She swivels to face me, wrapping her arms around my body. “Sorry. I’m just trying to prepare you for the worst, that’s all.”
“I know, and I really do appreciate it.”
After we finish up at the station, we make our way to the lounge, ready to call it a night. My exhausted body has had enough for the day and I daydream about hitting the sack as soon as I get home. As we approach the lounge, I hear someone call out behind me.
“Melanie, is that you?”
Stopping dead in my tracks, I spin around to see the last person I’d ever thought I’d see again. The shock spews off my body as I take in the figure stand
ing in front of me.
I take a closer look at the male specimen and as I recognize him, my eyes grow wide.
“Taylor?”
Melanie
IT’S BEEN FIVE YEARS since I’ve seen Taylor. The last time I saw him was right after an old friend of mine, Rob, graduated college and got into law school. Duke, Taylor, Rob, and I were in our own little circle of friends in high school, always hanging out with one another in and out of school. It wasn’t until Raya showed up in senior year that everything changed for us.
Taylor steps closer to me with a genuine smile on his face. “Surprised to see me huh? How you been?”
Taking in his tall, muscular body, I admire his new shape. Bulging bicep muscles peek out from his grey t-shirt. In high school Taylor’s shape wasn’t nearly as big as it is now. He had a lean build, enabling him to strengthen his agility. He was the co-captain of the lacrosse team while Duke was the captain.
As my eyes take in the new and improved Taylor, I notice colorful tattoos covering his forearms, some artistic designs, others phrases and sayings.
An overwhelming sense of joy flows through my body as I step toward him. He notices my eagerness and wraps his arms around me, engulfing me in a bear hug. We embrace in silence, making sure this moment is cherished and long lasting. As the shock stills, we let go of one another.
I can’t help but flash a huge smile. “Goodness, I can’t believe you’re here! Look at you! You’re solid. You have tattoos and facial hair!”
Taylor smirks and quickly flexes, showing off the goods. “You didn’t hear? I got into MMA a while back and I’ve been doing that ever since.”
The memory of Rob telling me about Taylor’s new adventures flashes into my mind. “Oh, that’s right. I completely forgot. So, what are you—”
I hear Gia clear her throat and realize I’d totally forgotten that she was there. Spinning around to face her, I’m hit with her expression of hello, introduce me!
I flash her a smile, silently apologizing for my rudeness. “Taylor this is Gia. Gia, Taylor is one of my oldest friends. We went to high school together.”
Gia and Taylor greet one another, shaking hands. “So, you’re friends with Raya and Duke, too?”
A grimacing look of frustration and anger vibes off of Taylor. In a matter of seconds, his demeanor changes from enjoyment to annoyance. I guess he’s still upset about it.
He responds in a deep tone, “No, we are not friends anymore. Not after what happened. I haven’t seen them since high school.”
Gia picks up on his frustration. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you.”
Giving her a reassuring smile, I say, “It’s okay. It’s a long story. It’s nothing really.”
Taylor bellows, “Wow, nothing? I can’t believe you still hang out with Duke after the way it all went down.”
Taylor’s response hits me right in the gut, sending volts of irritation all over my body. “Taylor, it’s been ten years. I’m not going to sulk in the corner. Besides, Duke is and will always be my best friend. Nothing will change that.”
“Yeah, obviously.”
Gia’s eyes scream in confusion. “I’m guessing something happened?”
Taylor speaks up and says, “Let me give you the footnotes. Melanie and Duke were a couple in high school throughout junior and senior year. Everything changed once Raya showed up. I remember meeting her for the first time at that Halloween party. Do you remember Mel?”
I nod my head, thinking back to that party. Duke and I went as Bella and Edward Cullen from Twilight. Raya dressed up as Cleopatra. It was one of the happiest moments of my life. It was my last year of high school and what better way to spend it than with your closest friends.