FIVE YEARS LATER
The rain strikes the car window as Skyler sits inside. Both his hands grasped on the steering wheel. He takes a deep breath. In for five, out for ten. At least that's what the coach thought him. He looks at himself in the sun visor mirror.
He pushes his hair back, trying to regain some sort of appearance for the reunion. He straightens his tie,
"What the fuck an I doing?" He continues, "Who is going to give a shit."
He makes his way towards the hotel. He readjusts his blazer before pulling open the door. He stares around the lobby, looking out for familar faces. He's tapped on the shoulder by Jay. The two embrace in a hug.
"Shit, bro. You been lifting?" Skyler asks.
Jay laughs, "Shit, bro. How else am I going in the paint."
"And how about you, I heard you're putting up forty a game" says Jay.
"I just shoot, and it goes in, brother," says Skyler.
The two make their way to a table to get better caught up in each others lives. They've remained in contact, but not as frequent as they've liked. Sometime passes before more familar faces make their way to the reunion.
Skyler looks up to see Quinn and Jack enter, hand in hand. Jay looks at him.
You're good, right?"
"I'm good, bro," he continues. "That's a past life."
They both stand up and greet them, no matter how hard it may seem. Skyler and Jack meet face to face for the first time in five years. A stare off ensues, neither man wanting to break eye contact first.
"Nice suit" says Jack.
Skyler nods, not wanting to him any ammunition for tonight. He looks at Quinn, her eyes sparkle just they did before. Her black dress complimented her so well. She seems hesitant to talk, her gaze drawn to Skyler.
"You look beautiful," says Skyler as he nods.
Suddenly, they all turn to hear someone shout.
"OH YEAH, CLASS OF 2023, BABY.!"
"Cole," they say in unison.
Skyler and Quinn meet again with eye contact. She pushes her hair back behind her ears. Her earrings seem familiar to him. He bought those for her, six years ago and she kept them. His mind is swirling, he promised himself feeling for Quinn wouldn't resurface. Jack pulls Skyler to the side.
"Can we talk outside?" He asks.
Skyler nods as the two make their way outside. Skyler looks at Jay, pressing his hands down to tell him he is calm. They sit on a bench outside, Sklyer looks at him, confused.
"Ok, fuck it, I'm sorry" says Jack.
"I don't need your apology, Jack," Skyler responds.
"Please, bro." Jack continues, "I need to explain."
Skylar nods, "Fine, I'll listen."
"Ok, here it is. I loved her, bro. I had feelings for her for a long time. And then she started helping me study for the exams and we just got closer. I swear, we never meant for this to happen."
Skyler stares off into the distance, almost as if he is looking past, or through Jack. His heart rate quickens, his eyes squint. He see's something in the distance, a figure? A silhouette?
Just as a bus drives by, it's gone. Skyler shakes his head, trying to listen to Jack again.
"We were brothers, man. You and me. Captain, and co captain. We had it all. City champions. Why did you have to it?" Asks Skyler.
Jack shakes his head. He can't think of an answer. He knows what happened was wrong, but at the same time he couldn't deny his feelings.
"I'm sorry, bro" he continues, I'm not going to say I'd go back and change anything. I won't lie to you."
"Are we good?" Asks Jack.
"No, we're definitely not good, but, for tonight. I'll be civil with you," replies Skyler.
"Ok, I respect that."
The pair make their way back into the hotel. They rejoin the group at the table. They sit on opposite ends, both nodding toward each other. Jack raises his glass.
"Hey, to the class of 2023,"
Drinks raise above their heads, clinging together. Quinn spots an old friend enter the room, Mandy. She jumps from her chair, rushing to hug her best friend.
"I thought you couldn't make it?" Quinn asks.
"I was not missing this reunion for anything." Mandy replies.
Quinn pulls her over to the table, and the group is finally finished, all returning for one last night of adolescence.