She took a deep breath before she got out of the car. As her boot-clad foot touched the dried leaves and made a crunching sound, the familiar feeling of being home sent shivers down her spine. She inhaled the scent of fall and her whole being was indeed at home. She looked at the two-story house in front of her. It's been awhile.
"Kelly," Her Mom, Joyce, called out. "Is something wrong, honey? Are you okay?"
"I'm just so…" She tried to find the right word. "Overwhelmed. I haven't been to Capeside in a long time."
"Well, your father said you've been busy with the drama school and all that."
She went to a Performing Arts school in New York. She dreamed of being an actress, winning Oscars left and right. But that ain't happening now, she thought.
The two made their way into the house. Kelly noted that everything was still in the same. Her mom kept the letters on the same wicker table. The furniture was arranged in the same way. Come to think of it, the house hasn't changed since her parents got divorced and her dad took her to New York to live with him. She was six then and she still got to visit her mom every other Christmas and during Joyce's birthday. It's hard to imagine it's been ten years and the house hasn't changed a bit.
"Do you want to go to your room first or maybe I could fix you a glass of milk?" Joyce's concerned voice asked her.
Kelly sighed. Her mom has been this way since she picked her up from the airport and the whole drive back to the house. It can get irritating sometimes. But she has to hold it all back in. she can't blame her after all. "I'm feeling kinda tired, Mom. I'll just get settled in my room." She grabbed her backpack and made her way up the stairs.
"I'll call you when dinner is ready!"
Kelly shut the door behind her. She dropped her backpack on the floor and collapsed on the bed. She was being honest when she said she was tired. She's been tired a lot. And very easily. She shut her eyes for a moment before she decided to let her old friends know she's back in town. She didn't know what she'd tell them maybe lies but it doesn't matter. Nothing matters that much anymore. She just wants to make everything better during her stay here. No matter how long it is. Or how short.
She picked up the phone and dialed.
"What?" a gruff voice answered.
"Hi! Is Pacey there?"
"Who's this?"
"It's Kelly."
"Kelly Bishop?"
"Yes."
"Kelly? Is this a long distance call from New York?"
"I'm back in Capeside, Mr. Witter. I'm staying with my mom now."
"Okay. It's good to hear from you again, Kelly. I'll go get Pacey."
"Thanks."
She waited for a few minutes before she heard the receiver picked up again. "Hi Pace!"
"Kelly? What are you doing back in Capeside?"
"I missed mom."
"Oh, okay. So when did you get back?"
"Just now. You should be honored, Pacey Witter, you're the first person I called. And the first one to know I'm officially back in town."
"Actually, my dad knew before I did."
"Oh, yeah. I sucked."
Pacey laughed. "So, what's going on?"
"I'm going to school with you guys on Monday."
"Really? But school started like last week."
"Hey, I'm a Bishop. I can get stuff fixed."
"Yeah, yeah. Man! Dawson will have a fit when he finds out you're back."
"You guys still hang out together?"
"Yeah. Some things never change, I guess. Joey, too. Remember her?"
"Of course I do. So I guess I'll see you guys on Monday, huh?"
"Unless you wanna hang out with me tomorrow night. They're playing a cool movie at the theater, wanna go?"
"You don't waste time, do you?"
"Uh… lemme think… nope! I wanna be the first to see you back in town."
"Actually it was this guy who filled our gas tank."
"Whatever."
Kelly smiled. "Pick me up at around six-thirty?"
"Be there."
"Bye."
"Bye, Kel. And maybe tomorrow you could tell me why you're staying at Capeside."
"I already did."
"You miss your mom? Please. You haven't visited in what? Five years? Don't give me that shit, okay?"
"I can't get anything past you."
"Never."
"Fine. See you."
"And Kel?"
"What?"
"Welcome back. Welcome home."
"Thanks."
She replaced the phone and sighed. Pacey knows her inside and out. She can't hide anything from him. And she had a little more than twenty-four hours to come up with a decent lie. She leaned back against her pillows.
"Kelly! Dinner!"