𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓽𝔀𝓸
—𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦—

     𝓒𝓵𝓪𝓲𝓻𝓮 𝓡𝓸𝓼𝓮 𝓽𝓪𝓹𝓼 her converse against the pavement outside of her best friend's house. The girl glances to the watch on her wrist briefly, before picking up a small pebble from the freshly cut grass, and tossing it up to Odette's window. It had been nearly ten minutes since she had arrived, and time wasn't moving any faster as Odette dragged around her room. Claire had to be at school soon, and was beginning to stress over whether or not the two girls would be late. 

And to add onto that, it just so happened to be thirty degrees, and flurries of snowflakes had just began to fall from the sky.

"Odette!" the red head calls out, cupping her hands around her mouth. "Come on, girl! We've got places to be and plans to make!"

Claire had awoken early that morning, setting several alarms to ensure that she would have enough time to get ready and drove to Odette's house. On the first alarm she had managed to drag herself into the bathroom, getting ready without another ounce of hesitation afterwards. Unfortunately, she didn't get the chance to say goodbye to her parents, as they were both asleep.

The senior rarely ever woke her parents in the morning to tell them goodbye, knowing that both of them had the night shift at the hospital, and never really got the chance to rest properly anyway. Instead of interrupting their rest, she wrote a note every single morning and left it on the bar, each of them having a small lip print from her favorite cherry-red lipstick she had received for her birthday.

Thinking back, Claire could clearly remember the birthday party her parents had thrown for her. It was Braylin Parks, a perky girl with jet-black hair and a personality to kill, that had given her the lipstick in a bright pink bag with white tissue paper peaking out from the top. Odette had gotten her a locket— one that matched hers— of which the two wore every day to symbolize their close bond.

Of course Braylin and Claire were close, too. They had their moments when the were inseparable, but Braylin hadn't been around the girl lately. Time wouldn't allow it; with graduation coming up not too long after winter break, no one could truly focus on anything other than studying for exams and spending little time with the people they were closest to.

"I'm coming!" Odette finally peeps her head out of the window, sending her best friend a smile. In an instant the window is shut again, and Claire chuckles, shaking her head.

As long as Claire could recall, Odette had never been in too much of a rush- she always had a go-with-the-flow vibe, and didn't really pay attention to the clock. They were quite the opposite, really. But that wouldn't stop anything.

The door to the Carswell house opens, revealing Odette in a festive sweater, scarf, and beanie like usual. It wasn't surprising to see her dressed similarly during the winter days, as Claire had the same problem. Her wardrobe for the winter season was strictly sweaters, hoodies, and long-sleeves. There was no need for a t-shirt when she could be warmer.

"We have a test in math," Odette informs the red head, closing the door behind her. "That's what Carter told me, anyway."

"I wouldn't trust Carter," Claire snorts, rolling her eyes jokingly as Odette secures her backpack straps around her shoulders. "Last week he made me believe we had a football game after school."

"But it's winter," the brunette says, clearly confused.

"That's what I'm saying," she laughs, her best friend, moving over to the passenger seat of the car. "He has a way of twisting things, you know. I wouldn't be surprised if he was just teasing."

"We'll see," Odette sighs as Claire gets into the driver seat, starting up the black Volvo. "Have you talked to Carter or Brent this morning?"

"No, but I assume they won't be at school for the next half hour," Claire says, pulling out of the driveway. "They're boys, and normally hold off on waking up as long as the possibly can. I wouldn't expect any less from them."

"Well, you have a point . . . " she trails off, buckling her seatbelt as Claire does the same. "What are you doing this weekend?"

"I was hoping you'd stay the night," Claire admits, focusing on the road ahead of them. "I don't really have any plans, and I hate being home alone. We could rent a movie and order some Chinese food or something. I don't know, I'd just rather have you around."

"I know how you feel. I'll ask dad to see what he says, but I'm assuming he'll allow it. He's going out with his friends on Saturday, and he's adamant on letting me stay home alone when mom is on business trips."

"Thank God," the girl hums. "Put some thought into what you want to watch after school today. I'm sure the boys will leave it up to us."

"You don't think," Odette pauses, looking to her friend. "You don't think Brent likes me, do you? I mean— he did suggest that he and I should hang out more often."

"You're kidding, right?" Claire asks, running her fingers through her curled hair. "Odette, he's crazy about you. He's been that way for a while now, it's obvious to anyone but you."

Odette's cheeks grow red as she looks down, trying to hide the unwavering smile on her lips. "Maybe I could talk to him about it in fourth period."

"I encourage that whole-heartedly, and I'm sure Carter does, too. We've been talking about it for . . . well, always."

"I'm just a little nervous about it," the brunette admits. "I've just recently noticed how I feel around him, and I don't want to wait too long to tell him. But I don't want to move too fast, either."

"I get it," Claire assures her, taking a short glance her way. "Today is as good a day as any to tell him your feelings. You can't wait until we part ways for college."

"College ruins relationships."

"It can also move them along," she points out. "If you go to the same one, everything could continue. It may be a little bit more difficult, but that's the beauty of life. You take what you get and find a way to make it through it."

Claire finds herself growing deep with the conversation, not exactly meaning to. But it was true, if anything, that she wanted Odette to be happy. Brent and Odette were always happiest when they were with each other, and it was hard not to notice. So she would support as much as she could, and hope for the best.

As much as she hated to admitted it, she had focused more on Odette and Brent's interactions than she did between herself and others. Of course she spent lots of time around Carter because of the others, but he was a brother figure in her life. Perhaps she would begin to work on that in the near future, and find someone that was right for her.

"Don't force yourself into anything," Claire finishes. "That's what I want you to take from this conversation. Be happy, because that's all I ever want."

"I love you," Odette says, her eyes meeting her best friend's. "Thank you, Claire."

"Anytime," Claire chuckles, looking to the radio. "Now turn on the music. I have a feeling today is going to be eventful."

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