Everybody loves the things you do

From the way you talk

To the way you move

Owen still vividly remembers the first time he saw her. He may have been 7 years old, but he still knew beauty when he saw it. The hottest rays of bright orange light were beating down on her, as she bounded down the steps of the newly bought house, the rays competing with the bright orange of her hair. Then there were her eyes. The second thing he noticed. Not quite sure whether they were blue or green, the lighting seemingly changing their colour with each heavy step she made in his direction. My new neighbour he thought, how lucky am I.

They became fast friends from the moment the freckled faced beauty reached out her hand confidently and introduced her self as Claire Dearing. "But seen as though we're going to be friends you can call me Claire." She was so sure of herself that Owen was slightly taken aback. He reached out his small hand to meet her even smaller hand, "Owen." The smile she gave him in return gave his 7-year-old stomach butterflies, and he knew he was a goner.

Everybody here is watching you

Because you feel like home

You're like a dream come true

When it was time for high school Claire was, of course, the hottest girl in school. And everyone knew it. However, she was more focused on books. Getting the highest grades in class and focusing on her best friend, Owen. When she went to parties, she went with him ignoring everyone else's invitations and leaving 40 minutes later. Then there was that one time, at that one specific party.

Claire and Owen had just arrived both looking great as usual. Claire wearing a strapless, flowing, knee-length yellow dress. A guy decided to approach her, clearly inebriated. Trying, and failing, to hit on her. He wasn't taking no for an answer and the next thing Claire and Owen know they're running out of the house. Owen's right hand bruised and bloodied as his left holds onto Claire and pulls her along the desolate street. They run until they're panting, both from the running and laughing hysterically and they collapse onto a nearby patch of grass. Once their laughs have subsided, their breathing returning to normal Claire turns onto her side leaning on her arm and facing Owen. She admired him for a little while. He was laid with his arms under his head looking up at the sky. The soft twinkle of stars highlighting his face. The face of the boy she fondly grew to adore, more than she would like to admit.

"You're so stupid. Why did you do that?" Claire said suddenly.

Owen turned so he too was on his side facing her,

"He was hitting on you."

"So? Its not the first time it's happened."

"But he wouldn't take no for an answer. He was making me uncomfortable"

Owen fidgeted with the grass avoiding the soft scowl on Claire's face as she looked down at his slightly swollen hand.

"And," he continued "if his hand got any closer to you he would have much worse than a bloodied nose."

Claire then reached down to grab his hand and slowly brought it up to her soft lips which she gently placed on each one of his knuckles. "Thank you"

Owen startled by this, asks "what are you doing."

And she looks at him again, eyes glowing under the beautiful nights sky. Almost as beautiful as her, he thinks.

"Returning the favour. Remember, when we were 10 and I fell down and grazed my knee and I almost started crying an- "

She was cut off by Owen "and I kissed it to make you better."

"You always did know how to look after me" she laughed as her long locks blew with the soft wind into her face.

Owen reached over and tucked the loosed pieces of hair behind her ear

"You make everything better, Claire."

But if by chance you're here alone

Can I have a moment

Before I go?

It's been 10 years. 10 years since he last saw that perfect red hair and amazing green eyes. And it all comes back to him when he sees her, sat there by herself taking small sips of whatever beverage is in her glass. All the times they laughed and cried together as children and then their last few months together before Claire had to be whisked away to college. Those last few months were the best of his life. But it was just their luck that as soon as they finally got together as a couple there was something to come between them. He remembers that day. The day that will always haunt him for the rest of his life. The day he last saw that perfect red hair.

It was hot out, but when wasn't it? The big white van stood outside of their neighbouring houses, filled with boxes of Claire's belongings. Owen's car waiting across the road for him.

They clung to each other like they were each other's lifeline. Claire pulled back a little, so she could see his face but still held on to him tight, and he her.

"We can call as much as possible and write letters an- "she was interrupted by a soft "Claire,"

Tears and snot started making their way down her face, making her vision blurry.

"No, Owen don't I- "

"Claire," Owen said a little louder this time but just as gentle, "I think we both know what needs to happen."

A lump started to form in his throat and his eyes were becoming increasingly wet.

"No Owen, I love you. We are going to be alright."

"I love you too Claire. That's why we need to let each other go."

Claire scrunched up his shirt in her hands afraid of what it will mean when she finally lets him go.

"You're going to college. I'm training for the navy. We just can't" and the tears started to spill, mirroring that of his love in front of him.

If he could change it all right now and get a place at a college, specifically Claire's college he would in a heartbeat. Faster than a heartbeat, even. But he can't. He's just not as smart as her, not made out for college.

They stood there for what felt like forever and felt like no time at all. Unwilling to be the first to let go. Then the cars were honking, and they knew this was it. This was goodbye.

Owen leaned in and pressed his lips to Claire's. Memorizing her lips like an actor does a script, not knowing if he would ever get the chance to kiss those lips again. And with that they were going their separate ways. Blotchy faces headed in different directions as both their hearts shattered in microscopic pieces too small to ever be picked up and glued back together.

They tried to write to each other, but it was just too painful, the letters becoming less frequent until one day they just stopped. It hurt them. It hurt them both but without ever expressing it in words they both understood. They knew what the other needed and that made it all he more difficult.

Cause I've been by myself all night long

Hoping you're someone

I used to know

He thought he had seen the last of Claire Dearing. But here she was, sitting right in front of him and it was almost like a dream come true. Almost because if it was actually a dream then she would have noticed him by now. She's just unknowingly sat with a small frown on those mesmerizing lips he has tried so hard to forget. There's an internal battle happening in his head and before his brain can register his movements he is approaching her. Chest tightening like the night of their first kiss.

They had just been watching a movie and Claire was laughing her holy laugh and before Owen knew it he had blurted out "I love you"

She turned to him and smiled, "I love you too,"

Owen sighed, "No you don't understand. I LOVE love you"
A quietly murmured "oh" was the only thing that Owen could register before her lips were on his. A gleeful feeling filled his chest as she pulled away and whispered. "I LOVE love you too"

You look like a movie

You sound like a song

My god this remind me

Of when we were young

"Hey stranger, long time no see"

Claire Dearing was pulled out of her trance by a voice behind her. A voice she has tried both simultaneously to remember forever and bury deep in the past. She turns in her chair with a start and as soon as she lays eyes on him she cant handle the somersaults in her stomach or the flutter of her heart.

She's dumbfounded, at a loss for words.

"What's wrong? Am I really that forgettable?" Owen remarks. His trademark smirk enveloping his face.

And that's all it takes. All it takes for Claire to launch herself into the arms of the man she thought she'd never see again but hoped with all her heart she would. And here he is, and everything feels good again. And it is like nothing has changed.

She pulls back, tears in her eyes and having found her voice questions

"Owen, what are you doing here?"

He breathes in her brilliant vanilla scent so familiar, and thinks that she hasn't changed at all

"The same thing as you I think. Came for a drink"

Then she wonders. What are the chances. The chances that they would both be at the same bar at the same time and it makes her think. What if the world is apologising to them.

And she's laughing but she doesn't know why, and she can't stop. People must think she's crazy. But not Owen, he's still looking at her. The same way he did 10 years ago. Heck the same way he did the very first time they met. And her laughs are suddenly silenced. Owens lips devouring them in his own.

Claire doesn't react at first. Then the familiar movement triggers the memories and all the feelings come pouring back. The feelings they both tried so hard to let go of. And she relaxes into it. Melting into Owen's touch.

When they both pull back, out of breath their smiles are wide. As wide as can be and their foreheads are resting against each other's. This time she's the first to speak.

"I missed you so much." And its so quiet she's not sure he hears her. But he does.

"I missed you so much too"

And she smiles that 7-year-old smile. Yeah, he most certainly is a goner.

ser·en·dip·i·ty

noun

1.

the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way:

"a fortunate stroke of serendipity"

To my Ex-tinct groupchat peeps. I hope you find your wigs.