[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/200210/dacdf5d387e2f045c8bb1aee03788720.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/ehl2Gn4.png[/img]
[color=#D11717]▃[/color][color=#D01819]▃[/color][color=#D0191B]▃[/color][color=#D01A1D]▃[/color][color=#D01B1F]▃[/color][color=#D01D21]▃[/color][color=#D01E23]▃[/color][color=#D01F25]▃[/color][color=#D02027]▃[/color][color=#D0212A]▃[/color][color=#D0232C]▃[/color][color=#D0242E]▃[/color][color=#D02530]▃[/color][color=#D02632]▃[/color][color=#D02734]▃[/color][color=#D02936]▃[/color][color=#D02A38]▃[/color][color=#D02B3A]▃[/color][color=#D02C3D]▃[/color][color=#D02E3F]▃[/color][color=#D02F41]▃[/color][color=#D03043]▃[/color][color=#D03145]▃[/color][color=#D03247]▃[/color][color=#D03449]▃[/color][color=#D0354B]▃[/color][color=#CF364D]▃[/color][color=#CF3750]▃[/color][color=#CF3852]▃[/color][color=#CF3A54]▃[/color][color=#CF3B56]▃[/color][color=#CF3C58]▃[/color][color=#CF3D5A]▃[/color][color=#CF3E5C]▃[/color][color=#CF405E]▃[/color][color=#CF4161]▃[/color][color=#CF4263]▃[/color][color=#CF4365]▃[/color][color=#CF4567]▃[/color][color=#CF4669]▃[/color][color=#CF476B]▃[/color][color=#CF486D]▃[/color][color=#CF496F]▃[/color][color=#CF4B71]▃[/color][color=#CF4C74]▃[/color][color=#CF4D76]▃[/color][color=#CF4E78]▃[/color][color=#CF4F7A]▃[/color][color=#CF517C]▃[/color][color=#CF527E]▃[/color][color=#CF5380]▃[/color][color=#CF5482]▃[/color][/center]
[color=silver][indent][indent][indent]Julie opened her locker with a tired sigh. She had spent the night before speaking with her sister Iris, who was doing the Stockholm Fashion Week in Europe. This was becoming a regular thing now that Iris was making a name for herself in the fashion world: them only speaking over the internet. Julie spent most of the night going through her closet and getting rid of all of the clothing that was out of fashion and also just plain boring. It, in some way, was purifying, and when she was done, the closet was just as ready as she was to turn a new leaf and start anew.

The redhead grabbed her French book, closed the locker gingerly and leaned her back against the cold metal of the lockers, scrolling Instagram while she waited for Chanel. Suddenly she felt a tap on her shoulder, a bright smile grew upon her face as she thought it was her best friend. But when she saw who was standing in front of her, the smile dissipated in a quick manner. You could see her blue eyes freeze over as she looked at the young man in front of her.

[indent][i][color=#D31D15]“Hey Julie! Do you have a minute?”[/color][/i][/indent]

There was a lot that she would rather say, but now that she was ready for a new life, she decided to hear him out. [color=CF5685]“I do…”[/color] she said shortly locking her phone and putting it in her purse, before returning her attention to Santiago with an expectant look.

Okay, so she was willing to listen to him. That was good.[color=D11717]"Listen, I don't know if you saw, but Lils and I are having a baby girl..."[/color] Santiago began, laying the groundwork for what was probably one of the most nerve-wracking momenta of his life, right up there next to making things official with April and telling their parents she was pregnant.
    
The look on Julie’s face didn’t falter even for a moment as the boy spoke. [color=CF5685]“Yes. I am aware of your situation,”[/color] she said, waiting for him to get to the point. Did he really think she wouldn’t have known? That April would have kept that from her?

He'd hoped that the mention of her future niece softened Julie up a little, but it seemed that it had no impact on her mood whatsoever. [i]Fuck[/i]. This was going to be harder than he thought. Letting out a sigh, Diablo continued. [color=D11717]"See, ever since I found out I was getting a daughter, I've been thinking, and…"[/color] he said, taking in a deep breath and looking straight into Julie's eyes, hoping that she could sense just how serious he was about his next words. [color=D11717]"I just wanted to say I was sorry… For everything. I know that what I did to you is disgusting. I was immature and stupid and an idiot, but it doesn't excuse my shitty behavior. I said and did things I'm ashamed of: things that if any man ever did to my daughter I'd be arrested,[/color]" he admitted with a dry laugh and a shake of his head, digging his hands inside the pockets of his trousers.

[color=D11717]"But how can I want a gentleman for Camila when I'm not one myself, right? I can't expect any boy to treat my little girl how she deserves to be treated when all I've done is the opposite? I wanna think that the best example I can give her starts with me. So here I am: trying to make things right. I know it's probably too little too late, but I just wanted to make sure you knew I really am fucking sorry."[/color]

Listening to Santiago’s speech was like an emotional journey for Julie. She started off angry, which then transitioned to interest, and then ended in indifferent understanding. She drew a sharp breath. [color=CF5685]“You’re right--”[/color] she began, lips pursed as she thought about how she should word her sentiment. [color=CF5685]“It [i]is[/i] too little too late,”[/color] she continued. [color=CF5685]“It wasn’t only what [i]you[/i] did Santiago… You forget I get catcalled by your cult of jocks because of what you said about me.”[/color] she crossed her arms in front of her before she kept going. [color=CF5685]“And, frankly, I find it kind of condescending that it took this growing-up moment for you to become a human being and stop being such a fucking cliché!”[/color] she remarked, eyes still blazing. This was something that has been years in the making: things she had wanted to say to him for ages. [color=CF5685]“So you mean to say… that if you would’ve had a boy… you would’ve continued on being the poster boy for toxic masculinity?”[/color] 

Julie paused, her face softening just a bit. [color=CF5685]“But, sure… I do appreciate the sentiment and I will accept your apology-”[/color] she held up a finger. [color=CF5685]“-[b][i]for April[/i][/b]. She doesn’t need additional stress right now.”[/color] Julie commented, biting her lower lip.  

Huh. Even with how curt Julie had been, that had gone [i]a lot[/i] better than what the devil had imagined. He’d made sure to carefully listen to her every word, keeping respectful silence so the redhead would know she had his full attention. She was completely justified in feeling like she did, and absolutely right in some of her points. He wasn’t upset or offended at her comments, nor did he bother with excusing, arguing or putting up his actions to debate. He simply listened, nodded when it was appropriate and gracefully accepted the opportunity he was given.
 
[color=D11717]"That's more than I can ask for,"[/color] Santiago finally said with an understanding nod after a few seconds of solemn silence. [color=D11717]"Thank you for hearing me out, Julie-- really. Lils and Mila are really lucky to have you on their corner."[/color]

The young woman stayed quiet before clicking her tongue. [color=CF5685]“I guess it’s settled then… Consider the hatchet buried. But know this, Santiago: we are [b]not[/b]-- nor are we [b]ever[/b] going to be-- friends.”[/color] She clarified before turning with a flourish, ponytail swinging as she spun around and walked away, leaving the young man to his own thoughts and company. She was clearly done with the whole situation.[/indent][/indent][/indent][/color]