As I sat flipping through my old school pictures, I couldn\u2019t help but feel a rush of old memories hit me. It had been 20 years since\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As I sat flipping through my old school pictures, I couldn\u2019t help but feel a rush of old memories hit me. It had been 20 years since I graduated, but staring at the photos made it seem like just yesterday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There I was\u2014young Pomeline Hale, with that goofy, wide-eyed grin stuck on my face, and under my yearbook shot, a sappy line I once thought was so deep:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLove takes two to make it real.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I chuckled at how clueless I had been back then, but the laugh faded fast as my eyes landed on his picture. Dorian Reed. My high school crush. The guy who had grabbed my heart for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I had been crazy about Dorian back then\u2014slipping little notes into his locker, fumbling through flirty talks in my clumsy teen way, and even sneaking valentines into his bag when I thought no one saw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was dead sure we\u2019d end up together, that he was the one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I pictured our life so clear, even down to our wedding day. But here I was, 38 years old, still flying solo, and still wondering what had gone wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why had Dorian just cut me off like that right before graduation? He had ghosted me without a word, leaving me lost and crushed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I hadn\u2019t said a peep to him since, but the ache of it still stuck with me, fresh as ever after all this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just as I started sinking deeper into the what-ifs, the doorbell buzzed, yanking me back to now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I set the photo album down and went to open the door. My best pal Kerensa stood there, her usual big smile lighting up her face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSet for the class get-together, girl?\u201d she asked, her buzz catching right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I paused, leaning against the doorframe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHonest, Kerensa, I\u2019m not sure I wanna go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She raised a brow, clearly thrown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy not? What\u2019s up?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I let out a long breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was just digging through old snaps, and it dragged up a bunch of stuff. You know, about Dorian.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kerensa rolled her eyes big time, crossing her arms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDorian Reed? You\u2019re still stuck on that after 20 years?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know it sounds silly,\u201d I admitted, feeling my cheeks heat up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut it still hurts. We were so close, and then he just dropped off like I meant nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kerensa stepped in closer, putting a warm hand on my shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLook, he might not even show tonight. And if he does, don\u2019t let it wreck your fun. This bash is for linking up with old buddies and cutting loose, not digging up old hurts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I forced a grin, trying to shove the doubts aside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right. But if he\u2019s there\u2026 I\u2019ll make sure he sees what he let slip.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kerensa grinned wide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s my girl.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was on edge the whole drive to the reunion. My fingers drummed my knee, and I kept peeking out the window, caught in a storm of feelings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What if Dorian turned up? What if he skipped? Part of me wasn\u2019t sure which would hurt more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My heart sat heavy in my throat, and the closer we got, the harder it was to catch my breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As we pulled up to the spot, I checked my look in the rearview one last time, fixing my hair and smoothing my dress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I couldn\u2019t shake the jitters that clung to me tight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPomeline, you look great. Seriously, quit stressing over Dorian\u2014this night\u2019s yours,\u201d Kerensa said, her voice soft but sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re gonna have a blast, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I gave her a weak smile, but the twist in my gut wouldn\u2019t ease. \u201cThanks,\u201d I mumbled, still fiddling with my hem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut what if he doesn\u2019t come? I feel dumb getting all riled up over this. It\u2019s been forever, Kerensa.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re not dumb,\u201d Kerensa said, rolling her eyes like I\u2019d said something wild.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTruth is, if he shows, don\u2019t waste breath on him. Let him spot what he missed, and we make this about us, not him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her spark lit mine, and for a second, I felt steadier. We climbed out and headed for the door, but every step made my pulse thump louder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The school rose up ahead, unlocking a flood of flashbacks\u2014good ones, tough ones. I couldn\u2019t believe I was stepping back into that old world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reunion felt like a trip back in time. Old faces waved us over, folks I hadn\u2019t seen in ages, some barely changed, others I hardly knew now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Laughter bounced around as buddies swapped stories and hashed out the glory days. I started to loosen up, even enjoying it, until I spotted him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dorian Reed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My heart flipped hard as I saw him across the room. He looked different\u2014older, sure, but still that rough charm I remembered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A neat beard now, and the minute our eyes crossed, he smiled. A real, easy one that knocked me off guard. All the buried mad and questions rushed up quick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why\u2019d he ice me out back then? Why leave me hanging with nothing?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before I could move\u2014or even sort the mess inside\u2014Kerensa grabbed my arm, tugging me the other way gentle but firm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStick to what I said,\u201d she whispered, voice steady. \u201cNo talk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay,\u201d I muttered, trying to follow her lead, but part of me screamed to face him, to grab the answers I\u2019d waited on for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Later that night, after we\u2019d chatted with more old classmates, Kerensa knocked her drink all over her skirt. \u201cDarn it!\u201d she yelped, staring at the wet spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis was new! Hold on, Pomeline, gotta clean this up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I watched her rush to the bathroom, leaving me alone for the first real stretch that evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I glanced around, feeling a bit lost without Kerensa there. The party hummed on\u2014laughs, music\u2014but I suddenly needed air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Without thinking, I slipped out to the quiet bench in the schoolyard, my old favorite hideout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was the spot where I\u2019d sit after classes, lost in dreams or jotting notes. Tonight, it felt like the right place to clear my head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I sat down, eyes shut for a beat, letting the cool night air brush over me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
High school memories poured in\u2014how free I\u2019d felt, how full of hope. Then the Dorian ones. I shook my head, trying to push them off, but they hung on, like always.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Suddenly, I heard steps behind me. I blinked open and turned to see Dorian walking over, his easy smile lighting his face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHey, Pomeline,\u201d he said, voice warm but careful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDorian,\u201d I got out, pulse racing fast. \u201cIt\u2019s been ages.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt has,\u201d he said, stopping a few feet from the bench. \u201cWasn\u2019t sure you\u2019d wanna chat. You\u2019ve dodged me all night.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I let out a nervous laugh, words caught. \u201cWasn\u2019t clear you\u2019d wanna after how it ended senior year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dorian looked truly puzzled. \u201cEnded how? I thought you bailed after that note.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNote?\u201d I repeated, brow creasing. \u201cNever saw a note, Dorian.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He sighed, face turning serious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI wrote you one asking to the park for a date. Slipped it in your locker, and when you didn\u2019t show, I figured no go. Thought that\u2019s why you dropped off.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I shook my head, totally floored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDorian, no note reached me. Thought you quit cold. Couldn\u2019t figure what I did wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before Dorian could reply, more steps sounded. Kerensa showed up, looking rattled, cheeks a bit red.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s this talk?\u201d she asked, a nervous edge in her voice I\u2019d missed before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKerensa,\u201d I said slow, pieces clicking. \u201cYou know about Dorian\u2019s note to me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her face went white, and for a second, she looked ready to brush it off. But Dorian stepped up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKerensa, you handed me her answer. Said she passed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I turned to Kerensa, gut dropping as I saw the shame in her eyes. \u201cThat true?\u201d I asked, voice shaky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kerensa looked down, face burning with regret and sorry. \u201cI\u2026 got jealous,\u201d she whispered, barely loud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI liked Dorian, didn\u2019t want you two pairing up. Figured you\u2019d let go if the note stayed hidden.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My chest squeezed with shock and anger mixed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou tricked us both? Wrecked it all over jealousy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Kerensa whispered, eyes filling up. \u201cNever figured it\u2019d linger this long. Just didn\u2019t wanna lose you either.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGet lost, Kerensa,\u201d I said, voice trembling under years of pent-up hurt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Kerensa rushed off, a mix of sad, mad, and relief hit me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dorian stepped closer, arms pulling me into a soft hug. I leaned in, feeling the warmth I\u2019d missed all these years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll this time,\u201d I whispered, voice cracking, \u201cthought you didn\u2019t care.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dorian sighed, voice gentle. \u201cThought the same about you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For a moment, we stood there quiet, holding on, letting the old weight slip away slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t fix the past,\u201d Dorian said, voice calm, \u201cbut we pick what\u2019s next.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I looked up at him, wiping tears with a small smile. \u201cYou\u2019re right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We spent the rest of the night on that old bench, talking and laughing. We\u2019d lost so much time, but I felt sure we wouldn\u2019t waste more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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