He picked up some of Nina’s favourite snacks that she’d mentioned idly over their time together.
A packet of maltesers, and some corn flavoured chips, as well as a packet of instant mint-hot chocolate. He went by the self-care section, and picked out the nicest looking face mask. Cherry blossom aloe vera.
Was this enough?
He dropped by a used-goods store that sold DVDs, and picked up some copies of some of her favourite films she’d talked about.
Aliens,Singing in the Rain, When Harry Met Sally.
He hoped that would be enough.
Once he got home, he unloaded the groceries into the fridge, and tucked away his little gift for Nina in his room, putting them into a gift bag that he’d fished from the linen closet.
His Dad was out front, mowing the lawn, with Mum watering some plants beside him. Seth observed them, for a moment. Watched their movements, the way they seemed to sync up.
A pang rung through Seth. Maybe theydidtruly love each other. It might be a little messed up, how their story unfolded.
But isn’t the important part that they fell back together?
He texted Nina at around midday.
Seth: Are you home? X
Nina replied five minutes after he’d sent the text, right whenhe was beginning to have a little mental breakdown over the added ‘x’.
Nina: I am :) Tired from the weekend, haha. Thank goodness for the uni break. Even if it’s one week, boo
Seth: can I come over? If you’re up to it, ofc
Nina: Sure, maybe this afternoon? Elena is going to be out at a KBBQ for a birthday tonight then sleeping over
Seth: Perfect. I’ll see you then x
He dropped by just a little after 5pm, when the sun had begun to dip low into the horizon. The night time winter chill had come at full force, nipping at Seth’s arms as he knocked softly on Nina’s door.
Barking sounded through the door, and Seth smiled.
“Hi Spencer,” Seth called.
Then, the door opened. It wasn’t Nina, but Nina’s Mum. He remembered her face from graduation, and parent-teacher interviews. Her eyes were deep and dark, just like Nina’s.
“Oh?” Nina’s Mum asked.
Her eyes took in his appearance, her lips settling into a hard line. It was subtle, but it was there. Nina’s Mum was cautious.
A chill ran through Seth’s spine, and it was more than a result of the night’s weather.
It was four years ago, since they’d parted ways, but would she remember him? Would Nina have spoken about him?
“Is that Seth?”
Nina appeared beside her Mum, dressed in these fluffy, light purple pajamas. Her hair was tied half-up and Seth wanted to melt.
“Hi. Mrs Mendez,” Seth smiled, hoping to manifest all the charm that Nina once saw in him. Hoping that it worked, if it was even there.
“I haven’t seen you since high school. How have you been?” she asked, after a moment, her expression softening the slightest. Before he could respond, Nina clasped her fingers around Seth’s wrist, and pulled him through.
“Nina!” he exclaimed, smiling in Mrs. Mendez 'direction as he slipped between and trying his best not to stumble over Spencer’s excited yelps.
