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.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5Rm2ujemk
"Hey there stranger," she joked, sticking out her hand.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw1rJAEY5a
The man's eyes widened at the sight of her. He shook her hand slowly, "I didn't expect to see you here."
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfMbexRfJy
She shrugged, "Aren't you glad?"
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuYPyeMTOY
"Yeah," he said with a smile, "I am."
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnc6n8vFUX1
Maybe they'll become good friends again.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf76TDt8mky
------------------
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y5GM6dS9p
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.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbt08h90fg
Not long afterward, everyone knew they were close friends after the first year of college.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1OgoihsNL
Friends.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsC3z35TXxr
That's what they were classified as. They did things friends would do. Hang out, tell jokes, enjoying the other's presence...
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzU4yFntDE
But the hugs lingered longer than necessary. Their touches became more frequent.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0K2TroYTO
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.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUw3mKpZGZ
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.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLOP36nJgX
Claire and Miguel sat under a tree. Claire was wearing a flowy dress littered with pink roses.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nOJjLIiS3
"What a cliché outfit to wear," Miguel said when he looked at her.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jS6eGnAkP
"Look at you!" she retorted, gesturing at his plain shirt and ripped pants. "At least I have better fashion sense."
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFtscKlo1H
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.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGikZXafDT
They decided to sit on a nearby tree. Claire put down the blanket she got while Miguel laid out the picnic basket he got.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkeSqbKfl3
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
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGapLbZKOru
"You know," Miguel said, looking up at the clouds, "I enjoy your company a lot."
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPVsV7hRfr
Claire looked up at the clouds, "Me too."
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8gihZb280
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.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnCCb7XxK7
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.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcFjzQPqIU
They turned to face each other.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzfIQOYcN8
Claire didn't know what came over her, just that a strange urge to say something-
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8H8p9lf2X6
"I like you," she blurted out suddenly. A light red flush covered her cheeks.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTecPXj8w0V
Miguel grinned. "I knew you couldn't resist me."
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UTnbjAAds
That earned him a shove. He laughed as Claire shook her head, embarrassed. She turned away from him, finding the benches far more interesting.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaZpSdSrO4
"Claire?" he questioned. She didn't respond.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnri7IE4fim
"I uh- I like you too," he said quietly.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCpZYl0yXI
She didn't turn around.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiJJO7D8ar
He frowned, maybe he shouldn't joke when someone confesses their feelings. He'll keep that in mind.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZjlRqpZ2n
"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,"
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eH7vcagRV
No response.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIK9JWzjXr
"Claire?"
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTUzxjWj9Q
She quirked an eyebrow at him. "Well?" She turned around to fully look at him. "Aren't you going to kiss me?"
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMu08xcDEz
Miguel let out a small, surprised 'oh' as a pair of lips touched his.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUze4toGEoR
------------------------
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioMQo5VPoT
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.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkNDW17Srh
So much so, whenever she told her friends about Miguel, they would roll their eyes.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyOii5YovB
"Uh-huh, we get it!"
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsb8F3lUDob
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.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq82mioVci2
Two more years left of college.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhB7aUsM5r
------------------
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvf4tUJEhc
It was one of those days. Those days just made life harder. Those small infrequent moments just ruin everything so so quickly.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyiTt6OKUi
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.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1M3mNEpQy
"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.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41ChesnbR9
They both hid a smile.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30NQyDkqSa
-------------------
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaUqlAW3SY
"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!"
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcCqIpIM8A
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."
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0uLoYVyGM
Claire let out an exaggerated gasp, "Don't insult my precious ice cream like that!"
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW9M6Dd1tE
"I did and I would forever continue to do so.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkxKbfRp26
Claire fake a frowned as she walked past him, "Well then, I guess this is goodbye.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFyfy34Ky4
"Hey, wait up!"
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UhBMyId8I
------------------
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqIAGWA2De
"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.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKBfCyFiCW
"What should we watch?" she questioned, looking through the movies available.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Lup7Dmp0L
"The Nightmare Before Christmas!"
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVTPXpfaid
Claire nodded as she put it on.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbblG7me6Id
As the movie played out, both Miguel and Claire added their own input throughout the scenes.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUKVHwUTjZ
"It's just a phase, my dear..." Dr. Finklestein said when stitching up Sally.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8gZvnDORg
Claire snorted. "Please, I'm stuck with a 12-year-old. It ain't no phase."
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36ErKR8uSg
"Now that's just rude-"
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDa7wuPNCZ3
------------------
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMnnrz4iLs
"Stay still..." muttered Miguel as he looked at Claire intently.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FjeW1ncSL
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.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIpss0IqmL
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.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjG39lJtmVF
Claire looked at the painting with appreciation, "Very nice..."
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS82thh2sPC
Miguel smiled, he enjoyed his major, (as much as he could), but art would always have a special place in his heart.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQMV8BSyVa
"Can I look at your other drawing again?"
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4KkRx4aU0
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.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Lt3tmvlUJ
Miguel spotted the box in their shared closet. He stored most of his drawings there.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ460tecp3tC
Claire stood behind him as he opened the box. He tried to keep his old drawings in order so he could see his progress.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudcItZ5rHk
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.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5unWKPDic
"Wow..." said Claire. "The feathers look amazing!"
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEnMV68ILH
Miguel smiled.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYceQot0z88
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.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡII4afCkX4X
"Ah! Is that supposed to show the time where we went to that amusement park?"
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjCxqMVJhp
Miguel's smile widened, "Our 3rd-year anniversary, we decided to go to the park."
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTQGO2QrKw
"Ugh, don't say it like that. It makes me feel old, like a married couple," Claire said.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJEp0KAT7E
He pulled out another drawing. It showed a giant stuffed bear.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZbQUqrYa0
"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.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcSQSdaaWe
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.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmox4dBvBX
"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."
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFl0ExPhVO
He set the bear drawing aside and pulled out another drawing. It showed an elderly woman smiling brightly. Her hair grey and face wrinkled.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZK08jKwtqM
"My mom," he whispered, his playful attitude gone.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfDIVeaFcZ
Claire looked at him, "Cancer..."
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTWv4Nmh15
Miguel nodded, a pit of pain filling in his stomach. "It's okay..." she murmured, bringing him into a hug.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwZl7UGYBp
"I don't want to die, Claire."
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgGQz2P71Y
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..."
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3a5gekgaR9
Miguel didn't respond. Her arms around him tightened.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIbLmqEcnP
"Don't cry on me now..."
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7K3Qh5bc5
They held each other for the rest of the night.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBTGnz7uGF
Claire didn't notice the empty bed later on.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWzhw5BBtd
------------------
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5HTE1jEQy
"Claire?" Miguel said one night in their apartment. They were both laying on their bed, trying to sleep.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7iWI5eawo
Miguel couldn't.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tc2lw2aom
"Yes?" replied Claire. Maybe she couldn't sleep either.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXn1M9SDbf
"Can you sing for me?"
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCYMCfnRnG
It was quiet for a moment.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlx6Hjx9dFb
Claire didn't feel comfortable singing with others around. "I'm not even that good," she'd murmur.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZm2dciM0e
But then, a soft, but clear tone echoed through the room, "Wise men say...."
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9DvXaPgIF
"Only fools rush in..."
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOULNyL0yDz
"But I can't help, falling in love with you..."
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkb9MFwB03
For the rest of the night, Claire sang and Miguel listened.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmcivZCSON
Miguel silently did agree.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDkoL4XTk3
Maybe they were fools for falling, but it felt nice.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRFp8rOiMj
------------------
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rTg7TeyxV
"You are NOT cutting my hair, Miguel-!"
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8zAYf0Z5c
"C'mon! So many YouTubers do this!"
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLF9QcHFzYH
"Yeah, YOUTUBERS! For content!"
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlHVmHbZOV
Miguel clasped his hands together.
"Please...?"
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIrjKQBLJo
Claire huffed, shaking her head. "You're such a child..."
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINaByhoaJx
Miguel visibly brightened. He went to go grab the scissors. Clarie already washed her hair and straightened it.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZkCpsgtSC
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.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG869tLtMfj
"I better not be bald after this," she threatened.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlo21T32koH
"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.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJ0R1O1iwh
Claire's eyes widened, "On second thought-"
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKMCh2NDFQ
"Too late."
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32qlSNRrWZ
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.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WSkgkRV8k
Claire winced.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayf1hqjDME
Miguel trimmed the back of her hair. Going from section to section. Then went to the front of her hair.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3FCBT32PY
Claire made random noises here and then when she heard a loud snip from the scissors.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3Tw9PP53V
"Please don't let everything end up unevenly..." she muttered.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXFhGSXu3o
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.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqAuVD7Dp6
After a few minutes, he was finally finished.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddQxuJUEw2
"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.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JXYwg3wtB
She touched her hair, "I'm impressed.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9fq8M0QbH
"Shouldn't have doubted someone who's good looking.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCK3XybjW1
Claire rolled her eyes, "Haha, very funny."
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkXxEdUoB0
She looked around the bathroom floor and groaned, "Ugh, we gotta clean all this hair up.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCCBCVg2YF
"Not me!" said Miguel as he walked out of the room. "I did your hair. You just sat there the whole time!"
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEGCSsi31e
Claire pursed her lips, but let him leave. She grabbed the broom and began working.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡte743AR8U4
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..."
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72ejZwoBBB
Claire secretly hid a smile as he helped her clean up.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HoYkg5Fjj
------------------
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0s7lg7lXrh
"Matt is weird," Miguel said during one of their gossip nights.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDaSTQmEPD
Claire frowned, "Matt? The mint chocolate ice cream hater?"
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJiKTyFTQh
"Yeah," Miguel said, "Something suspicious is going on with him and Liam."
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrZHmJxj19
She raised an eyebrow, "What makes you think that?"
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rjWWURCEM
Miguel looked up thoughtfully, "I keep seeing them glaring at each other," Claire stared at him.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuflHVmnE0
"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."
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnacqoZbJbn
Claire nodded slowly, muttering "Playboys," under her breath.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFjq1aYoCz
"I should probably tell them to stop.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcMJTW7ezJ
She gave him a look, 'you think?''
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7EAHdZlly
After a moment of silence, Claire spoke up, "You know that one girl in my accounting class? She gave me some chocolate.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOETJZl9Rz
Miguel let out a hum.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrU8R4E7O2M
"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."
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2FZQauyFn
She let out a breath, "I...didn't think anyone would ever care if I left this place."
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLorQXDaVHp
They both went silent.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvWIfREwqT
"Would you believe me if I told you I love you?" Miguel said. Claire froze, her eyes wide.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMICGhkQ1mF
"That you love me?" she repeated. She searched his face for a few moments.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32bnWUzcC9
"Do you really?"
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTdLhIx6Sm
"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."
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EcptaUS0I
Miguel looked at her and clasped their hands together.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXi22pcsgEl
"I love you, Claire.”
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoRniLG2yY
Love.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72wF9YymmU
A scary thought.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXPJCxZq53
A scary feeling to have.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegABBwbUpi
But she smiled.
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Y6LoJZHs3
"I love you too.”
ns216.73.216.82da2
and then Add to home screen.