Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Nothing...my life has been on the boring side since I left school.."

He said softly, sighing slightly at her statement. He had a boring life, quite empty without her. He sighed again as he stared at the coffee.

"What about you...?"

He asked softly, not looking up.

Namine was glad he didnt have to leave right away. It was nice to enjoy someones company who wasn't out to use her for her image. That is why she had Demeter, he loved her unconditionally. "I must admit Leo Demeter pointed me to this place. As soon as I saw it I felt drawn to it. Once inside I realized it felt like home..cozy and warm with delicious smells floating in the air. I couldn't wish for anything more" she said almost wistfully "Except good company that is. Heres to you and Melissa." Namine raised her cup and took a sip. The warmth of the drink seemed to spread through out reddening her cheeks. She cupped the mug in her hand her wine lacquered nails matching the shade of her hair. "Maybe sometime we'll have a sit down and you can tell me about yourself over coffee." Namine thought hes a nice guy.

"Good old Mel..still so smart.."

He said with a small smile as he continued to stare at the coffee. He wanted to tell her just to get it over with but he was afraid of her reaction. Would she be the same way or would she have left that behind. Of course he still loved her, otherwise going there would have only been a gesture of courtesy. He remembered how much she loved computers, how much she loved knowledge, how she used to state intelligent things and he wouldn't understand for she was so smart. He felt tears welling up but he kept his head down, still staring at the coffee.

Mel looked sadly at him. She was smart, maybe, but still she hadn't had the strength to fulfill her dreams. "And maybe that's the way it should be..." She sighed. Her time at college had been cold and lonely; people there were all brains but no heart.
Now, in the small Cafe, she was starting to find her own heart again, only it was still hurt and bruised. No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't be rational about Nate. There were too many feelings, too many unanswered questions. Gathering up her breath and her courage, she spoke slowly, in a low tone.
"Tell, me Nate...why did you leave me behind? Why didn't you so much as say goodbye? Was I really just a high school crush, as some wanted me to believe?" The words were hard on her, but she forced herself to speak them. She remembered Elizabeth disdainful eyes and cold, hurting words. She had been the one who told her he had moved. She had humiliated her, made her strongest, deepest love look like a one-night-stand. She couldn't stand the doubt, the awful possibility she had been right.

The girl took a few moments to understand what Nate had just said. To spare her the heartbreak...it sounded just like the kind of impetuous, well-meant yet badly considered thing the boy would do. She sighed.
His words made her heart ache in a twirl of both pleasure and pain. Did she still love him? She wasn't sure. She had tried so hard, for so long, to hate him, to forget him, yet she realized his image was always there, anywhere she turned.

Her rational part told her too much time had gone by; they didn't know each other anymore. The side of her that still hurt told her to slap him, to hurt him, to hate and despise him. Yet, the more sensible part of her, the silent, king voice in her heart, remembered all the good times they had spent together, and the comfort she still found in his eyes. Time could have passed, but their hearts remained the same.

Struggling to find the words to express even a little bit of what she felt, Mel didn't notice Leo approach the table. Silently, the boy picked up the now empty mugs, and looked at her. He was curious, and a tad worried, but he wouldn't pry.
His sudden presence woke the girl up from her wondering state. Feeling glad for the small interruption that gave her some more time to think, she smiled at the green-eyed young man.

"So, did you get a new date already?" Her voice was mocking, yet joyful.
"Oh, no, I wouldn't break your heart like that!" He chuckled; they played those innocent games ever since they had first met and become friends "But I think I got us a new customer!"
"Dog and all?" She asked, surprised.
"He isn't that bad, you know?" seeing her incredulous look, he laughed "You know me, I boil in little water but deep down I'm a softie."
"And besides, she is gorgeous." Mel stated, matter-of-factly, in a motherly voice.
"No arguments here..." Smiling and messing up her hair, the boy picked up the tray and left, leaving Mel once again facing Nate and all her doubts and concerns.

((I'm too tired to color everything correctly. And I think it's understandable as itr is. Any doubts, just ask! And now I'm off to bed.***))

((where is everyone and whats going on??))

Namine got up from the table and left a generous amount of money for the food and for the nice people she had met, Leo and Melissa. She knew that this would become a place she frequented often. "Well Demeter my dear let's go to the bookstore. Only this time I fear I will have to leave you outside." Namine picked up her coat and put it on, she then lowered shades over her eyes. She turned once in the direction of Mel and Leo waving goodbye. She left the small cafe with a smile on her face. The warmth and homey feeling she had received still withing her. With Demeter at her side Namine made her way to the bookstore.