Chapter One
Shawn Farrell walked nimbly through the crowded room, pausing only to deliver a rote greeting to whoever would stop him. In the corner of his eye he saw a flicker of long blond hair and hesitated. The girl wound her way around an elderly couple and stopped. Damn it Shawn, Keep it together. She was older, at least thirty and she wouldn't be here any way. He felt a strong hand grab his shoulder.
"Hey Shawn." He smiled.
"Hey Kyle. What's up?" They hugged warmly.
"Nothing much. Homework, Golf, Alien Possession…" Kyle shrugged, "The usual." He held him out at arms length and raised an eyebrow. " Wait a moment. Back up buddy. Is your shirt pink? " He shook his head and dropped his arms. "Now that is just wrong. I am speechless."
"Aww, shut up man!" Shawn said punching him playfully.
"Hey Shawn," The voice was soft and shy. He turned around but he didn't recognize the girl in front of him. She was tall, with shoulder length caramel blond hair and pale blue eyes. There's something about that smile…His eyes widened.
"Elizabeth? Hey! I haven't seen you since…"
"Since quarantine." She finished for him.
"You look great…. What did you do?' Kyle elbowed him sharply That was rude, but she didn't seem to mind.
"I cut the hair, got rid of the bell bottoms and hemp bracelets, and stopped crying hysterically."
"Well you look amazing." Kyle elbowed him again. "What now?" he asked exasperated. Kyle looked at Shawn in disgust and turned to Elizabeth.
"Hi, I'm Kyle Baldwin. Shawn's cousin." He reached out his hand to shake hers and she smiled sweetly.
"Elizabeth Jameson. 1969. Shawn's told me a lot about you."
"Really?" Shawn looked at his cousin; he had this goofy smile slapped on his face and they couldn't seem to take their eyes off of one another. Well, well...Kyle so owes me.
"Well, uh, I'll leave you two to …you two."
"Sure man. Catch you later." Kyle waved absently. As he walked away Shawn heard him moving seamlessly to another topic of conversation. "Soooo, you were a hippie?"