Not A Big Deal

"Nicolas Petterson! Nick! Oh my god, is that really you?" As he stepped forward, Brad exclaimed, eyes wide with surprise and excitement.

A broad grin spread across Nick’s face as he nodded. "Yes, it’s me! Wow, it’s been what, ten years?"

Ava and Bella exchanged glances, their eyebrows raised in amusement as they watched the two men.

Bella, clearing her throat with a playful cough, said, "Okay, are you going to tell us what’s going on here?"

Brad stepped back from Nick, still beaming as he gestured toward his old friend. "Oh, right. Nick and I went to college together," Brad explained.

Bella smiled and shook her head lightly. "Oh, I see."

Nick, realizing he hadn’t properly introduced himself, extended his hand to Bella and said, "Hi, nice to meet you."

Bella took his hand with a warm smile and replied, "Same here. I'm Isabella Brown, Brad's cousin, and this is my friend Ava."

Nick nodded, turning to Ava with a polite smile, extending his hand to her as well, and said, "Nice to meet you