I did your hair. You just sat there the whole time!"
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwvylYlSPc
Claire pursed her lips, but let him leave. She grabbed the broom and began working.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtzZookPcW
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..."
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCNnZXq2yp
Claire secretly hid a smile as he helped her clean up.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kudjdrCxK
------------------
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoj263FxSv8
"Matt is weird," Miguel said during one of their gossip nights.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rzgSKE0oW
Claire frowned, "Matt? The mint chocolate ice cream hater?"
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdb30aZDU9U
"Yeah," Miguel said, "Something suspicious is going on with him and Liam."
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseloj1fTcb
She raised an eyebrow, "What makes you think that?"
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTBJhRALxW
Miguel looked up thoughtfully, "I keep seeing them glaring at each other," Claire stared at him.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQlBVPCm8g
"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."
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrnIkFWxSM
Claire nodded slowly, muttering "Playboys," under her breath.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tks6jtlA2
"I should probably tell them to stop.”
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHWh1pIREp
She gave him a look, 'you think?''
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRq1Ga6rZZX
After a moment of silence, Claire spoke up, "You know that one girl in my accounting class? She gave me some chocolate.”
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnrdoUsoZv
Miguel let out a hum.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbmb14CBMQ
"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."
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBylcYiMWC
She let out a breath, "I...didn't think anyone would ever care if I left this place."
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4ULmfyC9Q
They both went silent.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUaMZ4RuJS
"Would you believe me if I told you I love you?" Miguel said. Claire froze, her eyes wide.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZGBQNNc8T
"That you love me?" she repeated. She searched his face for a few moments.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzWTU7mXnE
"Do you really?"
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1jr99dY8L
"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."
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPqOS1r9Ow
Miguel looked at her and clasped their hands together.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9b8unP0mCZ
"I love you, Claire.”
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZjzRV7bbO
Love.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntDaDERaay
A scary thought.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtPLKT8t0P
A scary feeling to have.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dQMIuagl5
But she smiled.
514Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmXHAAlryl
"I love you too.”
ns216.73.217.10da2
