It's Never Just Goodbye // Ed Sheeran

The Sky Turned Black

Ed

We left a day earlier than we were supposed to before. The memory of the night before in my head the entire quiet train ride to Suffolk. Her hand interlaced with mine, lightly squeezing, but no words.

And when we arrived, my parents greeted us at the door. My father awkwardly standing there, forced into a Christmas sweater, with a small grin. My mother, tears in her eyes and a wonderful smile, hugged Nina first. Repeating over and over again, “My, you are so beautiful! It is so wonderful to meet you!”

“This is Nina.” I introduced them. Matt shook her hand quickly before returning back to his phone. Chilling on the couch.

My dad shook her hand, followed my brother’s move, and sauntered back to the couch to watch TV. My mum hugged her twice more, “I’m not much of a hugger, but you look like a huggable girl.” She joked.

“You guessed right.” Nina agreed. Smiling, cheeks warm. “I like hugs.”

“My baby hasn’t brought home a girl in forever. He never brings home anyone! The last one we met was Taylor. Isn’t she lovely?” my mum rambled. “John and I saw her on TV all the time. So having her as your son’s friend, and having her here for a meal, was insane!”

With a cheeky grin, Nina replied, “I would’ve been flipping out.”

With wide eyes, my mum says, “I was! Want a drink? We’ve got hot chocolate and tea.”

“I’ll have some hot chocolate.”

“Wonderful! Come, come! I’ll show you around. Eddie, make Nina some hot cocoa.”

The night was spent like many others. Only thing different was Nina was in the mix.

After giving her the grand tour of the small house, we bundled up and headed for the pub. Walking the streets instead of driving after my mother insisted. “You’ll probably drink, so I don’t want you driving.”

With a giddy excitement, Nina and I pounded the street with our cold boots and an abundance of Christmas spirit. “Christmas is tomorrow! God, I feel like a kid again. I’m excited.” She says, bouncing as she walked.

Laughing, I pushed the door open and we’re hit with the warmth from the packed pub. Familiar faces from my old school days passed by and I look around for more. My eyes locking on my old friends – Kim, James, and Conner.

I locked my hands tightly with Nina’s and pulled her through the crowed. “My friends are here!” I said, elated. Eager for Nina to meet them. Shocked that they were all here. “You’ll love them. I promise.”

“Hey!” I said. All three of them looked up from their glasses, faces lighting up, as they stand to hug me.

“Eddie, it has been ages!” Kim said. Her words slightly bunched together. You could tell from her breathe and her words that she had more than one drink so far. 

“This is Nina.” I introduced her insouciantly. Kim stared her down, eyes squinted. I squeezed Nina’s hand and they all saw. Nina smiled, taking Connor’s hand. “Hi.” She said to everyone. Trying her best to fit in.

“Well, Ed. What made you come back to your old stomping grounds?” Conner asks.

“Came home for Christmas. Decided to show Nina around…” I say. “What made you guys come here tonight?”

“We always come here on Christmas eve. You know that.” James says, taking a gulp of the beer in front of him. I had forgot. Then, to Nina, “We’ve been coming here since we could get in.”