𝙜𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙡

ɢᴏᴜʀᴅ ᴏꜰ ʀᴏꜱᴄʜᴇʟ

The fall pumpkin contest buzzed through the university like wildfire, and to my surprise, my partner was none other than Declan Connolly – the guy who once claimed his spirit animal was a T-Rex.

"Declan, pumpkins and paleontology – quite the combo," I smirked.

He grinned, "Who knows, Sierra? Maybe these pumpkins have a secret love for dinosaur fossils."

As we ventured to the pumpkin patch, Declan's lacrosse stick looked like it was gearing up for a pumpkin-studded game. "Ready to score a touchdown with a pumpkin?" I teased.

"Touchdown, or maybe just a gentle caress," he retorted, earning a laugh.

We selected our pumpkins, and Declan examined them like he expected them to whisper tales of ancient times. "These pumpkins have stories to tell," he declared.

"Probably tales of turning into pumpkin spice lattes," I added.

Carving pumpkins turned into a joint effort, with Declan handling precision like a paleontologist unearthing delicate fossils. "Careful, Sierra, we're unlocking pumpkin mysteries here," he deadpanned.

"Unleashing the secrets of the pumpkin universe, one cut at a time," I chuckled.

Our kitchen escapades were a chaotic dance of flour, spices, and witty banter. Declan, surprisingly adept with a whisk, proclaimed, "Get ready for the Connolly special."

"As long as it doesn't involve a pumpkin-themed wedding," I joked.

Our pumpkin pie, a curious mix of precision and chaos, earned us raised eyebrows from the judges. Declan turned to me with a grin, "Looks like our pie is a Roschel creation – a bit complicated, but undeniably special."

I nodded, "Or maybe it's the Ross and Rachel of pies. A classic."

Our triumph led us to a nearby pub, where the atmosphere was celebratory. As we clinked glasses, Declan proposed a toast, "To unexpected partnerships and winning with style."

We reminisced about our shared love for FRIENDS, weaving the show into our own narrative. Declan leaned in, whispering, "You know, Sierra, this feels like a Ross and Rachel moment."

I smirked, "Are you trying to say our love life is as complicated as their 'We were on a break' saga?"

He chuckled, "Maybe, but at least we're not on a break right now."

The night progressed with laughter, banter, and nods to our favorite sitcom. Declan's gaze held a warmth that went beyond the lighthearted atmosphere. As he leaned closer, he whispered, "Remember the prom video episode? This feels like our moment."

I grinned, "Well, we better make it a good one then."

The pub's door chimed as we stumbled into the night, the banter continuing on the way to Declan's place. Somehow, in the midst of our laughter, the air between us shifted.

____________________________________________

Morning light filtered through the curtains, and I woke up to find Declan beside me, a contented smile on his face. As I traced patterns on his arm, he whispered, "You know, Sierra, this feels like more than just a Ross and Rachel moment."

I met his gaze, and in that quiet moment, emotions lingered in the air. Declan's voice, usually playful, took on a softer tone, "Sierra, I've missed this. Us."

A realization hit me – maybe we were more than just friends caught in the loop of past mistakes. I looked into Declan's eyes, feeling a connection that transcended time. Unsure of how to respond, I pulled him into a kiss – a passionate, fiery embrace that spoke volumes.

The night that followed was a blur of emotions and shared confessions. As we lay there in the morning light, Declan's arm around me, I realized that maybe, just maybe, the unexpected twists of life had led us to a moment that felt like more than a FRIENDS reference – it felt like the beginning of our own unique love story.