“It’s not like you look any hotter,michelin man,” Nina scoffed, swatting away Seth’s fingers.
It was true. Today he’d packed on the layers, wearing a shirt, a jumper, and a long coat atop of it all. Come to think of it, the combination wasn’t clever at all. He felt stiff in all the fabric.
“But you always think I’m hot, don’t youNina Mendez?” he cooed, poking at her sides. She swatted at him once more, blowing an exaggerated puff through her cheeks.
“So full of yourself, as always.”
Before he even formed a response, she’d snaked her tote through his arms. “Hold my bag for me, quickly?”
Then, she readjusted her scarf, untightening it so that she looked less like she was being choked. The action freed her nape, and she rotated her neck, stretching it out. Her hair was splayed outward, and Seth noticed it’d grown a little over the last couple months.
Natural blush had settled over Nina’s cheeks, likely from the cold.
“Scrutinising me, are you?”
Nina’s voice shook him from his momentary daze. He’d been staring.
Stop. You can’t think like that anymore.
Thankfully, the train arrived, with its piercing shriek demanding their attention. They were able to grab a two-seater, with Nina by the window.
On the train ride, they argued over superheroes, and which one of their favourites could beat who.
Nina’s favourite superhero was Spiderman, while Seth’s favourite was Daredevil. They came to the agreement that Spiderman would definitely just want to be besties with Daredevil easily, but Seth secretly agreed that Spiderman would beat Daredevil’s ass anyday. It’d be a close call, though.
Being Nina’s friend was so easy. Second-nature, at this point, that Seth once again chastised his younger self for denying this all throughout high school.
Moments like this made Seth wonder whether his ‘crush’ on Nina was misplaced. Maybe, he just really wanted to be her friend. Really loved being her friend. His feelings were strong, no doubt, but the strength didn’t mean it was romantic.
Once they reached the train station, a voice from across the platform caught Nina’s attention.
“Nina!”
No.
As Nina turned, Seth noticed the shift in her expression immediately. Her lips parted. Her cheeks flushed. Eyes fluttered. They were all tells that Seth was too familiar with in high school.
“Hi, Carlos,” Nina greeted, as Carlos sauntered up to them. It’d also been two months since Nina had mentioned Carlos. She never really talked about him. Seth kept his eyes trained on his shoes.
“Uh - Carlos this is Seth. He’s a friend of mine, from high school,” she said, patting Seth’s arm. “And Seth - this is -”
Seth lifted his head, and was met with Carlos’ warm gaze.
“Carlos, it’s nice to meet you,” Carlos spoke, with a charming grin. He thrust out his hand, and Seth took his time to return the shake.
“What are you doing here? Don’t you live in the city?” Nina asked, her voice bright. Her gaze was glued on Carlos, and Seth felt oddly like an afterthought. He stepped backward as the two of them ventured forward, down the escalator exit, lost in a bubble.
“I was sleeping over at my cousin’s house last night. My Tia is visiting from Mexico,” he said.
Seth pushed his hands into his jacket pockets, trying his best to look anywhere but in front of him.
Yet, he couldn’t resist. His gaze raked over Nina’s movements, her mannerisms as she laughed along with whatever Carlos said.
That look, that look, that look.Fuck, it’s how she used to look at him, and it was torturous.
And it was then that Seth realised he wasn’t over Nina.
He wasneverover Nina. How could he ever be over someone like her?
