CHAPTER THREE
I spotted the girls as soon as they drove up in Mary Anne's car, but I waited for them to approach me. I wasn't the bossy, straightforward little girl that I used to be. Now, I was patient and quiet. I think it suited me well.
I hadn't seen Claudia or Stacy since I left for France. They were my best friends growing up, but I was just so bitter that they would turn their backs on the club that I could hardly stand it. I knew it was petty of me back then, but the club was my lifeblood. The club was what I lived for, and they didn't take it seriously enough.
Mary Anne told me they were a little hesitant towards me, even now, because I didn't even say goodbye before I left. I always meant to call. Every single day I'd wake up and wonder if it would be the day I'd call them, but I never did. Days turned into months, months turned into years, and before I knew it, a decade had passed since I talked to them. I knew Claudia was married and even had a little girl, and Stacy was living her dream in the fashion world, but that was the extent of it. I wouldn't admit this to anyone, but I longed to know every single detail of what was going on in their lives. I wanted to know about Stacy's diabetes and what it was like to really live in New York City and I wanted to know about Claudia's husband and what it was like to fall in love with a professor.
And honestly, I had stories of my own to tell. I lived in Paris for 5 years before moving to London, where I lived a good three years before moving back to Paris. Paris is my home, but Connecticut is where I grew up, and Claudia and Stacy were a part of that.
They all approached me quietly. Mary Anne grinned at me, and I grinned back, but it was for show. Inside, I was nervous as I could possibly be.
"Hey guys!" I said, kissing them on the cheek. They looked a little taken aback at my appearance, which was about 100% different from when I was younger. Instead of my trademark turtleneck, I was wearing a sleeveless shirt and a long, black flowing skirt. Instead of the ponytail I used to wear my hair in all the time, it was now long, curly, and a light shade of brown with warm amber highlights. France really settled down my severe appearance, and I didn't feel so controlling when I let my hair down and started dressing like a girl.
"Kristy! You look beautiful. Paris obviously agrees with you," Stacy said, finally smiling.
I knew they would all put on happy faces for now, but once the drinks starting flowing and the night got longer, it would all come out. I was looking forward to it.