Peaked in High School

Reunion P. II

The parking lot is filled to the brim with cars outside of the building that Beau gave him the address to. It takes Everett three laps around the lot before he finds a spot that he can claim. Beau was ahead of him, but drove past the space, so Everett assumes he either didn't see it or is being a gentleman and letting him have it.

Once parked, Everett checks his phone to see if Beau has successfully found a place to park yet. When he sees that he has no new notifications, he takes the time to observe the building in front of him. 'The Clubhouse' is boldly displayed in bright red, blocky lettering high up above the entrance. He recalls Beau mentioning that this is a new bar/restaurant that just opened a couple months ago.

The sun is going down and there are people outside smoking and socializing. Indistinguishable rock music is playing lowly through outdoor speakers that Everett can hear even with the car doors and windows shut. He closes his eyes for a moment and takes in the bass gently vibrating the car as he sits patiently.

Tap-tap-tap

Everett jolts in his seat and his head whips to look at the noise outside of his window. His heart races, but he takes a breath of relief when he sees it's just Beau standing next to his car. Feeling silly about this reaction, he shakes his head and exits the vehicle.

"Sorry for scaring you," Beau apologizes, but clearly doesn't mean it if his amused smirk is anything to go off of.

Straightening out his shirt for something to do, Everett brushes off the comment. "Whatever," he mutters. Beau chuckles at him and his attempt to cover his embarrassment.

They weave through parked cars and pass by the people smoking outside. Beau was behind him during the entire walk, but strolls in front of him to hold the door open for Everett when they arrive at the entrance.

"After you." Beau smiles and gestures for Everett to walk inside.

Nodding in thanks, Everett makes his way through the doorway. Once in the building, he glances over his shoulder and sees Beau come up behind him. The warmth of Beau's front radiates onto Everett's back. He's both surprised and comforted by Beau's closeness in an atmosphere like this. An atmosphere filled with their former peers.

Everett's heart begins to race again.

Beau is sticking with him right now, but what happens when they start talking to their friends from high school? He can't help feeling, once again, like this entire thing was a bad idea.

He's about to suggest that he and Beau just leave when Beau suddenly seems to spot something in the distance. The taller man places his hand softly on Everett's lower back and guides them in the direction that his eyes are set on.

They weave their way through the crowds of people, similarly to how they did in the parking lot with the cars. Everett recognizes many faces during their journey to the other side of the room. Everyone looks older, obviously. It's been over five years since he last saw these people at graduation—it feels surreal seeing them all congregated here tonight.

Everett is still scanning the area when he feels Beau suddenly bring them to a stop. "Remind me what their names are again?" Beau's lips are close to his ear as he whispers the question causing Everett to shiver.

Turning his head, Everett spots the group of people Beau is asking about. A couple feet away from them are some of Everett's old friends from high school. He is genuinely shocked that Beau knows who he hung out with back in the day. If anything, he was under the impression that Beau only knew of him because they were neighbors and didn't make any observations beyond that.

"Oh, wow," the words leave Everett's mouth involuntarily. "Uh—the short guy in the button up is Zhiyu. The girl in the glasses is Sarah and the blonde one is Gwen. Dante and Rome are the twins.... I honestly can't tell them apart right now."