Change is good, unless it isn't

Chapter 17

The cab comes to a stop outside of Normani's apartment and she looks down, grinning at the fact that Dinah had somehow fallen asleep against her shoulder in their short ride.

"Dinah," she whispers, smiling when hazel eyes finally flutter open. "You coming in? I'll order lunch if you're hungry."

Dinah sits up, slightly arching her stiff back. She looks to Normani—seeing the open and loving expressions—and lightly squeezes her arm with a small smile. "I have a few things I need to do first, but I'll be back for dinner?"

"It's a date," Normani leans over, quickly pecking Dinah's lips—enjoying the normality, the comfort of doing so. "Pizza or Chinese?"

"Surprise me," Dinah says with a grin tugging on her lips.

Her fingers slowly trail down Normani's arm as she gets out of the car, either unwilling or unable to let go. "Thank you for—"

"Dinah, what did I say about thanking me?" Normani leans in the open door of a cab with a smile as Dinah lightly shrugs, bashfully grinning. "Besides, I'm glad you let me go with you."

"I wouldn't have taken anyone else."

"Good," Normani bends down, slowly kissing Dinah's lips. "I love you."

"I love you too," Dinah says, enjoying the way saying that short phrase makes her feel—like Normani is the light of the perpetual darkness she had been living in. She smiles, squeezing Normani's hand one last time before sliding back into the car. "I'll be back soon."

"Can't wait," Normani grins, taking both of their bags from the floorboard and then slowly shutting the cab door as she winks.

Dinah watches Normani from the car window as far down the road as she can—enjoying the way wild wisps of her black hair blew around in the wind, the way she stood with both hands on her hips, and most importantly, the way Normani turned to watch the cab leave just like Dinah was watching her.

After telling the driver where to take her, she sits back against the black leather seats—warm from where Normani was sitting only moments ago. The city passes by the window in a blur, and she reaches up with one finger to lightly trail across her bottom lip. It had only been mere minutes and yet, she already missed Normani immensely. Whether it was due to her negligent childhood and the losses she had suffered causing her to become overly attached, or realizing Normani was the only person she ever loved and needed—craved, even—she wasn't certain.

She just knows she never, ever wants to be without Normani. She couldn't handle feeling this...longing for any extended period of time. Yes, she's been dealt worse hands in her life, but losing Normani is not something she wants to be dealt. And of that, she is certain.

They finally pull up outside of the hospital and she gets out, anxiously walking towards the elevator on shaking legs. Until now, she hadn't truly realized how much she had wanted to see Jace—the emotional turmoil of the weekend had practically clouded all of her other thoughts. It sets a spark of guilt straight through her. But, she'll see him soon.

And she didn't break her promise. She said she'd be back in two days, and it's only been two days. Things will be just as they were when she left him.

At least that's what she keeps telling herself.

She nervously spins her ring around her finger as the elevator doors finally open. The halls look the same, it feels the same—children walking down the halls, laughing and talking if they were strong enough—so why was she so damn apprehensive?

She makes her way down the hall, smiling at the children she meets along the way as much as she can in a place that brings back so many memories. Turning the corner, she stands in the doorway of the playroom. Her eyes scan every corner, every table but she doesn't see Jace or anyone that looks remotely like him.