She wanted to look every bit as feminine as people expected her not to be. Tonight was going to be a night for challenging herself to just let go and be herself. No strings attached. What you see if what you get. And, maybe in the process challenge what some others had thought about her in years gone by.
The little black dress that seemed like such a good idea when she went shopping, now felt as if it was too sexy for a class reunion. She shook her head. The little girl who had always been just one of the boys had grown up, and while she was comfortable in her own skin, she was a little nervous how others who had known her for years would see her.
Her honey colored curls pinned back away from her face and cascading down her bare back. She carefully dabbed a little gloss on her already succulent lips, and batted her piercing green eyes at the reflection of the woman that stood before her.
She slipped her toes into the beautiful black and ivory heels that she had just found on a recent trip to the city. At nearly six foot tall, she was always the tallest girl in school, so there was no way to go unnoticed, so she had figured if people were going to notice anyway, why not make a statement.
As she walked across the room, she caught her reflection in the full length mirror by the door. For the first time ever, she seemed happy with what she saw. Taking a moment to admire herself, a wry smile crept over her lips. Let them still see me as one of the boys, now!
Purse in hand, she closed the door to her hotel room and walked down the hall towards the elevator. The hallway felt like her own personal cat walk, and while not making eye contact with anyone, she knew that they were looking at her as she made her way to the elevator. A sea of whispers came cascading out of an open door as she walked by, making her a little more nervous.
She stepped into the waiting elevator, and took it down to the first floor, where the restaurant that her high school had taken over was located. The elevator doors opened, she inhaled sharply, and stepped out. Here goes nothing.
*****
He brought the cigarette to his lips to take one last breath before going into the reunion. What am I even doing here? He had never liked crowds, nor most of the people he went to school with, but he knew the group of guys that he had been friends with since he was a kid would be there, most with their wives, and he was alone, but still, it would be good to see them again and catch up. Being that this was a multi-year reunion there was a pretty good chance he would actually see a few people that he was friends with all those years ago.
Screw this... He lit another cigarette, and leaned against the outside wall of the hotel. From here he could get an idea as to who was coming and going, and decide when he was ready to go in. The wind was starting to pick up, and the sky had that look to it, heavy with clouds, that usually meant there was snow on its way.
He continued to watch as people hurried past him to get into the hotel. Some faces he recognized, others must have been a bit younger than him since he hadn't the foggiest idea as to who they were. Finally, he saw a familiar face. The two shared a quick glance, and a nod acknowledging the other. Each flicked his cigarette away, and went into the lobby. Jay was thankful that his friend had arrived since he now knew he wouldn't be the only one to go at it alone. Tonight was for catching up with old friends, nothing more.
Once inside, the sea of people was reminiscent of every other high school event he had ever been too. People had fallen into their little cliques and it was as if time not only stood still, but began to run in reverse. By the bar, there was a group of guys from the old neighborhood. A good place to start the night, so he walked over.
*****
She stepped off the elevator, and instantly jumped back in time about 15 or so years. Suddenly, she felt anxious about being at the reunion alone. Maybe she should have asked one of the guys from work to go with her just so she would have someone to talk to all night. Every insecurity from high school came flooding back. She suddenly felt awkward and unsure of herself. The confidence that she had moments earlier was being sucked out of her.
Her eyes darted around the room, and she finally saw a group of guys from the old neighborhood near the bar. Didn't look like their wives were with them, and they seemed to be laughing and having a good time. She didn't want to interrupt their fun, so she continued to take it all in as she walked towards the bar, faking confidence and hoping that no one would notice how uncomfortable she now was. You can do this, Sarah.
"What's your pleasure?" the bartender asked as she slipped into a seat.
"Shot of Patron, and a glass of merlot." Hopefully the shot would get her over the nerves she was feeling right now.
The bartender smiled as he got her the drinks. Placing the shot in front of her, "Guess reunions aren't you're thing."
She smiled warmly, picked up the glass and brought the ice cold libation to her lips, tilted her head back and let it pour down her throat. The warmth radiated through her and she felt a blush come over her cheeks. "Not exactly," she laughed as she now took the wine glass in her hand, and took a single sip.
She continued to sip the blood red liquid from the glass. Its warmth the perfect compliment to her being alone. Maybe she'd just sit here a little longer and then go back to her room and call it a night. Technically, she attended the reunion, so who cares if she didn't get to talk to anyone. The bartender came over to refill her glass. "Mind if I ask why you haven't gotten up to join everyone else?"
Looking around the room, she realized that most people had gone into the restaurant area and were no longer out by the bar. "I think I like my company here a bit more." She smiled at the bartender, and the two began to laugh. "I don't know why I even came to this thing to be honest with you. I wasn't one of the popular girls, and only had a small group of friends, whom I haven't seen in years. I'd probably be better off had I stayed home."
He pulled out two shot glasses, and poured another round of the tequila. "Maybe you just need a little more confidence." He handed her the glass, kept the other for himself, and smiled.
She raised the glass, "To confidence," and they both drank.
She slowly, cautiously, stood up, wine glass in hand, and walked towards the main party going on in the next room. Her head was starting to feel a little clouded from the two shots of tequila and the red wine. Looking over her shoulder at the bartender, she flashed a quick smile before disappearing into the sea of people.
She looked around the room for a familiar face, and locked eyes with Julia, her dear friend since they were young girls. The two women embraced, and were genuinely happy and excited to see one another. They started to giggle like to school girls as they kibitzed about the other people in the room. Pointing and laughing, no one was off limits.
