On her way back to her house, she didn't think much and was walking without any purpose when she suddenly ran into someone, or rather they ran into her.
"What the fuc---"
*****"
Oh, I am so so sorry, it was an accident. I swear, I really didn't mean to. It's just that the ground is really slippery for some reason. Maybe because it was raining earlier, or it could be because this road is very close to the sea. But how would that work? Wait what am I even saying, I am so so sorry---"
"It's okay", Amaira interrupted what seemed to be a nervous rant.
The guy sighed with relief and extended his hand saying,
"Hi, I'm Nico. I just moved here, I guess I moved back-I used to live here when I was young."
Amaira looked the guy up and down as she took his hand, noticing the intimidating looks that did not suit the way the guy was talking at all. She noticed his tattoos first, which basically covered most of his body and her eyes made their way up to his face which seemed startlingly familiar. A spark suddenly went off in her mind and she remembered.
"Nico, do you mean Nico Anderson, the son of Matt and Lauren Anderson?"
"Yeah, but how do you know that--- wait Ami is that you? Oh My God, I can't believe it, it really is you!"
"What are you doing here? When did you move back? I mean I can't believe it!"
"I just moved back a few days ago, Mom and I got a house on the beach. She really missed home a lot and I guess so did I. But how have you been? It's been so long!"
"I've been good! Just dealing with school and home as usual. How's your mom? I haven't seen her in so long!"
"She's been goo—"
Whatever Nico had been about to say was interrupted by someone shouting Amaira's name ahead of them. She had been so distracted in walking and then talking to Nico, that Amaira had not realised that she was almost in front of her house. Her mother stood at the front door calling for her.
Amaira turned to Nico saying, "I need to go, it's almost dinner time. But we should really catch up! As you can see I live in that house right there and you should come over anytime."
"Well you are also welcome to come over anytime since I also live right there," Nico said pointing to the house right next door to hers. After that he ran off going to wherever he had been going and Amaira went into her house, following her mother into the kitchen.
Her mother started lecturing her the moment they entered the kitchen.
"Where have you been for the past few hours? I have been worried sick."
Amaira doubted that but she still replied, "I was finished with my chores and thought I would go into town to meet my friends."
"I doubt that you really finished all of your chores, unless you did them in a hurry like the impatient child you are. What about homework? I'm sure you must have some from school."
"I finished that yesterday itself mom."
"Alright I'll believe you this time. Who was that outside though and why were you talking to him?"
"Mom, that was Nico Anderson! Do you remember from my childhood? We used to be best friends."
"Oh, Nico Anderson." She paused with a disgruntled look on her face,"I didn't know that Lauren was back, though knowing how shameless she is, I guess this could be expected of her."
"Mom don't say that about her. She is a ni---"
"I don't care, I want you to stay away from that boy. I don't like the looks of him and knowing that he is Lauren's son, that just means more reasons to stay away."
"But mom, he used to be my best friend. You can't just expect me to ignore him. That would be rude!"
"Best friend or Not, he is bad news. Also, you already have your friends- the ones who are smart, polite, and nice. You should spend time with them, not the likes of someone like Nico."
Amaira huffed and was about to storm off, when her mother interrupted her, "Isn't it dinner-time? That means go and make dinner, so I don't starve to death while you laze around, you ungrateful child."
Amaira started preparing the dinner with tears in her eyes and a headache from thinking about the situation she was stuck in. She stayed up for longer than she usually did that night, thinking about Nico and how much he had changed. He was no longer her sweet and small best friend anymore. Now he was grown up, with tattoos and piercings, and they had not talked in years. They had not been able to keep in touch when he had moved away 8 years ago, and her little 7-year old heart had cried a lot because of it. She was grown up though now and those were distant memories. She went to sleep with this thought in her mind.