It's Nice To Have A Friend

36) A Reunion Full Of Bruises

TW: Homophobia ⚠️

"Wow, you clean up nice. I don't think I've ever seen you in a dress shirt." Mary grinned as she noticed FP walking into their apartment, but this time not in his usual lumberjack style of clothing.

"It's not really me, huh?" He sighed and looked down at his outfit, feeling uncomfortable in it.

"Why did you wear it in the first place?" She wondered, realizing it wasn't something he would wear without a purpose.

"Wanted to show everyone there that I made something of myself. This look is the perfect lie." He confessed with a mindless shrug, even while he felt slightly embarrassed he was so insecure.

Today was their first high school reunion, one he wasn't particularly looking forward to, but not going would be even worse in his eyes. It would be nice to see some old pals again, but he actively disliked most of the people he went to school with. He wanted to show them that his life was on track, and that him having grown-up as a Southsider didn't make a difference. All a big ruse.

"You don't have to lie, FP. You did make something off yourself, you co-own a business with Fred." Poppy encouraged him, knowing he just needed that support sometimes.

"A position I only have because Fred cares about me." He argued with a huff. He still felt like he didn't deserve the job he had.

"Stop talking yourself down like that, you are doing amazing." Mary told him, hating to see him having no confidence. Hermione walked out of her bedroom and started to meddle too.

"FP, you look so handsome in that shirt but please change back into one of those flannels of yours." Hermione said, sensing instantly that this look wasn't him. He should just be himself.

"It's your signature look, we cannot miss that on a high school reunion." She winked, knowing he'd relax more if he was wearing clothes he felt comfortable in.

"Fine, fine, I'll change." He chuckled, feeling his shoulders release some tension already.

"What are you wearing, Alice?" Hermione hopped on the couch next to her best friend, who was absentmindedly browsing through a magazine.

"I'm not going." She stated plainly, without looking up from the magazine.

"What? Why not?" Hermione asked, while all eyes turned her way.

Alice sighed and looked at her four friends, who were all confused.

"Everyone is going to look at me as the runaway bride who left Hal Cooper at the altar, so I'll pass. I'd rather stay at home and watch a cheesy movie." She knew they were going to protest, but it was her fear that would win it anyway.

"Hal could be there, I don't want any trouble." Alice's voice was fragile, especially for a woman who was always so fierce, so direct. She never shielded away from anyone, except for Hal Cooper, the root of all her fears, all her hurt.

"He won't, I read in the Register that his family is on a business trip out of state to take over another newspaper, you don't have to worry about him." Hermione said, hoping it could convince her.

"Come on, even I am going." FP encouraged her softly, hating the idea of her not being there. It would make him feel a thousand times more lonely.

"I respect that, so please respect my choice not to go." She said, wishing that was the end of it.

"I don't want people to give me those looks, you know?" Alice looked down at her hands, feeling ridiclulous that she was the one wanting to hide, instead of confronting the situation like she usually did.