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.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2zKF3Epef
"Hey there stranger," she joked, sticking out her hand.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvIApxSxv2
The man's eyes widened at the sight of her. He shook her hand slowly, "I didn't expect to see you here."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoABu3lo8Mj
She shrugged, "Aren't you glad?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqX1jtFdhcD
"Yeah," he said with a smile, "I am."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAELCf9vZr
Maybe they'll become good friends again.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡja0ahfloIm
------------------
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7txwKUMQS
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.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsJdM3mgRY
Not long afterward, everyone knew they were close friends after the first year of college.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5skrDOEWW
Friends.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYvyDtmB2a
That's what they were classified as. They did things friends would do. Hang out, tell jokes, enjoying the other's presence...
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJ7LbLN0AU
But the hugs lingered longer than necessary. Their touches became more frequent.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayrNidEbPL
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.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkqLV0NgCv
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.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj22306nI4l
Claire and Miguel sat under a tree. Claire was wearing a flowy dress littered with pink roses.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hOYLOk0E0
"What a cliché outfit to wear," Miguel said when he looked at her.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCde3sMU9x
"Look at you!" she retorted, gesturing at his plain shirt and ripped pants. "At least I have better fashion sense."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIK3xZzN0i
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.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNP1VD57SSz
They decided to sit on a nearby tree. Claire put down the blanket she got while Miguel laid out the picnic basket he got.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66XIP72eOt
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
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNrFOWbFm0
"You know," Miguel said, looking up at the clouds, "I enjoy your company a lot."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfZdD6SVCj
Claire looked up at the clouds, "Me too."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56cx5ACh8J
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.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AHzj4Njjs
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.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5sBWkaz5k
They turned to face each other.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShJqzIohju
Claire didn't know what came over her, just that a strange urge to say something-
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs52yM0uuIi
"I like you," she blurted out suddenly. A light red flush covered her cheeks.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOna4yL2QoN
Miguel grinned. "I knew you couldn't resist me."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BSflWEFEv
That earned him a shove. He laughed as Claire shook her head, embarrassed. She turned away from him, finding the benches far more interesting.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5lbczdKun
"Claire?" he questioned. She didn't respond.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtbIk4DuZd
"I uh- I like you too," he said quietly.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdmFwXPjBO
She didn't turn around.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPuRUqaIAr
He frowned, maybe he shouldn't joke when someone confesses their feelings. He'll keep that in mind.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3mb4AMutl
"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,"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcX0LbuMr67
No response.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVg35pFacwa
"Claire?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlIGMKpB7J
She quirked an eyebrow at him. "Well?" She turned around to fully look at him. "Aren't you going to kiss me?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocRpZHPmrQ
Miguel let out a small, surprised 'oh' as a pair of lips touched his.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwuFCJzxvW
------------------------
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2gBtu7ts4
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.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VV83jptvQ
So much so, whenever she told her friends about Miguel, they would roll their eyes.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqphYLDqeoo
"Uh-huh, we get it!"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xVMTFXlfr
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.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4rc5ARroh
Two more years left of college.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX1phy6qkt
------------------
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdFvC77Xw1
It was one of those days. Those days just made life harder. Those small infrequent moments just ruin everything so so quickly.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaZVDrQmnO
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.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMvjDJW1u3
"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.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJP2CojnvIS
They both hid a smile.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTgHyif0V8
-------------------
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwJcvDnGd8
"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!"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7f48stbD0n
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."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1K7pSbGL0l
Claire let out an exaggerated gasp, "Don't insult my precious ice cream like that!"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjnwyAfmFC
"I did and I would forever continue to do so.”
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjgURUsQ6f
Claire fake a frowned as she walked past him, "Well then, I guess this is goodbye.”
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxXuc08pJL
"Hey, wait up!"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCdsIplmw8
------------------
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLF1zfMcoZ
"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.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPf4nHkph91
"What should we watch?" she questioned, looking through the movies available.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNHOhdiAES
"The Nightmare Before Christmas!"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfRcwJWtbn
Claire nodded as she put it on.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XPoVqcnY2
As the movie played out, both Miguel and Claire added their own input throughout the scenes.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWbtmaVpw3
"It's just a phase, my dear..." Dr. Finklestein said when stitching up Sally.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDy9imba3O
Claire snorted. "Please, I'm stuck with a 12-year-old. It ain't no phase."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NLoJte0xy
"Now that's just rude-"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1U7Iwur7r
------------------
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdyG3Gjjge
"Stay still..." muttered Miguel as he looked at Claire intently.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkObdmBd2O
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.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfanODNwGEf
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.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWY3Ohoa2u
Claire looked at the painting with appreciation, "Very nice..."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNA7quk38gQ
Miguel smiled, he enjoyed his major, (as much as he could), but art would always have a special place in his heart.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpDHYl5OZ3
"Can I look at your other drawing again?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iIKUbLR2d
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.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7WyNJR4PS
Miguel spotted the box in their shared closet. He stored most of his drawings there.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4u4m6XWrW
Claire stood behind him as he opened the box. He tried to keep his old drawings in order so he could see his progress.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFVNQVQ1iQ
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.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jpDQ9jVdE
"Wow..." said Claire. "The feathers look amazing!"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfkRqsI1sJ
Miguel smiled.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2IldO00nv
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.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVb84tqVH7
"Ah! Is that supposed to show the time where we went to that amusement park?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTuvvbOGkO
Miguel's smile widened, "Our 3rd-year anniversary, we decided to go to the park."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOR3BRea0pq
"Ugh, don't say it like that. It makes me feel old, like a married couple," Claire said.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvS0WfZH2a
He pulled out another drawing. It showed a giant stuffed bear.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwNAJSnlgE
"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.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6t6ysCMyZ
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.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIN7gOhD6YO
"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."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbALWFq4w2
He set the bear drawing aside and pulled out another drawing. It showed an elderly woman smiling brightly. Her hair grey and face wrinkled.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVhimPBddN
"My mom," he whispered, his playful attitude gone.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw1bqQoywT
Claire looked at him, "Cancer..."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxRwicexb4
Miguel nodded, a pit of pain filling in his stomach. "It's okay..." she murmured, bringing him into a hug.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwVRinlwvI
"I don't want to die, Claire."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJHke7Hhu0
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..."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2sxY5wwa3
Miguel didn't respond. Her arms around him tightened.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciizw60F9P
"Don't cry on me now..."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfk80AxzdF
They held each other for the rest of the night.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6xDrrNflC
Claire didn't notice the empty bed later on.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACaJTKs8sm
------------------
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRY8jPYp08
"Claire?" Miguel said one night in their apartment. They were both laying on their bed, trying to sleep.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJ1ZoJFzdE
Miguel couldn't.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtVXevZVOQ
"Yes?" replied Claire. Maybe she couldn't sleep either.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBmL8ab2wh
"Can you sing for me?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEkVqUmmqf
It was quiet for a moment.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGtrDa0LbP
Claire didn't feel comfortable singing with others around. "I'm not even that good," she'd murmur.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZu8VDvxXb
But then, a soft, but clear tone echoed through the room, "Wise men say...."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvW7jIOTXL2
"Only fools rush in..."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZqeQKzXOn
"But I can't help, falling in love with you..."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNOMgIVjxu
For the rest of the night, Claire sang and Miguel listened.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCpi3rVQId
Miguel silently did agree.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9DaZIJu1m
Maybe they were fools for falling, but it felt nice.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZC8Fm6hyzv
------------------
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8U9NcFYYa
"You are NOT cutting my hair, Miguel-!"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhvVNwZxHb
"C'mon! So many YouTubers do this!"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0YDOcMpBJ
"Yeah, YOUTUBERS! For content!"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIgptSEdHZ
Miguel clasped his hands together.
"Please...?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC3f2tS5c1
Claire huffed, shaking her head. "You're such a child..."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dctcc9j5P
Miguel visibly brightened. He went to go grab the scissors. Clarie already washed her hair and straightened it.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXJNows7Ee
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.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2SsiQ1pvc
"I better not be bald after this," she threatened.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRpCMeDBeB
"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.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOVQoypata
Claire's eyes widened, "On second thought-"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡib8W10Cqes
"Too late."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhScOjkE4O
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.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZEPVrFilK
Claire winced.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBF9lpvc2Y
Miguel trimmed the back of her hair. Going from section to section. Then went to the front of her hair.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXFKAPBUO3
Claire made random noises here and then when she heard a loud snip from the scissors.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmliUh5j54c
"Please don't let everything end up unevenly..." she muttered.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQwXBS4Fsq
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.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY90gpYDZTE
After a few minutes, he was finally finished.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9s65EPVOF
"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.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfg46N8mLv
She touched her hair, "I'm impressed.”
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKa291tEQq
"Shouldn't have doubted someone who's good looking.”
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBOrAyAebv
Claire rolled her eyes, "Haha, very funny."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjmRBdt6Fn
She looked around the bathroom floor and groaned, "Ugh, we gotta clean all this hair up.”
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bVzSpibJ0
"Not me!" said Miguel as he walked out of the room. "I did your hair. You just sat there the whole time!"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKRLEvpyY7
Claire pursed her lips, but let him leave. She grabbed the broom and began working.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfITryCk23
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..."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4Pu94HTvL
Claire secretly hid a smile as he helped her clean up.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaivtCAa7x
------------------
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC36cL5tfiv
"Matt is weird," Miguel said during one of their gossip nights.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPz57IVamH
Claire frowned, "Matt? The mint chocolate ice cream hater?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LsghFLwVI
"Yeah," Miguel said, "Something suspicious is going on with him and Liam."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWZlGixuYU
She raised an eyebrow, "What makes you think that?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDwEN9kvei
Miguel looked up thoughtfully, "I keep seeing them glaring at each other," Claire stared at him.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2tSy8PtgG
"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."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhTtJo6v9A
Claire nodded slowly, muttering "Playboys," under her breath.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaxqNrOnBI
"I should probably tell them to stop.”
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcP5jNDRfi
She gave him a look, 'you think?''
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJw2hUhGeF
After a moment of silence, Claire spoke up, "You know that one girl in my accounting class? She gave me some chocolate.”
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ie6N5dfmg
Miguel let out a hum.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOQ17loiEr
"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."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnj0hOpNOdq
She let out a breath, "I...didn't think anyone would ever care if I left this place."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwAngX9HHK
They both went silent.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5dnYRAHXA
"Would you believe me if I told you I love you?" Miguel said. Claire froze, her eyes wide.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8l7YD7OpnD
"That you love me?" she repeated. She searched his face for a few moments.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWCBVY5ntI
"Do you really?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4xsWWnfSz
"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."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqyVQlJYs0
Miguel looked at her and clasped their hands together.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZM5PuBc06
"I love you, Claire.”
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6NcC1XiB2
Love.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw27k1kAKaq
A scary thought.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlKMmCJBpy
A scary feeling to have.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijECT9vys2
But she smiled.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsBLYDK9x4
"I love you too.”
ns3.135.202.40da2
