May 20 2018
Join your old classmates for a night of fun and nostalgia.
Party starts at 5PM with cocktails in the cafeteria,
followed by a slideshow of the returning class.
We hope to see you there! Don't forget to wear your
2000's attire, this is a throwback party after-all.
She picked up the invitation one more time, debating if she really wanted to go. She hadn't been one of the preppy kids, she didn't have the big career to show off like she knew some of her old friends would, but she had a fair share of old companions that she'd like to see and, hopefully, vise versa. Of course, there were some that she was not particularly excited to see. The popular frienemies that kept her around just to have someone to poke fun at. There were some of the teachers that were cruel to her just because she was honest about the fact that she was a stoner.  I could have lied like the rest of them, she thought. But of course, the one that took up the most worry in her mind was him. She did so desperately want to know how he was doing though. Her old obsession.She'd checked in on him through Facebook and such through the years but that only tells you the glamour moments of life. How was he doing? What had he really been up to these past 10 years? And most desperately, would he even remember her or care?
As quickly as she could, perhaps fueled by curiosity at this point, she put such thoughts out of her mind and continued getting ready. Even if he wasn't there or didn't care, there were certainly others she'd enjoy letting eat their heart out at what they missed. The curiosity was too strong. She was going!
Before she could change her mind, she got dressed in her best outfit that actually still fit, did the little bit of makeup she was comfortable wearing, had her hair down and straight in true 2000's fashion, she was as ready as she could be for this. So she collected her things and went out to her husband and daughter.
"Are you sure you're good to watch her tonight? She just cleared that cold. I know she's not been easy to get to sleep." she asked while collecting her keys.
"Do you think you'll be gone until bedtime?" he asked
"It's hard to say. The prep squad always went all out back in the day but how much of a party can you make in a cafeteria? I'll try to get home in time if I can" She replied.
"Ok. I guess I just don't see why it's adults only." he stated.
"Agreed. They have to know most of the class has kids now." she said. "But hopefully I can get in and out quickly and still see everyone I want to."
She kissed her husband, kissed her daughter on the forehead and was out the door with an "I love you."
The drive there was just as she remembered, aside from a few new houses or forgotten houses. She took the same short-cuts she used to, admired the same trees and yard decor that'd always been there; not much had changed, it seemed. When she arrived at her old school, however, she did not take much comfort in how little things had changed. Some happy memories came flooding back but more than anything was the pit in her stomach that something could go wrong in coming back here, back where she herself had made so many stupid mistakes.
Walking in, she tried to shake this feeling, and for the most part was able to upon seeing the crowd. They were all actually intermingled. All the jocks were hanging with the old punks and stoners, the JROTC crowd was mixed in with everyone, even the popular prepsters were catching up with the whole crowd. It was enlightening to see those that used to give each other such grief actually getting along.
She made her way over to the drink table and picked out a nice light vodka drink and got to mingling. Coming first to her old running pacer, still as fit as ever, they exchanged pleasantries about life and fitness. Next she ran into some of the old stoner crowd and it was refreshing to see that they'd grown up a bit. For the most part, people were doing just as expected. They'd settled down, had kids, advanced their careers, some had gone into the forces, the usual stuff. Probably the most interesting was her old wrestling buddy who had a total of 6 kids and ran an in-home school on top of raising them. Just thinking about how busy that household must be was dizzying to her.
She'd made her way over to another JROTC friend when she heard it, that laugh, that sultry but poisonous voice, it was him. He had come. He wasn't even in her class, she thought. What was he doing here. Was his wife in her class? She tried to remember but couldn't place it. They didn't have any classes together if she was in the same grade. Desperately, she tried to form the connection of how and why he was actually here, but couldn't get there before they came up behind her.
"Hey shorty" he said, as if greeting an old friend.
Her heart raced, beating out of her chest. What should I even call him now, she thought? I don't know his actual rank now. That's how she saw him though, as her old Commander and the Captain of the JROTC team she was on. After what felt like an eternity but was truly just a few seconds of her staring, dazed, she said, "Hi, Paul!"
A few more seconds passed before she realized she should greet his wife as well but she couldn't remember her name, or at least how to pronounce it. She extended her hand and added, "Hi, again...."
His wife re-introduced herself after catching on that she was having trouble remembering. They exchanged other quick pleasantries before she quickly exited to get a drink, but not before giving him a glare while rushing off.
"What was that about" she thought to herself. Then she noticed her other friends had wandered off and she was alone, with him, right where they'd first met so many years ago. Images flashed in her mind and a flush began to hit her cheeks. She tried desperately to put it out of her mind but, it seemed, he had not changed much either.
He looked down at her, with the same glance he used to give when he was drawing her in, and asked, "So what have you been up to? You don't seem to have changed much. The same outfit and everything. You took the whole dress for the decade thing seriously, huh?"
He was still glancing down at her with that slight hint of suggestion like he used to. She tried to keep her composure and ignore it as she answered, "Not much. Actually settled down with a hubby and kid if you'd believe it." She waited a minute before adding, "And you don't seem to have changed much either" she glanced at his wife, who was as young and sultry as ever.
"Well, we actually are getting a divorce soon. It's all just as well though, I've had my fun with her anyway." he replied.
Geez, he really hasn't changed, she thought. She should get away from this toxic guy immediately! She rolled her eyes before responding, "well that's pretty fucking rude to your wife. She always seemed like the type to actually be able to reel you in." She turned to walk away but upon noticing that the cafeteria had mostly cleared out, she noticed too that his wife had disappeared.
"Not so fast he said" while grabbing her by the wrist firmly. "I actually wanted to talk to you about something."
"So talk" she replied, getting heated.
"Well, I had hoped we could be civil about this but.....do you remember that letter you gave me right before I left?" he prodded.
Her heart sank to the floor. She'd almost forgotten about that letter. That damning letter that a fool of a naive girl had written. Why had she written that letter? She could have just taken him to the side and said all she needed to say. WHY?
"Wha...what of it" she stammered, all the intimidation she'd once felt coming back like a tidal wave.
"Well, again, I HAD hoped you'd be cooperative but it looks like we'll have to do things the hard way" he stated before continuing "I'll put it quite plainly. I want you outside by the portables and stripped down in 10 minutes or THAT letter will be on the slideshow in 20. Your choice."
"I'm not going to just go outside, get naked, and let you have your way with me, Paul. Who do you actually think you are that you can just demand that of someone?" she stated angrily.
"I didn't demand. I said, you have a choice. I'm sure there are plenty in your class that'd love to reminisce in your old desires. Do you need to read the letter again to remember just how graphic it was?" he said as he drew the letter from his pocket.
"No!" she quickly replied, shoving his hand down to hide it. "But seriously, you can't think I still feel any of that now. This would be rape. I don't care what a 10 year old letter says!"