The Angel Grove airport was bustling with people as I made my way out of the terminal. People were bumping into each other in the commotion, muttering apologies that were barely audible. The TSA agent at the door gave me a small smile, his young complexion seeming to glow under the light from the sun shining through the high windows. The wheels on my rolling carry on clicked as I walked towards the baggage claim; the plastic hitting the tile floor with a rhythm. It felt nice to walk and stretch. After being cramped on an airplane for eight hours, I felt like I was using muscles I hadn't used in years. My back ached, which was nothing new, but the dull pain made me grumble under my breath.

The baggage claim was located around the corner and the group of people that had just left the plane with me was converging around it. Rolling my eyes, I stood towards the back of the group. There was no point in trying to push through. My years of flying have taught me that patience was best reserved for this portion of travelling. No one quite cared about anyone but themselves anymore and this was evident as people practically shoved luggage that didn't belong to them out of the way. I knew I should have paid the extra $50 to have my suitcase become another carry-on, I thought as the crowd began to thin out. The flash of a light pink suit case caught my eye. My initials KH were embroidered on the front of it. Stepping forward, I grabbed it from the conveyor belt and set it on the floor. Extending the handle, I rolled both bags behind me towards the main exit.

"Miss Hart?" A gentleman dressed in a dark blue suit asked me as I stepped out onto the sidewalk. He was standing next to a black town car, the windows tinted black. He was sharply dressed, the suit accenting his salt and pepper hair on the top of his head. I nodded, sliding my round glasses to the top of my head, pinning my caramel brown hair back.

"Yes. That's me." I replied. He smiled, stepping towards me.

"I'm the driver the hotel sent to pick you up. My name is James. It's a pleasure to meet you." I returned his smile.

"Great! I was worried I would have to get a cab. Thank you so much." Bending, he grabbed my large suitcase and carried it over to the trunk. It popped open with a swipe of his foot under the back fender. Careful to not damage it, he slid it inside before turning back for the other one. He did the same with this one, leaving me with only my purse. Shutting the trunk, he walked over to the back-passenger side door and opened it.

"After you, Miss Hart." He said.

"Please call me Kimberly." I replied, climbing into the back of the car. The interior was black, soft leather seats welcoming me. It felt like heaven after the ridged airplane seats. I sunk into the material as he gently shut the door behind me. Setting my purse on the seat next to me, I reached in to grab my compact. If I looked as rough as I felt, I was going to be horrified. James climbed into the driver's seat as I pulled my compact out. Popping it open, I examined myself. My make-up was still intact regardless of the flight from Hell though my hair was another story. There was nothing I could do here though. I closed the mirror with a hard click, tossing it back into my bag. James pulled the car away from the curb and headed down Reverend Boulevard.

"So, Miss Hart, are you in town on business?" He asked as he pulled from the busy road in front of the airport on to the highway that led to downtown Angel Grove. I watched out the window at the sky line I hadn't seen in the better part of a decade.

"No. It's my high school reunion." I answered. Flashes of large mechanical beings filling the sky line came to mind, a glint of pink metal in the sun light. I closed my eyes, pushing the thoughts from my mind. "Hard to believe it's been so long since I was here last."

"Reunions are good though. You can reconnect with people you have lost touch with. I know I'd like to see some of the people I went to school with. Course, I'm way passed the reunion stage though by a few years." He shot me a wink in the rearview mirror which made me smirk.

"I'm with you on that idea. I honestly don't think I'm going to enjoy myself much at this. I wasn't going to come back but my old friends guilt tripped me into doing it."

"Oh, that's the worst. I'm sure they mean well though." We rode in silence for a few minutes, James concentrating on the traffic around us. The busy afternoon commute was in full swing, people heading back home after working all day. School buses carrying children passed us, heading to bus stops. ANGEL GROVE CENTRAL SCHOOL was printed on the side of them. Memories of my own voyages in those came to mind but like before, I shoved them out of my thoughts.

Traffic began to thin out as James headed towards the upper east end of Angel Grove. It wasn't exactly the out skirts of the city, but it was heading that way. Due to my last-minute decision of coming, it was the only area in town with an available room for me to book for the whole weekend. It cost me a great deal more than I felt it should, but I had no other option. At least they tossed in a shuttle for the price I was paying.

"Is there any place you need to stop before we head to the hotel? There is a small convenience store around the corner from there. I will gladly stop so you can pick somethings up if you'd like." James called from the front seat. I shook my head.

"No, thank you. All I need is a drink and a nice shower." He let out a chuckle.

"Rough flight?"

"Totally. There was a family with 6 children on board. I was lucky enough to be surrounded by all of them for the eight-hour trip. I feel like I can still hear the screaming."

"Well, lucky for you, we offer an open bar for a few hours each evening. It's our way to let our guests mingle together and enjoy their stay. There's free snacks, free booze and live music."

"That sounds amazing! I'll have to investigate that while I'm here." James nodded as he pulled into the parking lot of the Tricotta Hotel. It was an enormous building, standing over 15 stores high. It was about as wide as it was tall, windows stretching from one side of the building to the other. It was a newer hotel, the new and shiny feel still apparent as James parked the car in the valet. I rested my purse over my shoulder by the strap while James hopped out. Jogging over to my door, he opened it to allow me to exit. The front door of the hotel was made of metal and glass doors, the metal painted gold to give it an expensive feel. The glass was tinted so I couldn't see much of the inside.

"If you think it looks great on the outside, wait til you see inside!" James said, walking around with my bags. Setting them on the ground, he signaled for the valet attendant. It was a younger boy about eighteen with red hair and soft facial features. He looked like a baby almost with how young he looked. "This is Andrew. He's going to take your bags into the bell hop who will then take them to your room." James said.

"Oh, that's okay. I can take them myself." I replied. Andrew smiled at me.

"It's my job, ma'am!" He chirped before picking up my bags and disappearing inside. It struck a nerve to be called 'ma'am'. I knew I wasn't a spring chick any more, but it still hurt to be referred to in the same way my mother commonly was when we were in public. I tried not to think about the fact I was edging closer to 30 with each passing day.

"Well, Miss Hart, it was a pleasure meeting you. I hope you have a great stay here with us at the Tricotta." James said, breaking me from my thoughts.

"Thank you, James. Here." I reached into the pockets of my slacks for some money. He held up his hand.

"No can do. I'm not allowed tips. I'll see you later." He smiled at me before walking back over to his door. He climbed in and drove off, leaving the property. Adjusting my purse strap, I headed towards the doors. They automatically opened for me, revealing the large lobby. My mouth gaped slightly as I entered. Like the doors, everything was gold. The large staircase leading up to the second floor had gold railings and marble steps. The carpet was a gold color with golden embellishments. Even the tables holding decorations were detailed with gold etchings. Each table held a gold painted figure, mostly of cherubs and angels. My footsteps echoed on the marble foyer as I walked. On the far-right side of the room, there was the front desk. I headed that way, making eye contact with a woman who was standing behind the desk.

"Good evening! Welcome to the Tricotta. Are you checking in?" She asked. Her hair was long and blonde, sweeping over her shoulder in a curled fashion. I nodded, pulling my confirmation papers from my purse.

"Yes. It should be under the name Kimberly Hart." I replied. She typed on a keyboard in front of her, the keys clicking as her manicured nails hit them.

"I found you! I have a two night stay in a queen bed suite. Is that correct?"

"Yes."

"Great." Reaching over, she grabbed a little paper card cover and slid a room key into it. "You are in room 1125 on the sixth floor. Breakfast is from six to nine every morning and we hold a free reception every night from six until ten. Will you be requiring any type of travel while staying here?"

"Yes. I'm going to need a ride to Angel Grove High tomorrow night. It's for my high school reunion." I replied, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

"How fun! I will set that up for you. Just let the front desk know when you're ready to go and your ride will be ready for you. Enjoy yours stay!" She handed me the room key and signaled the bell hop who appeared from almost nowhere with my bags in hand. He was also a younger guy, his face covered with a slight case of acne and brown locks on the top of his head. He smiled at me before heading towards the elevator.