Strings Attached

14

"Alright, well, at least I don't sleep with a stuffed animal," Paige taunted as she grabbed the stuffed bunny that had been on Lana's bed.

"Lucy is none of your business," she shot back jokingly.

But before the two could jab at each other any longer, footsteps could be heard approaching the room.

"Okay, guys, we have places to be and people to see, so let's get moving," Maddie asserted.

"Where are we going first?" Paige asked.

"Oh, don't you worry, blondie, I've got a whole itinerary," Maddie said, quite the character. Paige just grinned, turning to leave but not before tossing one last look at Lana, her curiosity still piqued.

The trio made their way down the stairs and out the front door, stepping into the crisp air of the small town that had once been Lana's world. The sun was beginning its descent, casting a warm orange glow over the streets. It felt strange to be back—strange and familiar all at once.

Lana shrugged. "It's a small town. You'll see everything in a couple of hours."

Paige, who had been silent until now, raised an eyebrow. "Oh, come on. There has to be something interesting here. The last time I was in a place like this, the best part was the local diner and this creepy alley where high schoolers went to hook up."

"Sounds like a good time," Maddie said, laughing. "But we can start with the diner. It's the only place open before seven."

They made their way to the diner, a small retro building with a neon sign flickering above the door. As they walked in, the smell of coffee and frying bacon hit them. It was the kind of place where everyone knew each other, where the waitress seemed to have a sixth sense for what you wanted before you even sat down.

As they sat, the waitress, who looked like she'd been working here for decades, approached. "Well, well, if it isn't Miss Basketball," she said, her tone warm. "I didn't expect to see you back so soon."

Lana smiled awkwardly. "Just passing through, I guess."

The waitress winked. "Well, we've got your usual ready whenever you're ready for it."

Paige leaned in, curiosity sparked. "What's the usual?"

Lana chuckled softly. "Pancakes with extra strawberries and bacon with maple syrup. Never fails."

They placed their orders, and as they waited, Lana couldn't help but feel the eyes of the town on her. It was like everything had stayed the same, but she had changed. The feeling of being both a part of and apart from the place was heavy, and she had a sudden urge to leave—to escape it all again. But she stayed, watching as Maddie and Paige joked around, pointing out things on the menu with exaggerated enthusiasm.

"So, what's next?" Paige asked after a while, her eyes scanning the diner's walls. "Is there a park, or like a secret hangout spot I need to know about?"

Lana hesitated, thinking for a moment. "I'll show you the park," she finally said, not wanting to let the moment slip away. "It's a few blocks down. And there's a lake nearby if we feel like walking."

They finished their meal quickly, and after paying the bill, they headed out into the late afternoon light.

As they made their way to the park, Lana pointed out familiar landmarks: the old library on the corner, the small bookstore where she'd spent hours picking out novels, and the tiny ice cream shop that had once been her favorite after-school stop.

Lana stopped near the old basketball court. The worn-out hoops still stood, though the court had clearly seen better days. "This is where I spent a lot of time. My friends and I used to come here after school to practice. I think I even got my first basket here."