3 3. The Class Reunion

Finally the Class reunion will be held tonight. And tomorrow is for The Global High School Reunion. Kiara takes 2 days off. She already booked a hotel room not too far from the Beach Apartment. She's not to excited though. Elena won't come. She is pregnant and the reunion date is pretty much near her labor date. She has been trying to have child for almost 4 years now. So she just can't take the risk.Kiara remembers about a month ago, after she received a phone call from Elena, there was another phone call from Shawn. First he was just asking for her latest picture to be put on the book of alumnies. Then he started to tell her about the preparations for the reunions. The uniforms, the matching slayers, the ceremonies, the songs their going to perform, everything. Shawn was really super excited. "Everything will be great. We all will have a really great time. You'll see when you get there. You and Elena can thank us all later 😉" He said. Kiara speaks slowly, "Mr. Chairman, It's about Elena. I think she will have to pass the reunion this time. It's pretty near her labor date." Shawn replies "Oh, It's ok. I understand that. I hope she'll have a healthy baby boy or girl. And don't you worry Ki, we'll accompany you at the reunion. Then we'll share all the stories and the pictures to her." He really tried to make her feel better. "Mr. Chairman... Kiara paused. About that....." she tried to find the right words to say. "No!" Shawn answered immediately. "Don't tell me you can't come too. The only reason you can't come is that you don't want to." He sounded angry. "Elena wasn't your only friend in this world. Sure she is your best friend. But what about us? Don't you wanna meet us? Do any of us mean anything to you? What about me?" Shawn stopped there. Kiara was surprised. Why would he say that? She chose her words carefully and say "Shawn, the thing is.." Shawn didn't let her finish."No, i don't wanna hear any excuses. We have been working so hard for this reunion. I'll be very disappointed if you don't show up. I mean we all be disappointed. We really want you to come and gather with us. I promise you will have good time" He says. Kiara felt bad already. "I'm so sorry" she says. She didn't know what else to say. So she hung up the phone. Long she stood in front of the window trying to decide what to do. Somehow she felt uneasy for making Shawn upset. Finally she took her phone and started texting. "Mr.Chairman?" No answer. She texted again. "What you've said at the phone, is that your wish?" Still no answer. About 30 minutes later, there was a message tone. Kiara opened it. Shawn wrote "Yes." She felt relieved. She texted back "Ok Mr. Chairman. your wish is my command." The phone rang. Kiara answered it and before she could spoke, Shawn said, "Does that mean you are going to come, Ki?" Kiara smiled and replied "Well, isn't it obvious Mr.Chairman?" At the end of the line Shawn was smiling too and replied "Promise?" Kiara chuckled a little. Then she answered "I promise you, Shawn." Shawn paused awhile and said "Ki, you say my name..." Kiara asked "Yes i am. What about it?" Shawn quickly replies "Nothing...Never mind... I mean...thank you and... and i see you soon..bye!" He hung up. He sounded awkward...but happy. And somehow it made Kiara felt happy too.

So now here she is at room 709 keeping her promise to Shawn. "I'll just consider it to be holidays. It's been a long time since I had one" Kiara thinks. She lays on the bed. There is the sound of that message tone again. Yes she makes special message tone for Shawn. Why? "Just so she knows who's texting" she said that to herself. Now Kiara reads the message. "Hi Ki? How's your day? I just want to let you know that the reunion will start tonight at 7pm in the Room 306 at it the Beach Apartement. Don't forget it! I'll See you soon 😊" Kiara laughs. "Silly Shawn" she thinks. Of course Kiara knows that. It's written in the invitation. Why would he say that again? Maybe he's just being nice. After all he is one of the persons in charge for the ocassion. Kiara looks at the Clock on the side table. It's 5 pm already. She needs to get ready. So she gets up and goes into the bathroom.

After a fresh shower, kiara changes her clothes. She wears a green long sleeved blouse and a black long pants. She brushes her hair and puts a little make up on her face. And for the final touch she sprays her perfume. Lavender is her favourite. Then she puts on her glasses. Last but not least, she slips her feet into her kitten heels shoes. Then she looks herself at the mirror. "Simple and sophisticated" she mumbles in satisfaction. She takes her shoulder bag and walk outside her room. When the elevator reaches the lobby, she exits quckly and look at her watch. It's 6.30 pm now. There's still enough time. There is a back door from the hotel that leads to the Beach sites. But It will be closed at midnight. "It's not that far away" she thinks. Besides she misses the Sea and its view. So she decides to take walk to the apartement. The winds plays with her hair as she walks by. She can smell the sea nearby and the view of the beach tonight is just breathtaking.

Finally she reaches the apartement lobby. She gives her invitation to the security and he makes a phone call. After awhile Shawn shows up from the elevator. He is smiling as he walks towards her. Kiara smiles too. "Hi" They both say at the same time. "How are you?" here they go again. So they paused and laugh. Shawn is stunned. Kiara looks wonderful today and evenmore when she laughs. She is a very beautiful woman now. "Mr.Chairman?" Kiara's sweet voice brings his mind back to earth. "Oh hi, Ki! I'm so glad you finally come. I was beginning to worry since you didn't reply my message." Kiara suddenly remembers. "Oh Shawn, i'm so sorry. I was in a hurry so i completely forgot about it. I'm so so sorry.." Kiara says as she looks up to him with her pretty eyes. The smell of sweet lavender makes Shawn felt weak. There is this "funny" feeling inside his stomach everytime Kiara says his name. All he manage to say is "It's ok Ki. I'm happy you are here." Kiara replies "Really?" Shawn startled a little "I mean... we are all happy you can make it here. Let's go up now!" Shawn spontanously holds her right hand and start to take her to the elevator. Kiara's heart is beating so fast now. Her face is red. She looks down to her hand. Shawn's hand wraps her fingers perfectly. Shawn realize it and slowly let her go as they enter the elevator. After that there's silence in the air.

Shawn can't seem to keep his eyes from Kiara. So he steals a glance at her. Kiara's glowing black hair smoothly touches her shoulder. Her make up shows up her beauty in all the right way. Her dress is simple and elegant. Everything is so perfect. Even her height is perfect. She can easily lean her head on his chest when they.... "Ah Shawn, what are you thinking?" Shawn snaps back from his imagination. He never had chance to know Kiara at high school. Somehow everything seemed to keep them separated back then. He saw her first at the election day and he was so curious to know everything about this nerdy girl. Once he even saw her running away with tears faling down her cheeks and he just didn't know what to do. He couldn't even ask Elena to help him. All he could do is just watched her from far away. This "untouchable girl". Until one day she just disappeared. She didn't even come to the graduation party. And for the first time in his life, Shawn's heart felt empty as if he has lost something very very important in his life.

Kiara looks at Shawn secretly as he lean on the elevator wall. It's the first time she can take a closer look at him. He is taller than what she imagined. Shawn wears a white long-sleveed shirt and a blue jeans. She still can see his arm muscles built underneath the shirt. He didn't have that in high school. There is thin beard on his face which only makes him looks mature and handsome. His brown eyes are strong and sharp as if they can see through her soul. She can never look at them too long. She notices there is a little scar near the left corner of his upper lip. It sure is making him appears more masculin. She wonders how he got the scar. Then Kiara looks down to her right hand. She still can feel the warmth of Shawn's hand there. She felt disappointed when he let go. "If only he holds on a little bit longer..." and she is surprised to know she can think that way. She quickly erases that thought and look the other way.

"Here we are!" Shawn speaks as they reach the 3rd floor. He opens the elevator doors and they go out together. Then he opens the door for the room 306. And as they come inside, Kiara sees more and more familiar faces. "Hi Kiara!" They all say. She sees Felix, Frank, Sarah, Vanessa and many more. She starts to smile happily. Shawn is still on her side. "Would you like something to eat or drink maybe?" Kiara looks at him and smiles. "It's ok Mr. Chairman. I'll get one later. I will go talk to the ladies first." Shawn hesitates. Actually he doesn't want to let her away from his side. But he has no reason to make her stay. "Ok," That's all he can say. Kiara joins the ladies. Soon they are all involved in exciting conversations. They share stories and memories. They laugh together and taking lots of pictures. On the other side of the room, All men do the same. Between the laughs, Shawn steals a glance to Kiara. She looks so happy...and gorgeous. Suddenly, Kiara looks back at him. Their eyes meet. Kiara gives him a sweet smile. Her lips forms the words "Thank you". Shawn smiles back at her and nods.

It's almost midnight. The party is over. Shawn gathers all of his friends around Him. He gives a little speech. He thanks everyone for coming and sharing memories here tonight. Then she apreciates every person in charge of making this reunion successful. After that he explains the rundowns for the global reunion tomorrow. Kiara listens to him carefully. So are other people. She finally sees that Shawn is a very good leader. He puts the right people on the right place, he observes and considers everything, he apreciates every opinions and he can mix all of them into one good plan. Every persons in the room listen to him, they eager to help him and respect him so much. He looks authoritative in all the good ways. And he is a very good friend to everyone. Kiara is blown away.

Shawn asks everyone to wait at the lobby. He and 2 of his friends go the his car to take the uniform shirts for the reunion tomorrow morning. After 30 minutes gone, they are back. Shawn face looks confused and worried. "Something is wrong." Kiara speaks in her mind. Shawn speaks up, "everyone, i'm so sorry. I can't find my car. I think i've lost it and also our t-shirts for tomorrow. Please forgive me..." Kiara feels so bad for Shawn. He must be feeling so terrible right now. Suddenly, Vanessa comes out with the cake in her hand and starts to sing happy birthday. Everyone starts to sing it too. As she walks to him, she says "We're sorry Shawn. This is all just a prank for your birthday. Your car and everything inside it is safely parked in the basement by Felix." Felix, Vanessa and all men are laughing so hard. Shawn looks relieved now.... and little annoyed. But He forgives them all instantly and laughs about it too. When the birthday song is over, Vanessa smiles as she bring the cake closer to Shawn and asks him to blow the candles. Shawn smiles back and blow out all the candles. They laugh together. Everyone cheers and claps their hands. Kiara feels a sharp pain in her heart. It's like a needle piercing through deeper. Then Vanessa kisses him on his right cheek. Kiara turns her face away. She can't breath and her eyes feel like burning. As everyone gather closer to them, She moves backward to the door and run away. Her tears starts to falling down and she doesn't even know why....