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.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uRgMf2kIN
"Hey there stranger," she joked, sticking out her hand.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgTU6FCXdy
The man's eyes widened at the sight of her. He shook her hand slowly, "I didn't expect to see you here."
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqerUhkmg7
She shrugged, "Aren't you glad?"
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR65O8jJgWB
"Yeah," he said with a smile, "I am."
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeurMlskaZ
Maybe they'll become good friends again.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOHMwuqvcQ
------------------
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoCKK7UosH
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.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5hfZyLDaB
Not long afterward, everyone knew they were close friends after the first year of college.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7MzKnBgBY
Friends.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6fkw9yzw6
That's what they were classified as. They did things friends would do. Hang out, tell jokes, enjoying the other's presence...
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHtOrDMhuH
But the hugs lingered longer than necessary. Their touches became more frequent.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ta3al9x9S
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.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDTGPMRBeu
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.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYCX2Npucb
Claire and Miguel sat under a tree. Claire was wearing a flowy dress littered with pink roses.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8FEPytwCV
"What a cliché outfit to wear," Miguel said when he looked at her.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ665k1axZh2
"Look at you!" she retorted, gesturing at his plain shirt and ripped pants. "At least I have better fashion sense."
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBUb2jVwVE
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.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJO7sRmd9Nt
They decided to sit on a nearby tree. Claire put down the blanket she got while Miguel laid out the picnic basket he got.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkMoOPRJIs
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
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6XDekGE0J
"You know," Miguel said, looking up at the clouds, "I enjoy your company a lot."
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTx3fr8mwcY
Claire looked up at the clouds, "Me too."
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarwNKgNTrY
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.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELfIBsQOvk
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.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjpULwtoLm
They turned to face each other.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhXvcbfLrq
Claire didn't know what came over her, just that a strange urge to say something-
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKufXo532TD
"I like you," she blurted out suddenly. A light red flush covered her cheeks.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzGPR8oeBX
Miguel grinned. "I knew you couldn't resist me."
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dIZPUE1PP
That earned him a shove. He laughed as Claire shook her head, embarrassed. She turned away from him, finding the benches far more interesting.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsimEAAshJ
"Claire?" he questioned. She didn't respond.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PcD7FtYWD
"I uh- I like you too," he said quietly.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFQZUYMmTi
She didn't turn around.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi8jvjouql
He frowned, maybe he shouldn't joke when someone confesses their feelings. He'll keep that in mind.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoPFZty5vI
"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,"
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmicEApy2w
No response.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9NKD1yXTd
"Claire?"
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYIMh4sXFl
She quirked an eyebrow at him. "Well?" She turned around to fully look at him. "Aren't you going to kiss me?"
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKE9EV5AUu
Miguel let out a small, surprised 'oh' as a pair of lips touched his.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmD7k19HgR
------------------------
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTfwwP9eoM
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.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuVFJ39u1k
So much so, whenever she told her friends about Miguel, they would roll their eyes.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAq15tR9cY
"Uh-huh, we get it!"
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjjzHeSDpU
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.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXFtzGcnJb
Two more years left of college.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yEuD7gh9S
------------------
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuMQjOfWNB
It was one of those days. Those days just made life harder. Those small infrequent moments just ruin everything so so quickly.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcFqBUkkJd
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.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnMF8M3IPZ
"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.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhqprkwCTn
They both hid a smile.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIBijtSt3c
-------------------
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTn1svUAWtZ
"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!"
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8hNzcWmew
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."
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqykzFj7PEG
Claire let out an exaggerated gasp, "Don't insult my precious ice cream like that!"
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lLJ0bymvD
"I did and I would forever continue to do so.”
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86BRrjxvR7
Claire fake a frowned as she walked past him, "Well then, I guess this is goodbye.”
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYzYinWufC
"Hey, wait up!"
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tEU1l8VBt
------------------
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUDeKxp3ov
"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.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCm4WDpiMh
"What should we watch?" she questioned, looking through the movies available.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgX1zbUk5b
"The Nightmare Before Christmas!"
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5HAhOdvo9
Claire nodded as she put it on.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5r89keqUs
As the movie played out, both Miguel and Claire added their own input throughout the scenes.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKX35X6FQV
"It's just a phase, my dear..." Dr. Finklestein said when stitching up Sally.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuyJ9MIgK6
Claire snorted. "Please, I'm stuck with a 12-year-old. It ain't no phase."
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTQSXFt7ft
"Now that's just rude-"
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡya9PxPTRWN
------------------
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZlhAMbweV
"Stay still..." muttered Miguel as he looked at Claire intently.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Qe4vl8crC
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.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMPd8jDYeP
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.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3T7r3WB4yc
Claire looked at the painting with appreciation, "Very nice..."
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9yeLpXZKn
Miguel smiled, he enjoyed his major, (as much as he could), but art would always have a special place in his heart.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TMaRK5xqv
"Can I look at your other drawing again?"
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIKJDp1EbL
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.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNNZhC91G8
Miguel spotted the box in their shared closet. He stored most of his drawings there.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbOPEc1GGC
Claire stood behind him as he opened the box. He tried to keep his old drawings in order so he could see his progress.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu04hiXnn3B
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.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqN6aa9Hla
"Wow..." said Claire. "The feathers look amazing!"
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94uHEGqUkL
Miguel smiled.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UCpSYrlAz
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.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIZHYhbLsf
"Ah! Is that supposed to show the time where we went to that amusement park?"
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghrlJ9ssiy
Miguel's smile widened, "Our 3rd-year anniversary, we decided to go to the park."
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjp7nhenUNS
"Ugh, don't say it like that. It makes me feel old, like a married couple," Claire said.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8B01Sral8q
He pulled out another drawing. It showed a giant stuffed bear.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3fVkxflTi
"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.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNQLhgojkD
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.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR228TwjSwe
"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."
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1v6WP5OQrH
He set the bear drawing aside and pulled out another drawing. It showed an elderly woman smiling brightly. Her hair grey and face wrinkled.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKGkd3TIqa
"My mom," he whispered, his playful attitude gone.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoneULMLbf5
Claire looked at him, "Cancer..."
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKUgpClJoT
Miguel nodded, a pit of pain filling in his stomach. "It's okay..." she murmured, bringing him into a hug.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yUoLw6jUV
"I don't want to die, Claire."
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLId6vn5FoU
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..."
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4k2MWGHTR
Miguel didn't respond. Her arms around him tightened.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqa5HhacbiR
"Don't cry on me now..."
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPBHdPebp0
They held each other for the rest of the night.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xlzj9rSoO
Claire didn't notice the empty bed later on.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qsCSFCXoy
------------------
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxygrromdNX
"Claire?" Miguel said one night in their apartment. They were both laying on their bed, trying to sleep.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriwpdq3ni0
Miguel couldn't.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDa2sk66rL
"Yes?" replied Claire. Maybe she couldn't sleep either.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qsNJ8kTmc
"Can you sing for me?"
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7YCnIdngQ
It was quiet for a moment.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjgP9ZAoLI
Claire didn't feel comfortable singing with others around. "I'm not even that good," she'd murmur.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HpjbAyhh6
But then, a soft, but clear tone echoed through the room, "Wise men say...."
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo49zl1ySVN
"Only fools rush in..."
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjKuP6A1J7
"But I can't help, falling in love with you..."
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTw290bLO7V
For the rest of the night, Claire sang and Miguel listened.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdcBqqQCgx
Miguel silently did agree.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdUhLGRJ0I
Maybe they were fools for falling, but it felt nice.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHy8njucP5
------------------
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2cCS7E4jq
"You are NOT cutting my hair, Miguel-!"
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXgCm61nqx
"C'mon! So many YouTubers do this!"
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPwJRH8iLP
"Yeah, YOUTUBERS! For content!"
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7Mjl9llxQ
Miguel clasped his hands together.
"Please...?"
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefI8JTfCm3
Claire huffed, shaking her head. "You're such a child..."
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYATv9Vw6F
Miguel visibly brightened. He went to go grab the scissors. Clarie already washed her hair and straightened it.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHcw0miGj0
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.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOIDXVI26z
"I better not be bald after this," she threatened.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmj7VxNC1A
"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.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStdCrt108Y
Claire's eyes widened, "On second thought-"
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDcPehGBkM
"Too late."
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpRLXN182R
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.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjxKApbh36
Claire winced.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs62gERrkna
Miguel trimmed the back of her hair. Going from section to section. Then went to the front of her hair.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzU8KJAE9AA
Claire made random noises here and then when she heard a loud snip from the scissors.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOafoZa9bc
"Please don't let everything end up unevenly..." she muttered.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuJXsLEcCo
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.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtikJR1tiI
After a few minutes, he was finally finished.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIR2YlwPoZz
"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.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuZ8Xevlgu
She touched her hair, "I'm impressed.”
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NCfPv0sKe
"Shouldn't have doubted someone who's good looking.”
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzvrygDrKZ
Claire rolled her eyes, "Haha, very funny."
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquXjqsGI4K
She looked around the bathroom floor and groaned, "Ugh, we gotta clean all this hair up.”
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5Op6R7Dw9
"Not me!" said Miguel as he walked out of the room. "I did your hair. You just sat there the whole time!"
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzMh9sxfKs
Claire pursed her lips, but let him leave. She grabbed the broom and began working.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUEuKWnAvn
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..."
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTTWzrnH95
Claire secretly hid a smile as he helped her clean up.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmwRuuLEsf
------------------
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MbMsS5FRt
"Matt is weird," Miguel said during one of their gossip nights.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0TuVN5vdd
Claire frowned, "Matt? The mint chocolate ice cream hater?"
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjrOXUtgVv
"Yeah," Miguel said, "Something suspicious is going on with him and Liam."
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbffjKY7ooI
She raised an eyebrow, "What makes you think that?"
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Anq5C1jW2
Miguel looked up thoughtfully, "I keep seeing them glaring at each other," Claire stared at him.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuwFqQa1lg
"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."
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6p0gdfLlv9
Claire nodded slowly, muttering "Playboys," under her breath.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXclmcDkua
"I should probably tell them to stop.”
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWgBB35clW
She gave him a look, 'you think?''
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwd7dlcWF0
After a moment of silence, Claire spoke up, "You know that one girl in my accounting class? She gave me some chocolate.”
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhWXrAgyYh
Miguel let out a hum.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3AdfEncx5
"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."
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbfHs4Iwzc
She let out a breath, "I...didn't think anyone would ever care if I left this place."
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJ95TOdRrL
They both went silent.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpdppINT79
"Would you believe me if I told you I love you?" Miguel said. Claire froze, her eyes wide.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p7kELzIP9
"That you love me?" she repeated. She searched his face for a few moments.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbHDJ4MJnW
"Do you really?"
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGBCs0E9Dk
"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."
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDvKYOcIZJ
Miguel looked at her and clasped their hands together.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRi5YT5LVzM
"I love you, Claire.”
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwruWCA0D6
Love.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLataIJMXfX
A scary thought.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHA8ZUfof5
A scary feeling to have.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UHpbc0bXT
But she smiled.
419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLl94Aoi4h
"I love you too.”
ns3.133.128.223da2
然後按「加至主畫面」