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Reunion Weekend

xavierrol

xavierrol

Old Dog, New Tricks
Supporter
Joined
Aug 24, 2013
Location
Ohio
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The resort was new, built since their 2013 graduation from high school. But the beach was known to some of the more adventurous students, the scene of many parties. Campfires on the beach, make out sessions, the kind of things the popular kids of school would fondly remember.

Now it was all commercial, groomed to perfection, a fitting symbol of the up and coming town of their youth. Something of an unspoken expectation that the former students returning had improved themselves accordingly.

Like many reunions, this one was run by those for which high school was the high water mark of their lives. Xavier was not one of these people. However, as a local figure working for the city where he grew up, he was known by many of them. So there he was, hanging decorations, and mementos under the direction of Brianna Cole whom the years had made no less annoying.

In reality, Xavier would have just assumed skip the whole affair but he wasn't always good at saying no. But then there were a few that he had to admit he was curious about.

It was Friday night, the opening night of what was a weekend of get togethers, cash bars, and whatever else the former classmates decided they wanted to do to catch up as they neared the closing years of their 20s.

Having to be unfashionably early, he grabbed a drink and headed out to one of the balconies to watch the waves roll gently onto the fine sand. He had heard a few things, some had made it big, some had fallen under the radar, most were just making their way the best they could. Xavier figured he was one of this last group, he hadn't realized much of what he wanted, but he was doing ok. Of course that was a matter of perspective.

@lthrbondage and @Spitfire Feel free to post when you are ready.

@AndNich123 and @Lady2USEhumiliatedCUMtarget looking forward to your character posts before you jump into the story. (It's a site requirement.)
 
Also expected early was the Prom Queen. Heather stood on the balcony with a cognac in one hand and a vape pen in the other. With a sigh, she leaned onto the railing and pondered how the weekend was going to go. Brianna was already getting on her nerves. The judgment over the fallen star that was Heather Simpson was palpable from the other woman. Not only was this the first time being away from her son for more than a double shift at a time, she was nervous about how this was all going to go.

Seeing Xavier, she gave him a smile and a short wave. Not overly friendly, but not unwelcoming. If he wanted to come talk, she was open to it. If he preferred space and quiet, she wasn't going to invade it.
 
Xavier waved back to Heather and paused awkwardly. He was one of the many that had seen her topless in her new job. He was quite likely more embarrassed by that than perhaps she was as he didn't really think of himself as a regular client. He had gone to the club to celebrate a coworkers promotion, a rowdy (mostly) boys night out. He had been stunned to see her face and regretted that his eyes hadn't stopped there. Well regret might be the wrong word, she was stunningly beautiful after all, always had been. More ashamed at himself for looking, in his memory it felt like he had ogled her, though in reality it had only been a moment and it was largely reflexive. He shouldn't have been surprised, Heather was the reason half the guys had insisted on going to the club that night as it was shortly after she had returned. Even in a room of pretty, half naked women, Heather was a standout.

He smiled and walked over to her. "I'd welcome you back but it has been a couple years now hasn't it?" He asked, his voice a bit nervous as he tried to keep his eyes on hers and not let them fall to the deep cleavage of her red dress. He had also heard about her son and all that it implied about at least one of her sexual relationships. Like most of the guys in his class, he had considered Heather out of his league. If her current occupation as a stripper had brought her down from that pedestal, it didn't feel that way as he looked at her.

@Spitfire
 
When she had seen him at the club, she wasn't embarrassed in the slightest. It was a job like any other and she was a professional. However, she'd have been lying if she said the awkwardness of the moments she saw former classmates, or their fathers, wasn't a bit amusing to her. She did find it a bit sad that it seemed like she ruined his good time, which was why she sent another girl over to give him special attention and stayed mostly on the other side of his group to give him space. Of course there were others who weren't so kind when speaking to her, as if she'd fallen so far from grace as to be a mere object to be ogled and mocked. Funny how people will pay for a service then belittle the people who provide it.

It wasn't surprising to her that Xavier wasn't among those types. He'd always seemed very respectful of girls in school. Still, she often thought about the slight crush she had on him then and how he'd grown to be exactly the kind of stand-up guy people expected. Besides, if they'd put out a firefighter calendar, she was sure hers would stay on this month for a little longer than thirty days.

"Yeah," she said with a nod and a chuckle, "I guess it has. Doesn't feel like that long but time flies when you have a kid, right?" With a sigh, she shook her head, "Feels like I should've caught up with more people by now but not everyone returns my calls these days. Can't blame them though. Hard to face the woman whose breasts are in your husband's face once a week." She gave Brianna a sly glance and raised a brow at Xavier. There's no such thing as stripper-patron confidentiality but she usually tried to keep things quiet so as to avoid stirring up trouble for herself.

"What have you been up to? Besides being a hometown hero with your fire buddies." Yep. She checked up on him after seeing him there. "Kids? Wife?" Shrugging, "Husband?" Clearly she hadn't checked too incredibly deep.

@xavierrol
 
You know when you take a shower, and you get out, only to see your reflection in the fogged-up mirror? That's what being back home was like. You know the reflection is you. It resembles you, but it's blurry. Yeah. Blurry. Everything seemed so strange. In some parts of town, it was as if time had stopped. Certain buildings, and the feelings inside, were all the same as they had been years ago. In other parts of town, much like the resort, time had clearly marched on. Commercialism is clearly at its best. All for the money. It reminded her all too well of her father and his beloved company. She had even gone by when she got into town and gazed up at the big black letters. Barron's. She had sighed and shook her head at the very sight of it. Even from outside, it made her back straighten, as if her father's words were echoing in her mind. "Stand up straight. Don't slouch." She could feel the tension without entering the building. That was as far as she wanted to go. She would visit her father. A few streets away, behind an iron gate, stood his headstone. Her father had passed. He had passed while away on business. His wishes were implicit. No services. Work was to carry on. His company was to be handed over to his only child. Of course, she didn't want it. So she had appointed someone to run things in her place. Still, the guy checked up constantly. He was cute that way she guessed. She had touched his headstone and whispered softly, "Hi Dad. I always wanted to call you that, but you said it sounded so mundane, so common, and you were anything but common. I was anything but common." The words, the memory, drew a smile from her lips. She left him a single rose, red of course. It was distinguished, or so he would say. Personally, she preferred daises. They were so underrated and just as beautiful.
She had arrived at the venue, taking her time to walk down to the beach. It was great. With a grin, she said, "I finally made it here." She had wanted to go when she was in school but there was never any time, and she wasn't part of the right crowd to go. "Better late than never." She didn't stay too long for fear of giving in to her desires and rushing into the water fully clothed. The perky person in charge of this event had reached out to her, inquiring if she would be willing to perform. She had never responded. Still, her violin was close by just in case. If she was honest, she was glad it was.
When she entered this feeling of nostalgia washed over her. Cheesy music from her teenage years, expecting to see classmates and teachers rounding the corner at any moment, the sounds of basketballs bouncing in the gym, sneakers squeaking against the gym floor, and the teacher's whistle blowing filled her mind. She could almost smell the sweat from the gym, and in her mind, she pictured the cafeteria, with its air-conditioned atmosphere and chilled....fruit cups. Yeah. Fruit cups. Banners hanging in the halls, posters for class president, when everybody some perky cheerleader or football jock would win. It was all a popularity contest anyway. Prom tickets and promposals. Oh, how she had thought they were so dumb. Of course that was only because she didn't get one. It was okay. She had spent that night with Jake. Jake. She hadn't thought of him in a while. Her father had loved him as a mechanic, but when he found out Jake was tuning up more than his cars, he made him go away. This space had nothing to do with high school, and yet....it did. Somehow it managed to capture it. She heard a vibrant voice call out, and a face with a hand attached waved. Returning the wave, she made her way over to the bar. "Whiskey on the rocks, Johnny Walker Black if you got it. He's one of my favorite men," she teased with a wink. With a glass in hand, she turned and leaned against the bar. It was then she noticed the pair outside. 'Oh my goodness. Would you look at that. Is that....No. It can't be,' she thought. She had heard the stories. The guy running the company had told her about hometown news. 'And is that..hometown hero boy? Jockmaking the world a safer place. There's a story with a happy ending. Well, if he's happy that is.' She didn't want to just barge in on them and intrude on their conversation. She would wait for her moment, her opening, to see how the two of them were doing. Though she was sure they couldn't see her, she raised her glass in a toast to the two of them.
 
Terry paused outside, feeling nervous for the first time. He looked down at what he was wearing and regretted it - too bold a statement? What if people laughed? For a moment he was that shy nerd again, being ignored or abused by the jocks and the popular kids. He clenched his fists as the old angers and frustrations built up and heard the creak of the leather shirt as his biceps curled under it. He wasn't that little kid anymore. He was strong, fit and dammit he was a success.

He stepped inside and picked up his name-badge, glad to see that the girl beside the desk was surprised - and then that she checked him out. He smiled at her - couldn't for the life of him think who she was and made polite conversation before moving on.

Terry had no-one that he had planned to speak to, so he slowly walked over to the bar, aware that he was getting some stares and comments. He saw the group of aging jocks in one corner, most having let themselves go since school but for tonight they thought themselves back at the top of the heap. A group on a table that were chattering and giggling were surely the cheerleaders. Some seemed vaguely familiar, but no-one he recognised.

Terry realised that they were as unfamiliar to him as he was to them. As he ordered a drink at the bar, he mentally reviewed the research he had done before arriving and started to look around for people that he recognised and could talk to.
 
"You look great." He said in clear sincerity and with enthusiasm as he genuinely was glad to not only see her but actually talk to her this time. "But then you always did." He said, remembering his own bit of a crush on the prom queen. He shrugged his shoulders at her point about having a kid. "I wouldn't know on that part, how old is he now?" He asked, his interest more than being polite as he had always planned on having a family and as he neared 30 thought it might be time to settle down.

He nearly spit out his drink when she talked of her tits in husband's faces and he followed her eyes towards Brianna. "Really? A regular huh?" He quickly looked back at Heather as he felt a pang of sympathy for Brianna and an unexpected tinge of jealousy towards her husband Stewart. He winced as he realized his own eyes were deep in Heather's cleavage and quickly looked up again, hoping she hadn't noticed.

"Yes saving kittens in trees keeps me pretty busy." He said with a laugh, not really feeling he was the hero type despite his job. It actually gave him quite a bit of free time which he enjoyed. "Neither so far." He responded as to wife and kids and gave her a sideways glance at her 'husband' comment. "So what else have you been up to besides making Stewart's week?" He asked as he finished his beer and listened to her response.

"Should we go mingle together?" He asked, offering her an arm if she so chose. "I need another beer first though." He said as he headed to the bar where two faces he knew he should recognize but couldn't quite put names to were getting drinks. "Good evening, welcome back." He said to both as he was beginning to think maybe name tags would have been a good idea even though Brianna had said they weren't necessary.

They didn't look like a couple except they were both dressed kind of oddly. He debated introducing himself, but opted to just go with the greeting and hope names came to him. He was pretty sure they hadn't stayed local, but couldn't be positive. He set his empty bottle on the bar and nodded to the bartender for another. He would have to pace himself if he was going to avoid making a fool of himself, but he craved a bit of a buzz for the evening ahead of him. He could feel that hint of awkwardness already, but hoped it would pass. He extended his hand to both, gentle for the girl, more firm for the guy as was his custom. "Are you playing tonight?" He asked, suddenly wondering if maybe she was the entertainment more than a classmate but still he thought her eyes were familiar. He hadn't remembered hearing about a musician, but he hadn't really looked at the agenda that carefully, being certain Brianna would tell him what was needed when.
 
Terry watched as Xavier and - wow, damn, that's Heather Simpson - approached him. He smiled to himself - some things didn't change. The Prom Queen hanging out with one of the jocks - no surprise there. It was clear that Xavier couldn't remember Terry or the woman he was stood near. Terry went to point at his name-badge and realised that it must have fallen off.

"Hi guys - Terry. Terry Bronson."

He paused long enough to allow them to pretend to remember him. "Don't worry if you don't remember me - we didn't exactly move in the same circles."
 
"He's three, almost four but I'm not quite ready for that," shrugging. "Life is... just work and the kid. My whole world." She follows his gaze to the woman who looks familiar and the man who does not. "Sure. Might as well make the greetings now. Brianna did tell me I should try to be pleasant." With a smile, Heather takes Xavier's arm, "She also told me to do my best to keep my hands to myself but how could I be expected say no to being on the arm of such a handsome man?" When you're a dancer, it's hardly your hands people need to be concerned with.

Throwing a smile to the pair as they approached, she wracked her brain to remember the faces. Hers was just there but his was miles off. Heather kept herself from tossing back the drink and ordering another, choosing instead to sip slowly. Being sloppy drunk on night one wasn't going to win her any positive attention from these people. She did find herself hoping that Xavier wasn't the only one who chose to be nice to her knowing what she did for a living.

She blinked, "Marty? Wow. You look amazing." The compliment was genuine. "It's like you haven't aged a day." Not one for fake hugs, Heather held her hand out to shake before looking to Terry and doing the same. "It's nice to see you again."
 
Above the low hum of the gathering of people who had arrived, she became aware someone was a bit closer than the tables full of strangers. She diverted her attention for a moment, long enough to take in the sight of this man, this man she was sure she did not attend school with. Had she, she would have heard about him for endless hours from Tessa. She only had time to raise one eyebrow before the voices took her attention away. It was the hometown hero and....oh boy.

Xavier spoke and extended his hand. She took hold, firm but not overly firm. This wasn't some corporate take-over or even an accounting meeting. It was Xavier. She had been under the bleachers plenty of times, watching him run his plays or score the winning shot at the buzzer. She had to admit, she admired his skills on the field and the court. Beyond that, she had no real knowledge of who he was.

She smiled at Heather's words. "Honestly, you don't look like you've aged a day as well. Seems we've found the secret to youth," she teased. Memories of the atrocious things her best friend had done to this girl flooded her mind. Tessa had broken into the principal's office, taken over the intercom system, and proceeded to tell the entire school about how Heather had been seen 'doing it' under the bleachers at the game on Friday night. She talked about how she had been with a teacher, even gave a name, knowing full well that Heather liked him strictly as a teacher and nothing more. She talked about anything and everything she could think of to degrade and humiliate her, right down to seeing her chest size and how it wasn't anything to be proud of. When the principal finally got inside his office, she then proceeded to pretend as if he was touching her in an inappropriate way, going so far as to moaning as if they were having sex. It resulted in her getting kicked out of school, only to be brought back because of who her father was. The principal and teacher were investigated and eventually fired. Tessa would go on to spray paint slut on Heather's locker, egg her car, as well as egging her house. The lengths she would go to make Heather's life unpleasant didn't seem to have many boundaries. Standing here she could help herself. "I'm sorry," she told her. "I know high school wasn't always fun or easy, but we survived. She was my best friend, and I didn't stand up to her. I couldn't. Still can't. I'm sorry. You didn't deserve any of that." She hoped her apology would be accepted. "As for perfo, I don't know. I was asked to, but I haven't made up my mind yet. You know I still do that??"

His voice drew her attention like lightning. 'Terry,' she thought, her own voice screaming in her head. "Terry," she yelled. "No. Way. No flipping way. I mean I went to school with Terry. I knew who he was. You, Sir, are not him. Oh my gosh! Get out! I mean seriously. Seriously?? You're Terry??" Her eyes swept his form from head to toe in an unapologetic way. "Well, I can't even be mad at how many cows had to die to make that outfit when it covers something so clearly handsome. You have turned out very well for yourself. Nobody gonna be thinking you're a nerd now." Becoming aware she had gushed just a bit, she turned her attention towards the duo before her. "It really is good to see how people I actually knew turned out. I have a friend here, somebody we went to school with, who keeps me up to date on what's going on back here. He's..he's..running my father's company. So we speak fairly regularly. I'm sure he'll be happy when I tell him that you guys turned out so well. You," she said turning her gaze to Heather, "He already knows how you're doing. I think he's one of your regular visitors." She used the word visitor on purpose. Marty did not judge Heather at all for what she did. There were far worse things people did, and those things were not even to make a living. Those things were done to other people, other people they claimed to love even. As far as she was concerned, Heather was simply trying to make her own way, to survive, and there was nothing wrong with that.

"He sends me newspaper articles. At times it feels like I never left. So who's married?? Who has kids?? Jobs, I kind of already know, except for you Terry. What do you do for a living?? Model?? If you don't, trust me, you could," she told him before taking a sip.
 
As Marty began to apologize, Heather looked at her with an expression that spoke to her confusion. I don't remember her ever being cruel to me. Heather wasn't bullied by many and only one stood out as making her life miserable just for laughs. Tessa. Oh. That's right. They were friends. Well, better to be the bully's friend than their target. I hope she hasn't been carrying this guilt around for a decade. Although, that does make me wonder how the delinquent is doing now. With any luck, she's grow up and gotten past whatever made her so angry and cruel.

"Oh," shaking her head, "no. You don't need to apologize. Honestly, Marty. We were kids just trying to make it through. You were an innocent bystander in the wake of a very angry and probably misunderstood girl." She shrugs, "I was just an outlet for that. As shitty as it was, it was a decade ago and we've all had time to grow up." Her altruism came from a few of her own mistakes but mostly, having a son. She no longer had room in her heart or mind for high school grudges and thoughts of what people thought of her.

"Well I'm sure that makes your employee one of my big tippers." With a glance at Terry, she wondered if he knew, if he'd be told later, and if he'd care at all. She also couldn't help but wonder, alongside Marty, what he did for a living and how his life had changed outside of their hometown. Surely she'd have seen him by now if he'd stayed local.

She looked at Xavier and smiled warmly. More than anything, she wondered who had regrets over their last ten years and who'd grown beyond them. Not everyone was as lucky as she was, even if most people considered her one of the unfortunates. She had a beautiful boy who was as smart and courageous as his father and neither parent had regrets about bringing him into the world.

Nostalgia wasn't something she felt when she thought of high school, but she had promised to attempt to be mentally present for the weekend, save her scheduled check-ins with the sitter.

Her smile became forced as she looked back up at the others and sipped her drink, trying not to dwell on having left her baby boy for days.
 
Terry stepped back in surprise as Marty started talking. He tried to interrupt a couple of times, and then just waited until this force of nature slowed down for a breath.

"Yes, hi, I'm Terry." He shook hands with all three of them.

"Marty, I'm trying to work out which question to answer first." He smiled winningly.

"Let's see. Not married, not a model, no kids. I write apps for smartphones. So, not very interesting or exciting at all. Not like you, Xavier. Wow - a fireman. Damn that must take some nerve."

Terry was fairly sure that this was the largest number of words he had ever exchanged with either Xavier or Heather. He had been so far beneath them in the pecking order at school, that he was sure they barely knew he existed. He was surprised how much all four of them had changed - but in some ways, everything remained the same. A yell from the other end of the bar drew his attention and he could see that the jocks in the corner were organising a beer race. Terry assumed that they'd done similar while at school - it was just that he had never got invited to those parties.
 
Heather felt good on his arm, she was beautiful as ever but it was more her attitude that he found attractive. Well adjusted, was the way he thought of her attitude in contrast to the insecurities of of many of his classmates, himself included. She touched on classic stereotypes that would be fodder for the gossip mill, being a stripper, child out of wedlock. He didn't know first hand but had been told her child was biracial, something that more than one gossiper had helpfully informed him meant she enjoyed black dick. He was ashamed to admit that thought had aroused him as to possibilities but he kept such thoughts closely guarded.

"Hey Terry, welcome back glad you came, Xavier Rollins." He said, figuring maybe the guy didn't remember his name either. "It was a big school and you white boys all look alike." He said in response to Terry's 'different circles' comment. He smiled, showing perfect rows of straight white teeth that contrasted his dark skin and lips. His comment was meant to be light hearted, but also a signal to Terry that they all had their insecurities and challenges back in high school. He raised an eyebrow at Terry's clothes, he was definitely making a statement but from the ladies' reactions he seemed to be pulling it off.

Marty's voice sounded a bit familiar but he still couldn't quite place her. She was cute, though her clothes didn't exactly reveal much of her body. That was probably intentional and Xavier was smart enough to know that didn't mean she didn't have a killer body beneath hidden. She had a style that was memorable and showed a sense of confidence that Xavier admired. She seemed comfortable with herself, something he was still trying to learn for himself. He hadn't succeeded where he had thought he would but had learned to live with that, but had he lived to his potential? He was finding himself looking forward to her playing, if indeed that was her plan. He gave Terry a knowing nod as the musician seemed to flirt with him right out of the gate.

"Yes, Terry, what are you up to now?" He asked, broadening upon Marty's questions but in a bit less specific and open ended way.
 
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Terry's eyes widened at the jibe about all white boys looking the same. He could understand why Xavier wouldn't remember him - but he definitely remembered Xavier. He was actually surprised that Xavier wasn't with the increasingly drunken jocks at the other end of the bar.

"Like I said, I design and market apps. I started off with gaming apps, then moved on to computer security and dating apps. It's big business now and I got into it at the right time."

"But hey, enough about me. I know that Xavier here is a fireman. What about you ladies? What are you up to?"
 
With Terry's question, Heather flashed the other two a slightly nervous smile, silently thanking them for their discretion and not judging her. "Well, I went to LA for a few years, fell really hard for a really great guy, and brought our little man back here with me a couple of years ago. Now I'm a waitress at Rosie's and a dancer at Sunset Strip." He was going to find out sooner or later. He looks so different someone'll probably take him for a husband of a classmate and use it as an excuse to point and laugh and talk shit.

She looked down at the guys at the other end of the bar. As boys, they pined for her. As adults, they said awful things to their wives about her while some secretly put singles in her g-string. One thing her job did teach her was that no one who pretended to be that shiny and happy was actually squeaky clean. "Don't worry about them. They still suck as people," she said with a smirk. Making eye contact with Stewart, she gave him a warm smile and lifted her glass. He seemed flustered and looked away. Heather let out a wry laugh and took a slow drink, "Gets 'em every time." Part of her did feel bad for Brianna, but the woman spoke enough about her that most people wouldn't bother.

"Anyone you three plan on looking for tonight?" She looked around the small circle and her eyes landed on Xavier, lingering a bit. There was a hope in her expression although she tried to quell it with another slow sip.
 
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The combination of the classic music from their teenage years mingled with the boisterous noises from the jocks sent Marty spiraling back in time. She sighed softly, not wanting anyone to think she was bored with the conversation. It was just a dip into the past, and it she was feeling rather nostalgic. It was the question, 'Anyone you three plan on looking for tonight," that caught her attention the most. Of course, there was that one person, but if she appeared she couldn't help but wonder how the night would go.

Terry had already asked what the ladies had been up to, and she was well aware of Heather's career. There was no way she would judge her. In fact, she was a bit envious. Heather was living her life, as she had always done, or so it seemed from her perspective. She was also comfortable in her own skin. The fact that she possibly was having sex on a regular basis was just a bonus really, one that made her smile broadly. She was happy the woman had been so understanding about the past. The past has a funny way of finding us at our worst, or best, moments. She was sure this would be one of her worst, but her kind words revealed an understanding person.

"I've been working odd jobs here and there mostly. This week I'm a barista. I also play in a small ensemble. We're not taking over famous music halls, by any means, but the bills are paid, I'm on my own, and I'm happy. I guess that's all of us can really want in life. " She lifted her glass. "Here's to finding what we're missing in our lives as we move forward, and here's to leaving the bad parts of the past in the past where they belong. May we all find happiness wherever we find it. Cheers." With that, she took a sip. Clearing her throat slightly she asked, "So who do you hope to reconnect with, run into, see how well or badly they've done for themselves?" She knew the question had been asked, but by asking it again, she was hoping to avoid to answering it.
 
"Dating Apps?" Xavier said with a chuckle, "which one?" He followed up with, not quite confessing to having used one but certainly not ruling it out with his statement. "I suppose that's a pretty big deal, glad you are doing well." He said, raising his glass and giving Terry a nod. Still not quite able to place him but Xavier hadn't been a bully in high school so he didn't have any real guilt about how he might have treated some unpopular nerd or loner. Not that he could place Terry as either one of those, but he certainly wasn't a bit man on campus. He himself knew his notoriety was pretty much limited to his sports accomplishments, but everyone had been pretty good to him, even if rather shallow. Being local, he had plenty of opportunity to reconnect with many of the more rowdy jocks and socialites, but had limited interest.

"At least we're all able to pay the bills." He said happily as he raised his glass to the group. He was likely to get fairly drunk at the rate he was going but it helped with the awkardness. "But sounds like Terry should be buying the next round." He said half kidding but Terry was the only one that boasted of having made it somewhat big, though he knew Marty's family were very well off but maybe she was truly on her own.

He though it interesting both women asked much the same question. "Well for me, being local, I hate plenty of opportunity to hang out with those knuckleheads." He said, referring to the ever more boisterous crowd behind him. They were definitely getting buzzed and from the sound of it as obnoxious as they were as high schoolers. "I think I'm happy to meet some people I didn't spend much time with back in the day. See what I missed out on." He said, looking at each of them in turn. "Unless you all have other ideas?" He asked.

It was then he felt a brush against him and he turned. It was Jordan Henshaw, a lineman on the football team. Now a car dealer with a beer gut and rapidly eroding hair line. He had a $100 bill in his hand, shoving it towards Heather. "You doin' lap dances tonight baby?" He asked crudely, his voice slurred a bit. Word on the street was that Jordan had divorced recently, an ugly affair from the sound of it. Xavier's jaw set as he was about to turn on his former team mate, he set his bottle down on the counter though he felt like breaking it over the asshole's head.
 
As Xavier asked Terry about his apps, Heather looked at Marty and stifled a laugh. She was unable to keep the smile from her lips however. If anyone in their class needed to look online for love, she wouldn't have expected Xavier Rollins to be among them. When he mentioned paying the bills, she gave the group a forced smile. It was no secret that she struggled as a single mother, with little help from most of her family, of course. Her sister was the only one left who still spoke to her. However, she was proud of herself for taking care of her son and she didn't completely hate her job, tough as it was sometimes.

Still, she raised her glass in toast to the group having made their ways in the world, no matter what that looked like. The mention of 'other ideas' had Heather giving him the elevator eyes as she took a long drink. She tried to be subtle but she didn't drink much and the double order of cognac was beginning to go to her head. Enter Jordan Henshaw, drunkenly waving money in her face. Any other time, she might've been pissed but the liquor had her feeling a bit less quick to anger. She laughed and snatched the money, "I'm not on the clock tonight so consider this a deposit. Or should I take it to your wife to...? Oh. I'm sorry. Your mistress." So she remained a bit catty. No one would blame her given the situation.

With a sweet smile, she slipped the bill in her wallet and gave him a pat on the arm. "You should come see me at the club some time. I'll buy you a drink. For now," pointing across the room, "I think Sean Baukat is trying to get your attention. He's still a huge fan from what he says. Totally looks up to you." It was never a secret that her break-up with Sean was because she wouldn't have sex with him. And revenge is best served as a double on the rocks. Speaking of, she looked at the bartender and tapped her glass, "Can I get another double cognac, please?" She wasn't sure the Jordan situation was defused, especially since she'd just sort of stolen a hundred dollars, but the plan was officially shifted to ignoring him.
 
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"Several of them actually. A couple of the popular ones, and some that cater for more ... niche interests. And yes, I'm more than happy to pay for the next round." He could see that Xavier was clearly on his way to getting drunk - he would be interested to see what Xavier was like when his inhibitions were lowered. Xavier might not have remembered Terry, but Terry definitely remembered him - as he was one of the people that Terry had admired from afar.

Terry grabbed the drinks and as he was coming back, nearly dropped them when Henshaw barged into the little group. He was about to leap to Heathers defence but the way in which she verbally demolished him made it clear that she could fight her own battles. However, with someone like him you never knew how he might react. Terry put the drinks down, poised to see what would happen next
 
Watching Heather essentially emasculate the big man put a teeth showing grin on Xavier's face. He was well buzzed so pretty mellow but he knew Jordan could be violent if provoked and it was hard to imagine a bigger ego blow than this public shut down. Still, he positioned himself so that Jordan would realize he would have to go through him to get any kind of physical retribution on the prom queen stripper. Though he felt he was enough of a deterrent to Jordan, he didn't mind seeing Terry come back with drinks just in time. He may have been unmemorable as a high schooler, but he seemed like he could take care of himself these days.

He kept an eye on Jordan just in case he had second thoughts as he slinked back to his table $100 poorer but probably none the wiser. Once things seemed settled he turned back to his companions. "Too bad you can show that side of some prick on your dating app, save a lot of wasted time and anguish." He said to Terry.

"You handled him well enough." He told Heather with admiration. "Sorry you had to hear it all the same." He embraced her in a reassuring hug. "I feel like a change of venue is in order." He added as laughter came from Jordan's table though whether they were laughing with or at him wasn't easy to tell.

But first, maybe we can hear Marty play?
 
There was something about all of this that had slowly been working at her mindset. Before she arrived, Marty was fairly certain she would not play. She hadn't even bothered to bring her instrument in. She hadn't made any prior arrangements, despite having what she needed with her, but that decision had been slowly changing while the elements of the evening began to chip away at her firm resolution. The waves outside the resort were pounding the shore, erasing proof of anyone who had been walking along the beautiful sand. Heather had proven she was just as fierce and strong as water. Water can carve its way through mountains, changing it forever. Water can make rough edges smooth. It can generate power, and Marty was certain Heather was doing just that. As she watched her slam a mindless jerk to the ground, Marty couldn't help but imagine she was a wave, bringing her force down upon the shoreline, carving a lasting memory into his mind, and leaving him alone. Xavier was a breath of fresh air, a warm, gentle, familiar breeze cascading over them. A person is never kissed by the same breeze twice, and yet a breeze is still the same element. Time had changed Xavier, and yet he was still the same kind-hearted person she remembered. The raging fire that ignited a warmth that they couldn't escape from even if they wanted to clearly was Terry. The flames had burned away the old exterior that they had all known before and in its place, this new, stronger structure of a man stood. He had walked through the flames and come out so much better than anyone else could have dreamed he would. Marty couldn't help but feel like earth. She had been the silent ground that most people in school had walked on, not even aware the terrain they traveled had a name, a face, a personality, and so much more to offer. Here they were. They had to come together, and the rest of them better watch out. The elements are strong.

"Sure," she said, taking a generous sip from her glass. "I'd love to. Call me inspired," she mused before excusing herself to retrieve her instrument. It wasn't a Stradivarius, but it would more than do. When she returned, she made her way to the dj, and slipped him a cd. The ensemble couldn't be here, but the cd would be the next best thing. Instructing the perky little thing that had put this reunion together to make any announcement, she took the area that was to be the stage and let her music fly.

When she was finished, she would hand her precious violin to the bartender, asking him to kindly keep it safe for her. He nodded, agreeing to do so happily. She couldn't help but wonder if he thought differently of her somehow. Perhaps they all did. Who knows?? Taking her glass up once more, she couldn't help but smile. "Please, somebody say something. I never took a single lesson. Did I waste my time practicing on my own for fun, or am I any good?"
 
Breathing a sigh of relief at Jordan's departure, she gave Terry a nod of thanks at his willingness to jump to her defense. She traded glasses with the bartender then turned to Xavier with a smile, "I'm used to it. He was the first to come see me at the club when I got back. His mistress could've been me if I hadn't cut him off. Can you imagine how they'd talk about me then? From Prom Queen to Stripper Home-Wrecker. What a life."

With an encouraging grin, she nods in agreement with the prospect of seeing Marty perform live. As the woman takes the stage, a much more confident person and more seasoned performer than their class knew, Heather can't help but feel a sense of kinship. Luckily for Marty, when she left, she truly meant it. Something about not having come back breeds admiration in her. Heather knew she wouldn't have come back if her options had been different.

While Marty performs, Heather leans over to Xavier and smiles, "Thanks for having my back with Jordan. I know sticking with me isn't winning you any points with... much of anyone around here. Maybe I can make it up to you later?"

Heather applauds the show as Marty finishes her song and makes it back to the small group. "You were nothing short of amazing. Not a single moment of practice wasted if those are the results."
 
Terry was amazed as Marty took up her violin and performed. In a night of surprises, this was one of the biggest. He applauded along with Heather as Marty came back

"Amazing, really amazing."

He was going to say more, but he was distracted as his phone chirped. He checked it to see that one of his dating apps had pinged on someone in the room. He looked around, wondering who it could be - and whether anyone else knew that they were on such an "exciting" app. He pushed it to the back of his mind, just sending a response back with his profile attached. Who knows, maybe tonight could get even more interesting.

"Well, it looks like someone is as impressive in real life as they are when streaming. Great job, Marty."
 
"Probably the proudest moment of his post high school life." Xavier said as Heather explained Jordan had been one of her first clients at the local club. "I think that home was wrecked from within, but clearly you had good instincts with him." He acknowledged. "Of course." Xavier responded almost instinctively to Heather's thank you. "I don't need any points with this crowd, except you guys." He said, somewhat acknowledging their newly formed clique of near strangers. "You don't owe me anything, but I'd like that very much all the same." He reached out and caressed her upper arm gently. Despite her profession, she looked as if she needed some genuine physical reassurance and he expanded his gesture to hug her as Marty got ready to play.

Perhaps for the first moment of the reunion weekend, the entire class body was unified in a single thought as they watched Marty play. She had what seemed an easy grace the belied the countless hours of practice that went into a single moment like this. He watched Marty, trying to take in every note and movement. For a moment he thought of her as making love to her violin, the intensity on her face made him jealous of the instrument for a moment. He then closed his eyes and let the music flow over him, immerse himself in it. Admittedly it was much different than anything on his typical play list. Despite, or perhaps because of the unfamiliarity, it seemed to touch him deeply.

He opened his eyes, but instead of looking at Marty, he looked about the room. Most watched her, but he wondered if they even knew who she was or why she was playing. He saw a few classmates lean towards another as if asking who she was. He could have easily been one of them had fate not brought them together for their brief introduction. He felt privledged at that idea and looked back at her. How could he have practically grown up with such an incredible individual and not have known them? It made him feel shallow, at least towards his high school self.

He looked at the other members of their little clique, so newly formed, but somehow seeming so natural. He of course knew Heather as the prom queen, but she seemed so much more three dimensional now, so much more real. Terry and of course Marty had their own varied accomplishments. They were practically strangers, but he knew he wanted to have a meaningful experience with them this weekend so they would not be strangers any longer.

He clapped enthusiastically when Marty completed her playing. Their small group was most enthusiastic but not exclusively so, though the jock table had few hands celebrating and some confusion about who the performer was and why they were here. 'Their loss' Xavier thought to himself as he gave Marty a welcoming smile and whistled to add to her ovation.
 
Her face lit up at their kind words. "Thank you. Seriously. You have no idea what that means to me to hear that. I know you may be thinking, 'we barely know each other', or, 'we weren't even close back then. So why does it matter what we think,' but believe me, it does matter. Music is a way to express yourself, at least that's what I think. When I play, no matter where I'm at, everything fades away. It's like connecting to something bigger and better than myself. For a while, nothing is wrong. Everything is right. I'm not the failure my father thought I was, and I didn't let him down. " She winced at the very thought, realizing that no matter how much time passed, no matter how much distance she had put between the two of them, despite his passing, he was literally still there, lurking in the background, passing judgment, just as he always had been.

"Tonight isn't about bad memories. Well, maybe a few. Bad fashion choices, bad hairstyles, and bad has beens trying to make a name for themselves, only to be leveled by the mighty Heather. Wow. That was impressive," she mused. "The loser has had it coming to him since we were all in school. It's sad so many girls thought they had to sleep with him to make a name for themselves. The only thing they made was for disease to spread so easily," she teased. "You are my hero," she nodded.

Looking around the room, she felt a pang of sadness. "It's too bad we couldn't talk to each other this easily back then. I mean what were all of you doing back then?? I saw you, but you were just a faceless name in the halls. What were you like back then?? Xavier?? Heather?? Terry?? How could I have missed how easygoing and nice you guys are??"
 
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