Candy Rings

Beauty in Plain Sight

Just like that, high school was almost over. Senior year was upon them all and soon college applications and senior prom would be in the near future. But right now Karl wanted to enjoy his last days of summer with his best friends.

He looked at the boys he had met in the process of growing up and couldn't ever imagine a life without them.

Dream, who he had met because of Sapnap and someone who he could be his complete self around.

George, his first friend that he made on his own who he shared many great memories with and someone he could trust completely.

Sapnap, the boy who changed his life around completely just by giving him a Ring Pop.

These people meant everything to him and if he lost them, he wouldn't know what to do with himself.

All four boys were sitting around a campfire near a lake.

They packed two cars and decided to take a trip to Dream's family's summer lake house the weekend before school started.

They were all pretty much adults now and could do whatever their hearts desired.

And their hearts desired to be away from everyone and enjoy their last summer before they had to officially grow up. 

The sky was darkening before their eyes and they watched the last bits of the sun dip below the lake's horizon. The only light source being the campfire and a faint neon yellow light coming from the ring around Karl's finger.

The stars coming out reminded him of last year around this time when he had learned where almost every single constellation was. But only one was important to him.

He looked into the sky and found just the one that came to mind.

In his peripheral vision, he caught movement of another person looking into the sky.

He looked away to see Sapnap who had his eyes fixated on the same constellation, Corvus.

He remembered.

He felt his heartbeat pick up until he remembered the promise he made himself the year prior and knew he had to shut off his emotions.

He closed his eyes and inhaled a breath. When he exhaled, he opened his eyes to see Sapnap staring at him.

"You okay?" He mouthed the words.

Karl nodded even though his heart was screaming no.

He wanted to tell Sapnap the truth, but if he told Sapnap the truth, he would lose him. And he wasn't taking that chance.

So he pretended for the rest of the lake trip that he was okay. He put on a big smile that was easy to fool the people around him. Including Sapnap.

They took a trip to the mall before their last stop at home to get their last minute school supplies.

Even with the important task at hand, the boys got easily distracted and trekked elsewhere.

Karl stumbled upon a jewelry booth and began to look at all the rings.

Sapnap was not far behind him and followed him up to the booth.

"This one is very pretty." Karl says, holding the ring up to Sapnap.

Sapnap takes the ring and looks at the silver piece of jewelry. It was quite simple to what Karl typically wore, but this one was made of real silver. It could be worn on any occasion, but it was quite expensive.

But Sapnap knew Karl would wear it till it ran thin.

"It is pretty, it matches your eyes." Sapnap said with a wink.