InsaneJournal

The city was a bit of a different change for a girl who'd spent her last year in Japan studying abroad and enjoying the ability to travel. There was something different about seeing tall Americans all taking on their cell phones (the Japanese often texted as opposed to speaking. Saved on minutes). Even the subway systems felt different. It was like learning her American life all over again working in an environment she'd gotten to know very well her first year or two of college in California.

It was lunch time as she chatted away with one of her co-workers with a bright smile and fling of her long, wavy hair. One of the guys walked by giving her a once over. She was still learning the ropes of this place, her first day didn't require her to wear the usual uniform, so she'd dressed comfortably and cute. Waving off the guy and grabbing her new friend around the arm she headed towards one of the food stands to get something to eat.

While waiting in line, her back to the register she started talking about her time in Japan to the other girl when she caught the glimpse of someone familiar. Her mouth dropped, that big O shape to her lips. She squinted in the sun to make sure she was seeing things right.

"LANE?" she said loudly with a big grin. Celano had been her boyfriend (on again and off again) back in her earlier days of school. 'Lane' had been her little nickname. As soon as he turned his head she near catapulted from her spot to tackle him in a hug.

Triton was enjoying a quiet day. It meant his father had only called him twice to insult him, and he always relaxed around the fish. IT was an easy job that made him remember his youth, so therefor rather pleasant.

When someone called him by his old nickname he glanced up, thinking he knew that voice. When the girl catapulted herself in his arms he blinked before the pieces clicked. Grinning he returned the hug, "Mel. Well look at you." When she'd left he'd been rather hurt over it, but perhaps he had moved too quickly. He tended to rush around mortals. They had such a short life.

"I thought you were still in Japan?"


The move he'd asked of her had been too sudden for her, she'd been scared. The day she'd planned to move in with him she'd just never shown up and left the phone off for days. When she'd finally gotten the nerve to contact him again that scared feeling was back. She'd made up her mind to study abroad, partially for wanting to see the world and partially because of the situation. They'd broken up a few times proir, only this was it for real that day. However hurt Celano had been he'd still stayed the nice guy, encouraging.

She kissed him softly on the cheek.

She'd still felt bad, and still very much liked him. She gave him one last squeeze before letting go, her smile big. "I was," she said with a exubrant laugh. "I finished school and moved here," smile still big arms shrugged in the air.


Triton didn't hold too many grudges. It had hurt him, but he'd moved on. He still cared for her, and was glad to see her again. Smiling he released her and set his hands in his pockets. "And now you work here?" Grinning he moved so he wasn't in the way of anyone. "You look well, I'm glad." There was a minor worry, and he hoped he was just paranoid in thinking his father watched him. The girl was just pretty enough.


"Yes!" she said excitedly, she just couldn't stop smiling. "I didn't think I'd see you again. Thought you were back in California. I'd..." she paused. "I'd wanted to call, but," she shook her head quickly giving him another small hug. He'd been more than just a boyfriend, he was always so sweet. He was a dear friend.


Smiling he returned the hug before releasing her and leaning against a table. "It's fine." He shrugged, "I'm just glad you're alright. And I was for a while, but my mother is dealing with some mental and health problems so I moved here." He'd always mentioned his parents in passing, but nothing specific.


"I'm sorry to hear," she said. She knew what it was like to lose parents to grief and death. Her mother she barely remembered, her father she'd lost when she was sixteen. "I am, you know me," she said with another shrug, "always independent." She liked getting to do things herself, even if it meant she had to learn the hard way. She was stubborn.

"I'm so glad to see you," as if the smile was an enough of an indication. "You work here too?" she said pointing around. He was a bit older than her, as he'd been working when she'd just started college.

He smiled in return, "it's alright. She's getting better, but I want to be here for her." He chuckled, "still the same." He didn't mind the independence, he wished he could have it at times. He was to tied to his father though.

"Yes. I work here as a marine biologist." He glanced to the line, "you might want to go get your lunch before it gets too busy. I'll be here."

This was why she adored the guy. He was considerate in a way most guys (especially ones her age) were not. "You're so sweet," she said softly. She was half kicking herself now for ever deciding to leave so quickly on a whim and being scared. She should be used to being scared by now, and would have really been bad for a guy like him to look after her? But she was young, had barely turned twenty and she didn't want to feel like she was tied down. Moving in with him was a big commitment.

Three years older now made a difference, and the last guy she'd dated had been nowhere as decent. He'd been a transfer student as well, cute, but not nearly so adoring. Celano might be seven years older, but...she paused looking him over. He hadn't aged at all.

She didn't want to leave, wondering why those butterflies in her stomach were so strong. Hopping back in line while her new friend whispered about how she knew the hot biologist, Melanie kept glancing back over her shoulder until it was her turn. She'd picked up a hot dog and a bag of chips with a coke. She definitely wasn't a finicky eater like most girls. She stood in front of him again.

"What are you doing later?" she asked abruptly.


He'd missed her. Missed the bright cheeriness she possessed, something so rare nowadays. He was often attracted to those with a cheery deposition. Maybe it was because he was so used to the gloom of his mother, or the fierce temper that was his sister.

Whatever it was, he found he was all too happy to pick up where they had left off.

When she returned he laughed, "I was about to ask you that. Nothing, right now. I might get called later, to check up on my mother, but I've got nothing planned. I'd love to get some coffee later though, if you like?"


"Really?" she said her cheeks turning a light shade of pink, happy to know that even now he wasn't going to turn his back on her because of her immature behavior.

"Where's your father?" she asked, remembering somewhere in there he'd said he had one. "Are they divorced?"

"Good," she said with a silly laugh and a hop. "Coffee will be great."


"Well of course. I have missed you. And you owe me stories about Japan." He lost some of his smile at the mention of his father and glanced around. "It's a long story, and I don't want all of it to get out." He smiled at her, "But I trust you. I come from a wealthy family. In all honesty I don't need to work. I choose to because I refuse to follow in my father's footsteps. He's a wealthy businessman, and my mother comes from a long line of wealthy girls who are taught to only marry rich guys. Divorce is frowned upon, heavily so, so they're together. My father isn't exactly...well he cares he just has issues showing it."

He shrugged, then nodded. "After work?"

She listened intently, never really having heard him go into detail about his family. She noted when his expression changed at the simple question. She'd suddenly felt bad for asking it, and hung her head lightly, taking a seat beside him against the table after putting down her food. Without thinking about it she let her hand snake it's way into his giving it a friendly squeeze. "I shouldn't have brought it up. Your mother seems very important to you." She wouldn't know, she hadn't had hers for very long. Often times she felt her sisters resented having to look after her when they were in high school and college since she was the baby.

"Sounds good."

He smiled and picked up her hand, setting a kiss on the back of it. "You didn't know. And she is. She raised me. My father was always off on business trips, and my poor mother had to endure affair after affair." He smiled then, "alright then that's settled. I'd ask you more but I think my fish need me. Stop by the marine life section whenever you want alright?"


She didn't want him to go just yet, that butterfly feeling in her tummy rose again when he kissed her hand. There was something so different about him that had always made him so charming. "Your father sounds horrible."

She bit her bottom lip. "Okay," was the soft reply her hand swinging his for a moment before letting it drop.