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Seven years and five months had passed since Mel Medarda had set foot in her hometown.
In those seven years, she’d climbed to the top of the corporate ladder and made a name for herself in a way that used to be reserved for dreams. New friends came and went, but she worked hard to keep up with her friends back home.
For years, she’d planned to go back home, but something always came up. Last year, it was a huge last-minute campaign that landed her the promotion she’d been talking about. The year before that, her apartment flooded, and there was no way she’d get that sorted and be travel-ready in time.
So when the winter months rolled around, and the festivities were at their highest, she settled for well-meaning messages from friends and mindless scrolling through social media to ease her longing.
But this year, after months of planning, scheduling conflicts, and extra time spent at the office getting caught up on paperwork, Mel would finally be heading home for Christmas. Her bosses were shocked to hear she’d be going out of town, but they practically escorted her out of the building because they knew that if they even looked the least bit needy, she’d stay.
The train ride back home gave her the calm she so badly needed after hours spent on edge, worrying about whether she’d make it to the station on time. She spent the ride catching up on reading and checking in on Sol through the cat cam.
Two years ago, she opened the door to head out, and there he was. Lounging on her welcome mat as if he’d spent his whole life there, and she was his guest. He had the most beautiful rusted orange fur, large pointed ears, and eyes like orbs of stolen sunshine. His name was a no brainer. Mel asked around her building, inquiring whether someone was missing their cat, but no one was. So she kept him.
Mel always felt guilty for leaving him, especially in the mornings for work. Every morning, he followed her around, weaving through her legs and purring while she got ready. Then, as she put on her shoes, he would lie at her feet meowing and singing the song of his people in hopes that she might stay home.
That always earned him a pity treat.
A cat was playing Mel Medarda.
Thankfully, Elora — a neighbor and close friend— agreed to come over when she could to play with him, change his litter, and refill his feeders when needed.
The camera panned from the front door over to the largest window in the apartment after sensing movement. Sol was sprawled across his favorite windowsill, his tail flickering and flopping with lazy, contented cat bliss. Mel had almost worried herself sick over leaving him for so long, and now she wasn’t even sure if he knew she was gone.
Before she could get too caught up thinking about her traitorous feline, the announcer was calling her stop on the overhead speaker.
···•✧•···
“I don’t know the last time I sat still for more than three hours, outside of getting my hair done,” Mel said, sifting through her luggage.
“You need to start making more time for yourself, Mel. A train ride home shouldn’t be the pinnacle of relaxation.” Sky chided with more concern than heat.
Sky moved into Mel’s old apartment a week before she was set to fly across the country to start her new beginnings. They became fast friends and kept in touch despite the distance. Sky worked at the local florist shop and spent most of her free time conducting wild science experiments with her boyfriend, Viktor.
Mel was elated to find out that her friend had found someone to share her endless depths of joy with, but she’d be lying if she said it didn't make her long for a deep connection of her own.
“You know… if you come tonight, I’ll finally be able to introduce you to the guy I’ve been telling you about.” Sky hummed with a teasing lilt.
Mel paused unpacking to roll her eyes and let out the deepest sigh she could muster.
“Must we keep coming back to the same topic? I’ve already told you I’m not here for anything other than catching up with the friends that seem so bent on casting me off.”
This time, it was Sky to groan. “Mel, save me the speech. We both know you’re all alone out there, and don’t you dare mention Sol! We both know he’s having the time of his life. So what’s the harm in meeting the guy?” She paused to readjust her phone on her shoulder. “Did you even stop to consider the fact that you might actually like him?”
···•✧•···
The annual tree lighting festival had grown to be something much bigger than Mel remembered it being. Before she left, it was just something to do, but now it seemed that everyone in town had come out, and then some. The moon had just perched itself in the dusky blue sky, and the winds had calmed substantially from when Mel had first gotten into town. It was chilly, but just enough to make you want a good mug of hot chocolate.
Mel trailed along behind Sky as she showed her around to all the different stalls. A few people she’d known since she was a little kid running behind Kino, but most were new faces with new stories to tell. It was refreshing to see new faces in a place that sparked so much nostalgia. A welcome reminder that life was ever-changing, but a small part of her was snagged on how much she’d missed out on.
As much as she fought it, her mind kept drifting back to him and how much he changed.
Running into him had played a big part in why Mel stayed away for so long, if she was being brutally honest with herself. He said he understood why she had to go, wished her nothing but the best in her endeavors, but that didn’t do much to quell the ache that thrummed in her heart whenever she thought of him. They both had plans for the future.
Mel wanted more than what home offered, and Jayce just wanted Mel to be happy.
So far, she’d seen no signs of him. Before she left, he was just starting to grow his hair out, and he always kept a close shave, so that was what she was on the lookout for.
Subconsciously, she tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear, foolishly wondering if he would approach her if he saw her first. The better part of her chastised her for doubting him, but there was still a small part of her worried he might’ve built some resentment towards her over the years.
There wasn’t much contact between them outside of a late birthday wish here, or a liked post on social media there. They tried doing weekly check-ins when she first left, but that just proved to be more of a chore than a genuine inquiry.
“Earth to Mel!” Sky said before smiling apologetically at their newcomer.
“Sorry, seems I zoned out there,” Mel chuckled and watched as Sky sidled up next to the man who was staring at her with stars in his eyes.
“As I was saying, Mel, this is Viktor; Viktor, this is Mel.”
“It’s nice for us to finally meet. Miss Young is very fond of you.” Viktor said, easing his hand back into his pocket after shaking Mel’s. Sky nudged him softly and failed to mask her giggles.
“Likewise, a good bit of our conversations these days are her going on about whatever it is you two are studying at the moment, you know.”
The trio laughed and exchanged pleasantries as the night carried on. At first, Mel was worried about falling into the third wheel role, but that was quickly abated when she realized how little Viktor spoke. She got the sense that he was feeling her out, and preferred his own silence to do so.
Mel stopped at a few stalls and grabbed various items that called to her name. Some painting supplies, a new collar for Sol, and even some Christmas-themed ceramics. She was examining a hand-carved Japanese puzzle box when she heard it.
A sound so unmistakable even in sleep, she could place its rightful owner without a second thought. It was a laugh, but not just any laugh; it was rich and hearty. The kind of laugh that made your shoulders bounce and your head fall back. A laugh so infectious it could get a cackle out of the Grinch. The secret compartments and mechanisms of the puzzle box were forgotten as her mind curled around the long lost sound like a frost bitten cat on a heated blanket.
It was him.
Jayce.
She looked over her shoulder to see that Sky and Viktor were the cause of the joyous sound. As if she could sense she was the object of Mel’s attention, Sky looked over her shoulder and waved her over.
Then something clicked.
All the descriptions of Sky’s Guy Friend came tumbling back to the forefront in rapid succession.
Tall, yes!
Broad, check.
Built, as if Donatello personally sculpted him.
Bronzed by the gods, it’s sinful, really.
For all the minor details Sky mentioned, she didn’t mention his endearing smile or the way his eyes caught and reflected sunlight in a way that used to melt Mel’s heart. She also failed to mention the full beard that lined his jaw or the new shaggy haircut that framed his face dashingly.
And then Jayce looked in her direction, and time halted when they made eye contact.
She had prepared for this. Mel was nothing if not pragmatic. She knew at some point she would see him again, and she had prepped herself for what she’d say when the inevitable occurred. But fate was fickle, and her mind was treacherous, clearing itself of all coherent thoughts the moment she needed them most. Somehow her brain started working just enough to realize that Sky was saying something, and before she could register what it was…
“Mel?”
“Jayce.” She’d seen him first, and yet she was breathless as she stood in front of him.
“Wait… you guys know each–”
“This is Mel??” Viktor sputtered, his cup of spiked eggnog nearly crumbled under his grip as realization dawned on him.
“Wh- what are you doing here?? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? How are you??”
Ignoring both of their dumbstruck friends, Jayce crossed the bit of space and scooped Mel up into a tight hug. Something deep within her snapped, and filled her chest with warmth. The hug ended sooner than she would’ve liked as Jayce backed away to give her a once-over.
Before she could think to tuck it away, his eyes landed on her necklace. A simple star pendant that hung on a small linked chain. It was a gift he’d given her on one of their first dates, and it was then that she vowed never to take it off.
“You still have that?” This time, it was Jayce who was breathless.
“I made a promise, didn’t I?”
···•✧•···
After answering a thousand questions from Sky, Viktor ushered her away to give Mel and Jayce some time alone. They milled around the festival long enough to see the tree get lit and share a few celebratory drinks. After requesting a quieter space for them to talk, Jayce led Mel to his pickup truck. They sat on the hood, cushioned by a few blankets he had in the cab (from Ximena, no doubt).
“I always wanted to call… but I wasn’t sure if you’d answer,” Jayce said, kicking up dirt absentmindedly as he stared off into the night.
Mel looked over at him, admiring the way age had complemented him.
“You could’ve, I’ll always pick up for you, Jayce.”
The air between them was pregnant with unasked questions rooted in seven years of distance. They hadn’t been like this. There was a time when she felt that if no one else saw her, Jayce did. It wasn’t until she was finding it hard to talk to him that she realized just how much she missed that ease.
“My Mom asks about you all the time. She says she understands why you had to go, but she doesn’t get why I stayed.” He chuckled with no real mirth. “Sometimes I wonder that too.”
“I never expected you to pack up and follow after me, you know that, right?”
Silence hung there like a marred ornament. Behind them, the festival was alive and cheerful as people basked in the cheeriness that seemed reserved for Christmas. There was a live band and a sea full of spirited people dancing the night away, under the lights of the newly lit tree.
“This used to be your favorite song,” Jayce said as he stood.
“You remembered?” Mel smiled, happy to be rid of suffocating silence.
“Mel, there’s not a thing about you that I could forget… not even if I tried,” he moved to stand in front of her and proffered his hand. “For old times' sake?”
She hesitates for a beat, at lightspeed her brain supplies a thousand reasons this isn’t a good idea, but her heart leapt at the idea. Dancing was one of the first few things that came to them easily all those years ago. She’d be remiss if she didn’t find out if in this world full of change, there wasn’t something that stayed just the same. So with a shy smile of her own, Mel placed her hand in his and slid off the hood of his truck.
She thought he was going to lead her back to the crowd, so when he pulled her against his chest right where they stood, she gasped. If he heard it, he didn’t let on, just carried on like this was what they spent their lives doing.
Time and distance had changed much, but it did not affect how safe Mel felt whenever she was wrapped in Jayce’s arms. The space that separated them was closed quickly, and instinctive memory took over.
“You’ve gotten better,”
“I had a great teacher.” Jayce chuckled before stepping back to twirl her under his arm.
There was an ease to dancing with Jayce that Mel loved. He wasn’t pushy and didn’t make it hard to follow him. His hand sat comfortably in the middle of her back, and he guided their turns with certainty. She chanced a glance at him, and there she saw him looking at her as if she’d hung the very moon they danced under. His cheeks flushed pink when he realized he’d been found out. The songs seemed to fade as they laughed and pranced around under the moonlight with the joy of love that hadn’t been lost.