Her Perfect Distraction

EXTRA #3 - Her Second Chance

It was a cool and rainy afternoon.

Summer, with an umbrella on hand, walked the busy city streets on the way to go the known cafe in the city.

One of her friends from work had unknowingly set her on a blind date, and since she owed that friend a favor, she couldn't really refuse.

So here she is now, sitting at a table for two in a cafe near the window, waiting patiently for her date to arrive.

Summer watched calmly as rain drops continued to pitter patter on the window, her mind beginning to wander off, recalling past memories of her and her best friends. They all graduated despite the patch of hell they experienced during college.

Now, they're all successful in their fields. Toby got married a year ago and is expecting his first child with his wife, Yuri and Tasha are next on the wedding aisle in the next 3 months and Amber and Kristen are now exclusively dating and as for her, a successful magazine editor-in-chief but still happily single.

Look at how far they've all come.

Summer smiled brightly, "We're gonna have one hell of a reunion at Yuri and Tasha's wedding for sure"

15 minutes have passed and still no sign of Summer's date. Still she continued to wait, fiddling with the blue ribbon tied on her wrist. Summer co-worker told her to tie a blue ribbon on her wrist; her date will be doing the same, so it will be easier for them to see each other.

Summer looked at her watch, "I've been waiting for half an hour now" she sighed before deciding to finally leave

"Looks like I got stood up" she whispered to herself, hands in her pocket, as she walked to the door

Once Summer opened the door, a woman suddenly and hurriedly walked in, bumping into Summer and losing her balance

Summer quickly reacted and reached out to the women, firmly holding her waist and pulling her close, steadying her footing.

Summer stared at the women in her arms and was quick to recognize her, "Carmina?"

Carmina looked at Summer, staring intently at her, "Summer? It's you!"

Both of the women's eyes moved from each other's face to the noticeable blue ribbon tied at both of their right wrists

"You're my blind date?!" they announced at the same time

-----

Summer and Carmina sat quietly at the table where Summer had originally sat while waiting for her

"I'm so sorry again for being so late" Carmina once again apologized, her head bowed, "Something came up at work and I couldn't get out"

When Carmina didn't hear Summer answer, she slowly looked up and saw Summer smiling at her, "I missed you Carm"

Carmina felt her heart jump and her cheeks feel warm, "I missed you too Sum"

"How long has it been?" asked Summer, reaching over the hot cup of coffee and pulling it close

"Almost 2 years" Carmina answered, "Aunt Carol is asking about you non-stop since I arrived a month ago"

Summer can't help but giggle, "Really? And how is Aunt Carol?"

"Still the same energetic, sweet woman and still running that pastry shop"

Summer took a sip of her coffee as Carmina studied her. She was still the same carefree Summer albeit more beautiful now.

Carmina shifted in her seat, "I'm sorry...for not contacting you since I arrived back. It's just, I don't know how to talk to you now since I left all of a sudden back then"

"You've apologized twice now" Summer chuckled, "Don't worry about the past okay? You owe me zero explanations. I'm just happy to see you again"

Admittedly, Summer was hurt at first when she found out that Carmina was suddenly leaving, but when she found out why she needed to leave, she was quick to understand. Besides, they were never really together back then. She and Carmina were close friends and there were tension and feelings involved but there was never a confession or even a kiss.

"How is your mother doing by the way?" Summer asked

Carmina smiled with gladness in her eyes, "She's in remission now and the doctor said there's a low chance of the cancer coming back"

That was the reason Carmina had to leave, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. They had to leave the country to get better treatment and care therapy for her mother and being the only child, Carmina couldn't stand being away from her mother at the time when she was needed by her the most, even after her mother kicked her out.

Carmina held Summer's hand and intertwined their fingers, "and she had finally accepted that I'm gay" she announced with a smile, a bit teary-eyed

Without saying a word, Summer suddenly stood and went to Carmina, pulling her in a tight embrace.

"I'm so happy for you" Summer whispered

Carmina held Summer as a tear rolled down her cheek, "Thank you"

Regardless whether they have a second chance or not, Summer was truly happy for Carmina. Finally, she can be her real self now.

-----

After a lot of stories and laughter and a lot of catching up, the two decided to finally go home.

"Here's me" Carmina said as she and Summer stopped by an apartment complex, "Thanks for walking me home"

"No problem" Summer answered, "It was nice seeing you again Carm"

Carmina smiled, her cheeks turning a tinge of pink as she reached and took Summer hand, "Um Summer, what we had before-" she paused, "It's just, I'm still so scared back then. I was closeted and this was all new to me so I held back even though I really really wanted to be with you and-"

Summer smirked, not even letting Carmina finish. She pulled her close, wrapping her arm around the other woman's waist and capturing her lips in a romantic and deep kiss

Carmina slowly pulled back, she looked at Summer and smiled while biting her lip, "You have no idea how much I wanted you to do that"

Summer let out a small laugh. This time it was Carmina who leaned in and kissed Summer, wrapping her arms around the other woman's nape.

The women parted slightly and gazed at each other, immense bliss showing on their features

"So, do you wanna come in?" asked Carmina

"I would love to"

The two women, hands intertwined, went inside to spent the cold evening together in each other's warm embrace.