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Chapter 15 - A STEP TOWARD OF PAST

Chapter 15: A Step Toward the Past

The days leading up to the reunion were a mix of anticipation and nerves for Claire. She tried to distract herself by helping her mom around the house, reading scripts Emma had sent, and catching up on sleep. But every time she sat still, her mind drifted back to the same thoughts: What would it be like to see everyone again? Would they recognize her? And, of course, how would it feel to see Noah in a room full of familiar faces?

It was mid-morning when Claire's phone buzzed with a message from Cassy.

> Don't forget, the reunion is at 6 PM tomorrow. Excited to see you!

Claire stared at the message for a moment before replying:

> Got it. Looking forward to it.

Her words didn't match her emotions, but she figured a little optimism wouldn't hurt.

She decided to spend the rest of the day getting ready. After lunch, Claire headed to the small boutique in town that she remembered fondly from her teenage years. The bell above the door jingled as she stepped inside, and the familiar smell of lavender and fabric dye hit her.

"Claire Harper," a voice said from behind the counter.

Claire turned to see Mrs. Morrison, the shop owner, looking at her with a mix of surprise and delight.

"Mrs. Morrison," Claire said, smiling. "It's good to see you."

"And you!" Mrs. Morrison said, stepping out from behind the counter to give her a warm hug. "I've been hearing all about your success. It's so wonderful to see you back in town."

"Thank you," Claire said. "I'm actually here to find something for the reunion tomorrow."

"Oh, the class reunion," Mrs. Morrison said, nodding. "It's all anyone's been talking about. Come, let's find you something special."

Claire followed her through the racks of dresses, letting Mrs. Morrison chatter away about how much the town had missed her. After trying on a few options, she settled on a simple yet elegant blue dress that complemented her eyes and felt comfortable enough for a night of nostalgia.

"That color suits you perfectly," Mrs. Morrison said, beaming.

Claire smiled at her reflection. For the first time since deciding to attend, she felt a spark of excitement.

---

Back at home, Claire laid the dress on her bed and sank into her chair, staring at it. Her mom walked in, carrying a cup of tea.

"Getting ready for the big night?" her mom asked, setting the cup down on the bedside table.

"Trying to," Claire said with a small laugh.

Her mom sat down beside her, studying her face. "You're nervous."

"A little," Claire admitted. "It's just… strange, going back after so many years. I feel like everyone will expect me to be the same person I was in school, but I'm not sure who that even is anymore."

Her mom reached over and took her hand. "Claire, you've grown into a remarkable woman. The people who care about you will see that. And the ones who don't? They don't matter."

Claire squeezed her mom's hand, grateful for the reassurance. "Thanks, Mom."

Her mom smiled. "Anytime. Now, go rest. You'll need your energy for tomorrow."

---

The next morning, Claire woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside her window. The day passed in a blur as she tried to keep busy. She helped her dad fix a creaky cabinet door, played a quick game of cards with her mom, and even took a short walk around the neighborhood.

By the time evening rolled around, Claire felt the familiar flutter of nerves in her stomach. She slipped into her dress, paired it with simple silver earrings, and brushed her hair until it fell in soft waves around her shoulders.

Standing in front of the mirror, she took a deep breath. "You've got this," she whispered to herself.

Her mom appeared in the doorway, her eyes lighting up. "You look beautiful, Claire."

"Thanks, Mom," Claire said, turning to give her a hug.

"Don't forget to have fun," her mom said, patting her shoulder.

Claire nodded, grabbing her coat and heading out the door. As she drove toward the community hall, the nervousness melted into a strange sense of excitement. Whatever the night had in store, she was ready to face it.