The Perfect Gift

Ch. 12

Nini waits outside the terminal as the plane lands. She crosses her arms to keep from pressing herself up to the glass in anticipation for her best friends. Her eyes flit from person to person as they exit the plane, wondering when Kourtney and Devon will show up.

Finally, toward the tail end of the passengers, she sees her best friend being dragged tiredly by her boyfriend.

An excited grin splits across her face, so wide that her cheeks nearly hurt and she waves at them through the glass. She nearly shouts their names, but remembers that they probably won't hear at the last second.

Devon spots her first, throws a quick nod and grin in her direction before elbowing his girlfriend. Kourtney looks over and her surly expression changes to one of relief and happiness as she grins back.

A few minutes later, the three are happily embracing once again.

The trio made their way towards Nini's car parked in the airport's garage. Nini helps them load their luggage in the trunk and Nini and Kourtney slide into the front seats while Devon slides into the back.

"So how was camping?" she asks as they all situate themselves. She buckles up and glances at Devon through the rear view mirror, seeing him stiffen up at the mention of their trip.

Kourtney groans. "Can we please not talk about the trip? Devon was the only person that had fun since he grew up camping. We all know I don't camp."

Nini gives them an apologetic look. "I'm sorry the trip was a waste, then."

Devon shrugs. "There's always next—"

"Finish that sentence," Kourtney growls. "Go ahead. Finish it. I dare you."

Devon chuckled. "She really hated the trip."

Nini swallows her fit of giggles. "I can tell."

"When we get back home, you are making this up to me, I hope you know this. You ruined my Christmas."

Devon sighs and leans forward to place a miss on Kourtney's cheek. "I'm really sorry, K. I just thought you'd want to do something that I liked for once."

She rolls her eyes but tones down her anger and irritation a few notches, if the suddenly lighter mood in the car is anything to go by. She turns to look at Nini and asks, "So did anything happen while we were gone?"

Now, she realizes, is the perfect time to bring up Ricky.

Nini swallows nervously. "Um, well, actually..." She squirms in her seat under Kourtney's now suspicious gaze.

"Neens?" Her best friend calls sharply.

The brunette winces at the tone. Her hands fly to her lap and she starts twiddling her thumbs. Like, legitimately twiddling her thumbs in some sort of thumb war between her right and left thumbs.

"Nini?" Her name leaves her friend's mouth in a gentler tone as Kourt's eyebrows crease in worry.

"I'm seeing someone," Nini blurts at last. Her eyes shut as she braces herself the repercussions of her confession.

"You're seeing someone?!" Devon shouts in incredulous surprise as her head whirls around to look at him. This causes her to swerve on the road.

Kourtney shrieks and clutches desperately at her seat belt.

"Eyes on the road, girlie!" Kourt screeches.

"Sorry, sorry!" Nini apologizes as she rights herself on the road.

Kourt takes a deep breath and runs a hand through her curls, calming herself from her slight panic. "Now," she breathes quietly as glances back at Nini. "You're seeing someone?!" she echoes Devon's exact reaction.