Page 43 of Sweet Ruin

As I stared at her though, I was surprised to find the memory of what Nina and Levi had done to me was no longer an open wound in my heart. It had long scabbed over, and all that was left was the faintest of scars. Nina had been a terrible friend, but I didn’t feel the same anger toward her that I once had.

“I’m not sure we can ever be friends again, Nina,” I said. “Not like we once were.”

She nodded, and her gaze fell back to the floor as she continued to brush her feet across the ground. “Yeah, of course,” she said. “I understand. That’s all I came here to say. I guess I’ll see you around, Iz.”

She went to leave, but I shocked myself by calling out to stop her. “Nina, wait.”

She stopped and turned back to look at me. I wasn’t sure I could forgive her, but I knew I couldn’t watch her walk away like this after she’d just apologized. We’d once been so close, and while I’d moved on from my disastrous relationship with Levi, accepted what happened, and was feeling stronger for it, Nina was clearly still hurting. She and I didn’t have to be best friends, but we didn’t have to be enemies either.

“My mom’s about to bring out her pumpkin pie,” I said. “Do you want to come in for a slice?”

“Really?” Surprise lit her eyes.

“Yeah.” I felt a little more certain as I responded. This trip home had made me realize that leaving Rapid Bay had helped me grow, but could I truly be doing that if I was leaving such a big part of my life here unresolved?

“I’d love that,” she said, a small, optimistic smile forming on her lips. “Do you think your mom’s nailed the recipe this year?”

“Oh, I’m sure she has,” I replied. “But I’m also sure she’ll still be working on it next year.”

I opened the door to the café and walked inside with Nina at my side before pulling up a chair so she could sit beside me.

“Seriously,” Anna said to my mom, who had brought out the pie and was busy slicing it up. “Where do I get a magic turkey from?”

As Mom passed around the pie, I introduced Nina to Cress, Anna, and my dad. Understandably, she was especially surprised to meet Matthew, considering I didn’t have a father last time we’d seen each other. I could tell she was bursting with questions, but she still seemed a little apprehensive, so she didn’t pry. Instead, she asked me about my new school and filled me in on the latest gossip from Rapid Bay High. It felt strange to have her sitting here sharing Thanksgiving with us after everything that had happened, but it also felt right. I was glad I’d decided to let go of the past. It made me feel like it was easier to start building a new and improved future.

Lunch continued for hours. After dessert, there were more drinks and coffee and talking, and night was beginning to descend by the time everyone started heading home. I walked Nina out and gave her a hug goodbye. She looked much happier than when I’d first seen her looking through the window, and she smiled brightly as she walked off down the street, her shoulders seeming significantly lighter. We’d repaired a little of the rift between us, and I had to admit I felt somewhat lighter myself.

As I watched her go, I heard the door to the café open behind me.

“You should be very proud of yourself,” my father said as he stepped out to stand beside me.

“Should I?” I didn’t think he knew about what had happened between Nina and I, so I wasn’t sure what he was talking about.

“Of course.” He nodded and looked down at me. “You’ve been through a lot recently, and you’ve done it with such grace and maturity. It can’t have been easy.”

He was right. It hadn’t been easy. But I just shrugged. “I guess so.”

He smiled and shook his head. “Well, I hope you know how proud your mother is of you. And how proud I am. I’m very happy to have been here with you both today.”

“Thanks.” I glanced up at him and smiled. “It was nice having you here. How long can you stay?”

“I’m afraid I have to leave tonight. I was hoping to stay for the weekend, but I received a call about an hour ago. Something’s come up with work. I’ve got to be back in the city for an early meeting tomorrow.”

“Oh, okay.” I was slightly disappointed, but I understood.

“How are you getting on at school?

“School’s fine,” I replied. “It’s been busy.”

"Have you given much thought to your college applications?”

The question caught me by surprise, but it probably shouldn’t have. Everyone around me was working hard on their applications and some kids had already finished them. Deadlines were coming up in the new year, and I knew I was running out of time. Ishouldhave been giving a lot of thought to college applications, but every time I went to work on them, I seemed to freeze up.

“Uh, not really,” I admitted.

“Because I’m happy to organize someone to help you with your applications if you need.”

“Thanks, but it’s not just the applications I’m worried about,” I murmured.

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