Forehead Kisses (ONGOING)

Part Fifteen

     "You never told me anything about a boyfriend, Liz," Aunt Annie said.

     "What? I don't."

     "You're too embarrassed, Lizzy. You have to tell us some other time," Todd added. I looked at Victoria and she just looked back at me questioningly. "So... who's the lucky guy who gets to marry my granddaughter's superb genes?" Granpa asked.

     "No o-"

     "Sev Pembleton." Retty interrupted with a smirk. She shot a look of triumph at me. 

     The devil's spawn.

     I heard Victoria grunt beside me. She pulled up a magazine. Probably the one she and Todd were flipping a while back. In the magazine was a picture of the gorgeous Sev Pembleton in a blue denim polo under the title : A Young Prodigy in the Music Industry. The article filled half of the page. " I always knew you had my tastes," Granma said. Granpa just shot a look at her while she eyed the photo of Sev.

     I sighed. How could Sev even be here? Why would he be here? "Okay. If you excuse me, I'm gonna go check on my boyfriend now." I shot a gritting look at Retty. She just gave me a giddy smile. She can wait. Now, I need to tend to Sev. 

     I entered the living room but nothing was there except for the tripod and... something on top of it. I got nearer and realized it was a camera. Not mine. I took it and examined its features until I realized it was a Nikon D810. 

     "OH MY GOD, RETTY!" I screamed with excitement. Retty came, leaning on a wall. "Can you forgive me now?" I ran across the room to hugged her. "This costs over two thousand dollars, Ret. How did you-?" I was too overwhelmed to speak.

     "Well... Remember how I didn't get you any present for the past two years? Figured I should get something much more special than a pair of jeans or sneakers..." She was blushing in embarrassment. "This is too much of you, Ret."

     "What. You don't want it?" What the eff, I need it.

     "You are so kind, Retty. You so are." I kept the camera away from her. "Speaking of being kind.." she continued showing me to the couch where a black bag was laid on top of one of the soft cushions. I took it and dug my hand in its opening. It was small. Rectangle. I pulled it out and realized it was Scott's gift. The camera I lost has now returned to my grasp. "Retty, where did you get this?" I looked at her in a surprised and curious state. There was no way she just picked this up somewhere.

     "Let's just say I ran into your boy, Pembleton, in the shop where I got the camera. He didn't recognize me at first but I made him remember when I mentioned you and the gallery."

     I don't understand. Why would he be here?

     "Did you ask him why he was around?"

     She shrugged. "He just said it was personal. Anyway, when I was about to leave, he asked me if I could give that to you. I said 'Sure!' then he began jotting down some notes and slipped it in a yellow envelop. It should be there in the bag too." She pointed her lips toward the bag. I sat on the couch and sank my hand into the bag again, pulling out a yellow envelop. There were pictures in it. The pictures I took in the park the day we ate lunch together. I scanned them one by one until the last photo, which was the one I took of him that very day. I flipped it away and there was the note, folded horizontally in half.

     Elizabeth,

           Sad to say your camera got drenched in the rain but luckily the film was spared. I decided to develop the beautiful photo you took of me but it would be a shame if I didn't do the same for the other insignificant photos you took. I'm glad I ran into your friend. I wish I could at least present myself on your birthday to return this precious relic back to you. Happy Birthday.

                                                                                                                                            -Sev

            P.S. We should've danced a little bit longer. 

     He likes writing letters. I'm glad he writes these things. Retty must've mentioned my birthday to him.

     "Okay, Liz. I get it. You like him. Now, let's go back and finish dinner, shall we?" Retty interrupted the mood. 

     "I don't like him, okay."

     "You've been staring at that piece of paper for like, 3 minutes straight, girl. Gosh, you were even smiling at it."

     "No, I'm not!" I scowled, pictures falling from my lap to the ground as I stood.

     Was I?