Maybe she romanticized her fling. Both her and her ex weren’t a native in the island and have only been staying there for the duration of summer. Once the last day came up, tears have been abundant and touches were still minimal but it was the warmth she had gathered through another’s embrace that mattered.

Nora couldn’t say she longs for the girl. So, moving on wasn’t a difficult process to overcome. However, did the girl felt the same? Or was their relationship one-sided attraction?

“Is it weird to date someone from the same school?” Nora asks Janice – the expert of anything dating related.

Lily stopped drinking her milk tea, curious too. She took a piece of french fry from Janice’s plate, munching it loudly. Glaring didn’t stop Lily from taking another and Janice moves her plate away, covering the sides with her arms and narrowed her eyes as Nora attempts to do the same. 

Janice sighs, defeated. “I mean, there are instances of exes who were petty after the break-up but most of the time, we tend to avoid each other if we can.”

“How do you deal with an ex who you couldn’t avoid?” Lily questions, “from circumstances you couldn’t control, I mean.”

“By being decent human beings and only interact, when necessary,” Janice replies, “any other questions?”

Nora raised a hand, which Janice clicks her tongue. The annoyance clear in her face, despite the suggestion she offered. Then she made it clear, “no.”

Nevertheless, Nora persists and blurts out a hypothetical, “If, you know, your ex has someone else – and they don’t want you in their lives. But you have to since you and your ex ha-“

“You sound like you have a relationship problem but even with how little I know of you – it’s clear that you don’t,” Janice interrupts, her tone sharp. It wasn’t the usual boredom drawn on her face, or the mild annoyance if things weren’t in her way.

It was as if life have brought back into her eyes, emphasizing the emotions dug deep within. And all Nora can see was the pain displayed forefront of the moment.

Then it changes, regret filtering over her previous emotions.

Janice continues, “sorry.”

Nora lips thinned, guilty. She pushed, shoved and prod, because she was desperate and curious and annoying.

So, she replies back, “me too. I shouldn’t have done that.”

“No, I should’ve made it clear that I wasn’t going to answer any more questions but I enjoy being an ambiguous bitch,” Janice reassures Nora.

“Ice cream, everyone?” Lily intervenes, lacing her voice with a drop of excitement as three bowls of ice cream have been delivered to their table.

Nora didn’t order anything else but the hamburger and free iced tea – nicely discounted by the coupon Lily gave her. But she wasn’t going to complain with the free dessert.

Janice dips her fries in her ice cream and Lily ate hers in large spoonful.

And nobody has said a word since then.