"The clothes I gave you don’t fit?"
The sudden question left Pedro Langley puzzled, and he instinctively replied, "No."
Nora Scott responded nonchalantly, turned around, and went to pull the door.
She had only taken a couple of steps when Pedro Langley caught on to her indifference. Just as she was about to leave, he grabbed her.
Facing Nora Scott’s unfriendly gaze, Pedro Langley patiently explained, "I didn’t wear it because it’s a New Year’s gift."
"It’s meant to be worn on New Year’s."
Her lips moved subtly, and Nora Scott said blandly, "... What does it have to do with me?"
They weren’t spending New Year’s together anyway, so she wouldn’t see it.
After a brief pause, Pedro Langley’s lips curled slightly, and he said, "Wait a minute."
Nora Scott shook off his hand, walked out the door, and waited for him on the steps outside.
The air was dry, and a strong wind hit her face. Through the door, Nora Scott heard subtle movements at the entrance, feeling slightly frustrated, and she lightly furrowed her brows.
She dug her hands into her pockets, fiddling with her phone out of boredom. Suddenly, the black stone at the end of the black string on her wrist slid down into her palm.
The black stone was warm. Her fingers played with it for a moment, and the sense of annoyance disappeared.
"Creak—" The door opened, and Pedro Langley stepped out from the entrance. Turning his head to the side, he saw Nora Scott standing quietly nearby.
Pedro Langley naturally handed over two hand warmers.
Lowering her eyes for a look, Nora Scott paused momentarily and accepted them.
The old movie was being screened in a family’s yard.
The owner of the house used to show old movies. When the business couldn’t continue, he kept the equipment and would hang a screen in his yard every year before New Year’s to show movies.
It started at dusk, offering free snacks and treats, and it attracted quite a crowd.
The street lights gradually lit up, casting a warm yellow glow. Occasionally, people passed by, full of joy. As the New Year approached, the festive atmosphere in the alley became increasingly palpable.
"Is he your boyfriend? He’s quite a catch."
"It’s been a while since you came over to my house."
The closer they got to the crowd, the more people greeted Nora Scott.
Nora Scott nodded and responded perfunctorily along the way.
As for the speculation about Pedro Langley being her boyfriend, having heard it too often, Nora Scott couldn’t be bothered to explain and simply pretended not to hear.
Leading Pedro Langley to the gate of a family’s house, Nora Scott turned to introduce it to him. Updates are released by 𝚗𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚕·𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚎·𝚗𝚎𝚝
The inside was noisy, with the sound of the movie, lively conversations, children’s shouting, and... unexpectedly, the sound of machines operating.
Pedro Langley peered inside and immediately saw not the people watching the movie on benches in the yard, nor the film on the large screen, but a drone autonomously navigating through the courtyard.
He raised an eyebrow.
Nora Scott also noticed this, her gaze swept across the crowd and found Joseph Sutton by the sugar painting stand.
Wearing plain black-rimmed glasses and nondescript clothing, with a long black coat, Joseph Sutton stood silently in the bustling environment, carrying a serene peace that seemed to separate him from everything around him, creating a world of his own.
"Come, I’ll introduce you to someone."
She tugged Pedro Langley’s sleeve and raised her eyebrows at him with interest.
Following her gaze, Pedro Langley vaguely perceived who she was indicating.
He walked with Nora Scott into the courtyard.
Nora Scott naturally drew attention; her presence was strong. Even before she got close, Joseph Sutton noticed her and glanced over.
Joseph Sutton greeted plainly.
His gaze shifted slightly, pausing briefly on Pedro Langley as he recalled that this person had once picked Nora Scott up from Fenton University. He wasn’t surprised and nodded lightly at him.
Nora Scott asked, "Spending New Year’s here?"
Joseph Sutton’s parents were abroad doing research, and they rarely had the chance to be together. Usually, during winter and summer vacations, Joseph Sutton would go abroad to be with them.
Like Nora Scott, it had been a long time since Joseph Sutton had spent New Year’s here.
"Yes, Michael Quinn he—" He paused, blinked, and said, "Never mind, I’m staying here with my grandfather this year."
"What happened with Michael Quinn?"
Nora Scott keenly sensed something amiss.
"Nothing, he said chances to get together will be scarce in the future, so he asked me to stay this year." Joseph Sutton spoke slowly and steadily.
This reason was convincing, and Nora didn’t doubt it.
For the older generation, spending this New Year together doesn’t guarantee the same for the next. The younger generation has grown up, and everyone is busy with their own lives. Staying home for New Year’s isn’t as common, and those who can come back are few.
When Antonio Easton...
She guessed he wouldn’t be coming back either.
"My friend, Joseph Sutton." Nora Scott introduced Pedro Langley, "He studies drones."
Then she turned to Joseph Sutton and said, "Pedro Langley, he likes drones."