Night Souls

Last Minute Surprise

"Hello Bryan, Ophelia." 

An expected guest has arrived in the dining room, surprising everyone except the one who invited her. 

Caroline sat down on the seat next to Alice, "Oh Stacey, we meet again." 

She was sitting across from her, "Yes, we meet again..." Stacey couldn't hold her smile up any longer, her lips were moving but her teeth were glued together. 

Dinner was served and so far everyone was having a lovely time catching up with each other. 

"Caroline's parents are dear old friends of ours," Ophelia introduced some background information about their family history to Stacey, "she's also Nicholas' childhood best friend." 

Stacey's mouth turned to a large O-shape, "Best friends?" Usually, people would use a simple categorization of the word, 'friend' but in this context, Ophelia described them as 'best friends'. 

"Yes, those two kids loved playing in the garden all the time." Bryan strongly expresses the good old times, "It was like summer every day for them." 

They made a lot of memories as kids together, Bryan was telling a story about the time they were having a pool party. It was a miraculous story, Caroline saved Nicholas from drowning.

"Can you believe it? These two have known each other their whole life, but now they barely have anything to say." Ophelia looked at her son and back at Caroline, the looks on their face says a lot. 

They were being reminded of their past together, but somehow they appeared to have drifted apart, "Yes dear, but now they're all grown up and they probably went through a phase in high school." Bryan made a funny face at the end which made Alice laughed, nearly spraying out the food in her mouth.

"Dad, are you referring to puberty?" Alice wiped her mouth with the napkin next to her plate. 

He shrugged his shoulders before taking a sip of his drink, "Is it not true that boys and girls find it difficult to become close friends during those years?"

"It's not something to generalize, but it could happen to some people." When Alice was in high school, she had no hard time trying to make friends either if they were male or female. 

That was completely different from Stacey's experience, but mostly it's because the boys at her school tend to have an interest in sports. When it comes to academics, there were only a few boys who would lean towards a group of girls just so they won't fail the next test. The girls weren't so interest in playing with the boys either, they had their eyes set on teen idols instead.

"Hmm, interesting..." Stacey was curious as to why they never mentioned anything about Caroline and Nicholas' girlfriend and boyfriend relationship. It's like it doesn't exist. Unless his parents were only trying to keep this sensitive topic from coming to light. After all, talking about his ex in front of his present girlfriend isn't the right move, but it didn't stop them from bringing up their friendship. 

"Alice, would you pass me the salt." Nicholas was feeling uncomfortable by the numerous stares he had encountered from Caroline. She would shoot a glance at him whenever no one notices. 

"Here you go." Alice took the salt shaker from her side and met halfway to hand it off. She whispered something in his ears before sitting back down.  There was a moment where he had froze for a second, a chill was sent down his spine. 

A moment passed, they were laughing at a story that was being shared by Caroline, "I thought no one was there and those two boys jumped out of nowhere!" She had the most contribution to the table. She was talking about the time she had spent with Nicholas and Fredrick during summer.