The Return (9)

It wasn't long before the two women showed up. Shadi was dressed in casual jeans and a T-shirt, her dark brown hair in a ponytail, while Luca wore a jean mini skirt matched with a white blouse. It didn't seem like she realized that it was autumn already and the weather wasn't as kind anymore.

"Iris!" she screamed upon noticing her and ran through the whole cafe. Many people turned around, but Luca cared naught for them.

She enveloped Iris in a bear hug, laughing like a maniac. "It's really you! I can't believe it!" Tears glistened in her eyes when she pulled back to give Iris a once over. "It's really you, right?"

Barely holding back her own sudden tears, Iris nodded and wrapped Luca in a hug once more. Back then, she hadn't thought much of their friendship, but at this moment, she realized just how much she'd missed her.

It didn't even matter to her that they were making a scene.

"I still can't believe you're back," Shadi said from a few steps away, smiling gently.