Chapter 3
Surprisingly enough all the extra primping that I didn't plan on doing, took all the free time I had, so by 7 pm I was ready to go in my purple knee length casual dress with a dark gray sweater, topping everything off with my own four inch heeled boots. My hair was up in a curly ponytail with strains of hair surrounding my face. I must say, I look rather good, but that didn't ease the nervousness I felt. Shane decided to wait with me and leave when I do, back to Duke's to do God knows what. When 7:15 pm arrived, the doorbell rang, which Shane graciously answered, seeing how I was still so nervous. Out of nowhere I heard a squeal from Shane, and the all too familiar laugh of her. I slowly walk towards the front door to see one of my best friends and former girlfriend locked into a tight embrace. It dawned on me that not only did I lose a girlfriend, Shane lost a friend that he got along with fairly well. It sucked that everyone's relationship with Reagan was severed because of ill timing. My parents loved her, Lauren didn't despise her, and Shane adored her. Karma never really liked her for whatever reasons, but that's in the past. I don't know what happened at that catering event, but they were on pretty okay terms before the split.
"It's great to see you Rae!" Shane exclaimed pulling away from the hug.
"You too babe! I really missed you Shane!" she replies smiling brightly.
"I bet not as much as you miss dear old Ames," he teases which causes me and her to blush.
"Shane, stop," I say drawing attention my way. Reagan and I locked eyes and for a moment everything around us disappeared and we were in our own little world. Shane cleared his throat after what seemed like hours of silence which was only a few short seconds.
"Well, I'll let you two lovebirds get on with it. I have a date with some TLC and D.U.K.E, but substitute a few letters," he said with a wink before walking out to his car. I roll my eyes, and share a look with Reagan before we burst with laughter.
"He seriously hasn't changed a bit," she says once the laughter dies down.
"Except the monogamy thing, didn't expect him to be the type. But he is still definitely Shane," I say looking over at her. My breath hitch as I take in her appearance. She is dressed in leather fitted pants, a purple tank, with her famous leather jacket, and her black heeled boots. Her hair, though shorter, still goes past her ears, which she is wearing straight with those purple tips I fell in love with so long ago.
"I didn't plan this," she says out of the blue.
"W-w-what? What do you mean?" I stumble over my words.
"We match," she laughs. I look down at my outfit and back at her and burst into another fit of laughter.
"I guess we do," I say after catching my breath. She smiles my way, "You look amazing Shrimps."
"So do you Rae. Shall we go?" I asks really anxious for this 'not-date.'
"Yeah, our reservation is at 8 pm, so we better get going," she holds the door open for me. After I lock up, I turn to see that she still has her truck, which so happens to be the location of many before curfew makeout sessions. I blush as I climb into the seat and buckle up, not knowing where we were going, but excited to be going with her.
RARARARARARARARA
Reagan's POV
My mind is racing with so many thoughts that I am just torn. I never imagined upon coming back home that I would run into Amy Raudenfield of all people. It's been years, but those same feelings and reactions from way back then has returned full force. When I saw her again, my breath hitched, my heart raced, and my eyes lingered and soaked in all her beauty. I noticed her before she noticed me, which would explain my ass kissing the aisle floor. She looks the same with more confidence, more girly attire, and her hair a little shorter but not by much with highlights. She was absolutely beautiful, and yeah the feelings came back, but so did the pain of ever having to say goodbye.
"I see Eleanor is still alive and kicking," Amy says breaking me out of my thoughts. I chuckle at that because I seriously can't believe she remembered her name.
"Yeah, well having my job, people thought I should get rid of her, and 'upgrade' but too many memories so Ellie stays," I say in response.
"Yeah, this car does hold a lot of memories doesn't it." We fall into a pregnant silence that continues the rest of way to the restaurant. I look over to see Amy's reaction as I pull into the lot and I see recognition cross her face. Once the car is in park, we share a look and burst into laughter.
"Oh wow. I haven't thought about this place in years. I can't believe it's still here," she says looking at the marque on the building.
"Yeah, I've been here maybe once since the break up and thought what the hell," I say unbuckling and stepping out of the car while she did the same. We walk in side by side through the Communal doors and take a look around. The place looks generally the same with a few improvements here and there. This place holds so much history from our first real fight, meeting the infamous Karma, Amy's allergic reaction, making up and making out in the parking lot. Besides the donut shop a little ways from Hester in the next town, this is where we had our dates, just the two of us alone or with Shane and Lauren.
"Wow, hasn't changed a bit right," Amy says once we're seating.
"Right. A few things are different, but it's just the way I remember it," I agree. The air is once again silent and I have no idea what to say, where to start.
"So..." she said at the same time I said, "W-what..." We both giggled like teen girls and blushed profusely.. "You first Shrimps," I insisted.
"Well, what have you been up to these last few years?" She ask nervously.
I smile at her adorableness, "Well after the tour, the band invited me to California, where I spent a few months learning a few things from everyone ranging from music producers to managers. Even took some night courses to develop my sound, saved up some money, and now I have a small record studio that's been doing well for about two years." I finish leaving me slightly embarrassed for some reason. Music runs through my veins and I'm proud that I was able to make my dreams come true.
"I'm really proud of you Rea. What you have accomplished is so amazing and I'm happy for your success," she replies with a genuine smile.
"Thanks Amy, that really means a lot. So what about you? What have you been up to Ames?"
She stammer a little seeming nervous once again, and I don't understand why.
"W-w-well, I uhm, I graduated a few weeks ago, majoring in business and film. I got a job where I was interning and I will be starting in September. So for now, I am just hanging out here with my family and Shane of course, until I have to go back."
I'm a bit confused, and I'm sure my face shows it, so I ask, "Go back? Go back where if you don't mind me asking," I say.
"New York, the job is in New York where I went to school." My insides jumped for joy when she said those words. I can't believe we are seriously in the same state for our careers. I moved to New York after Cali with the help of my dad. I had my studio set up in the Manhattan area where I am in walking distance from my condo. No roommates this time, thank you very much, but it's a small yet spacious two bed room for when my sister visits or my dad.
"Wow, that's great shrimps! I am seriously proud of you too. You've accomplished so much and you're only 21 years old," I say no doubt wearing a beaming smile at the thought of my Shrimps taking on the world. Just then, the waitress comes over to take our orders, we are sharing a table with four others. When she finally leaves after not so subtly trying to flirt with me, I roll my eyes when I catch Amy looking hella awkward out of the corner of my eye.
"So, anyone special in your life Shrimp Girl?" I say to bring her back to our conversation and not the bimbo of a waitress.
"Oh, uhm, no, not really, no," she stumbles over her words, looking adorable. Okay stop it Reagan, be cool. I think to myself. No need to get my hopes up, but hey, it's nice to dream even for a little while.
"Sorry you didn't find what you were looking for, you will though because you deserve it," I say because it's the truth.
"Well thanks, but I'm done looking. I actually think I found the one, but you know sometimes life can throw you a curve-ball and you have to say goodbye before you say hello again. I've had a few relationships over the years, until I just said forget it, and focused on school. All my friends have somebody, but I'm actually okay just doing me and waiting for the right person," she says taking a sip of her water.
"I can appreciate that. Honestly, I've just been trying to get myself together, to really think about relationships. I had one for about a year before things just got bad, so I just put all my energy into my career, and it paid off. I'm in no rush, but when I find that person, I will definitely know," I say though in my mind, everything in me is screaming that Amy is the one for me.
When our dishes come, we eat in silence the first few minutes before we grew out of awkwardness. Then, we were talking non-stop for the rest of the evening, talking about our families, college experiences, and just reminiscing without the pressure of time hanging over us. It was like getting to know each other all over again and I really loved that though I learned new things, my Shrimps that I fell in love with so long ago is still there. The evening came to a close and I paid the bill, with a lot of resistance from Amy, and we headed out. The drive was mostly silent, but this time, it was a comfortable silence that felt like us just being us. As I pulled into her drive way, we sit for a second, not wanting to be apart, but not wanting to overstay our welcome.
"So, what are you doing tomorrow?" she suddenly asks.
"Nothing. I'm free all summer until it's back to work. What did you have in mind?" I ask curiously.
"Well, so we didn't really talk about the red-headed elephant that was in my life and still is. Karma has classes followed by her internship, and I volunteered to watch Kaitlynn. I was wondering -" I interrupt because who is Kaitlynn?
"Who is Kaitlynn?"
"Karma's daughter. Karma dropped out of school for a year because she got pregnant and ta da, I have a goddaughter who I love very much no matter how much her daddy annoys me," she chuckles. "So what do you say to going to the zoo with us? I know it's probably not your thing, but I would really love it, if you would join us," she bites her bottom lip nervously, and it took everything not to groan at the act, knowing it does things to me even now.
"I would love to go," I say putting her out of her misery. "Just text me when and where, and I'll be there."
"I definitely will. Thanks for tonight Rea, I really had fun, you know after the awkwardness disappeared."
"Yeah, me too. And there is no reason we can't be friends. We're here for an entire summer, so we will hopefully be seeing a lot of each other. I really missed you Amy and I'm kinda glad you knocked me on my ass today," I laugh at her expense and after pouting for a second, she joined right in. When we finally calm down, I caught myself staring at Amy, and my heart contradicted at realizing how much I really missed her. It's been about six years and I have yet to shake her from my dreams, my thoughts, my heart. I suddenly snap back into reality and clear my throat.
"So tomorrow?"
"Definitely," she smiles and hugs me goodbye before getting out of my truck. I watch her go through the front door where she turns and waves for a final time before going inside. I sit right there in the driveway for a few seconds just smiling like an idiot before gassing up Ellie and driving off. Today was definitely the greatest day I've had in a long time.