I had planned to go home alone, but unexpectedly Claire had joined me. It was sort of awkward, I'd never walked alone with a girl before, especially not one this pretty.
"Mikey, why are you quiet all of a sudden."
"Sorry, it's a bit complicated. I wanted to ask, didn't you have any plans with friends?"
"Aren't you my friend?"
That was unexpected. I never thought she considered me one. No one acknowledged me but my neighbor, and I that's shocking, why? It makes me a bit happier either way.
"I mean, yes you are. But, you've never walked with me before."
"You always went home early, so I never got the chance. Besides you and I walk in the same direction."
I understood. But, what If she wasn't my neighbor, would we still be friends?
She looked at me, tilting her head.
"You keep getting lost in there. Is everything alright?"
"Nothing much."
She sighed.
"OK fine, if you won't tell me, I won't force it out of you. I have one more question, do you have any goals in mind? Long-term, short-term goals."
She changed the topic. Maybe it was because I wasn't engaging much in the conversation. I should try harder.
"There's nothing I can think of."
"Come on. There's has got to be something. Everyone has a dream. Even if it's a squashed one, it's time to cough it up because it still counts."
Squashed dreams? I think I had one of those. It's a far-fetched silly dream I had when I was a kid. It wouldn't hurt to say it, just this once.
"Don't laugh." I said.
She nodded, her expression turning serious. She looked so cute when she's attempting to hold a poker face.
"I wanted to become one of the strongest warriors in Nestral. No... the strongest in all of Nexarion. Maybe then people will actually notice me."
At first my words felt heavy, by the end, I was smiling.
For a second, she held it in. Then, Claire laughed, making me want to crawl inside a hole.
"I thought you said you wouldn't laugh."
"Honestly, you're usually gloomy."
She studied me a bit, with a soft smile.
"I think I like this version of you more."
"Thank... you. But it was stupid, wasn't it?"
"It only sounds far-fetched because you never really committed to it."
I tilted my head in confusion.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You let people push you down. And you stayed there. That's the pathetic part."
"So, what should I do?"
She stopped walking, turning to me. She brought her face closer to mine. I couldn't thinking about pulling it closer, but I quickly regained focus.
"It's simple."
Her gaze tightened.
"You have to promise me, and more importantly, yourself... that this time, you won't stop halfway."
I wasn't sure what she was getting at, but I nodded either way.
She came even closer, lips slightly pursed.
"That's not enough. I want to hear you say it."
I hesitated abit, before responding.
"Alright... I promise."
She pulled back back, with a bright expression. I couldn't help thinking about how cute she looked.
I waved her goodbye after reaching the front door of my place. I opened the it, took off my jacket, and hung it on the hook. It was a bit hot for me to be wearing it outside, but I preferred it that way. While walking down the hallway, a note stuck to the wall caught my eye.
To: Mikey
I went on a top-secret mission to Earth. I'll be back in a couple of weeks.
Try to not cause trouble while I'm gone.
Kyle will check in on you every now and then.
Graduation is coming up, I might not find you here, since you'll have to move out and join a squad. You've grown so much, and I'll miss you kiddo.
Sorry in advance for not showing up. Congratulations.
From: Tom.
I felt my teeth grit, unintentionally.
What could I even get into? I had no one else, besides Claire.
As for graduation... I won't even make it that far.
"I'm sorry, Claire... Looks like I won't be able to keep my promise."