Shadows of Yesterday

Chapter 2: Why Do My Friends Have the Worst Taste in People?

"What is HE doing here?" I demanded as I approached my friends' table. "And why is Veronica all the way over there?"

The conversation at the table paused mid-sentence, and everyone turned to stare at me. Mat and Kat's faces broke out into smiles, and they both rushed over and swept me up into a hug. "Jackie! You're back!" Kat exclaimed, her body practically vibrating from excitement.

I eagerly hugged them back. I was still extremely confused by the situation, but proper greetings were in order, first. "It's so good to see you guys again," I breathed. It had been so long that it didn't feel real that I was getting to hug them in the flesh. 

They stepped back to examine me, and I did the same for them. Seeing people's faces through filtered selfies and posed photos wasn't nearly the same as seeing them in person. Kat had grown taller since I'd moved away, but only just. She was still one of the shortest people I'd ever met, with the same radiant smile and positive energy. Her dark hair had also grown out a lot, and now she wore it long and straight with bangs. It was a nice look on her. 

Mat had also shot up, but that was no surprise. He was now much taller than me and around the same height as the pervert still sitting looking awkward at the table. His hair and eyes were dark like his sister's, but he wore it shorter and slightly mussed. They were both so much more mature-looking, and it made me realize how much I had truly missed out on. A pang of sadness shot through me.

Kat grabbed some of my hair. "How is your hair so long and soft? I always remembered you saying you had trouble growing it out!"

I laughed. "I dunno, just lots of care, I guess."

She threw her arms around me again. Mat took both of his hands and mimed measuring our height difference. "Where's the rest of you?" he joked.

I removed an arm from around Kat and elbowed him in the side. He cried out in pain and then laughed. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. You're soo funny," I said wryly. 

He mimed a hair toss. "I know, that's why all the ladies love me."

"What ladies?" me and Kat asked at the same time. We both laughed.

Mat jokingly pouted. "Hey, just 'cause I'm not allowed to go out with anyone doesn't mean there haven't been offers."

"Yeah, uh huh," I replied skeptically. "I'll believe that when I see it."

He rolled his eyes. "Your faith in me is astounding. At least I'm not a perpetual playboy like this guy." He playfully reached over and flicked Liam in the forehead, earning a flinch and a pained noise.

I side-eyed Liam in annoyance. "Yeah, what's he doing here, anyways?"

There was a sad look in his eyes, but he covered it with a confident smile. "Hanging out with my friends, and if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to get back to it."

This time, it was my aforementioned friends that I side-eyed. To their credit, they had the decency to look ashamed. Kat pulled away from me. "It was sort of a slowburn type of thing," she said quietly.

"How was it any type of burn? You guys know how awful he is!" I practically shouted.

I saw Liam flinch out of the corner of my eye. Mat shot me an angry look, surprising me. "It's been five years, Jackie. People change."

This time, it was my turn to flinch. "So you're taking his side? You guys know about our past, you saw what he did to me the last time I lived here!"

Mat sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Look. I know you guys don't have the best past, but he really is a good guy now. I think you would get along if you just gave him a chance."