Know You Again

(4)

Chapter 4:

     "You really should've packed the night before, darling" Lana says before taking another spoonful of cereal into her mouth. She sat by the window, amused at watching her niece trying to close her duffel bag, her now brown hair in an unruly braid. Mindy, still in her pajamas, huffed as she pulled on the zipper with little progress all the while glaring at it for being so uncooperative.

"Weren't you guys supposed to meet at eight?" Lana's eyes wandered around the room. It was clean, except for some clothes that she left strewn on the floor and the clutter on the study table she was yet to sort out. If her sister was here, she was going to have a fit.

"I know."

"That was two hours ago."

Mindy's green eyes shifted to look at her, an annoyed scowl on her face. "I know." She grits out, still pulling on the zipper. Lana set down her bowl on the dresser and took Mindy's place with a nudge. She took the zipper into her hand and with one fluid movement, she pulled it closed. A triumphant smirk conquered Lana's face, and Mindy pouted. "That was only because I helped you budge it."

Lana retreated back to her seat, taking the cold, porcelain bowl into her hands. She tilted it to her lips, taking a drink of the refreshing cold milk. She heard the bathroom door close carelessly, a sharp slam echoing throughout the room.

"Want breakfast?" Lana called out.

"Nah."

"How are you gonna get there?"

"I'll just take the bus or something."

Lana was just about to offer to drive her, since she had nothing to do, when the doorbell buzzed and cut her off. "I'll just answer the door." She tells her niece before she went down the stairs.

She was taken aback at the sight of Alfie Emerson. He was sporting a white tank top underneath an unbuttoned white plaid shirt paired with cream-colored Bermuda shorts and worn out Vans shoes. The last time she had opened the door for him was five years ago, when he was small and scrawny, only reaching up to her shoulders with a shock of blue green underneath unruly charcoal hair that he kept neat in the presence of his uptight but very loving grandmother. It was weird, now that he towered over her, broad shouldered and slightly scruffy jaw. His dark hair no longer fell into his eyes, instead was waxed up. But his eyes—oh God his eyes—were still bright and beautiful and she wondered how Mindy had never fallen in love with this boy who had the eyes of an angel.

"Alfie." She blinked. "You need something?"

"Yeah. Mindy?" And his voice has changed. It was rich and deep and incredibly sexy and God Mindy sure did miss out watching her best friend grow up into this man.

"She didn't show up earlier, so I stayed in town so I can just come with her. But none of you guys were awake an hour ago, so..." He trailed off, rolling his lower lip into his mouth.

"Oh. She'll be ready in five minutes."

With a nod and a small, handsome smile, Alfie turned on his heel and walked away. Lana closed the door, standing there for a moment to let the new information sink in before walking back to Mindy's room.

Mindy was dressed in that navy blue floral dress she bought for her the other day. It hugged her waist and the flared out by the hips, the hem brushing against her knees. Mindy looked lovely in it.

"Got you a ride."

Mindy blinked. "Who?"

"Emerson."

"He's coming with us to the beach. Sebastian invited him." She put the used towel back onto its rack, and opened the drawers for her makeup. "He told me last week."