Letters at First Sight (NiDdie)

여덟 (yeodeol)

It's nothing compared to the cappuccino with extra milk.

Ah, Nic. Stop right there. She told herself. Thinking of Maddie won't do good in your situation.

And so she endured the taste for a little while.

"Sorry I came all the way here," Nikka said quietly, breaking the long silence between them.

Nicole was silent. She was too busy thinking about the fact she didn't like Nikka's serving of coffee, and instead of tasting that sweet liquid with a little bit of bitter aftertaste, it was all bland and bitter. As if she didn't put any concoction, at all.

"...Nic?"

Nicole blinked. "Ah, sorry."

Silence again.

How in the world do you make a decent conversation with your ex? Nicole screamed internally. The tension's getting to her, and she can barely look at Nikka in the eye.

"I dreamt of you last night." Nikka blurted out all of a sudden.

Well, that's a start.

Instead of being happy at that fact alone, Nicole felt...empty.

Like it didn't make her heart flutter.

"What is it about?" Nicole asked calmly. She's even surprised she reacted this way.

Nikka was flustered for a moment, finding the right words to say. "It's...um...it's about the day we confessed to each other."

"By the tennis courts in UP?"

Why am I reacting like this?

Nikka nodded. "By the tennis courts in UP."

Nicole clearly remembers that day. They both have training in the afternoon, and they just came from a class on one subject in Palma Hall (or AS to most UP students). She can even remember she offered Nikka a ride to the tennis courts before she goes to the UP Gym.

Then they learned Nikka's training was canceled.

"I'm sorry I had to bring you all the way here." Nikka gave an apologetic look.

Nicole waved it off. "No, it's okay. I don't mind if it's you."

She barely noticed Nikka blushing lightly, her attention by the empty courts and seeing some familiar faces leaving the place one by one.

"So, I'll see you tomorrow?" Nicole asked hopefully.

Nikka smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Then Nicole turned her back, ready to face another gruesome training for the day when Nikka called her attention.

"Nic."

"Hm?" Nicole looked at her briefly, brows raised slightly as if she's waiting for her to speak.

Nikka stared at Nicole for a moment. She has no idea how she deserved this girl, who's been nothing but be kind and caring. A gentlewoman, always pasting a smile that can light up someone's world. And she means it. It melted her insides a couple of times just by seeing her smile.

She then shook her head. She can't be thinking this when Nicole's in front of her.

"I..." Nikka lost her ability to speak yet again. She hated it. Is this how a Nicole Tiamzon affects your speech?

"Are you okay—"

"I like you."

Nicole was taken aback. It's an out of the blue confession. "What—"