7 Reunion

I was busy waiting for the man to finish his food when I felt my phone on my pocket. I looked in my pocket when I felt it vibrate. I immediately regretted why I even looked at the content of the recent message I received.

From: Unknown number

Hey, today is the class' reunion. Are you coming?

I rolled my eyes when I see the message coming from Paul. Not that I didn't want to go, I actually wanted to be reunited with my friends but there was my fear that they would compare my situation now to theirs. Also, I also don't want to see that man's face.

I was ready to throw my goddamn phone away when I thought that Paul sent another message but it’s not from him

From: Unknown number

Julie! It's me Eula, Paul give me your contact number since I can't contact you on social media. Girl, we are expecting you to come and you haven't attended any of our reunions since then. I hope that I can see you tonight because I really miss you so much!

I looked at that screen for a long time. Eula Hidalgo is my best friend. I've lost contact with her since I knew about my mom's pregnancy.

I sighed and stared at my reflection on the mirror.

"Can you do this, Julie?"

________________

We will be at a venue which is a restaurant by the bay and they will be there at almost 10 pm. I told Simon first about my plan this evening and he agreed since I had nothing to do during those hours. It's almost 9 pm and I still haven't decided whether I will come or not. I said goodbye to everyone but I am still here.

Eventually, I picked up the mini dress I bought. As always, I cannot deny my white skin and somehow my curved body. I may not be the perfect girl with amazing facial features but even so, I am fine with my slightly rounded eyes, not that straight nose but just average.

I do not know how long I have been preparing. All I know is that I got out of the mansion and took a taxi to the venue.

I'm hoping that things will go smoothly after this night.

"Hey, JULIE!"my former classmates shouted and hugged me one by one when we saw each other at the venue. I looked at them all and they were all the same even though many years passed. There were atleast 10 men and 12 women here at the venue and a girl typing something on her phone caught my attention

When everyone returned to her seat after meeting me, I immediately went in the direction of Eula who was still not getting straight at me. I sat in the chair next to it and glanced at what he was doing on his own phone.

"Care to tell me those vacations of yours?"

Eula was obviously surprised when she heard my voice so for a few minutes her eyes widened before she smiled broadly. “JULIE!"she exclaimed and locked me in between her arms. I reciprocated her hug and I heard her soft sobs.

"I thought you will not come here tonight. I really missed you, girl!"

"Hey, Eula. Let me now 'cause I'm having a hard time to breathe, you know." I said laughing and she immediately let go of me before wiping away her tears. "I'm glad that you weren't wearing makeup today. You don't like to have smudge on your face." I aimed at it and was given a glass of water.

In a matter of 5 minutes, the last three guests arrived, I was not that happy when I saw my colleagues and one of them is you-know-who. The surroundings were quiet and all of their eyes were on me and Paul with geez, is that Samantha? They're still together?

"So, since we are all complete. Somebody must share their 'ongoing' lives with us, right?" I looked away from Paul who was also looking at me. I could feel Eula holding my hand shaking. She moved closer to me and I heard her whispering something.

"The girl beside him was the hoe, right? I thought she was one of Paul's flings." I 'shushed' Eula before one of us might hear what she said. I don't want to cause trouble here and I especially don't want to be the cause of it. I came here to enjoy the night, not to remember the memories with my ex.

"Since Julie didn't come on our last reunion, maybe she will be the first to share, right?" I just closed my eyes when I heard my name. I looked at them and all of them were waiting for me to talk.

"Julie, it's okay with us if--"

"No. I can share." I smiled at Eula and gave her a reassuring smile. It didn't object anymore so I took a deep breath before speaking. "Well, actually I was once a secretary for a telecompany director but I quit from that job because of some family matters." I tried to control my breath when I told them half a lie. I quit because I can't stand degrading myself anymore.

"Oh, I heard some say that you were fired. So they are lying, I guess." that girlfriend of Paul interrupted. I saw that every one of them exchange glances at each other in this very awkward situation. "Wait until she finished talking, Samantha." Eula replied so you can see the irritation on the woman's face.

"I'm just saying what I've heard, Eula. No need to burst out like that."Actually, I was already stabbing her eyes with a fork in my mind. I saw Paul holding that woman's shoulder to stop her from speaking.

Of course, he needs to do that or else there will be a battle between Eula and this Samantha here.

Eula is a black-belter in taekwondo since we're in high school so no one dares to annoy this tall-and-terrible girl beside me.

"Well, in case you are not aware. My mother is still not in good condition so I didn't attend the previous reunion of ours. I'm really sorry so I will truly appreciate it if you will forgive me since I came here tonight, right?" I tried my best to put up a good smile but I know some of them know that I'm not in a comfortable situation right now.

After my few former colleagues share their best of lives, it's finally Paul's turn and we're back again in this awkward moment.

"Sam and I already planned to have our wedding next year in Honolulu since she is fond of that place. She decided to make it a simple--"

"Paul, we need you to share 'your' experiences these past few years, not Samantha's" I saw how Samantha’s face changed when she heard what Eula said. She is really getting on my friend's nerves. I can also see her face turned red.

Paul didn't even bother to look at the woman beside him and he just continued talking.

"Well, I visited a few countries on my own and I've also tried bungee jumping in Macau and I think that's the best experience I've got SO FAR." I know he emphasized the word 'so far' so we can know that he is seriously looking forward to their wedding.

Just wait and see. I will also get a man who will marry me and make me the happiest woman I'll ever be.

"So, in case you noticed. Almost all of us are planning for their weddings. How about the two of you, Eula and Julie?"Eula and I looked at each other because of that question and after a while we burst out laughing.

"Me? Oh, come on. I will marry definitely when I see a man who is not scared of me. But unfortunately, every man seems to see my legs as a nightmare so yeah, How about Julie?" I stared at Eula after she passed the question to me. I know the reason why that woman doesn't want to get married.

Actually, she used to love a man then later she found out that she can't bear a child. She didn't even confess her feelings until that man finally got married. If Eula had confessed that time, I knew they both had a chance. I guess the guy may not be for her. A woman like Eula is surely won't grow old all alone.

"I know that I will be eating my words sooner if I told you that I will not get married. As for me, I'm actually planning too but like Eula, I'm finding the right man. A man with a SOUL and will FIGHT for me." I emphasized each and every word I said and looked directly at Paul.

He was avoiding my gaze until another of our classmates spoke.

_______________

"JULIE!" I turned to Paul who was catching his breath. "Can we talk for a moment?" We were about to go to Eula's car when she suddenly pulled me by the arm.

I glanced at Eula and she looked confused as I was. "Can you spare me a few minutes, please?" Paul begged. What for?

"Paul, you and Samantha will get married now. It's not appropriate to see us talking since all of us knew that she and---"I stopped speaking when a loud slap landed on my face. With this, I could feel the pain and bleeding on my lips.

"YOU SLUT!"before I know it, I can see that Paul is holding Samantha's arms and trying to take her aways from Eula who is clutching at her hair. "YOU WILL NOT TAKE AWAY MY PAUL! AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, HE IS STILL LOOKING FOR YOU, WHORE---"

"IT'S NOT JULIE'S FAULT IF SHE IS MORE WORTH IT THAN YOU B*TCH!"I can hear Eula defending me and I, on the other hand, have my cheeks sore. I can feel it when I touch it.

Eula and Samantha exchanged curses and Paul is trying again to pull those two ladies apart. And here I am, standing frozen and just watching them fight.

"CAN YOU PLEASE STOP?!"Paul shouted. Eula let go of Samantha's hair as Paul grabbed her arms and took her away from us. "I'm sorry, Julie. I hope you can forgive me."Paul said before he gets out of my sight. Samantha is trying to escape from Paul and I averted my gaze to look away from such a pathetic view.

"Are you okay?"Eula asked and touched my cheek that made me moaned in pain. "I'm going to kill that bitch earlier if you are not watching, you know that." Eula is totally serious when she talks with threats.

"It's funny that I should be the one who is angry right now and they have the guts to show their faces at me."I scoffed but deep inside, I don’t understand why Samantha was so upset with me. She got what she wanted, they already ruined my life and it is still my fault?

"Should I take you home, Julie?" Eula tapped my shoulder. I nodded while maintaining to keep myself calm despite my shortness of breath.

_____________

"This is where you live now?"immediately asked when she saw the mansion where Simon lived. I shook my head and smiled at her. “No, I work here.”I said beofre getting out of her car. She is about to say something but I cutted her off.

"Take care of yourself always, Eula! I will call you sometimes.You know the number,right?"I did not wait for her response and went straight inside the mansion. I immediately closed the door and ran to my room.

I don't know but suddenly tears flowed down my cheeks while I still felt the pain left on my cheeks. I guess they slapped me the truth. The truth I will not get out of this mess.

I spent hours crying and crying until I fell asleep.

____First Person____

Meanwhile, Jayden is still on the hospital rooftop- taking a look over the city's full image. He closed his eyes and felt the cold breeze piercing through his skin. He watched over the top and wrote down again in his journal.

'We may not meet again but in my dreams, we will travel along the skies'

His poems are like songs. But he did not change the words that had been written. He just smiled.

Then a picture of Julie' smile flashes on his mind. To his shock, his smile disappeared. Why am I thinking about that girl?

He spent a few more hours at the rooftop until he decided to come home. And just before he walked inside, he saw a car in front of the mansion. He can tell that the car is very expensive and modern.

Who would go here at this time? He asked himself.

From the car window, a woman peeked out and smiled while waving hands.

"Take care of yourself always, Eula! I will call you sometimes. You know the number, right?"

He saw Julie bid goodbye to her friend inside the car. She immediately goes inside the mansion without hearing her friend bid goodbye as well.

"You too. Take care of yourself, dummy." the friend of Julie said. She started the engine as she drove away from here.

Jayden saw the woman when she drove away there. Then he caught a glimpse of the change in her expression as soon as their eyes met. But no one is more surprised that he was. This girl…

He could not move and he seemed to be stuck in a position. He just kept staring at that woman when she stopped the car.

A few more moments and it lowered the car’s window.

"You lived here, Mister?”