"Reunion of Sorts"

Chapter 3:

Two weeks after Bethany had mailed in her R.S.V.P. form, she got another letter in the mail. This one included the names of all the guests that would show up at the reunion party. Scanning through the list with her forefinger, she searched for the name Steven Caulfield. An odd chill went through her system when, after checking three times, she couldn't find his name.

So he's not coming, she thought dejectedly to herself. That's too bad, I really wanted to right the wrongs I did to him. I wonder if he still remembers it.....

Beth had transferred to Harmony High School from Harmony Elementary and Junior High School when she was almost 14. It was only then that she and Luis, who she had already known well, got close romantically. Beth had forgotten about Steven after junior high school. He had gone to another school, but in the 11th grade, he switched schools, settling into HHS and coming back into Beth's life with full force. He had had a crush on her in the 7th grade, a crush that still existed come junior year. The feelings were mutual between the two, so he figured Beth would for sure be his girlfriend. But she had snubbed him quietly, choosing Luis, her current boyfriend, over him. It had hurt him, but he had taken it like a man. To this day Luis didn't know that Beth once had another love interest. Not like it mattered anymore. He was the one with the new love interest now, leaving Beth all alone. Beth wondered what it would be like if Steven had remained in town after they graduated. But he had left, and she had never seen him or heard from him since.

She sighed. She had other things to worry about right now. Like what was she going to wear? She didn't care as much as she used to, but as the former Prom Queen, she wanted to look good for the reunion, which would be in four days.

Over at the Crane Mansion, Sheridan was curled up on a sofa with Luis.

"I wish it was me who was your date for the reunion party. Gee, Luis, wouldn't people think it weird that you're going with your ex-fiancee when your girlfriend can come with you?"

"Of course it's weird. But Beth asked me and I couldn't say no."

"Why not?" She crossed her arms, waiting for his answer.

"Because," he paused, trying to find the right words. "This is a special moment between us. I know it, and so does she." He smiled faintly as memories of his high school days with Beth crossed his mind.

"I wish it was me," she repeated, sulking.

Luis got out of his little daydream at her words. Turning his focus back on to his new love, he leaned in for a sultry kiss, mumbling the words, "It will always be you, my love."

Four days later, around 5:30 pm, Bethany got home, taking a quick shower and doing her nails. She studied her closet, trying to find something comfortable yet sexy to wear. After trying on a number of outfits, she finally settled on a button up white blouse with a black miniskirt and a pearl necklace. She straightened her hair and put on her high heels. She applied a heavy amount of black eyeliner, accentuating her almond-shaped eyes. After adding some blush to her cheeks and putting on dark red shade of lipstick, she was ready.

It was 6:49 pm. Luis would be here any minute. She couldn't wait for this night, despite the butterflies floating around in her stomache.

Luis got there five minutes later. She opened the door to find him kneeling against the side of it, looking at her mysteriously. He looked suave in a black tux, his hair gelled up in short spikes, just the way she liked it.

His mouth formed an O of surprise as his eyes checked her out up and down. His lips contorted into a lazy, crooked grin. He didn't have to tell her that he thought she looked great. It wasn't like him to lay out compliments through words. At least not to her. That was something Beth had learned a long time ago.

She couldn't help but blush and grin at the same time at how he was looking at her. For two people who weren't even going out, glances like these wouldn't be very appropriate. And even though, they didn't go out anymore, Luis still looked at Beth the same way he did back in high school. Like she was his goddess, his only form of attainable pleasure.

Stares like those had a tendency to frustrate Beth, because she wanted so much more than just that by Luis, but it also thrills her, because she realizes that that is the only form of him she still has.

"I'm almost ready," she informed him, grabbing her purse.

"All right," he nodded slowly.

"Hey, is Hank coming?" Beth asked once they were seated in his car.

"Hey's are for horses, and no he's not. He's out of town."

Beth laughed. "That's too bad, I'm sure he would have loved to be there."

"Yeah, I guess," Luis shrugged, backing his car out of her driveway.

They got to the party fashionably late. It was 7:15 pm. The place seemed packed already. Beth spotted some old friends, and quickly left Luis alone to approach them.

After conversing for a few minutes about the past ten years of their lives, Beth spotted Luis by the refreshment table. She walked over.

He handed her a drink. "It's so good to be back isn't it?"

"It's great. But it's too early to make that comment. After all, I've only seen the good part of high school so far."

"What do you mean?" Luis questioned, his eyes having gone from scanning the room to staring at her. "What's the bad part?"

"Oh, nothing," Beth quickly murmured. The bad part - er person - didn't R.S.V.P. to this reunion, she thought to herself. So I don't have to worry about it.

An hour later, she found herself sitting at a table amongst her closest friends, chatting about their high school memories. It felt so good to be here, to reminisce about the greatest years of her life.

"Remember that time when Mr. Sly Luis here tried to pour buckets of water down the stairs at the freshman for our senior prank?" a person spoke up.

"Yeah but instead he got the principal and some of the teachers!" Beth added, giggling at the memory.

Everyone waited to see Luis's reaction to that.

"No comment," Luis responded huffily, which made everyone laugh more hysterically.

The little group chat dissolved as the music began to play. Luis went off to dance with one of the ladies, leaving Beth alone at the table. She got up to go get some water. All that talking had made her thirsty.

Walking over to the corner where the drinks were, Beth felt someone's fingers lightly tap her on the shoulder. She turned around, only to gasp at the person who stood before her. "Oh my God!" she said, shocked, her hand covering her mouth.

{a/n: take a guess at why Beth said 'oh my god.' I'm sure you can figure it out. More to come soon!}