Bam

Sure enough, we still ran into traffic even though I was able to take the carpool lane. Unfortunate, but expected. At least for me. The girls all grumbled and groaned as we barely moved inches at a time.

"Please tell me we don't have to go through this all weekend?" Rachel pleaded in annoying matter. "I didn't think I would spend my first hour in LA in traffic."

Uh. I made a face. What did they expect? It's not like I wanted to leave work early to sit in traffic either. "I actually found some cute bridal boutiques by the beach so it won't be as bad as this. We won't actually be spending any time in LA."

"Oh, bummer." She replied.

I shook my head. Don't let her get to you, I repeated over and over in my head. It's just for 72 hours. You can do this. During my mental pep talk, we pushed through the worst of the traffic and really started to move.

"So did you make plans for us for tonight?" AJ asked. I was able to see her face clearly in my rear view mirror. Her and Rachel are obviously of the same kind.

I put on my 'happy' smile. "I did! I hope you guys don't mind. I made a reservation at this hibachi grill for dinner. They have a big menu so I'm sure everyone will find something to be happy with." And if you aren't? Then I might accidentally forget you and you can find a way to walk back.

"Hibachi?? Yay!" Kelly cheered for it. "I can't wait. Is it the kind where they cook in front of you and put on a show?"

I genuinely smiled. At least someone appreciates my efforts. "Yes! They're one of the best in the county."

"Was it difficult to get reservations?" Brittany asked, showing some worry.

"I know one of the hosts." I explained. "She's a younger roommate of one of my high school friends."

"Oh, good." Brittany sighed. "As long as it wasn't too much trouble."

Keep the smiling going, I told myself. I drove them all to my house first so they could drop off their bags and freshen up before dinner.

"Wow! This house is amazing." Mrs. Cooper exclaimed as I pulled into the empty driveway.

"Thanks, my dad just bought it a couple years ago." I told her.

"How many bedrooms is it?" She asked.

"Five."

"So much space."

I got out of the car and they followed suit. "It doesn't feel like it most days. My sister and her family live with us too. Same with my brother." I noticed their uneasy expressions, probably concerned about being in a house with my big family. "They're all gone for the weekend though. My sister helped me clean the rooms and change the sheets so you all would be comfortable."

"Fantastic." Brittany grinned.

I passed out their luggage and led them up the walkway. I showed them the rooms and they started to pick. Mrs. Cooper got my brother's room downstairs. Rachel and AJ agreed to share my nephew's room which had two small beds. Brittany and Kelly would share the king-sized bed in my sister's room.

After talking about the Hibachi restaurant and what to expect, they decided to change into more suitable clothing. I also chose to change out of my work clothes and put on a dress.

I drove us to the restaurant, pointing out landmarks or significant places that had an impact on my life. As we passed by the high school, Brittany stared at it in wonder. "Wow. My high school wasn't this big."

I shrugged. "A lot of kids went there. They added another building after I graduated too."

Brittany looked at me as I was driving. "Have you reconnected with any old high school flames?" She grinned evilly. "Wasn't there a couple boys you were interested in?"

"High school was six years ago." I squinted. "I barely keep in contact with any of them besides a few close friends."

"Makes sense." Kelly said from behind me. "I only talk to, like, five people from high school."

"Don't you run into anyone from high school though since you've moved back?" Brittany asked.

I shook my head. "Not very often. It's a big city. Plus, the chances of me running into someone I personally knew in high school is even smaller since my school held so many students." I waved my hand carelessly. "It's not a small world like everyone thinks."

I pulled into the parking lot off Main Street. We all got out and I locked the doors, then led the way. Sure enough, Chrissy's roommate was working the hostess stand.

She gave me a head nod. "Your party all here?"

I nodded.

She waved for us to follow her. She took us to a station that already had a couple there. "The chef is about to come by for orders." She pointed around the menus already laid out. "Items for show are on the front."

I nodded again. "Thanks."

She hurried back to her stand without another word. Her and Chrissy get along, but she's a bit cold to strangers.

We all got seated, trying to keep Brittany in the middle of us since it's her that we're celebrating.

We placed our orders with the chef and our drinks from the waiter. Brittany wasn't exactly one of my drinking friends, so I kept it simple with a water.

The chef came back with everyone's ingredients and the show began. Brittany, her mom, and her friends all enjoyed the spectacle as I watched halfheartedly.

He started to make the volcano out of onions, and set it on fire just as someone got a grip on my shoulder. Startled, I turned to look at the person who would carelessly grab me like this.

Nate.

My eye twitched at the sight of the tall man. He pushed his brown curls out of the way of his eyes with his free hand, still holding onto me with his other hand. "Val. I thought it was you!"

Fudge. This can't be happening. Was I wrong to say it wasn't a small world? Did the universe just want to make a fool out of me?

"Val?" Brittany questioned, bringing me back to the present. "Who's this? A friend?"

My eye twitch became more pronounced. I tried to rub my eye without being too obvious. "Um, kind of." I paused, looking up at the surprise guest. "A friend..?"

Nate laughed easily. "Of course we can be considered friends! We dated for almost two years in high school." He outed me to my friend.

Brittany's face lit up. "Oh! An old high school flame! What do you know?! We were just talking about whether she had seen any and bam, here you are."

Yea...bam.