Usually, the train rides felt much longer. Yet this one went by in a flash.
“Finally,” Nina said as the train approached Central station.
“Oh I see, you’re getting sick of my company already?” Seth teased, his lips pulling into a smirk. He was unsure of where the newfound confidence came from, but knowing that their little catch-up was coming to an end made him feel oddly disappointed.
Nina rolled her eyes.
“You’re still the same Seth I remember,” she stated, her lips pulling into a smile.
For some reason, the sentence made Seth feel warm, and he wasn’t sure why. Maybe it had to do with the fact that theSethNina remembered, was the one she liked for almost all of high school.
Finally, the train pulled up to the platform. In a hurry, passengers started to stand up, even before the train came to a complete halt. Some had even blocked their way out of their seats. A small space opened up, and Seth quickly took it, motioning for Nina to stand in front of him.
They all poured out of the train doors in a hurried heap. Seth knew he was already late, so he wasn't in so much of a hurry. Nina, however, had picked up her pace. Seth found himself trying to keep up beside her as they ascended the stairs that led them out of the platform, and into the main station.
Craning his neck down, Seth observed Nina with bemusement. As if summoned by his gaze, she glanced up, and he looked away, a little abashed.
“This morning rush, huh?” he asked, so she didn’t think he was juststaringat her.
“Ugh, yep.”
They both tapped out at the Opal machine and finally stepped out into the open. Sun rays shone through the clouds, castinga rainbow after the drenched night and early morning. Luckily, the ground had dried up a little for them to walk.
As they reached the end of the footpath, Seth turned to Nina, who was already facing the opposite direction.
“Well, it was good seeing you,” he started.
“You too, Seth,” she said, “We should catch up sometime.”
He knew it was a line out of politeness. He knew that after this, they’d likely never even speak again.
The two stood a foot away, almost way too awkwardly for a hug. Instead, Seth held out his hand. Nina chuckled, as if relieved, and shook it.
“So long, Nina Mendez.”
“Take care, Seth Moore.”
Nina broke her hand away first, and hurriedly sauntered down the path.
Seth watched her for a few moments, confident that he would probably never see Nina Mendez again.
2
Then
— An excerpt from Nina’s diary April 2 2013
Nina Mendez professed her love for Seth Roman Moore, in the seventh grade.
Except, she didn’t just confess her love tohim,but their entire cohort. It was the beginning of April, and mid into autumn. A week of rain had left the school pavement permanently dampened, and in the air hung a scent of mildew and moss, likely carried over from the trees beside their school. Two months into high school, and Seth was finally finding his footing.
He’d made friends with a couple of boys in his class - Joshua, Will and Dennis - who enjoyed playing soccer at lunchtime and snickering about girls they found cute in between classes. Seththoroughly enjoyed his classes and his peers, and he thought they enjoyed him too.
In primary school, he was viewed as one of the more popular children, due to his natural sporting abilities. He hoped that the reputation would carry into high school, and make it a little better. Having the attention on him within the school walls was more than he felt when he was at home. At least, lately.
It was during their second period, right before lunch break, that his class, along with the others in his cohort, were called to the school hall for a seventh grade meeting.
On the way there, Seth, along with his mates, all rattled off about a recent Grand Theft Auto game that was scheduled to be released later that year. Joshua was trying to get his cousin to secretly preorder it for him, against his Mum’s knowledge.
