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She did not want to part from her dearest friend, the friend she knew since childhood. Cherry Cola Cookie trudged through the deserted halls, clutching a few books to her chest. If she just did a little better maybe she didn’t get rejected into the Royal Cookie Academy. She could still be with her.
As the final bell of the day rang, Cherry Cola felt an unsettling wave of sadness in her gut. The corridors, usually filled with the chatter and laughter of students, now seemed unbearably silent. She made her way to the fountain in the courtyard, her steps echoing. The water in the fountain shimmered under the afternoon sun. She feels a sense of sorrow as she spends her time by the fountain crying.
“UGH!!!” Cherry Cola’s voice cracked under the strain as she felt a wave of failure washing throughout her body. She put her face over her trembling hands. She will never be good enough. It will never be enough for her. Cherry Cola wiped her tears as best as she could, but they continued to pour out her eyes. Why is she friends with a failure like her? She was so much better than her. So pretty… So smart… So strong… So popular…
She cried loudly as her voice echoed throughout the empty hallways. Her voice didn’t go unheard. Cherry Cola looked at the water in the fountain to see herself reflected off of it. No that was not her, all she sees is a failure. She smacked the water causing it to splash all over the place. Cherry Cola went back to sobbing loudly as she covered her face with her arms and rested them on the basin of the fountain.
“Cherry Cola Cookie?” a voice spoke from behind. Cherry Cola flinched. She knew who that sweet soft voice belonged to. She wiped her tears before turning around to see Cream Soda behind her with a worried expression on her pretty face.
“Uhh! Cream Soda Cookie! What are you doing here?” Cherry Cola stammered, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, “ I thought you would be out by now.”
“Of course not, silly. I still had other stuff to do.” Cream Soda gave a warm soft smile as she approached her slowly. Her voice carried a melodic quality that made Cherry Cola’s heart flutter. Her smile was pretty. So so pretty. Her beautiful hair that shines in the sunlight creates a golden glow. Her shining blue eyes. Oh those eyes she adores so much. Cream Soda sat next to her. Cherry Cola burned a bright red like a rose on her face. She felt her heart bubbling up like boiling water. Oh… Oh!.. She was so pretty. She could never be with someone like her. No… Why would she?
“Why are you crying here?” Cream Soda asked as she cupped Cherry Cola’s hands. She felt her face getting warmer as she felt her hands being held by hers. Oh they were soft like clouds and warm as a campfire. She was so perfect… Her pretty rosy cheeks on her face, her hair bubbling like the sea. Those eyes… They are as pretty as sapphires. Oh she would do anything for her. Just to be with her. To love her. To kiss… To-
“Cherry Cola Cookie?” Cream Soda called out. Cherry Cola snapped back into reality.
Cherry Cola struggled to respond, her voice barely a whisper. “Oh… umm, it was nothing.”
Cream Soda sighs, “Cherry Cola Cookie… There must be a reason why you are crying… unless it was about what we talked about before.”
Cherry Cola looked at her with a nervous look. She couldn’t tell her how much of a failure she is. She didn't want to lose her. She didn’t want her to have a weak stupid friend like her. She deserves perfection.
Cherry Cola sighed, “yeah… I just feel nervous about going to the new school without you.”
“Nervous? You seem so sad about it.” Cream Soda pointed out. Cherry Cola wanted to look away, but her eyes… Oh her beautiful eyes… She couldn’t look away if she wanted to.
“Haha. Sad?... What makes you think that?” Cherry Cola laughed anxiously. Cream Soda gave her a worried look, “I know you are sad but we are not going to the same school.”
Cherry Cola felt a growing sense of dread creeping into her body. She didn’t want to tell Cream Soda how much of a failure she was. No she could never. Cream Soda wouldn’t want that. Cherry Cola took a deep breath, struggling to steady her trembling voice. The sincerity in Cream Soda’s eyes made it impossible to maintain her facade of calm.
“I… I just don’t want to lose you, but I’m sure you won’t mind,” she admitted, her words coming out in a rush. She shut her eyes and moved her head away to not see what her reaction was, “You are so perfect and you deserve someone better than me.”
Cream Soda’s expression softened even more, if that were even possible. She reached out and gently turned Cherry Cola’s face toward hers, ensuring their eyes locked. “Cherry Cola Cookie, you’re my dearest friend, and that means everything to me. I understand you are sad that we won’t be going to the same school, but that doesn't mean we lose our friendship. Besides, you are perfect for me.”
Cherry Cola’s eyes widened in surprise by that last part. “I am?
Cream Soda nodded, her eyes sincere. “Of course. You have known me since we were little and I love spending my time with you. You mean more to me than any cookie else.”
Cherry Cola’s heart swelled, “But I feel like I’m not enough. I’ll never be good enough to be by your side. You are so pretty and popular .”
“Cherry Cola Cookie,” Cream Soda smiled and she rested on Cherry Cola’s shoulder, “You are more than enough just as you are.”
Cherry Cola flinched hard as she felt her friend’s head on her shoulder. Her face glowed like a cherry. She looked to see Cream Soda looking back at her with a warm smile. She has such a beautiful smile. She is just so perfect. Cherry Cola asked, her voice softer now, “You really think so?”
Cream Soda nodded, her expression unwavering. “I know so and besides, we’re not going to be that far apart. We can still write letters and share our experiences with each other. This doesn’t have to be a goodbye.”
Cherry Cola’s heart fluttered at the thought. The idea of maintaining their bond despite them being apart was comforting. Her eyes began to water up before she wiped them off, “I… I’d like that. I don’t want to lose you, Cream Soda Cookie.”
“You won’t,” Cream Soda reassured her, squeezing her hand gently. “We’re friends, and that means we stick together no matter how far apart we are.”
The two friends sat together by the fountain for a while longer in silence, enjoying being by each other and the serene atmosphere. The sunlight casting a golden hue over the courtyard. Cherry Cola smiled as her heart pounded rapidly with Cream Soda by her side. Oh how did she get so lucky with her?… Should she tell her? She always did like her more than friends. No… She could never want to be with someone like her… Would she? I mean she loved her since she was younger, but she never felt the same about her… Maybe it was about time to give up…
“Shall we get going?” Cream Soda said as she got up and stretched. Cherry Cola sighs… she didn’t want this moment to end, but it was time for her to let go of her. Cream Soda offered her a hand and Cherry Cola held it before being pulled.
“Yeah… Let’s go.” Cherry Cola nodded, holding her hand for the last time. Cream Soda smiled before the two headed off out of the school gates. They hugged each other before parting ways for the last time.
As Cream Soda waved goodbye, her smile faded away… She should have told her…