Chasing Sin

38

After taking about three or four trips around the neighborhood, we all get ready to leave.

As I'm putting my uncomfortable shoes back on, I hear a knock on my bathroom door. Assuming it's Sin, I call out for him to come in.

"Hey," he says, closing the door behind him.

"Hey," I say with a giddy smile. I pat the bed next to me and he sits beside me.

"I can't thank you enough for the car, Sin. Really, it's absolutely insane and super thoughtful. I can't believe you did that."

He shrugs. "It was all of us. We knew you needed your own car, and I didn't want you spending all the money you've been saving on a car when you still don't know how your parents are going to react when they find out you want to change your major."

Of course he remembers that. He remembers everything.

"Well," I start, not really even sure that else to say. "It's perfect. Thank you."

"That's not your only gift," he informs me, pulling a tiny box out of his pocket.

"No, no, no," I stop him, putting my hand up. "You've already given me way too much. I mean, you got me a fucking car, for Christ's sake. There is no way I can let you spend any more money on me."

"Well, in full disclosure, this didn't cost me anything."

I look at him curiously, and he holds out the box. It's red and satin, just like the one the car key came in.

I take the lid off the small box, and peer inside. The light catches on a beautiful green gem.

I lift the necklace out of the box, seeing a long silver chain with cute triangle hung from it, with an emerald inside the shape.

"It's beautiful," I breathe, taken back at how perfect it is. Emerald, like his eyes.

"It, um..."

I look up at him expectantly, waiting for him to continue.

"It was my mom's."

My heart nearly stops. Sin is giving me mother's jewelry? This is his mom's necklace?

"Sin, I can't take this," I say, feeling the gravity of the gesture as if the necklace in my hands weighed a thousand pounds rather than a few ounces.

The serious look on his face tells me he is also realizing the magnitude of the gift.

"You can," he assures me, taking the necklace from my hands and unclasping it, reaching behind my neck to put it on me.

After a second, he manages to clasp it together and let the beautiful emerald design hang around my neck and down to my chest.

"I mean, it's not like I'm going to wear it," he points out with an amused grin. Then the serious look returns and he says, "There's no one else I'd rather have given it to."

My eyes almost water, and I feel my heart pounding in my chest as I lean forward to kiss him softly.

I pull away after a moment, resting my forehead against his and reaching up to touch the necklace.

"Thank you," I say softly.

I'm overwhelmed with gratitude and love for my friends, and this just seals the deal. Sin is so incredible, so perfect.

It feels unreal that I've haven't really known him for that long. Sin has become such a part of my life that I don't know what I would do without him. This past week has been hell, and the loss of his presence makes me so much more grateful for it now.