Arden

24. Together Again

24. Together Again 

The sweetness of reunions is the joy of heaven - Unknown

***

Mani and I sat on one of the benches in the garden. I was helping her study for her next spanish test. "Quiero un trago de agua." I said.

Armani scrunched her nose up concentration. "I would like your monkey." She looked at me expectantly.

I chuckled at her. "Not even close."

Mani sighed and put her textbook to the side. "I hate spanish. Anyway, Ali texted me earlier and he wants us to have a training session today after school." I groaned.

We heard footsteps behind one of the bushes, soon Ali came into view. "Ladies." He greeted us. He seemed happy. Too happy.

"Hey Ali, what's up?" Mani asked. Ali ruffled my hair and pinched Mani's chin.

"Nothing much." He sighed as he squeezed between us, so now he was in the middle.

"Why do you look like you just won the lottery?" I asked while fixing my hair.

"I'm just really anxious. You guys will see." He grinned.

Mani and I shared a look. "I'm confused."

"So am I."

Ali shrugged once more. "Enough about me...Arden," I looked up at him. "What's going on between you and Zane?"

My heart flipped at his name and the memory of yesterday came back to me. "What do you mean? We're fine." I said quietly.

"You're fine?" Mani asked. "Are you guys dating?"

I shook my head. "No, we're not dating." I said unsure. Are we dating? I don't know. Why don't I know? I should know.

"Oh my gosh, Arden! He kissed you! That has to count as something!" Armani jumped.

"It was just on the nose." I whispered, my face turning pink.

Please change the topic.

"It was still a kiss." Ali pointed out. I glared at him.

I was going to speak but there was a harsh raucous breeze that blew past us with a 'whoosh' sound.

Next thing you know, Nikki was standing in front of us. Hey, it's Nikki.

She held an object in her hand, i think it was a...necklace. Her gaze was locked on Ali's and she held up the necklace. She was sweating, and out of breathe.

What's going on? "You-you remember?" She asked breathlessly.

Wait, what?

I looked between Ali and Nikki for a couple of seconds before I realize what was happening. Oh.

I looked at Armani before we both got up and walked to the side. "This is going to be interesting." She whispered.

"I know."

Ali was now standing in front of Nikki. "Of course, I remember. How could I forget?" He gave her a small smile.

"What's with the necklace?" I whispered to Armani.

"Ali gave it to her in the seventh grade on Valentine's day." She explained.

Aw. How cute. Even at twelve years old, they still probably were good together.

Ali took Nikki's hands in his. "February 14, 2012, I gave this to you because I thought you were the cutest girl in our class. You had these big green eyes and you were really outspoken, and that was the day I finally had the balls to tell you about how I had the biggest crush you."