I didn't expect you to comprehend my perspective. How could you ever genuinely attempt to relate? I don't want to be evasive, yet I don't want to expose myself. But I don't want to fuel this overwhelming passion. I just want to let this narrative fa...
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62,116 likes rueepenesa You just had to be there 🤍 #highschoolreunion 🖤 View all 2,680 comments username1 You look so good, Miss Homey 😍 username2 My favorite teacher ❤️ username3 A look!! ❤️❤️ username4 So beautiful, Miss Honey 😍❤️
"So, Joe dated Rue and no one told me," Trinity said as they stood in the hotel ballroom that was packed with many of the class of 2003 from Escambia High School.
"Well, no one talks about Rue because Joe is still in love with her, so why would you know that little small fact," True said as she took a sip of her drink.
"He isn't still in love with her," Jonathan said.
True rolled her eyes. "Yeah right, so why is he so nervous about seeing her?" True asked Jonathan.
Rue and Joe began dating in ninth grade while attending different schools before Joe transferred to Escambia High School to be with Rue. They were doing good until a rumor broke out about Rue that made Joe so mad at her that he broke up with her.
"He just wants to apologize to her, that's all, you know that rumor was false and he feels bad that he didn't defend her," Joshua said.
"I told y'all that rumor wasn't true but you hot-headed Samoans wouldn't listen to me and now look," True said.
Zia, who had started the rumor twenty years ago, admitted tonight to everyone that the rumor was false and that she had only started it because she was jealous. Joe felt so ashamed of himself for believing it. Rue had told him it wasn't true, but he didn't believe her.
"Damn, imagine if Joe had believed Rue, maybe this group would be different," Takecia said.
True smiled as she spotted Rue at the entrance. Rue entered the ballroom, looking around for a familiar face.
"She's here," True said, waving her hand for Rue to come over to the group.
Rue walked over to the group and greeted them with a beaming smile. "Hi, everyone," Rue said.
"Hello, Rue. Damn, you still look like a baby," Joshua said.
"Thank God for genetics," Rue said as she playfully rolled her eyes, and Joshua pulled Rue into a hug.
"I haven't seen your ass in a minute, how have you been?" Joshua asked, pulling away to greet everyone else.
Rue greeted Takecia with a hug. "I've been good, you know teaching the next generation," Rue said before she hugged Trinity.
"You're still a teacher?" Jonathan asked Rue.
Rue smiled. "Sixteen years," Rue answered.
"When are you going to retire?" True asked Rue.
"Maybe in four years or so, I don't know yet," Rue answered.
Rue stands off to the side as they continue to talk about Rue's job as a teacher until a voice joins the conversation from behind her, catching her attention and causing her face to immediately drop upon realizing who it is.
"Nice of you to come out of hiding, uce," Jonathan said as he watched the way Joe was staring at Rue.
Rue turns to see Joe. There he was. Her heart nearly gave out as he looked her up and down. Their eyes immediately connected and it felt like everything in the room disappeared around them.
"Y'all good over there, uso?" Joshua asked as he snapped them back to reality.
"Hi," Joe said to Rue with a smile.
"Hi," Rue said, frowning before she turned to face the rest of the group. She cleared her throat to keep her emotions from coming to the surface. "I'm just gonna go to the restroom," Rue said, letting them know before rushing off before anyone could say anything.
"Oh my goodness," Takecia said.
"I told y'all this would happen," True said.
"Should we check on her?" Trinity asked, concerned for Rue.
"Uce, you need to go and talk to her," Jonathan told Joe.
Joe nodded. "I'm going," Joe said.
In the hallway, Rue burst into tears, unable to contain her emotions any longer as she reflected on all that had happened in the past. She released the tears that she had been struggling to hold back. After permitting herself several minutes to cry, she grabbed tissues from her clutch bag to wipe away the makeup streaking down her face.
As she tried to recollect herself. Joe appeared next to her, with a frown on his face. "I'm so sorry," Joe said with his head low.
Rue doesn't say anything but steps away from Joe, ready to take a walk away from him. Joe noticed the change in her body language. "Wait, Rue, I just want to talk," Joe said.
Rue ignored him and walked away, to which he followed behind her. "Rue, could we please talk?" Joe asked Rue.
"Please," Joe begged her as he followed her down the hallway of the hotel. "Come on, Rue," Joe said.
Rue finally stops walking and turns to face him. "Oh isn't it funny, I was just like that twenty years ago, begging you to stop and listen to me and you didn't. So, why should I stop and listen to you, Joe? Huh? What makes you so important that I have to stop and listen to you?" Rue asked Joe.
"Rue, please," Joe pleaded, taking hold of her wrist and making her eyes pour into his eyes as his eyes shone with tears.
Being this close together made both of their hearts race. Rue kisses her teeth. "Hurry up, and speak, Joe," Rue said.
Joe took a deep breath. "I admit I was wrong in not listening to you. I'm sorry for failing you. I'm sorry I took the easy way out instead of facing the problem and talking it out with you. Please forgive me for what I did. I wish I could go back in time and change my actions. Please give me a chance to make it up to you. I promise to never behave in the same way again," He said as he softly cupped her cheek, she melted into his touch.
"Joe," She said as tears rolled down her cheek.
"I know I don't deserve it, but can we be friends?" He asked her.
