The sun started to set beyond the mountains and trees of the landscape. A few stray clouds casted over the purple and pink horizon. Darkness would soon set in, leaving the sky with a plethora of diamonds but a shade of doubt. Maybe a summer rain would be in order today? The weather is unpredictable. 

I gazed out my bathroom window for what felt like a century before I found myself back in front of my mirror. I looked pretty nice. I wiggled my nose piercing a bit to adjust it. I had switched it out for a black stud instead of my typical nose ring. It was more subtle and I didn’t want to draw any more attention at this party than I would already.

I had put on my favorite dress shirt, a purple button down. To match the aesthetic, I had worn it with some black dress pants. Tucked in, of course. I didn’t have much for belts and shoes so I wore just simple brown dress shoes and a buckled belt. I made sure to style my hair out of my face.

Geez, I really need to trim my hair. 

Soon, I headed downstairs to meet up with my parents. 

My mom also dressed up. She wore a long red flowy dress that hit her knees. She wore black flats and had her hair up in a gray bun with curls at the sides of her face. I smiled at her, knowing my dad must also be wearing a tie of the same color. They always did that for events--they loved to match. It was endearing to see my parents after all these years be so loving toward one another. 

Susie glanced over at me and had an open mouth kind of smile. She hummed, “I see you’re all dressed up. Maybe to impress some boy?” She winked encouragingly. 

At times like these I was forever grateful for my accepting parents. 

Despite my grinning face I let out a scoff. “Oh please mom, I’m just trying to look my age.” I wanted to defend myself. 

She rolled her eyes and let out a giggle. “Says the same man who rolled into my kitchen in baggy sweats and a pit-stained t-shirt.”

My face reddened in embarrassment. “Wow okay mom.” I shook my head feeling a bit offended. “I drove for over 20 hours and cracked out on energy drinks.” 

She hummed in response, giving me a sideway glance.

It was all playful bickering. The whole time I was smiling and so was she. I love my mom so much.

“Hey you hooligans,” my dad broke into the conversation from the front door. “We have to get going before we’re late.” I spotted his red tie and grinned in response.

“Who are you calling a hooligan?” My mom fake-argued as she approached the door. 

“But you’re my beautiful hooligan,” James whispered lovingly. They both stared into each other’s eyes for a few seconds before sharing a kiss in the doorway. 

When I was younger I would have cringed at their affection, but I now admired it deeply. I was envious of their love and wished to one day have that with someone. 

We soon made our way to the car and drove off to the party.

~;~

Once parked, I noticed that the party really was at the town hall. It looked a hell of a lot better than when I lived here. The entrance in particular held more pristine. The plants and shrubs had been planted professionally and managed just as such. There were tree saplings planted nearby. It really looked like they wanted this place to be cleaned up. 

When we eventually entered, I was cursed with familiar faces--but nothing too familiar. Everyone matched my parents and I’s clothing choices. I saw some of the attendees but they didn’t even look my way. Even if they had, I wasn’t that recognizable. Stef had barely and we were friends in high school. These people were only known by their face, not by name.  

I think I’m safe for now.

I breathed a sigh of relief. 

“Hey No-No, why don’t you go get a drink at the bar?” My mom broke my trance. “You seem tense and I want you to enjoy your evening. Your father and I will be over here if you’d like to rejoin us in a bit.” Susie placed a gentle hand on my shoulder while giving me a sincere smile. 

“Alright mom, that’s a good idea.” I tried to mimic her sincerity. 

“See you in a bit.” 

I waved her off as I found the bar in close proximity. 

The thought of running into Dylan didn’t once slip my mind. I knew with all my heart that tonight might be the night. Despite that, I hoped and prayed, even though I’m agnostic, that I wouldn’t have to have this confrontation this soon into the summer. 

I wish I could just let all of it go but I still care so much about what he said. I hate that I still hold onto his sour words. I want to move on. 

I walked up to the bar and snack station soon after and asked the attendant to grab me a beer. Mmm I don’t recognize this guy. He looks vaguely familiar but I can’t tell where I’ve seen him from. I pondered as I reached into my pocket to grab my wallet. 

His face ruffled with a light layer of facial hair. He had hazel eyes that swirled with a lot of blue hues and dyed hair that was the color of bright red. The color suits him well. He’s very cute. While observing the man in front of me, I noticed a few facial piercings. 

“Sir can I see some ID please?” He spoke without a smile.

I was already in the process of doing what was being asked so I hastily pulled out my Florida driver's license. I watched as the guy’s eyes widened at my ID. He does a double take from glancing between the piece of hard plastic and my face. 

I’m thoroughly confused by this and raise my eyebrows in borderline worry. 

Did he think it was fake?

“Something wrong? It is from out of state.” I managed to say knowing full well that the birth date on each state license is different and sometimes difficult to find. 

“Noah Williams. It has been 8 years since I’ve seen you!” His facial expression was unreadable. 

“I’m sorry, but who are you?” The name tag read ‘Leo’ but I didn’t know someone by the name Leo. 

“Oh, yes,” he paused and handed back my ID. “Of course you’d never recognize me.” 

He turned around to grab my Sam Adams summer seasonal from the cooler. 

He popped it open and handed it to me. 

“I don’t look even remotely the same as when we first met.” He looked almost nervous in the way he spoke. “We did have classes together but you never noticed me much.” 

We did? Leo? It was a pretty small school. Those eyes were familiar though.

“Sorry, you do look familiar but I can’t put my finger on it. Nice to meet you though.” I held out my hand courteously.

He didn’t take my hand, and almost looked at me coldly. “I shouldn’t really be talking to you anyways. Dylan would be pissed.” 

Dylan? Were they friends?

“Oh?” Is all I could manage. Everyone does really know everyone. 

He raised a brow at me. “Yeah?” He questioned back. “You guys were inseparable in high school but then you suddenly disappeared. He’s been waiting for you to come back, Noah.” 

I, for whatever reason, was surprised to hear that. I knew there was a chance he’d wait for me someday but I thought after so long he would have moved on. But that’s foolish, how could he forget 18 years of friendship? What a hypocrite. You were just on about how you couldn’t let go either and here you are asking yourself ‘how can he still be attached?’ You’re an idiot. I groaned internally at myself.

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. “Well, he said some pretty messed up shit back then and that really hurt me.” I had to be honest. I don’t know why I felt compelled to tell him the truth— I hardly knew him. “And I guess while he never moved on from me, I never moved past the venom in his words.”

Leo gave me this strange puzzling look. It almost burned in subtle distaste. “Well, did you ever tell him that he hurt you? He’s pretty clueless as you know. In recent years, I’ve never heard him say anything even remotely hurtful. People change Noah.” He paused to take a sip of his water bottle. “But I guess if we’re going based off high school Dylan, then yes, he was a total douchebag. However, after he dropped out of college he’s really mellowed down and found himself.” 

Dropped out of college? Found himself? Did he have some epiphany? The Dylan I knew didn’t give a shit about anyone or anything besides his mom and me. Are we talking about the same person? Did Dylan have this spiritual awakening while I was gone? Had I driven him to some religious cult? 

My head was a bit jumbled as I spoke. “So he’s like had some awakening?” My face must have been saying it all because Leo bursted into a fit of laughter.

“Dude your face right now.” He laughed even harder when I furrowed my brows. “Oh god Noah, he isn’t some cult nut or some shit. Just after rehab he really started to open up and became rather thoughtful. We work in the same office building.” 

I didn’t say anything. My mind was swimming--almost drowning in questions. Rehab? Huh. What has happened in these 8 years? And he never finished college? 

Leo started to settle down and when he did his eyes grew wide once more. He wasn’t looking at me but almost through me. I watched him curiously as I continued to become swallowed up in my thoughts. I placed my beer down on the counter to ask Leo what was up.

But before I could, I heard my name being uttered just behind me. I froze at the sound. The all familiar sound I hadn’t heard in almost a decade. It was like all the other sounds went silent and only tuned into his.

“Noah? Is that really you?” He spoke once more. That’s when it really started to set in. I slowly moved my heels to twist to the person speaking to me. 

It was Dylan McChan.

His emerald eyes pierced into me with such anxiousness. It sent a shiver down my spine. I gazed into them seeing them glimmer with such sadness. Was he about to start crying? They were brimming with liquid; the area around it was starting to redden. 

Before I could even reply back I was met with the unexpected. Dylan hadn’t hesitated to run towards me and pull me into a tight and desperate hug. 

He muttered into a soft tearful voice, “it really is you Noah.” He wrapped his arms around me tightly. Meanwhile, my arms awkwardly hovered over his torso. 

What the heck is happening?