ACT ONE — CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

2021

Taissa, Emily, and Shauna were the first to arrive in the foyer of the high school reunion. Nerves were still in a deep knot within Emily's stomach.

Surprisingly though, she wasn't the one to hesitate...it was Shauna.

"Are you okay?" Taissa asked.

"How is it possible that this is the most scared I've been all day?" Shauna asked quietly.

Taissa let out a very small laugh, "Right?"

"No you guys don't even get it," Emily sighed, "I literally feel like I'm gonna throw up. This is worse than High School."

"Oh my god! Oh hey, girl! Hey! It's been forever! What have you been up to?" Taissa mocked the typical actions of any form of high school reunion with people that probably didn't even like each other then.

"Uh yeah, you know, gardening, PTA," Shauna played along, "dismembering my lover's corpse."

Emily shook her head, "This is totally insane, right?"

"Oh, it certainly is," Taissa wrapped an arm around her best friend, "Let's get this over with."

From behind them the door creaked open, and in waltzed Natalie Scatorccio. Emily's eyes softened even though she was a bit surprised the woman even showed up.

"Wait up!" she exclaimed jokingly.

"Wow!" Taissa held her arms up in surprise.

"I said I would come," Natalie stated, her eyes then moving to Emily, "I made a deal, okay? All right. Let's fucking do this."

Natalie looked gorgeous.

Emily couldn't take her eyes off of the woman.

Natalie tugged one of the gym doors open and Shauna grabbed the other one. The four of them waltzed through the door, Emily instinctively finding her ex-girlfriend's side.

All eyes were on them as they waltzed through the gym, Misty spotting them only moments after their entrance.

"You showed up," Misty spoke to Natalie with a smile.

Emily's eyes scanned the room, the feeling of everyone looking at her made her skin crawl. Nervously, she intertwined her fingers with Natalie's.

Natalie smiled, giving Emily's hand a gentle squeeze.

Misty turned to the rest of the group, "You're all actually here. This is gonna be so much fun. Okay, let's get a picture. Who can take a picture?"

None other than Allie made her way over to them, forcing them into a photo. The flash went off and Emily flinched.

"Are you okay?" Natalie asked, so close that Emily could feel her breath on her skin.

The Jensen woman swallowed, and forced herself to nod, "I'm fine."

"Let's go get some air, ok?" Natalie began to lead her into the much quieter hallway.

The two of them paused in front of a trophy case, younger much more innocent versions of themselves starring back at them through the glass.

"Can you believe we were ever that...clueless? Our biggest worries in the world over some soccer game?" Emily asked, unable to tear her eyes away from the case.

Natalie shrugged, "That was a lifetime ago. Everything's complicated now."

The brunette's eyes fell to Emily, studying her every feature. Emily brought her fingers up to the glass of the case.

"Travis really killed himself...didn't he?" Natalie whispered.

"Oh, Nat..." Emily trailed off, eyes finally reaching the woman.

The Jensen woman could admit that she didn't like Travis, at all. He had been the reason their relationship fell apart in the first place. She did sympathize though, it was awful what had happened to him.

"I'm sorry," Emily gently wrapped her arms around Natalie. It took the woman a second to return her hug, but nonetheless she did.

"I want to try again," Natalie admitted.

Emily's eyebrows tugged together, "What do you mean?"

"With us," Natalie said, "I want to try again."

Emily's heart raced in her chest, as she stared into Natalie's eyes, "Me too."

The blonde's arms wrapped around Natalie's waist and the brunette leaned forward into her. Their lips met in a kiss that Natalie began to deepen.

Emily's back knocked into the wall, and she felt completely breathless.

"Guys— shit sorry," Misty's voice carried through the hallway, Natalie quickly backed away from Emily startled by the interruption.

Misty awkwardly scratched the back of her neck, "um—there's drinks at the table...sorry for—interrupting."

"No um—" Emily started, "We'll uh—be right there."

Once Natalie was out of ear shot, the two women both broke out in a quiet fit of laughter.

"God it's like we were in high school," Emily laughed, still leaning against the wall.

"I know," Natalie laughed and after a few seconds she held her hand out to Emily, "We should get back in there, Emy."

"I know," Emily nodded, taking her hand.

When they reached the table Taissa was speaking, "I swear to God, if one more person tells me I've been in their thoughts and prayers..." a humorless laugh escaped her lips, "I will—"

"I want to make a toast," Natalie interrupted, picking up two of the shot glasses and handing Emily one of them.

"To old friends," she held up the glass tossing it back.

Emily shrugged, also tossing the shot back. Basking in the burning sensation at the back of her throat.

"Can I have everyone's attention please?"

"Oh god," Emily muttered, resisting the urge to roll her eyes.

"Boo!"

"Shut the fuck up, Doug." Allie snapped, "You're a grown man."

She cleared her throat, "WordDefintion.net defines a "reunion" as "a union that is happening again. A convention of friends, relatives, or associates after a period of separation." And indeed, a graduating class will forever be united by their shared high school experience. But as the Wiskayok High Class of '96, we are united by something even greater."

The speech was already annoying the shit out of Emily.

"Together, we went through a tragedy, and tonight, together, I'm hopeful we can finally, truly heal."

The screen switched to a photo of their soccer team. Emily sucked in a breath, she wanted nothing more than for the whole thing to be over.

"But in order to move forward, we must first look back."

A slideshow began to play, and immediately Emily couldn't help but feel sad. A photo of Laura Lee and Van crossed over the screen.

"They were our classmates, our teachers, our friends, but they were more than that. They were strong. They were courageous. They were, and they remain, a true inspiration."

Emily zoned out, tearing her eyes away from the screen, "I'm going to get another drink," she noted quietly.

She reached the bar and ordered a shot, the bartender poured it, "That's you on the screen, right?"

"Yup," Emily drank down the shot, "This party sucks."

The bartender laughed, pouring her another shot, "For good luck."

"Thanks," Emily smiled, taking the final shot.

Allie's voice returned to the speakers, "Now traditionally, we'd end tonight with a dance from our class kind and queen. But while she isn't here with us, I know that this is what Jackie would have wanted."

The spotlight poured out, reaching the table that Emily was making her way back to, "Jeff, Shauna, get up here!"

'Kiss from a Rose,' began blasting through the speakers and Emily's heart dropped. Music had a way of taking you right back to a specific moment.

Emily shook her head, changing directions and walking directly toward the exit. She couldn't take anymore of the reunion. So she left, not uttering a single goodbye.

Author's note:

Drama is always brewing with these people, but it's okay cause we love them anyway. Natalie and Emily have agreed to give it another go! Ash is off searching for Lottie and everything is about to get real interesting.

—Via <3