I take another sip of my cheap champagne as i rake my eyes across the room filled with my former high school classmates. I don't know how Claire talked me into coming to our school reunion but she did. She had said it would be fun and a chance to catch up with one another.
Wasn't that what social media was for?
I tap the side of my glass with my fingernail still scanning the room at the not so familiar faces. I was never good with names and graduating from a class of almost 200 people did not help. Besides the only person that I had remained in contact with from my class was Claire so as far as i am concerned no one in here gave a crap about me. I could almost bet that no one even remembers my name.
I pluck and finger sandwich from the table of snacks near the back wall.
I am just as invisible now as i was back then. Even though i act as though I am not interested in gatherings such as these, a little part of me was hoping that someone would notice that I had ditched my thick rimmed glasses and pimpled completion since high school.
But who was I kidding.
"Grace! There you are!" I stop in mid chew as i turn to see Claire pushing through the crowd to get to me, dragging some woman with a great complexion behind her. "Grace! This is Nora Watson. Remember from gym class?" Claire says with enthusiasm.
Of course I did. Nora the one who announced to the whole locker room that I stuffed my bra because i was as flat chested as the boys. She left me with a cherry red face and tears that flowed faster than most rivers. Claire was out sick that day and I never told her about it because i was too embarrassed. Otherwise I would slap her in the face for bringing the witch over to me.
I swallow my food and extend my arm out to her. No point in holding a grudge forever, even if i wanted to lift my dress up and show Nora that I had indeed grown a few cups since our last encounter. But she did not deserve to see my black lace ensemble.
"Of course i remember you." I say trying to sound like I didn't hate her guts. She is still as beautiful as she was back then with her high cheek bones and award winning smile, but her blonde hair has lost its shine.
"Im sad to say I don't remember you. Grace is it?" She says giving me a look of kindness mixed with confusion. I wanted to call her out on bullying me, but decided to keep it a little more neutral.
"Just imagine me with Clark Kent glasses and boils on my face. That should jog your memory." I say maybe a little too coldly. Claire's eyes wide in shock and an uneasy grin settles on her face.
"Oh..." Nora says with a look of shame and uneasiness on her face. I just shake my head and give a small smile.
"Well if you will excuse me, the bathroom has been calling my name." I say walking in between them. I love making people feel awkward and speechless.
Thunder sounds from above making me slightly jump in my heels. They had to pick tonight of all nights to have this thing. It had been raining for hours and the weather station had predicted that the storm would not let up until morning.
I excused myself as i walked past a few people trying to make my exit from the crowded gymnasium to get to the double doors that would take me to the bathroom.
Suddenly thunder cracked again but this time all the lights in the gymnasium shut off. I froze still as murmurs and gasps from my former classmates filled the air.
Great.
I just wrapped my arms around me and looked around in the pitch black gymnasium hoping the lights would cut back on soon. No matter how old I get my fear of the dark never seems to fade. A few people bump into me and apologize, but i remain perfectly still and silently pray for light.
