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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0oImZFq4b
"Hey there stranger," she joked, sticking out her hand.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYOu5WBtbp
The man's eyes widened at the sight of her. He shook her hand slowly, "I didn't expect to see you here."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tBnKDmoTq
She shrugged, "Aren't you glad?"
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkNU1h4QJ2
"Yeah," he said with a smile, "I am."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8givX642a4
Maybe they'll become good friends again.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbZ1TNOd7F
------------------
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKjejHhtkg
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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbpUoWknLq
Not long afterward, everyone knew they were close friends after the first year of college.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTy7SvjnsB
Friends.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXsgphOqlr
That's what they were classified as. They did things friends would do. Hang out, tell jokes, enjoying the other's presence...
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwZydroxcW
But the hugs lingered longer than necessary. Their touches became more frequent.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnH0MwrpTq
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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3w0ki2S13S
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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzaEWtJIFE
Claire and Miguel sat under a tree. Claire was wearing a flowy dress littered with pink roses.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuvyJ78z6k
"What a cliché outfit to wear," Miguel said when he looked at her.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2omD5J8how
"Look at you!" she retorted, gesturing at his plain shirt and ripped pants. "At least I have better fashion sense."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCmarp6AxP
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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakam0S6MJI
They decided to sit on a nearby tree. Claire put down the blanket she got while Miguel laid out the picnic basket he got.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLb4ktQiF7p
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
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsxB1K0naO
"You know," Miguel said, looking up at the clouds, "I enjoy your company a lot."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfs0xpyKAqJ
Claire looked up at the clouds, "Me too."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1mdFQyXUu
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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5tLrCQqIA
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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KP7LfuSNv
They turned to face each other.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOjIDRm9lG
Claire didn't know what came over her, just that a strange urge to say something-
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUaUzaXo2L
"I like you," she blurted out suddenly. A light red flush covered her cheeks.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJxnA8kDVd
Miguel grinned. "I knew you couldn't resist me."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6Qsjq2IBv
That earned him a shove. He laughed as Claire shook her head, embarrassed. She turned away from him, finding the benches far more interesting.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmdbO4uLWx
"Claire?" he questioned. She didn't respond.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0CemZ4Q6l
"I uh- I like you too," he said quietly.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmHgxXczRW
She didn't turn around.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiu8wDHS8Pu
He frowned, maybe he shouldn't joke when someone confesses their feelings. He'll keep that in mind.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rSUh6v4kX
"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,"
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡth89Tlstyi
No response.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRGTs0wT8B
"Claire?"
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBT3y7Ukv1
She quirked an eyebrow at him. "Well?" She turned around to fully look at him. "Aren't you going to kiss me?"
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3Beb6a5UU
Miguel let out a small, surprised 'oh' as a pair of lips touched his.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbZVU5Qbmi
------------------------
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNjPjl1ed1
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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2KcokTRZi
So much so, whenever she told her friends about Miguel, they would roll their eyes.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCqfDrGqkF
"Uh-huh, we get it!"
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0Is6FmsjE
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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvzuTvLgMf
Two more years left of college.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZezHXEF0t
------------------
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLt8csgypmv
It was one of those days. Those days just made life harder. Those small infrequent moments just ruin everything so so quickly.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYcOaIlgcC
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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9d9td8SK9Q
"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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0RUsRb3oQ
They both hid a smile.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaohOCiv8eI
-------------------
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkGLnCIwaL
"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!"
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOb1gOiXhZt
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."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1WkwOuPzL
Claire let out an exaggerated gasp, "Don't insult my precious ice cream like that!"
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbiRDy2tUK
"I did and I would forever continue to do so.”
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMcc6T18L6
Claire fake a frowned as she walked past him, "Well then, I guess this is goodbye.”
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraw9uZhmol
"Hey, wait up!"
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXIzTrRHBO
------------------
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbF9IRq0C7
"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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0TKpwNhyU
"What should we watch?" she questioned, looking through the movies available.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwE5YDD6pV
"The Nightmare Before Christmas!"
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnrPHD55ta
Claire nodded as she put it on.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3IiYabEcQ
As the movie played out, both Miguel and Claire added their own input throughout the scenes.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QyqWm8xFk
"It's just a phase, my dear..." Dr. Finklestein said when stitching up Sally.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Y3ONeAQMB
Claire snorted. "Please, I'm stuck with a 12-year-old. It ain't no phase."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrx1Hxr32sd
"Now that's just rude-"
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8mRhlnLvT
------------------
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgYFMpxE8s
"Stay still..." muttered Miguel as he looked at Claire intently.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP35QLWev4
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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqU6qsKVpO
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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZCi3BaScT
Claire looked at the painting with appreciation, "Very nice..."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0UoMOdfY7
Miguel smiled, he enjoyed his major, (as much as he could), but art would always have a special place in his heart.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKerUrcqbMK
"Can I look at your other drawing again?"
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb9yXxUm8F
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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYSjJGegd8
Miguel spotted the box in their shared closet. He stored most of his drawings there.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtURbscBk95
Claire stood behind him as he opened the box. He tried to keep his old drawings in order so he could see his progress.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kJaRcN7J1
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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsQN6kJlfa
"Wow..." said Claire. "The feathers look amazing!"
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRPXa2Vk56
Miguel smiled.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDyx64AWHe
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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPayPJAEbw
"Ah! Is that supposed to show the time where we went to that amusement park?"
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN10G4smsFd
Miguel's smile widened, "Our 3rd-year anniversary, we decided to go to the park."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNP7jjWPID
"Ugh, don't say it like that. It makes me feel old, like a married couple," Claire said.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0skHKKEcfO
He pulled out another drawing. It showed a giant stuffed bear.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLzLNf4PpN
"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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMZd0c8fAr
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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZVJB4PJW7
"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."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENQlKeX9f9
He set the bear drawing aside and pulled out another drawing. It showed an elderly woman smiling brightly. Her hair grey and face wrinkled.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqNM0WJEWZ
"My mom," he whispered, his playful attitude gone.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmhHaqMoGu
Claire looked at him, "Cancer..."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYt6VQrm7Y
Miguel nodded, a pit of pain filling in his stomach. "It's okay..." she murmured, bringing him into a hug.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4yXtLz7Xr
"I don't want to die, Claire."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutIxcPNyif
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..."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycfjo3Oc14
Miguel didn't respond. Her arms around him tightened.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuChBij6dbc
"Don't cry on me now..."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpytmRjfdnU
They held each other for the rest of the night.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFZtKhgnJL
Claire didn't notice the empty bed later on.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAq2ocsehm2
------------------
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIBJDnh4Sm
"Claire?" Miguel said one night in their apartment. They were both laying on their bed, trying to sleep.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjD5Q6VZqGh
Miguel couldn't.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEvOL76TzP
"Yes?" replied Claire. Maybe she couldn't sleep either.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxb3rMnhYK7
"Can you sing for me?"
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt750lMyii0
It was quiet for a moment.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KFnNj62aO
Claire didn't feel comfortable singing with others around. "I'm not even that good," she'd murmur.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAPebVVLGf
But then, a soft, but clear tone echoed through the room, "Wise men say...."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPkuUXkp2c
"Only fools rush in..."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQMUUtM4HW
"But I can't help, falling in love with you..."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPEACkWXBz
For the rest of the night, Claire sang and Miguel listened.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBMTsbGDbh
Miguel silently did agree.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDISrQMrlo
Maybe they were fools for falling, but it felt nice.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKptFOmZKo
------------------
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrobZ7UMkU
"You are NOT cutting my hair, Miguel-!"
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwiqCWLf1V
"C'mon! So many YouTubers do this!"
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZGYrIzagp
"Yeah, YOUTUBERS! For content!"
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQACuIo73FS
Miguel clasped his hands together.
"Please...?"
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpZpzdXlhd
Claire huffed, shaking her head. "You're such a child..."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3pTEsJ7pQ
Miguel visibly brightened. He went to go grab the scissors. Clarie already washed her hair and straightened it.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3jHlcvPSY
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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgxojaYrbz
"I better not be bald after this," she threatened.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8nCAknGOl
"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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡha4eAb6qGF
Claire's eyes widened, "On second thought-"
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfSnD6drjZ
"Too late."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzV1FRD89H
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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxRtuCoPg8
Claire winced.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhQ1BR96AE
Miguel trimmed the back of her hair. Going from section to section. Then went to the front of her hair.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBjfYqhrf8
Claire made random noises here and then when she heard a loud snip from the scissors.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNligCfwg1
"Please don't let everything end up unevenly..." she muttered.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmIG1IzwC5
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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPypLhzpH1
After a few minutes, he was finally finished.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYiaUJtekA
"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.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nX4cBZiUC
She touched her hair, "I'm impressed.”
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYO04dCnBO
"Shouldn't have doubted someone who's good looking.”
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡue0XOEn3fd
Claire rolled her eyes, "Haha, very funny."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0IUA80qnK
She looked around the bathroom floor and groaned, "Ugh, we gotta clean all this hair up.”
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bvB0aBZ7m
"Not me!" said Miguel as he walked out of the room. "I did your hair. You just sat there the whole time!"
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmnfD04NLN
Claire pursed her lips, but let him leave. She grabbed the broom and began working.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Unn1a3ixB
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..."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXkja5NH21
Claire secretly hid a smile as he helped her clean up.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzDdr1kvft
------------------
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlZrMvUYly
"Matt is weird," Miguel said during one of their gossip nights.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDRMX3sbZh
Claire frowned, "Matt? The mint chocolate ice cream hater?"
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LqAEOUIDj
"Yeah," Miguel said, "Something suspicious is going on with him and Liam."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwNriLPplG
She raised an eyebrow, "What makes you think that?"
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5WjOdXmtp
Miguel looked up thoughtfully, "I keep seeing them glaring at each other," Claire stared at him.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCQjhL7i4B
"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."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCHC4cQGlD
Claire nodded slowly, muttering "Playboys," under her breath.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqvfWGErnF
"I should probably tell them to stop.”
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXw6OKKK8nT
She gave him a look, 'you think?''
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjumkHNnL5N
After a moment of silence, Claire spoke up, "You know that one girl in my accounting class? She gave me some chocolate.”
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREO4ZjT27r
Miguel let out a hum.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOJelbTOBN
"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."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrozaP8Ck8
She let out a breath, "I...didn't think anyone would ever care if I left this place."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlR1NjiuLA
They both went silent.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNXRQnbxaT
"Would you believe me if I told you I love you?" Miguel said. Claire froze, her eyes wide.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbfmnD2GxU
"That you love me?" she repeated. She searched his face for a few moments.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzsoKQSS0U
"Do you really?"
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yz292mC6X
"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."
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOI7SfIxGYT
Miguel looked at her and clasped their hands together.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIri7Iatiz7
"I love you, Claire.”
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G7kbdMZZB
Love.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA7ix1YBck
A scary thought.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWYusSstL7
A scary feeling to have.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapzJYNsCfb
But she smiled.
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgvPR6FDL9
"I love you too.”
ns216.73.216.224da2
然後按「加至主畫面」