In Her Hazel Eyes ✔

01: Old Flames

Nora Taylor used to hate the people that admired her easy smile. Perhaps hate is too strong a word. It made Nora uncomfortable when those words fell from their judgmentally inclined mouths, as they unknowingly piled their expectations on her back. As if being a teenager in the modern world hadn't been enough to deal with.

The love of her life had helped her overcome that discomfort. Her marriage to Manaia had been somewhat blissful. Nora had no longer been bothered by people commenting on her smile, because this time, she had other things to focus on. Or perhaps, she had been truly happy.

Nora wiped a tear from her eye, cursing her brain for conjuring thoughts of Manaia. It had been almost 3 years since their marriage had gone from present to past tense, and she thought she was past this point. Crying whenever she pictured his face, or heard his voice in her mind, living in their happy memories. She shouldn't still be in so much pain.

It had only taken her mother a little under a year to get over her father, but when he came crawling back 2 measly years later, she'd taken him back so maybe she'd never really been over him. They'd become a family again, but things had never been the same as they once were.

Nora adjusted the daisy yellow sleeve on her shoulder, hazel eyes focused on her image in the full length mirror in the corner of her bedroom. She could do this. Tonight, was going to be free of thoughts of her dead husband. Tonight, was all about Elsie and Laura, and celebrating their engagement. It was their night tonight.

'On my way now.'

Nora flicked a quick message to her oldest and closest friend before slipping her phone into her black purse. She pulled the cabin door closed behind her, taking a large breath as she did so. A wave of emotion swept over her as she turned the cold key in the lock, remembering distantly the first time she stepped into the cabin. It had been a hard day, but it had marked a new chapter in her life. An emotional chapter at that.

With another shaky breath, Nora stepped away from the light blue door, putting on foot in front of the other until she was at her car. It was one of her favourite things that she owned. It had been a project car to keep her busy from the thoughts of Manaia shortly after he passed. She'd finished it a little over two months ago.

The drive to the restaurant was a short one, with little traffic holding her up on the way. Nora pulled into the packed carpark and took the last park, pulling the key from the ignition before she had a moment more to talk her out of the social outing.

'Hey.' A knock on Nora's car window had her jumping in her seat and gawking out the window like a stunned trout.

She rolled down the window and called upon that easy smile people loved for the person waiting for her reply. 'Hey Ash.'

'You here for Elsie and Laura?' He waited for her to grab her black purse and jacket before joining him in the soft autumnal breeze.

'Yeah. You too?' Nora didn't offer him many words.

Ashton nodded, gesturing for Nora to head into the restaurant before him. He was about to ask another question when their mutual friend split the silence.

'You guys made it!' Elsie greeted the pair at the doors, a dazzling smile on her youthful face.

'How's school been?' Nora winked at Elsie, wrapping her arms around her high school best friend.

'Oh stop. It's been years since I've been that young!' Elsie whined, slapping Nora on the arm gently.

Ashton laughed. 'Well, c'mon, it's not exactly like you look old enough to be a qualified lawyer.'