Chapter 4: Glances Across the Room
The reunion was in full swing, and the energy in the gymnasium had shifted. Laughter echoed off the walls, and groups of old classmates gathered in tight circles, swapping stories about their lives since high school. The DJ played a playlist from their teenage years, and the nostalgia was palpable, making it easy for everyone to slip into the roles they had once played.
Annie Stones stood near the refreshment table, sipping from her glass and watching the scene unfold. She had been chatting with a few old friends, catching up on the usual milestones—careers, marriages, kids—but her mind wasn't fully engaged. Every now and then, her gaze drifted across the room, searching for him.
Calix Wood.
He was hard to miss. Standing by the far wall, surrounded by a few of his old buddies, Calix had that same relaxed posture, hands tucked casually into his pockets, smiling easily at whatever story was being told. He was always good at that—blending into the moment, making everyone around him feel like they belonged. Annie had always admired that about him, even back in high school.
But it wasn't just his easygoing nature that drew her eyes to him tonight. There was something unspoken between them, something that had started back in those high school days but had never fully blossomed. And tonight, at this reunion, that tension seemed to hum just beneath the surface.
Annie wasn't sure how to explain it. It was the way he had looked at her when they first exchanged greetings earlier in the night, a flash of recognition that went deeper than the usual reunion pleasantries. A smile that lingered a little too long, a glint in his eyes that made her wonder if he, too, was remembering the past.
From her vantage point near the table, Annie let her eyes drift to him again. She told herself she was just observing, but it was more than that. She was curious. Curious if Calix was feeling the same pull she was. Curious if the connection they had shared all those years ago still flickered between them. Curious if this night could lead to something more.
Across the room, as if sensing her gaze, Calix glanced her way. Their eyes met for the briefest of moments. It was fleeting, just a second or two, but it sent a jolt through Annie's chest. She could tell he had been looking for her, too. His smile softened, not the broad grin he'd been wearing a moment ago, but something more private, more intimate.
Annie felt the heat rise in her cheeks. She quickly looked away, pretending to be interested in the appetizers on the table. But her mind was spinning. There was a charge in the air between them, as if every stolen glance added weight to whatever unspoken history lay between them.
"Still watching him, huh?" Emma's voice broke through her thoughts. Her best friend appeared beside her, nudging her playfully.
Annie sighed, unable to deny it. "Maybe. It's just... weird, seeing him again."
"Weird, or exciting?" Emma's eyebrows waggled. She followed Annie's gaze and gave an approving nod. "He hasn't changed much, has he? Still the same old Calix."
"Except older," Annie said, smiling slightly. "And maybe more... I don't know, thoughtful?"
Emma smirked. "Or maybe you're just finally seeing him the way everyone else always did."
Annie shot her a glance. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"You always had a soft spot for him, even back in high school. But you were so focused on your grades and future plans, I don't think you ever let yourself really see what was right in front of you."
Annie paused, considering her friend's words. Had she overlooked Calix back then? Maybe she had. She had been driven in high school, eager to escape the small-town life and chase her ambitions. Calix had been... a distraction, albeit a charming one. But now, with the benefit of hindsight, she couldn't help but wonder if she had missed out on something real.
As if on cue, Calix glanced her way again, and this time, Annie didn't look away. Their eyes locked across the room, and the noise of the reunion seemed to fade into the background. It was just the two of them, standing on opposite sides of the gym, separated by distance but connected by something deeper.
For a moment, neither of them moved. It was like the years between them had melted away, and they were teenagers again, exchanging those same stolen glances across the hallway at Crestwood High. But this time, there was a maturity in their looks, an acknowledgment of the time that had passed and the lives they had lived.
Calix's smile widened, and Annie felt a flutter in her chest. He raised his drink slightly in a silent toast, a gesture that felt both playful and serious at the same time. Annie mirrored the gesture, her lips curving into a smile she couldn't quite suppress.
Emma nudged her again, her voice low. "You should go talk to him."
Annie hesitated, her pulse quickening. "I don't know... It's been so long. What would I even say?"
Emma gave her a pointed look. "You've already said everything with those glances. Now go see where it leads."
Annie swallowed, her heart racing. She wasn't sure if it was the wine or the atmosphere of the reunion, but suddenly, the idea of crossing the room to talk to Calix didn't feel as intimidating as it had before. She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders, ready to take the first step toward him.
But before she could move, Calix was already on the move, weaving his way through the crowd toward her.
Her heart skipped a beat as he approached, his eyes never leaving hers. When he reached her, there was a moment of silence, the air thick with anticipation.
"Hey," he said softly, his voice low and warm. "I've been meaning to come over and talk to you."
Annie smiled, her nerves easing a bit. "Funny, I've been meaning to do the same."
They shared a quiet laugh, the tension between them dissolving into something lighter, more comfortable. But the undercurrent of attraction, of possibility, was still there, humming just beneath the surface.
For a moment, they simply stood there, their gazes locked, as if picking up a conversation that had been left unfinished years ago.
"It's good to see you again, Annie," Calix said, his voice sincere. "I didn't realize how much I missed this—missed you—until tonight."
Annie's breath caught in her throat. His words were simple, but they held weight, like he was saying more than just what was on the surface.
"I missed you too," she admitted softly.
And just like that, the distance that had once separated them was gone. They had crossed the room, both literally and figuratively, and whatever had been left unsaid in high school was finally finding its voice.
It felt like the beginning of something—something real, something worth exploring.