|5×𝑭𝑬𝑨𝑻𝑼𝑹𝑬𝑫|
"C'est la vie" (French) - "That's life" or "Such is life." It's often used to express resignation or acceptance in the face of life's ups and downs, similar to sayings like "That's how the cookie crumbles" in English.
previously...
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Lena slouched on the park bench, staring at the lake with a distant, almost forlorn expression. I could tell she was lost in one of those self-deprecating thought spirals again. It happened every now and then—out of nowhere, she'd decide she was completely unlovable, and nothing I said could convince her otherwise.
I plopped down next to her, nudging her shoulder with mine. "Alright, spill it. What's got you looking like someone ran over your favourite cheesecake?"
She sighed deeply, barely turning her head to look at me. "It's nothing, Cal. "
"It's definitely not nothing. Come on, what's going on?"
"I.." She hesitated, "Just... why is it that everyone I'm interested in never seems to feel the same way? Am I that hard to love?"
"Here we go again." I rolled my eyes so hard I thought they might get stuck. "You're kidding, right? Lena, you're basically the human equivalent of a puppy that can bake. People should be lining up to fall for you."
She chuckled weakly. "A puppy that can bake? I'd like to see that."
"Exactly my point! You're awesome, and if people don't see it, then they're the idiots, not you."
Lena shook her head, still unconvinced. "I think I'm just destined to be that friend everyone confides in but never dates. You know what Mark said the other day? He asked me to talk to Mandy about him. Like the amazing friend I am. My crush asked me to set him up with another girl!"
"Well, he's technically blind. Even with the contacts he wears, he doesn't see shit."
"No, but he's right, Cal. Who would ever want to date me when there are so many better options out there?"
"Disagreeing. Strongly disagreeing." I leaned back, stretching my legs out in front of me. "Honestly, I don't get why people don't realise what they're missing. You're hilarious, smart, and you can beat me at Mario Kart, which I hate to admit is pretty impressive."
She sighed smiling weakly as doubt continued to linger in her eyes. "I know you're just saying that because you should. You're my best friend after all. "
I snorted. "No, I really don't. I could just agree with you, tell you how unlovable you are, and be done with it. But that would be the biggest lie of the century."
Lena bumped her shoulder against mine, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You're such a dork, you know that?"
"And you're the most stubborn person I've ever met," I shot back. "Look, just because a few people can't see what's right in front of them doesn't mean you're unlovable. It just means they're blind as bats."
Lena finally laughed, a proper one that made her eyes crinkle at the corners. "Maybe I just need to wear a sign that says 'dateable' around my neck."
I smirked. "Or just a T-shirt that says 'I beat Calcifer at Mario Kart.' Trust me, that's a solid qualification to be wanted in someone's life."
She leaned her head on my shoulder, the residue of a smile lingering on her lips. I could feel her relax a bit as we sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the ducks paddle around the lake.
"You really think I'm worth it?" she asked softly, almost like she was afraid of the answer.
I nudged her head lightly with mine. "I don't just think it, Lena. I know it. And one day, someone's going to come along and see you the way I do. And they're going to wonder how they got so damn lucky."
Lena sighed again, but it was a lighter sound this time, like a weight had been lifted. "Thank you, Cal. You always know what to say to make me feel better."
"That's what best friends are for," I replied, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Besides, if no one ever figures it out, you can always settle for me."
She laughed, giving me a playful shove. "In your dreams."
"Every night," I teased, earning another laugh from her.
We sat there until the sun began to dip below the horizon, the warm hues reflecting off the water. Later, as we walked home, side by side, I couldn't help but feel grateful. Grateful that Lena didn't see what I saw—because as long as she didn't, she'd always be right here beside me.
WC: 745
A/N: Yes, Calcifer is a reference to Howl's Moving Castle. I watched it recently and couldn't move on without giving it a proper honorary refernce.
