Ten Years Later
Jogging down my empty street as beads of sweat dripped down my forehead and back. My light brown hair held high in a poly tail swayed back and forth in an even pattern.
Motivating pop music played in my ears as I felt the California sun beating against me. Finally coming to a stop at an intersection, stopping to pant and catch my breath.
"Please tell me you got my emails, Bethany." My publisher said in my earbuds as I answered my phone. "Yes, Rachel. I told you I haven't-" I began to walk closer to my house.
"I need a new book on my desk! People are raving about you! They want more. Please tell me you're at least trying." She said. "Of course, I am. I just have a bit of writer's block is all." I sighed.
"Well then get motivated! We need another sequel, Bethany. Not another children's book." She continued making me cut her off. "I'm getting another phone call I have to go." I lied before hanging up on her before she could reply.
Jogging the rest of the way to my gated house. Gravel crunched against my sneakers as I stumbled to my front door slamming it behind me. Kicking off my sneakers and grabbing my mail that I grabbed from my mailbox earlier.
Tossing it on my kitchen counter as I grabbed a glass of water. Ignoring the occasional bill and fan mail before something caught my eye. There was a pale yellow envelope with the return address of my home town addressed to me. Quickly opening it out of sheer curiosity.
You Are Invited To The Class of 1995
10 Year Reunion at
Sunnyfield High School
Join us for dinner, drinks and catching up!
Saturday June 20th at 6 o'clock
We Look Forward To Seeing You.
"What the hell?" I muttered to myself. "They've got to be joking. Catching up? What's to catch up on?" I continued to myself.
Tossing the invitation in the trash knowing it was just an excuse for everyone to brag and compare their lives to each and everyone else's.
About to head upstairs to take a shower to get a start on my day when my phone rang. Deciding to ignore it assuming it was Rachel again.
After my hot shower to relax my tense muscles from the stress of the pressure of everyone around me. Everyone was wondering when I would have the next sequel to my best selling romance series.
When I came to California for school I was determined to be everything I said I would be and more. Mostly for my own selfish reasons wanting to show everyone in my hometown that I was capable. That I was able to do everything I put my mind to. That all my lonely years of studying and extracurriculars was all worth it.
And it was. I did become everything I ever wanted. I was well known and was finally a New York Times Best Selling Author and every book I wrote flew off the shelves. People begged for more. But now the pressure began to get to me creating the strongest writers block I've ever had. I couldn't for the life of me come up with a quality continuation of my stories and characters beloved by all.
Getting dressed for my children's book reading and signing at the local bookstore. Putting on a tight, dark purple long sleeve shirt with a silk maxi skirt and black kitten heals. Loosely curling my long brown hair applying my makeup before getting the rest of my things to rush to the bookstore.
The crowded bookstore was full of small children and parents watching their children closely as they sat around my feet. Smiling fondly at the adorable, eager, bright eyed children as I read my latest children's book about friendly monsters going on adventures.
Noticing my phone ringing silently in my purse on the ground distracting me for a moment. Silently wondering who it could be since my assistant knew I would be busy right now. And I didn't exactly have any friends here.
During college I preoccupied all my time with schoolwork, never taking any of the opportunities to go to parties and make friends. And now with my busy schedule I couldn't have a social life even if I tried.
A few weeks ago I had just broken things off with my boyfriend after finding out he had been cheating on me. I was devastated and I tried ti use it to help me write my latest novel but it didn't seem to work.
This wasn't exactly the life I was aiming for but I achieved everything I wanted. So, why wasn't I happy?
"What's on your mind, Beth? You seemed a million miles away during that reading." Rachel said as I signed the last books of the parents in line. "Just a lot in my mind I guess."
"I was just invited to my high school reunion. I didn't even know people actually went to those." I laughed it off making her smile.
"Is that the school in the middle of nowhere? Arkansas?" Rachel asked. "Alabama." I corrected. "Whatever. Have you been to visit at all?" She continued curiously since I've never divulged any information about my past with her.
"Just for the holidays." I answered, packing up my things as the bookstore thinned out. "I haven't seen any of the people I went to school with since I moved away." I confessed I was unable to look at her.
"What? Seriously? With your fame and fortune I would jump at the opportunity to flaunt that in everyone's face." Rachel beamed, making me roll my eyes. "I wouldn't be comfortable with that. I'm not used to the fame that this comes with. I should've just become a ghostwriter." I joked making our way out of the bookstore in the harsh thick summer air.
"Oh, come on. At least just think about it. There has to be someone you look forward to seeing after all this time." She grinned flirtatiously before getting into her car.
Ever since graduation, Aaron has never left my mind. Wondering how his life turned out. If he got his dream job as a professional football player or getting the attractive wife he deserved.
Aaron never had set plans like Connie and I. He always lived freely, day by day and only ever did what he wanted that made him happy. I envied that about him. He never cared about what others thought of him; he was just naturally charismatic and intelligent, hiding behind the fake idiotic things he would say or get himself into.
Connie and I stayed in touch for as long as we could but we just got caught up with our lives too busy to continue our weekly phone calls or visits. Only able to see one another when our schedules were convenient.
A part of me wanted to go to the reunion and knew I should. It was the perfect opportunity to see the friends and family I've neglected over the years. And the perfect opportunity to give into my curiosity about Aaron.
I've never fully got over him, especially since we never got to say goodbye. After him and Connie's graduation party he kept his distance. Connie assured me that I didn't do or say anything embarrassing while I was drunk. But still after all these years I still couldn't get over the heartbreak I felt saying goodbye to every else except Aaron. Like our childhood and all the times we shared weren't important enough.
But the insecure little girl inside of me told me I should have expected it of him. The popular, attractive quarterback who dated every single cheerleader and was known all around town. And I was just his little sister's quiet, rude best friend.
I'd like to think I've changed since then. That I've grown just an ounce of the confidence that he had. That I now have the social life and friends everyone craves. But I hadn't. I was still that lonely little girl that was bullied for her glasses and knotted, curly hair. Now she was just buried deep inside me.
I completed all of my dreams and made a name for myself. And maybe most importantly learned how to present myself better. But I still had that ache in my chest that felt like I was still missing something.
Stumbling inside my empty home with brown paper bags full of groceries for tonight's dinner. Making my way to my kitchen to put everything away and start making my favorite pasta.
My hair was thrown in a high bun as I wore a stained apron testing my cheese Alfredo sauce. Grabbing extra garlic when my eyes noticed my reunion invitation sticking out of the trash.
Pouring myself a glass of red wine hoping to calm my rambling thoughts. My phone ringing nearly made me jump out of my skin.
Noticing it was Connie, instantly making me answer it. "Hello?" I smiled. "Beth! Finally, I've been trying to get a hold of you all day."
"Yeah, I-I'm sorry. I've been busy." I said holding the phone to my ear with my shoulder as I made myself a plate of Broccoli Chicken Alfredo.
"Wow, look at you, a fancy L.A woman." She replied amused. "I hope to see you at our ten year reunion. Can you believe it's already been ten years?" Connie beamed.
"No, not at all." It felt longer.
"You did get the invitation right?" She continued making me take a large sip of wine. "Yeah. I'm still debating on going. It's just- I have so much work to do." I said hesitantly.
"What?! Why? No, Beth you have to come. We've been planning this forever. And people are so excited to see you! Everyone here loves your books. We're all so proud of you." Her sweet words brought me some comfort, making me smile.
"I'll think about it." I continued as I began to eat. "You're coming, end of story. Or I will go all the way over there and kidnap you. It's been too long since I've seen you, Beth. So much of the town has changed. We all miss you." Connie continued making me roll my eyes.
"No one even knew me." I laughed. "Maybe not but everyone knows you now."