☽★𝑽𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒏 𝑰𝑰 𝑰𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒈𝒐 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒆𝒔★☾

The mistake

2013

"It probably wouldn't be a good idea." Mike set his glass down on the kitchen counter and filled it again. "It won't help you get over Finn."

"Do you think I was here if I was seeking a rational solution to my never ending pain?"

"Is it bad it's sort of a turn on that you can talk so fluently despite being wasted?"

Erica stood. I'm not even swaying that much, she thought and proceeded to fall forward. Mike caught her. "It would be weird", he said but couldn't help wanting to kiss her. "We're so drunk we wouldn't even remember it in the morning", Erica said. "You would get to sleep with someone really hot and I would get back at Finn."

"Or maybe you want him back", Mike said gently. "Why are you still holding me?" Erica asked him. "You could have let go."

"I don't know", he replied. "I guess I don't want to." Both fell silent until Mike felt the need to speak again. "You don't want to sleep with me. It would be a mistake." Erica kissed him. It felt wrong but good at the same time. "Wait", he mumbled and turned to chug his glass empty. Then he turned back to her and kissed her.

"This is sort of nice." Mike watched Erica fetch herself a cup of coffee. "You drool in your sleep", she said. Mike laughed. "Do you want some breakfast?"

"Free food?" Erica smiled and leaned on the kitchen counter. She put her coffee down. "Always." She put her arms around Mike's neck. His eyes bore a surprised look as she pulled him close and kissed him. "What are you doing?" he asked. "Determining if I want to do this again or not", Erica said. Mike seemed amused now. "What's your hypothesis?"

"You're a nerd."

"That's already been proved right. There has been a lot of evidence."

"No", Erica decided. "I want to be your friend though." Mike smiled. "Don't say anything soppy", Erica warned him. "Or I will pour my coffee over your head."

"Oh, I wouldn't dream of it." Mike poured some coffee for himself. Erica rolled her eyes. It was nice, she had to admit, that she hadn't had to leave at three am. She was with a friend. She took a seat at the kitchen table. She sipped her coffee. "You're a mess", she then said with a grin. "You had sex with your friend."

"You were the friend", Mike pointed out. "Good", Erica said. "You were less drunk than I thought then."

"What were you doing before coming here?" Mike sat down, squeezing his mug like afraid it would grow legs and run away. "Just curious", he added. "Wouldn't you like to know, Starboy." Erica sipped her coffee with a small grin. "I just hope you have more sense than me when you're drunk", Mike kept going. "I don't even need to be drunk to do stupid things."

1996

"Where were you yesterday?" Mike had caught up with Erica and was panting slightly. "Wouldn't you like to know, Starboy," she said with an eye roll. "I worry about you." Mike studied his trainers. "Don't", Erica said. She readjusted the strap of her bag over her shoulder. Her sleeve slid down a little. A bracelet was revealed. It was simple with black beads and a silvery snowflake charm in the middle. "I thought you weren't a jewellery person", Mike said. "So, what if I am?" Erica raised an eyebrow. "Girls like jewellery. I'm a girl."

"Boys like jewellery too. Maybe mostly on girls but..." Mike had to tighten his pace again. "It's pretty. Your bracelet."

"Why are you following me, Starboy?"

"I'm going this way too."

"You could do that on the other side of the road."

"I love our friendship."

Erica smiled. "A girl gave it to me. If you tell anyone I will murder you."

"Who is it?" Mike asked. "You can tell me. I won't tell anyone."

"Pinky promise?"

"I thought you were too cool for those."

"Give me your pinky so I can break it."

"No way. I like my pinky."

"Why?" Erica sounded amused. "It doesn't even do anything."

"It does enough", Mike said. "Now tell me about this girl."

"She's a year older. Her name is Lisbet. She took a polaroid of me and carries it around." Erica blushed faintly. "She's so smitten with me it's embarrassing."

"Sounds like you might be smitten with her."

"Shut up." Erica pushed Mike into a ditch. He got up with a grin. "I may have a crush on someone." He caught up with her again. "A boy." Erica smiled. "Yes", Mike said. "How did you know?"

"I'm psychic", Erica teased. Mike stared at her. "You like Lise's brother." She pulled a sketchbook from her bag and tossed it at Mike. He caught it after a lot of fumbling. "You draw him a lot. Way more than other people." Mike blushed. "How did you... What... This is mine..." Erica grinned. "I'm talented."

2019

"Come on, Starboy." Skai smiled, sunlight painted over her freckles. "I want to take a polaroid of you." Mike rolled his eyes in an affectionate way. "What if it'll turn out horrible?"

"It won't", Skai assured him. "Tilt your head... Just like that." Her camera whirred to life. "I want to capture you, remember you forever. You won't be mine forever." She took a polaroid, her smile faded a little. "You're wrong." Mike scooped the camera. "Your turn."

"Aw really?" Skai wrinkled her nose. "I'm usually behind the camera. Also I just used the last film."

"You shouldn't have used it on me." Mike placed the camera down and leaned on the kitchen counter. Skai let out a little sigh and stepped closer to him. "I can always buy more film. It's... replaceable. You're not." Mike slid his hands underneath the curls framing her face. "Even your death didn't stop me from loving you", he said softly. "I've always been yours and I always will be."

"You can hardly promise that, can you?"

There was such a tender look in Mike's eyes that Skai believed in that promise.