Who I Once Was (Book Three in the 'Small Town Girl' Series)

Chapter Three: Girl Meets New York City

My nerves were shot by the time the plane landed. I was going to see my Dad. I was going to lie to my Dad. I only hope I've gotten better at lying.

I pulled my suitcase off of the conveyer belt at baggage claim and then looked around, searching for a familiar face. I finally found one, just...not the one I was expecting.

"Zay?" I asked, in shock as I saw him pull his own suitcase off of the conveyer belt. He furrowed his eyebrows, analyzing me for a moment. "Skipper?" His eyes widened.

"Skipper! Look at you! You look so different, I didn't even recognize you! Get over here!" He grabbed my arm, pulling me into a hug. I smiled, hugging him back.

"You look different too!" I said, pulling away from him. "I wouldn't have recognized you had I not seen your face plastered all over ESPN."

Life had  been kind to Zay. He went to college on a Baseball scholarship, and ended up getting spotted by an MLB Scout. Now he's a professional Baseball player for the Kansas City Royals.

"Yeah. You never quite get used to it," He said, "What have you been doing? I've talked to the others here and there but you've been MIA." I shrugged.

"I've been in college. Took me five years to graduate, and now I'm a certified teacher. I just have to find a job." I told him. It was mostly true.

"That shouldn't be difficult for you. You spent five years teaching us and we turned out pretty good." I chuckled at this.

"So you're back for the reunion I take it?"

"Yup. I'm on break, I missed everyone, and the wife has never been to New York and has always wanted to come, so..." I smiled.

"Right, yeah, where is Vanessa?"

"Bathroom." He answered. I nodded. "I swear, the woman has a bladder the size of a-"

"Isaiah Babineaux, you try carrying around a human being and see how your bladder control is!" I gasped as I saw a very pregnant Vanessa appear beside him, a han don his shoulder.

"Oh my gosh!" I gasped. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you, Skipper." Vanessa said, recognizing me instantly. 

"How long?" I asked.

"Six months." Zay answered proudly.

"You guys! That's so great! Do you know the gender yet?"

"Little girl," Zay answered, "Andrea Renee Babineaux."

"That's gorgeous!" I exclaimed.

"Thank you," Vanessa said, "So, if you're here, I take it you and Zay are the only members of the gang not residing in New York?"I nodded.

"I'm in California." She nodded.

"Well, Zay has been talking non-stop about being back in New York and seeing everybody. Its been too long." I nodded.

"You know, it really has." I said. I truly meant it too.

"So, do you want to split a cab or..."Zay trailed off.

"Actually..."

"Well I'll be," I smiled at the thick Texas accent coming from behind me, "Is that MLB All-Star Zay 'The Bat' Babineaux?" 

"Why yes sir, Mr. Jackson." I smiled, turning around to face my father. His hair had turned gray, but it was still my same old Dad. He smiled when he saw me.

"Would you look at that?" He said. "My little girl's not so little anymore."

"Hi, Dad." I walked over to him, wrapping my arms around his waist and hugging him.

"I missed you, Skip."

"I missed you too." I pulled away.

"So, now that you three dropped in the gang's all here, back in the Big Apple."

"Home sweet home." Zay answered, "Save Austin that is."

"Well, who says you can't have more than one?" Dad asked. He nodded.

"Ain't that the truth."

"Well, you guys want a ride? We got plenty of room in the truck." Dad told them.

"We wouldn't want to impose-" Vanessa started.

"Nonsense. You guys are practically family." Dad said, taking one of the suitcases out of Zay's hand and grabbing mine. "Come on, I'll show you the way." Zay and Vanessa fell into step with my Dad, making small talk and I lingered behind them.

I was feeling conflicted. Yeah, I was happy to be home, and to be with My Dad and Zay and soon the rest of the group but at the same time...

How am I going to keep up the rouse that everything is alright?

"So, you guys got a place to crash while you're in town?" I heard Dad ask.

"That's the thing, we're kind of here surprising my parents," He said, "We told them we weren't gonna be able to make it."

"Your Old Man will love that. I swear, when we meet up for poker every Saturday, he just cannot stop talking about you, and your record breaking batting average. He's just so proud."

"Well he should be. The man taught me everything I know." Zay said. I smiled and Vanessa fell back, walking beside me.

"Have you talked to him?" She said quietly. I furrowed my eyebrows. "Farkle. How long has it been since you last saw him?"

"Same as everyone else. Five years." I answered.

"That's interesting. The way Zay talked about you guys, everyone was sure you'd be the first to get hitched." I nodded.

"Yeah well...we were going in different directions. He was headed to Massachusetts, I was going to Stanford, it was just to much of a gap to do Long Distance, and we didn't want to hold each other back from the college experience so we decided it would be best if we went our separate ways."

"I'm sure it was for the best," She said, "Did you see him on the cover of Forbes last month?"

I had. That magazine cover was currently folded up under my pillow back in California. To say that I missed Farkle would be an understatement but...He's a billionaire CEO now. I'm sure he's got some insanely brilliant and beautiful girlfriend by his side.

"No, I...must've missed that." I lied. Vanessa gave me a skeptical look, but didn't question it. By then we had reached the truck and Dad and Zay were loading the bags into the back of it.

"You guys mind if we make a quick pit stop on the way to your Dad's place?"

"Not at all!" Vanessa told him. "Where to?"

"I think its probably best for you to wait and see." Dad said, shooting Zay and I a knowing look. We both looked at each other with furrowed eyebrows.