Winter [Completed]

EIGHT

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December 16th
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"Together is a beautiful place to be."

—Unknown

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Imani's POV

I sigh, crossing my arms over my chest as my gaze flicks to the airport wall clock for the fourth time in 15 minutes. My luggage still hasn't come, and I'm starting to get a little irritated. Besides my lack of patience, I have nothing to be mad about. I get to see Ethan for the first time in five months. I've been fantasizing about this day for weeks and it's finally here.

Today is the day...

The longer I think about it the more anxious I get.

I know Ethan told me he was excited to see me on the phone, but maybe he was just saying that. What if he decides that he likes our long-distance relationship better? What if we don't have chemistry anymore? I've never been in a long-distance relationship before, so I don't know what to expect.

I glance at the time again.

Ethan said he would be here five minutes ago. Where is he?

I chew on my lower lip. I don't want things to be awkward seeing Ethan after all this time. Like, of course I miss him and I've been waiting all this time to see him, but I can't help this feeling in my gut that's saying it'll be weird. Because I know myself, and I'm weird.

A thought occurs to me as I tuck a stray braid behind my ear. What will he think of my hair? I didn't tell him that I was getting braids.

Will he like it? Does it matter? I mean if he doesn't, that's okay, because I like it, but I want him to like it too—

My racing thoughts are interrupted when someone grabs me from behind. I yelp out of reflex before relaxing when his familiar scent hits my nostrils.

"Hey," he says as he holds me in his arms for a moment before he turning me around. "I missed you, baby."

I can't help the goofy smile from plastering itself on my face as I stare up at him. His eyes are a more vibrant shade of blue than I remember. Has he gotten taller? I don't remember him being so tall. Maybe I've gotten shorter?

He's different, yet familiar, and the way he looks at me still takes my breath away. He touches one of my braids gently and smiles, admiring it. "I like your hair."

I let out a small sigh of relief. "Thanks."

Now that I thought about it, his hair was different too. It was longer. Long enough to put into a small bun now.

"How long did it take?" He asks, still stuck on the topic of my hair.

"Six and a half hours."

"Sheesh, and I can barely sit still long enough to get a 20 minute hair cut..." His voice trails off as he notices me staring. "What?"

I shake my head and smile. "Nothing, I just missed you."

His cheeks tinge pink as he grins. "Well come here then."

In one swift movement, he pulls me into him and wraps his hands around my waist. Hooking his fingers through the loops in my jeans, he pulls me closer and kisses my lips sensually. I keep my eyes closed when he pulls away and rest my forehead against his. His large hand caresses my cheek as I wrap my hands around his neck. "God, you don't know how long I've been dreaming about doing that."