CLAIRE
1375 Words
The next four days dragged by so slowly that Julia swore each one lasted a full year. She forced herself to stay busy—anything to keep her mind from spiraling. She listened to Claire’s endless rants about her “prince charming” who still hadn’t called. She binge-watched her favorite episodes of The Simpsons, read two novels back-to-back, painted for hours the way she always loved, and Googled everything she needed to know about the town she was moving to.
“Done! I won!” Julia announced triumphantly as she dropped her paintbrush. “Claire, I won!” She laughed, wiping her hand on her apron.
But Claire didn’t react. She was hunched over her sketchbook, concentrating intensely.
Curious, Julia walked over—and froze. “Oh my god… Claire. You are unbelievable.”
There, on the page, was Claire’s dramatic pencil drawing of herself… and the mysterious man who had rescued her days ago.
“Wake up, Claire. Stop being delusional! If I knew this was your plan, I wouldn’t have agreed to this duel to see who’s the better painter.” Julia groaned.
“Shh, you’re distracting me,” Claire complained without looking up. “I’m trying to remember if his brows were thin or broad. Details matter.”
“I’m genuinely disgusted right now. Happily ever after doesn’t exist. Don’t be deceived by Cinderella—those stories are just for entertainment! I’m so disappointed in you,” Julia muttered as she untied her apron and walked toward the bathroom.
Claire ignored her and kept sketching with the seriousness of a surgeon.
Then her phone lit up.
“Jeremy love is calling,” the robotic voice chimed—for the fourth time.
“Julia, come and pick this call before Jeremy blows up your phone,” Claire snapped, clearly irritated by the repetitive ringtone.
“I’m coming,” Julia called back.
A moment later, she answered the phone, towel draped around her body, wet hair clinging to her shoulders.
“Hey, hope I’m not disturbing you,” Jeremy said gently.
“No, not at all. I was actually in the shower—that’s why I didn’t pick earlier,” Julia explained, switching the phone to speaker while blow-drying her hair.
“Okay, so… I’m assuming you still remember our hangout?”
Julia froze for a split second. She had completely forgotten.
“Yeah, I do,” she lied smoothly. “I’m actually dressing up.”
“That’s nice to hear,” Jeremy said, a smile audible in his voice. “Means you keep little details in mind.”
“Of course. You’re my friend, Jeremy. Anything for you.” Julia said, searching through her wardrobe with one hand.
“So, I booked tickets for us. I’m already at the cinema—the one we love going to. I got popcorn and your favorite drink.”
Julia blinked. Wow. He was excited.
“That’s so thoughtful,” she said. “Give me a few minutes, I’ll be there.”
“Sure, take your time. The movie starts in an hour.”
“Perfect. I’ll doll up a little,” Julia replied before ending the call.
Claire had stopped drawing entirely, eyes wide with interest as she dragged her chair closer. “So… what’s happening? Fill me innnn.”
“Nothing,” Julia said, pulling on a pair of trousers. “Just a friends’ outing. Catching up on old times.”
“Just old times?” Claire asked, squinting suspiciously.
“Oh, stop,” Julia laughed. “I’m serious. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“Okay then,” Claire declared. “Since it’s a friends hangout, and I am also his friend, I want to tag along.”
Julia stared at her for a second before bursting into laughter. “Just know you’re paying your own bills.”
“Don’t worry,” Claire said proudly as she walked toward the bathroom. “I’m loaded.”
Julia was already halfway down the street before Claire finally caught up with her, breathless and struggling with an armful of things.
“You forgot your coat. You’ll freeze,” Claire said, thrusting it toward her.
“Thanks. I appreciate it,” Julia replied, slipping it on.
Claire tugged at the black coat she herself was wearing. Julia eyed it and scoffed. “Of course. If it isn’t that coat, it’s nothing else.”
“You mean this?” Claire smoothed the coat dramatically. “I’ll wear it every day if it keeps him close to me.” She hugged herself, inhaling deeply. “His perfume still smells so sweet.”
“Oh please,” Julia muttered, speeding up. “If this is what we’re doing today, you’d better find your own way there.”
“Fine! I’m sorry, Miss No-Love,” Claire huffed, trying to keep up.
The cinema was alive with movement—laughter, chatter, the smell of popcorn, couples wrapped around each other like they were starring in their own romance movie. Julia wrinkled her nose as a couple made out passionately behind the staircase.
“Can’t they do this somewhere else?” she muttered.
“When you’re in love,” Claire began dramatically, placing a hand on Julia’s shoulder, “you feel so much emotion you might actually explode. In that moment nothing feels private.”
“Right. Like the way you’re blindly in love with someone who’s probably married and making out with his wife right now.”
“Julia!” Claire gasped. “How could you sa—”
She was cut off when Jeremy spotted them and approached, waving.
“Hey, Jeremy!” Julia called. “I was just about to call you. We’re here.”
His smile faltered slightly when he noticed Claire. “Oh… I didn’t know we had a third party.”
“Yeah, sorry,” Julia said quickly. “She decided to tag along and I was fine with it. I should’ve asked you.”
“It’s fine. Anything that makes you happy,” he replied, masking the disappointment with a polite smile. He turned to Claire. “Hi.”
“Hi.” Claire’s tone was clipped. “Where can I get my ticket?” she asked, pointing at the ones in his hand.
“Just over there,” Jeremy said, nodding toward the ticket stand—which was utterly packed.
“Okay… give me a few minutes,” Claire said.
“Minutes? You mean hours,” Julia laughed.
“Well, whichever one—just don’t start the movie without me!”
Claire hurried toward the queue and immediately regretted her life choices. The line snaked so far she couldn’t see the front.
“This will take forever,” she groaned.
Nearby, a little boy burst into tears. “I don’t wanna watch this dumb movie! I want Spider-Man! And Superman!”
The mother sighed. “Okay, honey, let’s go watch that at home.” She lifted him gently, wiping his tears, then approached the counter to request a refund.
Claire’s eyes widened. Wait… I can buy the tickets from her.
“Excuse me—ma’am!” Claire called, jogging up to her.
“Yes, dear?” the woman asked kindly.
“Uhm… can I buy the tickets from you? I really can’t stand in that line, and my son is waiting.” Claire lied without shame.
The woman smiled warmly. “Of course. I hope he enjoys the movie. Merry Christmas, dear.”
“Thank you so much! Merry Christmas to you too,” Claire beamed, taking the tickets.
Just then, a familiar scent drifted past her—one she knew too well. Where have I smelled this before?
She inhaled again. And it hit her.
My prince charming.
Her head snapped up. A man had just walked past, his back broad, his pace steady. Without thinking, she started following him.
“Hey! Mister—wait! Sir!” she called, weaving through the crowd.
She was just about to catch up, hand stretching forward—
When a firm grip yanked her sideways.
Julia dragged her behind a column. “Seriously, Claire—what is your problem? Does everyone now look like your prince charming? Is this why you came? To hunt him down in a cinema?”
- Writer
