Again

Chapter 01

"Come to the reunion!" Rhea's voice crackled with excitement, even through the phone. She'd been talking about the event for weeks, eager to reconnect with their old crew from Eastwood High.

"What reunion?" Wayne's voice sounded flat, as if he hadn't expected the call.

Rhea sighed. "You seriously didn't check your messages? I'll send you the link." The sound of her fingers tapping filled the silence. Within seconds, Wayne's phone buzzed.

He clicked on the link. Familiar names popped up alongside smiling photos that, despite their cheerfulness, felt distant and foreign. His stomach twisted. "Hell no. This is why you called?"

"Yes!" Rhea's insistence carried a playful tone, but he could sense the undercurrent of something more. "Everyone's been asking about you, Wayne. Jake, Esther, Arthur—they all miss you. I miss you."

Wayne sighed, sinking deeper into his office chair. "Rhea, I appreciate it, but I really can't. It seems like a waste of time."

"You say that about everything," she teased.

He bit his lip, the old familiar anxiety creeping up. "No, I mean it. What's the point? They'll all just show off how great their lives are. I wasn't exactly the big success story in high school. I don't need a reminder of that. Plus, I've got work."

There was a brief pause before Rhea responded, her tone softening. "I know how you feel. But listen, they've been through stuff too. It's not all perfect for them either. We'll stick together, and if it gets unbearable, we can sneak out. I promise." Her voice lightened again. "Plus, there'll be free food and drinks! Come on, what have you got to lose?"

Wayne chuckled but shook his head, unseen on the other end of the line. "I don't know, Rhea..."

"You didn't come to my birthday last year, so consider this your payment for that," she interrupted with a mix of playfulness and sincerity. "It's been so long since we've all been together, and I don't want us to lose touch. Please?"

There it was—the vulnerability beneath her carefree exterior. Rhea, despite her bright spirit, had always feared drifting apart. Wayne sighed again, feeling that familiar pull of obligation mixed with affection for his best friend of over a decade. "Fine, I'll think about it."

"Love you!" she said quickly, seizing the moment before he could change his mind.

"Love you too," Wayne muttered, his heart sinking as he mentally committed to something he wasn't ready for.

Wayne glanced at the clock, the harsh fluorescent lights buzzing above him in his office. Papers were scattered across his desk, some spilling onto the floor. The sunset outside burned a deep orange, casting shadows over his cluttered workspace. His head throbbed—another day swallowed by work.

He leaned back, massaging his temples. He was about to pack up when his phone lit up. Six missed calls from Rhea. His chest tightened.

"Shit," he whispered, fumbling for the phone. He dialed her back, guilt gnawing at him.

"Rhea, I'm so sorry. I got caught up with work. I'll make it up to you—I'll be there soon," he blurted, trying to mask the panic in his voice.

On the other end, Rhea let out a dramatic sigh, though her tone remained playful. "Apology accepted. But where are you? We were supposed to pre-game! The fun starts before the party!"

"I'm still at the office," Wayne admitted, rubbing his temples in frustration. "But I'll head out now. I can pick you up at the station in an hour?"

"An hour?" Rhea's voice shot up. "I'm already on the train!"