There is something about being at the beach that makes me feel at ease. I've always loved the water. The sound of the waves crashing on the shore, coupled with a summer breeze can clear my mind, and remind me, at least in this moment, that everything is okay. It's been eleven years since all the bullshit drama that came with faking a lesbian relationship with my best friend, and nine years since we all graduated high school. I always thought that all of us would get out of Austin, especially me since I was never crazy about the place while I was in high school. The thought never crossed my mind that we would all stay, or if we did leave that we would somehow find our way back. That this was always home. I'm sitting here on the beach thinking of my family, the old gang from Hester with a few new additions. I can't believe that we all stayed in Austin, well for the most part.
Liam moved off to New York after graduating from UT-Austin to study at NYU. After he graduated from NYU he moved back to Austin, but he didn't come home alone. He came back with his fiancé, Ashley, some heiress to a Vegas real estate empire. She is a total bitch, but I kind of respect her. Because of her, Liam is nothing like the douchebag he was in high school. I suspect his balls are kept in a small mason jar that sits on the mantle as decor when they are home, but stowed away in Ashley's purse for safe keeping when they aren't. He has his own art gallery in Austin, but is also a board member for his dad's, no granddad's, oh, who the fuck knows, company Skwerkel.
And then there is Reagan. She decided to enroll at Austin Community College to study music. She wound up transferring to Belmont University in Nashville to study music business and recording. After three years in Nashville, she moved to Los Angeles with her girlfriend Jordan. After a year in LA, Reagan popped the question, and her and Jordan started the wedding planning. Two weeks before the wedding, she came home to find Jordan in their bed with a man that Jordan worked with. This led to Reagan making an unplanned move back to Austin, where we all helped her pick up the pieces. Since she has been back in Austin she has been scouting talent, working as a DJ, and trying to start her own record label. She's been back for about a year and half now, and judging by the way she looks at Sara, she has completely moved on from that disaster that was Jordan. Sara is an ER resident at University Medical Center Brackenridge in Austin. She would say that there is nothing going on between her and Reagan, but with the way she looks at Reagan, I'm certain there are real feelings there, regardless if anything has happened between them.
Shane Harvey. Shane Motherfucking Harvey. Shane went to UT-Austin for both undergrad and grad school. He got degrees in marketing and public relations, and is currently working for one of the largest entertainment firms in Austin. He quickly rose through the ranks, and is currently director of marketing and public relations at his company. He is still the same old Shane, and I honestly am so blessed to have him in my life. He's here with Matthew, his off and on boyfriend for the past three years. Matthew manages one the best night clubs in Austin for live entertainment. I think Shane has finally met his soulmate in Matthew, and we are all patiently waiting for Shane to go full diva mode and announce their engagement, and start the wedding planning.
My sister Lauren and I both went to UT-Austin. She double-majored in government & American studies, and I was content to just stick with radio/television/film as a major. But after my mom's colo-rectal cancer scare, I decided to add pre-med and double major like Lauren. During our senior year, mom and Bruce (who somehow seemed to stay pretty close friends after the divorce) purchased a house close to campus for Lauren and I. I guess it was sort of a graduation, we are happy you guys got into law/medical school present, and we are so ready for you to leave the nest. After graduation, she enrolled in law school at UT while I started medical school there. That's where I met Sara, and in two days we will both be second year emergency medicine residents at UMC Brackenridge. Lauren is an assistant district attorney in Austin. She's even more of a hard ass now than she was in high school, except now she carries a badge and a gun. She's currently engaged to another Austin attorney, Jonathan. Those two are so stupid in love with one another, but their arguments are so intense it's like watching Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson in the court room scene from A Few Good Men. It is very entertaining. Actually it is fucking hilarious!
"Amy." I turn when I hear my name being called in the distance, breaking me from my thoughts. I look back behind me to see Lauren approaching from the beach house. "Amy, what are doing out here by yourself?" she asks as she plops down in the sand next to me.
"I'm just taking in the sunset since it's our last night here."
"Yeah, well you're thinking so hard I can hear the damn wheels turning back in the house. C'mon, we're all waiting for you so we can go to dinner."
"All," I say, the hurt evident in my eyes.
"Amy, I'm sorry I didn't mean-"
"Lauren, it's okay. I mean it's been a year now and-"
"Amy I know, but that doesn't mean that it still doesn't hurt."
I nod, looking out at the ocean, and I feel tears hanging in my eyes. Lauren slides closer to me nd drapes her arm over my shoulder. So much has changed over the years between us, especially the last year. Lauren has been my rock, and with help from Shane, Reagan, and Sara, I have kept my sanity, and gotten through my first year as an ER resident. I know that without them, especially Lauren, I wouldn't be sitting here right now after the most difficult year of my life.
"Amy, I love you. We all love you, and it's time to start moving forward from all of this."
"All," I whisper and my yes couldn't hold the tears any longer, flooding down my cheeks.
"She's gone Lauren. Karma is gone!"