username;; JulieMew1010
name;; Nathan
gender;; Male
art;;

their object & connection to it;; [700/700 words]
this wooden birdHe tucked it into his backpack, a secure spot where nobody would see it. Even if they did, they wouldn't know what it was for. He slung it over his shoulder and let out a deep breath. Waved goodbye to his mother and walked out of the door, an uplifting feeling making him feel like flying. What will she do when she sees it? What will she say when he confesses to her? Just the thought made his heart soar. He thought of everything they'd done together. Would this ruin it? No way, he thought. She had to feel the same. He could see it in her eyes! He continued on, and arrived at the small cafe. The sweet aroma of muffins and pies wafted through the air, and he breathed it in contentedly. The perfect setting, he thought.
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He had ordered a small apple pie for them to share. He resisted eating it, and almost thought she had bailed when he heard a little bell ring. He turned his head and saw her. His heart lurched when he saw her. She was beautiful, yes, but her smile and her eyes said it all. She sat down across from him with a huge grin on her face.
"Pie, huh?" she asked, licking her lips hungrily.
"Um, duh," he responded with a laugh.
They chatted, talking about the past few days they'd spent apart. He looked into her eyes and her enthusiasm made him fill with joy.
"You should cut your hair," she suggested, "you look like a loner that spends all his time on his computer."
"Uh, rude," he joked. "I like my hair," he tightened his ponytail and threw it back over his shoulder as he finished off his final slice of pie. The platter was finally empty, and the sky was turning orange with dusk.
"Well, I guess the whole reason I'm here is gone," she said, referring to the pie- but he knew she was just kidding. They grinned at each other and grabbed their belongings, ready to walk out of the door and part ways. He, of course, couldn't have forgotten the sculpture. He took a deep breath and opened the small compartment in his backpack that held the small bird, and he turned his head.
"Wait up," he called to her as she walked towards the door. She whipped her head around with a questioning look, and he turned back to his backpack as he slipped the bird out of the backpack. He held it in his paw and felt his face redden as he walked towards her with his arm outstretched. He held the thing out to her and she just stared at it.
"I dunno if you knew this..." he began to recite the little speech he'd practiced at home, being sure to make it sound as soulful as possible, showing her how much he really cared. "But I love every moment I spend with you." He looked into her eyes, and she looked confused. He continued nonetheless.
"Did you know that my heart seems to leap out of my chest when I see you? I can hardly breathe when you hug me, and when you play with my hair or cuddle up beside me... I wish it would never end," he exhaled dramatically for effect. She still looked confused. He could feel a sinking feeling that didn't want to leave. "Do-" he began, but she interrupted him.
"I.... I'm sorry," she said, tears in her eyes. "I love you, but not like that. You're like a brother to me," she finished with a sharp breath. She looked into his eyes for a final moment before turning and bolting away from the cafe, without looking back. His head spun, dazed. His heart sunk to his feet and he clasped the bird so tightly in his paw that he thought it would draw blood. His vision blurred with tears, he ran out and sprinted home without a pause. He collapsed onto his bed, sobbing. What have I done? he thought.
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Years after this moment, he kept the the wooden bird. It symbolizes how he came back from this and continued on with his life.