Never Say Goodbye or A Love Story in Hellos

Eight.

Summer has just started bleeding into autumn. The air is still warm and the sun still strong. Sasha fawns herself, trying to create the illusion of a slight breeze to cool her down. It does not work.

At least she can most likely convince Nia to get ice cream from the truck on their way home.

Sasha has been waiting in front of building Language and Arts 2 for ten minutes but her girlfriend is nowhere in sight. Her prof probably forgot about the time again, all caught up in one of his ramblings.

It frustrates Nia to no end and frequently makes her break into the longest rants about the practicability of the academic system. It is kind of cute.

Subconsciously, Sasha starts smiling at the thought. Once she realizes, she forces her face back into a neutral expression and lets her top drop. Way to go looking like a maniac. Instead, she scans her eyes over the crowd of students finally exiting the building.

And there, finally, Nia walks through the doors. Her face is twisted into a frown. She will most likely start cursing her prof to hell and back in about once minute. Sasha finds herself grinning, looking forward to hearing her complain. Nia´s eyes finally find her and her frown twists into a relieved smile.

She skips down the stairs and jogs over to Sasha. Grinning, she greets the other with a happy “Hey.” Then she turns her face up to Sasha, waiting. Sasha smiles and closes the gap in a soft kiss. Two, three pecks.

Her arm finds its way across Nia´s shoulders and she hugs her close for a second. Nia presses back against Sasha. The late summer heat makes the embrace too hot all too soon and they part slowly. Automatically, their hands find each other and their fingers tangle.

They share a smile again. Amazed. At the ease of this. At the joy the simple gesture brings, every time. Sasha squeezes their joined hands, and leads them off campus.

They walk side by side, in rhythm with each other. Sasha watches their steps for a little while. Nia´s feet on the pavement in synchrony with her own.

Baby pink Toms today. The ones she bought a few weeks ago. A treat for another semester completed, closer to graduation.

It is a good feeling. Sasha basks in it.

When they reach the big intersection Sasha remembers her earlier plans. “Can we get ice cream at the truck? If you want to, of course?” she asks. Nia grins and nods. “Of course,” she answers, “Lazy night today? We both don´t have work.”

Sasha agrees. She likes the sound of that. Swings their hands. Adds:  “It´s pasta night. We can stop at the store later and pick up the stuff we need.“ Nia hums in agreement. She looks ahead again and starts tugging at Sasha´s hand. “Come on, ice cream is calling.”

Down the street, the bright orange truck is parked. Sasha hurries to follow Nia.

They stop in front of the little window and inspect the menu closely. Nia pulls her wallet out. Turns back to grin at her girlfriend. “What are you getting?”