The sun hung low on the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the neighborhood. Claire was sitting in the garden with a book, though she hadn't turned a page in over twenty minutes. Her thoughts kept drifting back to the secret place and her encounter with Noah. His words, his expressions, even the way he looked at her—it all played on repeat in her mind.
Her phone buzzed beside her, snapping her out of her thoughts. She picked it up and saw Cassy's name flashing on the screen.
"Hey, Cassy," Claire answered, her voice light.
"Claire! You won't believe this!" Cassy exclaimed, skipping any pleasantries.
Claire smiled faintly. "What's going on now?"
"There's going to be a class reunion next week," Cassy said excitedly. "Some of the old gang planned it, and everyone's coming!"
"A class reunion?" Claire repeated, caught off guard. She hadn't thought about her school friends in years.
"Yes! It's happening next Friday at the community hall. You have to come," Cassy insisted.
Claire hesitated. "I don't know, Cass. It's been so long. What if it's weird?"
"Weird? Claire, it's going to be amazing! Everyone's dying to see you. And don't you want to catch up with people? Remember how much fun we had back then?"
"Fun?" Claire said with a soft laugh. "I remember a lot of awkward moments, too."
"That's the whole point of reunions—to laugh about the awkwardness!" Cassy said. "Besides, I know someone you'd be interested in seeing again."
Claire stiffened. She didn't need to ask who Cassy was talking about.
"I already know Noah's back," Claire said quietly.
"Ah, I see you've done your homework," Cassy teased. "Well, don't you think this is the perfect chance to talk to him? I mean, after all these years—"
"Cassy," Claire cut her off, her tone firm. "I don't even know what I'd say to him. It's been so long, and honestly, I don't think he's interested in reconnecting."
Cassy sighed. "You don't know that, Claire. Look, you don't have to decide now. Just think about it, okay? It's not every day we get a chance to revisit the past like this."
Claire nodded, even though Cassy couldn't see her. "I'll think about it," she said.
"Good," Cassy said brightly. "Because I'm not taking no for an answer. I'll see you there, whether you like it or not!"
Claire laughed despite herself. "You're impossible."
"Exactly. Talk soon!" Cassy said before hanging up.
Claire set the phone down and leaned back in her chair, staring at the sky as it turned shades of pink and purple. A class reunion sounded like a good way to reconnect with old friends, but she couldn't deny the knot in her stomach at the thought of seeing Noah again.
She exhaled deeply, closing her eyes. She had plenty of time to decide—but deep down, she knew she wouldn't be able to stay away.