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For a moment, Ives did not know how to respond. It was just a simple “How are you?” though, what’s so hard about that? He could just say, “Yeah, I’m okay, you?” Well, Ives wasn’t really thinking about that, but rather something more important. Perhaps that something even answered Clara’s question of “how are you?” but he still just couldn’t form words in his mouth. He does have an idea which ones to use, but he did not know how to say it without saying it wrong. There was one person who advised him about it, and of course that person is Lirea. But he knew she probably isn’t the best adviser either; she’s still a kid who knows nothing about romance, after all.
For the days and weeks before school started, Ives often found himself on his phone, on the messages, chatting with Clara. And he’s not gonna lie about it—he likes her. Probably a lot and enough that he’s now in front of her, both ready and not ready to say it. And for the first time in forever, he questioned and doubted himself. Will this break our friendship? Will this make her drift away from me? I probably shouldn’t say it, then… but Ives knew he can’t not say it. To be Ives Mulligan is to be honest, after all. No lies, no secrets.
He took the unknown glass of drink, chugging it all in one go. Somehow, he did finish it all, probably because of a rush in his veins knowing what was about to come. He suspired, brows furrowing as his eyes glanced at the empty and yellow martini glass, only experiencing the slight discomfort in his throat. It wasn’t that strong of a drink, but it wasn’t water nor juice either that one can just normally chug. He looked up at the bartender, “What’s this?” he asked, gently placing the glass back on the counter. The bartender answered with a hint of proudness on their face, as if he’d just done something that saved the world. “Negroni, my favorite, but it’s white. You like it?” they said, waiting for Ives’s response. He shrugged, pushing the glass to him.
He turned back to Clara again while waiting for the drink, clearing his throat. “Sorry about that,” he chuckled. “So uh… yeah, things are still intact for me. How about you?” he finally managed to say. Feeling a coldness at the tip of his finger, he looked at the counter, using the new glass of White Negroni to intentionally avoid Clara’s eyes. It only lasted for seconds, though, as he needed to look at her again.
“I actually also just wanted to say something. It’s just something I need to, you know, get out of my chest?” he gestured from his chest, still forming the perfect line in his mind. “Yeah, I’m just gonna…” He paused, then he let out a big breath. “I like you a lot, Clara.” Now, Ives would know what to always say, but he hasn’t been to these kinds of situation before. Though, to him, it was probably better to wait for her response before continuing.
@Caticorn - Clara Ines Weston-Lucier
I’m so sorry about this I really have no idea what to write-
