𝓦𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝓜𝓻𝓼. 𝓘𝓷𝓯𝓪𝓶𝓸𝓾𝓼 𝓜𝓮𝓽 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓜𝓪𝓼𝓸𝓬𝓱𝓲𝓼𝓽...

Chapter 31

Carina's POV

The next day on Sunday was pretty normal, for like the first half of the day. I decided to relax outside of my home and visit the park. I've always loved parks. I love feeling the Earth beneath my feet, seeing people hang out and play with their pets, and just feeling like I'm more than a student or employee or whatever but a human being. I brought some books to read and my record player with some of my favorite records from ten years ago, and I drove down to the town park wearing a beautiful, polka-dotted sundress, a sunhat, and sandals. It was a little farther from most places I'm familiar with, and that was good for me because I needed to refresh my mind and re-energize to feel better.

When I got to the park, there were already a bunch of people there just hanging out, some were playing with their dogs, some were sitting in groups and having picnics, and I even saw a couple sitting up in a tree and embracing each other. I carried the record play in my hands while I carried my books and records in a tote bag on my shoulder. I found a park table a little into the center of the park, and set up my stuff there. I placed the player on the table, and I decided to put on one of my favorite records by The Beach Boys: Pet Sounds. My favorite song to hear on it was God Only Knows because it has such a beautiful meaning to it, and it makes me think of how things happen and if they're meant to happen or not. I guess I just love The Beach Boys a lot, and any song they make holds a special place in my heart.

I was halfway into reading one of my favorite books, The Catcher In The Rye, when I noticed a cat covered in orange and yellow stripes jump on my table and just looking at me and licking its paw. I put the book down, and carefully petted the cute little cat, "Hello, beautiful feline, do you belong to anyone?" It just meowed at me, making me smile when I heard someone call out a name. "Ivory! You silly kitty!" I turned and was scared to see a familiar face who apparently belonged to the cat. "Oh, hi Carina", she said. "Hi, Nina", I greeted back "Is this your cat?" She nodded and then took the feline, "Yeah, she's a bit much sometimes, but I love her so much", she said while hugging the cat close to her. She stood there for a while pondering, then finally asked, "Is it okay if I sit with you for a little bit?" I smiled and nodded yes while she sat across from me on the table.

We sat there in silence for a while, and then I was about to start speaking, "Nina, I-" "No, wait Carina" she cut me off with a hint of guilt in her tone. "I just wanted to say I've been thinking a lot since we last saw each other, and I'm so sorry if I was a selfish bitch to you." I shook my head and took her hand, "No, Nina, you weren't like that at all. I'm partially to blame." She shook her head and continued, "No, I could have been nicer and more understanding. You see, this crush I've had on Remington for a long time has resulted in nothing since the beginning, and it's almost made me insecure in everything I do. It almost destroyed the friendship I've made with you, and I can't live with that. You're much too special of a friend to lose over a boy. I'll provably end up anting myself for not realizing what's more important in my life."

"I've come to the realization that even if he never ends up with me, all I should ever want for him is to be happy. Whether its with me or someone else, I just want him to be happy and to allow myself to live peacefully knowing I have people like you to love me and care about me for who I am." Nina was tearing up a little after finishing up that last sentence, and I got up from my seat and sat next to her and gave her hug. She didn't move, but I didn't let go. "Nina, it's okay", I consoled her while I let her cry, "You are so kind and sweet and so passionate about what you love, it's hard not to love you. I'll always be here whenever you need me, and it might be hard to believe now, but I know for a fact that someone unexpected will find you and will fall for your heart and soul, and he's gonna see you like a masterpiece."

Her crying stopped for a little and then she hugged me back tightly, and I felt so happy and content that I was able to get my friend back and help her realize she deserves much more than a crush. In the middle of our moment, her cat Ivory was nuzzling against my arm and purring, making me giggle. We broke away from our hug, and I stroked her soft fur which made her purr more. "Your cat is just so precious", I said while scratching her head. Nina giggled and said, "Yeah, she is. Before I met you, she was the only friend I had to keep me company and comfort me." Ivory started nibbling on Nina's finger, and we spent the rest of the day just talking and chilling there before I decided to go back home and prepare myself for another normal week. Without Remington... Wait, what? Did I really just say that? I must be going insane. And another thing: why was it when Nina said she was over Remington, I felt relief and a small hint of jealousy? God, I have some serious issues. I fell asleep thinking about how my life has changed ever since I came to this town and met all these people.

AWWW!!! Carina and Nina's friendship is repaired and we were introduced to Nina's adorable cat, Ivory. I felt like a cat would match Nina's gentle and careful personality, and I hope it fits well into the story. I hoped you liked this chapter and if you did, please leave a lime and/or comment. Thank you again and I love you all!!! 😻😻😻