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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANACtn7C1fV6B
"Hey there stranger," she joked, sticking out her hand.
508Please respect copyright.PENANALwODutGQry
The man's eyes widened at the sight of her. He shook her hand slowly, "I didn't expect to see you here."
508Please respect copyright.PENANABwHDXQzj1f
She shrugged, "Aren't you glad?"
508Please respect copyright.PENANA2yFcl8u4z3
"Yeah," he said with a smile, "I am."
508Please respect copyright.PENANACIm5pXRAOF
Maybe they'll become good friends again.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAxogA7Zlz8L
------------------
508Please respect copyright.PENANAHxs7b3XyuZ
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAZI7Ipfx3ec
Not long afterward, everyone knew they were close friends after the first year of college.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAqU9QyqjOea
Friends.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAEJsx5ZE3Gr
That's what they were classified as. They did things friends would do. Hang out, tell jokes, enjoying the other's presence...
508Please respect copyright.PENANA3lEssjB0Db
But the hugs lingered longer than necessary. Their touches became more frequent.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAHTogG8JCp0
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAC9xjl7KHQL
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANA6y4Lc3kuH3
Claire and Miguel sat under a tree. Claire was wearing a flowy dress littered with pink roses.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAYDrrk5U9o1
"What a cliché outfit to wear," Miguel said when he looked at her.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAtNePGVpMsB
"Look at you!" she retorted, gesturing at his plain shirt and ripped pants. "At least I have better fashion sense."
508Please respect copyright.PENANATezdj2UgwH
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANADbXK1VwDa6
They decided to sit on a nearby tree. Claire put down the blanket she got while Miguel laid out the picnic basket he got.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAevSiOMsRN4
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
508Please respect copyright.PENANALOZjxzR1Ut
"You know," Miguel said, looking up at the clouds, "I enjoy your company a lot."
508Please respect copyright.PENANAMHfpjo2Dqx
Claire looked up at the clouds, "Me too."
508Please respect copyright.PENANAw6ZGkvP3gq
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAfEmlLUFIUk
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAzs5VI2C4uH
They turned to face each other.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAHgWaMb6gTf
Claire didn't know what came over her, just that a strange urge to say something-
508Please respect copyright.PENANACNuk84W9Q5
"I like you," she blurted out suddenly. A light red flush covered her cheeks.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAi2bJceUBiA
Miguel grinned. "I knew you couldn't resist me."
508Please respect copyright.PENANAZTIqvJZO2U
That earned him a shove. He laughed as Claire shook her head, embarrassed. She turned away from him, finding the benches far more interesting.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAZFMtLNjBAZ
"Claire?" he questioned. She didn't respond.
508Please respect copyright.PENANADnbXiAQ7Oh
"I uh- I like you too," he said quietly.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAn13jmqoOGS
She didn't turn around.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAoHHvypXK3O
He frowned, maybe he shouldn't joke when someone confesses their feelings. He'll keep that in mind.
508Please respect copyright.PENANALrcIcnq0Bw
"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,"
508Please respect copyright.PENANA803F6oNC15
No response.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAwS1TwU3mVO
"Claire?"
508Please respect copyright.PENANALd0Pc8rk0D
She quirked an eyebrow at him. "Well?" She turned around to fully look at him. "Aren't you going to kiss me?"
508Please respect copyright.PENANAS0TXkcc7Ac
Miguel let out a small, surprised 'oh' as a pair of lips touched his.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAzlqFZ3JIMx
------------------------
508Please respect copyright.PENANAIkxIlF5eEz
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAyvhFe3K2CY
So much so, whenever she told her friends about Miguel, they would roll their eyes.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAbh9wqJjhAV
"Uh-huh, we get it!"
508Please respect copyright.PENANAIxDu4EIxOo
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAbTOfYhvIbU
Two more years left of college.
508Please respect copyright.PENANA3sfZLiBwZB
------------------
508Please respect copyright.PENANANrtON6Jhr0
It was one of those days. Those days just made life harder. Those small infrequent moments just ruin everything so so quickly.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAQBjFhoDb5V
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAOjtoD1ulXa
"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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAdF1lOdFXl5
They both hid a smile.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAE7pz5Z10W5
-------------------
508Please respect copyright.PENANA6BNiCyDUjL
"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!"
508Please respect copyright.PENANAI8ndY9REoI
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."
508Please respect copyright.PENANAUpNlGUGblN
Claire let out an exaggerated gasp, "Don't insult my precious ice cream like that!"
508Please respect copyright.PENANAejgEu9K89N
"I did and I would forever continue to do so.”
508Please respect copyright.PENANATwk7Duhic4
Claire fake a frowned as she walked past him, "Well then, I guess this is goodbye.”
508Please respect copyright.PENANATOfRv6hSEZ
"Hey, wait up!"
508Please respect copyright.PENANAyfEuhzHCSK
------------------
508Please respect copyright.PENANAllmZshBCyR
"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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAYUkf6nhSq5
"What should we watch?" she questioned, looking through the movies available.
508Please respect copyright.PENANA2tZFuX5KTx
"The Nightmare Before Christmas!"
508Please respect copyright.PENANAU1mkd5VvyZ
Claire nodded as she put it on.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAGDSlmBe729
As the movie played out, both Miguel and Claire added their own input throughout the scenes.
508Please respect copyright.PENANACXDZJLbTvW
"It's just a phase, my dear..." Dr. Finklestein said when stitching up Sally.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAliFhCCpGCc
Claire snorted. "Please, I'm stuck with a 12-year-old. It ain't no phase."
508Please respect copyright.PENANAf54QxdrOIN
"Now that's just rude-"
508Please respect copyright.PENANAsGtLeUrdVQ
------------------
508Please respect copyright.PENANAaWg5WgfFQ6
"Stay still..." muttered Miguel as he looked at Claire intently.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAGkbxoTNmvj
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAKqNCxryfi6
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANA5cgKa2enmx
Claire looked at the painting with appreciation, "Very nice..."
508Please respect copyright.PENANAM4iCHXLRZg
Miguel smiled, he enjoyed his major, (as much as he could), but art would always have a special place in his heart.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAjgwx4FOEjC
"Can I look at your other drawing again?"
508Please respect copyright.PENANASM6XGJvkFP
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAzntlkNHMmn
Miguel spotted the box in their shared closet. He stored most of his drawings there.
508Please respect copyright.PENANA5BQbBubk9Q
Claire stood behind him as he opened the box. He tried to keep his old drawings in order so he could see his progress.
508Please respect copyright.PENANA84xYcRKaWr
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAB0Rj00tiod
"Wow..." said Claire. "The feathers look amazing!"
508Please respect copyright.PENANAMAgPfRbaws
Miguel smiled.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAQkkNhjatKI
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANATbrIPlVQLX
"Ah! Is that supposed to show the time where we went to that amusement park?"
508Please respect copyright.PENANAxRRdQyGpbz
Miguel's smile widened, "Our 3rd-year anniversary, we decided to go to the park."
508Please respect copyright.PENANAiSqMc3Q9mG
"Ugh, don't say it like that. It makes me feel old, like a married couple," Claire said.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAF4Xj3dtrW0
He pulled out another drawing. It showed a giant stuffed bear.
508Please respect copyright.PENANACTrF7Uspyc
"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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAYFzV0o1RkG
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANA54xvUiC483
"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."
508Please respect copyright.PENANAW8yTxBh9rd
He set the bear drawing aside and pulled out another drawing. It showed an elderly woman smiling brightly. Her hair grey and face wrinkled.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAR8teAfp0xG
"My mom," he whispered, his playful attitude gone.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAsFbRaKD5bX
Claire looked at him, "Cancer..."
508Please respect copyright.PENANA0uXfR2gpme
Miguel nodded, a pit of pain filling in his stomach. "It's okay..." she murmured, bringing him into a hug.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAGlj6b1RVnO
"I don't want to die, Claire."
508Please respect copyright.PENANA4a9y7f5Enu
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..."
508Please respect copyright.PENANAnwbhF9Tzim
Miguel didn't respond. Her arms around him tightened.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAloZrfJH2q4
"Don't cry on me now..."
508Please respect copyright.PENANAuhIRmt5nnL
They held each other for the rest of the night.
508Please respect copyright.PENANA95XkmjBYE0
Claire didn't notice the empty bed later on.
508Please respect copyright.PENANA6bLgonFp4L
------------------
508Please respect copyright.PENANABsf1NWb01u
"Claire?" Miguel said one night in their apartment. They were both laying on their bed, trying to sleep.
508Please respect copyright.PENANA52uQgsOZcU
Miguel couldn't.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAapuTqaEYJF
"Yes?" replied Claire. Maybe she couldn't sleep either.
508Please respect copyright.PENANApKxRtBWyUA
"Can you sing for me?"
508Please respect copyright.PENANAImKMl7IaEd
It was quiet for a moment.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAZJGSyi9D1g
Claire didn't feel comfortable singing with others around. "I'm not even that good," she'd murmur.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAWWu3Wb3N8c
But then, a soft, but clear tone echoed through the room, "Wise men say...."
508Please respect copyright.PENANA1WHkK0G8S7
"Only fools rush in..."
508Please respect copyright.PENANAwGSkEkKevo
"But I can't help, falling in love with you..."
508Please respect copyright.PENANATOH0DkvHtb
For the rest of the night, Claire sang and Miguel listened.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAaTuuTNoMNQ
Miguel silently did agree.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAntLOYQdLyH
Maybe they were fools for falling, but it felt nice.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAvXYxHQTgwb
------------------
508Please respect copyright.PENANAVkZrrHfDuH
"You are NOT cutting my hair, Miguel-!"
508Please respect copyright.PENANAKGoYYn6FeJ
"C'mon! So many YouTubers do this!"
508Please respect copyright.PENANAJZVLLSzqiV
"Yeah, YOUTUBERS! For content!"
508Please respect copyright.PENANAwVz4ornni5
Miguel clasped his hands together.
"Please...?"
508Please respect copyright.PENANAYXzGYBgQml
Claire huffed, shaking her head. "You're such a child..."
508Please respect copyright.PENANAgJm7TPnexY
Miguel visibly brightened. He went to go grab the scissors. Clarie already washed her hair and straightened it.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAzp7H1Wgbqd
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAhY3dCe5XtW
"I better not be bald after this," she threatened.
508Please respect copyright.PENANA6MKl5P2qfM
"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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANADGycn3IfzT
Claire's eyes widened, "On second thought-"
508Please respect copyright.PENANAv5WOS6mPgy
"Too late."
508Please respect copyright.PENANAprw9GxSqXF
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAPoKMaDobkm
Claire winced.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAPhJPSvs8bf
Miguel trimmed the back of her hair. Going from section to section. Then went to the front of her hair.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAZ9eflGTJwj
Claire made random noises here and then when she heard a loud snip from the scissors.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAhfZAHpfUvQ
"Please don't let everything end up unevenly..." she muttered.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAcIcFP0b4HQ
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAgILc1rvq7K
After a few minutes, he was finally finished.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAdrNVhZda5J
"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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAXwBzpPxZqw
She touched her hair, "I'm impressed.”
508Please respect copyright.PENANAb9iqlAcaJd
"Shouldn't have doubted someone who's good looking.”
508Please respect copyright.PENANAsNLtNcjPoJ
Claire rolled her eyes, "Haha, very funny."
508Please respect copyright.PENANAJ77jj3vmtm
She looked around the bathroom floor and groaned, "Ugh, we gotta clean all this hair up.”
508Please respect copyright.PENANAmKoLokKke7
"Not me!" said Miguel as he walked out of the room. "I did your hair. You just sat there the whole time!"
508Please respect copyright.PENANArPv2Gj7Tht
Claire pursed her lips, but let him leave. She grabbed the broom and began working.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAoiQLvHbaBF
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..."
508Please respect copyright.PENANAxR42uHdmvT
Claire secretly hid a smile as he helped her clean up.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAWZq1XOA6kI
------------------
508Please respect copyright.PENANAUZBYXIn2rc
"Matt is weird," Miguel said during one of their gossip nights.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAR2jo3dxjg4
Claire frowned, "Matt? The mint chocolate ice cream hater?"
508Please respect copyright.PENANAa98QY8SNX1
"Yeah," Miguel said, "Something suspicious is going on with him and Liam."
508Please respect copyright.PENANAtIp5VtlOjF
She raised an eyebrow, "What makes you think that?"
508Please respect copyright.PENANAMxY3EbAuv0
Miguel looked up thoughtfully, "I keep seeing them glaring at each other," Claire stared at him.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAo30fudyXGq
"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."
508Please respect copyright.PENANAoMxkkMWP7F
Claire nodded slowly, muttering "Playboys," under her breath.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAoaYWusPIT9
"I should probably tell them to stop.”
508Please respect copyright.PENANAmwGRKe55jx
She gave him a look, 'you think?''
508Please respect copyright.PENANAa2cq1Px3Ew
After a moment of silence, Claire spoke up, "You know that one girl in my accounting class? She gave me some chocolate.”
508Please respect copyright.PENANA7CzxjQSS8Z
Miguel let out a hum.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAkn5fwoc8BN
"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."
508Please respect copyright.PENANAc7OxiKYia5
She let out a breath, "I...didn't think anyone would ever care if I left this place."
508Please respect copyright.PENANAZvswkixxj5
They both went silent.
508Please respect copyright.PENANArtCuJoExgX
"Would you believe me if I told you I love you?" Miguel said. Claire froze, her eyes wide.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAzbHcFrBM5c
"That you love me?" she repeated. She searched his face for a few moments.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAI17cLBQrCt
"Do you really?"
508Please respect copyright.PENANAuI7TwaURuW
"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."
508Please respect copyright.PENANACeVEyA0k4x
Miguel looked at her and clasped their hands together.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAknBtp2WixE
"I love you, Claire.”
508Please respect copyright.PENANAgfqQ105zl4
Love.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAtrdLgDlxqV
A scary thought.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAvCMtqr87l9
A scary feeling to have.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAoQqTK4TvMF
But she smiled.
508Please respect copyright.PENANA2cKTF7VjcC
"I love you too.”
ns216.73.216.25da2