Too Complicated

Chapter 60.

My nerves are never ending as the plane lands. Even when I think happy thoughts, those same worried little butterflies come back into my stomach and mess me up. I should be happy that I'm finally coming home, right? I'm a different person than I was when I left and I think that should be a reminder when I see everyone.

Devon sent me pictures yesterday of him at his graduation ceremony and as much as I would've loved to be there, I was proud of him. He's graduated High School and is now going on to bigger and better things.

Even when I do spot my mom, brother, and friends I don't feel like it's real. It's like I never left when they rush over to me and hug the life out of my body.

"I'm so glad you're back," Tammy cries into my shoulder.

"I'm glad to be back," I laugh, patting her back. One of the things I've learned from therapy is how to not transfer every emotion into tears. I have to channel it into happy thoughts or walk away and try to calm down. The first option is easiest for this time.

I hug everyone else, my mom and brother smiling broadly at me. I can tell they see the change. I stand up straighter now with my head held high and I'm more confident with myself. That's something Gavin diminished when this bet happened. He left me broken and only I could piece myself back together.

I haven't thought about that in a long time, though, it's kind of inevitable with coming back to Minnesota. I like to think that if I run into him this summer, it won't effect me, but I guess we'll have to see. I've got my walls up and I'm hoping that's enough.

"Come on," my mom smiles. "Let's go get some lunch to celebrate."

I smile happily, grabbing one of my suitcases while Devon grabs my carry on. Tammy and Hailey talk none stop on the car ride about how things were so different without me. No one knew what to do with themselves.

Apparently, Chanel has turned over a leaf of being nice. She's dropped all of her former friends except one, I don't ask them to tell me the name, and she's become a happier person. I'd like to think its because she knew betting on me was wrong, but whatever the reason, I'm glad. She's graduated now too, and she's finally becoming mature.

A girl named Jenna, she was in my fourth hour, ended up getting pregnant by some guy that ended up dropping out of high school. I feel bad, Tammy said she's now on her own with the baby.

One of the teachers got fired for selling magazines to some of the boys at school. If you don't know what those magazines are...

And then of course, some new couple statues. Some of them are quite weird and I never would've expected them to go this way.

Tammy and Hailey both haven't dated anyone since I've been gone which I was surprised to here about, I mean they're both beautiful girls and the fact no one has noticed that yet surprises me.

Through all of the talking, we then pull up to Luciano's, the first restaurant we ate out at when I arrived last fall. Memories fill my brain of all the times my family and I would come here when I was a kid. That was before my parents got divorced and my dad got custody of me. I'm glad to have that back and go make new memories with my friends.

The hostess is a nice girl who is always smiling, she's a bit of an older lady, but has been working here since I was a kid. You rarely ever see people who really enjoy their job. With compliments on how Devon and I have grown up so well, she leads us to our favorite fable.

"She's so nice," Tammy gushes as the woman walks away.

"I know right," I grin. "She's been working here since Devon and I were young."