Letters at First Sight (NiDdie)

여덟 (yeodeol)

"N-Nikka?"

And suddenly, Nicole sobered up quickly than Bea would chug down a beer bottle.

Her ex-girlfriend gave her a shy wave, but Nicole noticed she came from another place, considering her clothes are a bit fancy.

Like she just came from a date (or from a family occasion, stop assuming too much Tiamzon).

Nicole swallowed hard. Not that she liked her all dressed up for that specific, but she hated the feeling that fell upon them.

Words they desperately want to utter, but their tongues held them back. The air in their lungs prevented them from producing a sound, lips parted, but one can feel the frustration in the both of them.

All that came out is steady breathing.

Nicole snapped out of it. "Erm...uh...w-would you like to come in? I can make you coffee if you want."

Nikka responded with a small smile. "Thank you. I didn't expect it to be chilly out tonight."

"I'm sorry it took you a while." Nicole said, gesturing for Nikka to enter.

When Nicole turned on the lights, Nikka suddenly felt like she's at home. Though the apartment they used to share is occupied by someone else, Nicole's new place gave almost the same feeling. Back when she still used to come home to her.

The apartment itself isn't that much decorative as Nikka would expect. After all, simplicity is Nicole's middle name. It just screams all over the place, but somehow, parts of it made her remember about Nicole. Like that dent in her sablay magic coffee mug (it still annoyed Nicole when she saw it again), her old piano covered in a blanket she never used, Anatomy & Physiology books arranged alphabetically according to the author (in between though, there's a Mitch Albom book hidden), and vinyl records displayed by the walls, framed and taken care of.

This, Nikka realized, is what she gave up a year ago.

The thought didn't hurt, but a deep, sad feeling clouded her chest.

Stumbling over her feet, Nicole shakily reached for the mugs and cursed under her breath for letting herself to be this drunk. Then she felt a pair of hands gently clasped around her wrists, rough palms brushing over her skin.

Nicole held her breath. "What—"

"Let me." Nikka told her softly.

"No. You should..."

"I don't want you to wake up seeing your favorite mug in pieces just because you mishandled it," Nikka said as she placed the mugs on the kitchen counter.

Nicole didn't say anything. She watched Nikka closely pour the servings, and she felt relieved at the thought she still remembers hers; two creams and sugars.

She shouldn't, but she did.

Nikka then gave Nicole's own mug, who seemed to come back to her senses after inhaling that heavenly scent of coffee.

"What's the occasion that made you go home a little bit...uh, tipsy?" Nikka asked quietly, trying her best not to make things awkward.

"Had a drink with my teammate," Nicole answered simply, her voice roughly turned into a low growl. Maybe she did drink too much.

She took a sip from her coffee.

Something didn't feel right.

The coffee's bitter for her taste.