The Reunion

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Wes POV

 I leaned against the diner's wall, the familiar scent of coffee and bacon wafting through the air. It was one of those quiet afternoons, the kind where time seemed to crawl, yet the world outside buzzed with a sense of urgency. My eyes scanned the street, half-heartedly searching for nothing in particular, until they landed on a figure stepping out of the cafe across the way. It was her. Lana.

 I felt the ground shift beneath my feet, a jolt of recognition so powerful it nearly knocked the breath out of me. Gone was the girl with the fiery red hair that glowed like embers in the sun. Instead, she stood before me, transformed, her hair a striking shade of blonde that framed her face in soft waves. She looked different, yet achingly familiar—like a haunting melody that had always lingered in the back of my mind. My heart raced as memories flooded back: the way she'd thrown her head back in laughter, the sparkle in her eyes whenever she sang. I'd never told her how I felt, never found the courage to share the crush that had bloomed so innocently in those carefree days. It felt like a lifetime ago, a secret buried under years of longing and what-ifs.

 She hesitated for a moment, scanning the street, and I felt my stomach twist. Did she remember me? How could she forget? We were just kids, but my feelings for her had grown deeper every year, morphing into something complex and beautiful. The thought of speaking to her now filled me with a mix of excitement and dread.

 Taking a step forward, I called out, "Lana!" She turned, and our eyes locked. For a heartbeat, the world around us faded. I took in the way her expression shifted, a flicker of surprise mixed with something else—was it recognition? She moved closer, and I could see the subtle signs of change etched on her face, the weight of her journey written in the shadows beneath her eyes. 

"Wes?" she said, the name coming out as a breathless whisper, and just like that, the years melted away.

 "Hey," I replied, struggling to keep my voice steady.

 "Wow, it's... it's really you." Lana laughed softly, a sound that sent warmth through me. "I guess so. It's been... what, four years?"

 "Yeah, four years." I scratched the back of my neck, trying to find something light to say. "You look different. Good different. I mean, I just... wow." Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. 

"Thanks. You don't look so bad yourself. I mean, you look... grown-up."

 "Guess we both are," I said, and the awkwardness hung between us, palpable yet comforting. "So, are you back for good?" "I just... needed some time. L.A. was a lot." Her voice trailed off, and I could sense the weight behind her words. I wanted to ask more, to delve into the stories behind those eyes, but we were both treading carefully. 

"Yeah, I get that. Small towns have their own way of pulling you back," I said, trying to keep things light. "The diner's still the same, if you ever want a milkshake." A smile tugged at her lips, and for a moment, we were those kids again, trading secrets over sodas and fries.

 "I might take you up on that," she replied. "I missed it. Missed... all of this."

 "Me too," I admitted, and a silence enveloped us, heavy with unspoken words. I could feel the tension, the unsaid emotions lurking just beneath the surface. "So," I said, forcing myself to break the moment, "what's next for you?" Her smile faltered just a bit, and I realized she was still figuring it out, just like me.

 "I'm not sure yet. Just taking it one day at a time." 

"Same here." And as we stood there, the world buzzing around us, I felt a flicker of hope. Maybe this was the beginning of something—something I had wanted for so long but never dared to imagine.

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