𝐁𝐔𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐒 [ 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐞 𝐱 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 ]

stitches

You rubbed your eyes, the dryness of them irritating as you finished the last few touches on your photography assignment. You were skimming through some of the last photos, trying to find something else that would add to your presentation and seal the deal.

And then you saw it.

You remembered that day so vividly. The air had been still, not a cloud could be seen. A rainbow of orange, red, yellow, and purple leaves surrounded you outside. You had been out in the middle of nowhere, wanting to find some pictures of lone barns standing all by themselves.

Connie, Marco, and Jean had joined you that day, all messing around with the dead leaves on the ground while you snapped shots— but you didn't remember this one. Marco must've taken it.

It was of you and Connie, your face a little blurry as you were laughing, his mischievous smirk something you could recognize a mile away. He had you pulled up next to him, your bodies touching as he bent down towards you, your head leaning back. He was tasing you, and it was evident in the photo that he was. A few leaves were in your hair, painting the scene with a splash of vibrant color.

You didn't know how much you were smiling until Sasha said something. You turned your laptop around to show her the photo. She let out a big "aw" at the sight of it and told you to add it to your project.

It'd be weird since it was a photo of yourself, but the rules were that it had to be taken without any knowledge, and you didn't even know this photo existed until now.

After some editing, you ended your presentation with the photo of you and Connie, your heart aching a bit.

You knew you'd have to tell him. Floch would be arriving soon, and you didn't need the introduction to be a blow up. Besides, Connie deserved to know.

Lying was never the plan, but he had called you perfect so many times and you wanted to be perfect for him. You knew he didn't mean it literally, but words held more weight than he'd ever know, and the last thing you'd want to be was a disappointment. You felt like you had to uphold this part of you that was happy and caring, a person who never had to deal with struggles. And as dumb and narrow-minded as it was, it was the only way you could avoid opening up and sharing the things that had hurt you so long ago.

Burying that and distracting yourself to move on was how you got past it, and maybe that was where you and Connie were so similar. Whether you realized it or not, you both sacrificed your happiness for the sake of others, and in a way, it served as a very unhealthy coping mechanism.

You closed your laptop and grabbed your coat, slipping your shoes on and heading for the door. "I'll be back," you told Sasha and shut the door behind you, taking a a deep breath.

It was nice outside today, not as cold as some days had been. It was nearing Thanksgiving break, and soon it'd be December, your favorite month of the year.

As you walked along campus, you kept your eyes out for red hair. You were anxious you'd see those cold and dark brown eyes. People passed you, and you accidentally bumped into some since your focus was so narrowed— almost like you had tunnel vision.

Your anxiety started to subside after a while when no sign of Floch was coming up. You didn't realize you had walked all the way to your job, staring at the big glowing sign above you. With a shrug, you decided to walk in. Maybe Porco was working today, and he always seemed to have something good to say.

You always liked the smell of this place, coffee beans and maple. It was a simple smell, but you liked the simple things. Porco waved at you from the counter and you smiled, walking over to him.