Justin

Emily embraced me as we greeted the partygoers. The way she was hanging off of me, either she was back in a good mood or was just putting on an act; she was so up and down, I never knew when she was going to yell at me or be all over me, begging for me to love her. Sometimes I felt like I did, despite not having known her for very long and other times, she was a complete stranger and it had me wondering what I ever saw in her that made me want to spend the rest of my life with her. We didn't seem alike, despite the fact we were both pretty intelligent, high strung with profile jobs. But other than that, she was moody, quick to anger and I didn't believe I was either.

I felt like an actor in a show as the people came up and greeted me, clapping me on the back and wishing me a happy birthday. I didn't recognise any of them but they seemed to know me well enough to have been invited (Emily had handled the guest list). Mom and Dad showed up with Max who shook my head with a grin and informed me I would be looking like Dad soon. I took one look at Dad's almost bald head and punched Max promptly in the arm.

"Happy birthday Justin," Mom said, squeezing my waist. "You've put on a few kilos sweetie."

I went red, glad I hadn't met up with them sooner. "Thanks Mom, love you too."

She pulled apart and pinched my cheeks with a smile. "I say that with because I care. You don't want to end up like your father, do you?"

"Hey!" Dad exclaimed, hugging me briefly. "He'd be lucky if he ended up looking this good when he gets to my age."

I stifled a laugh. "Sure Dad, sure."

"Happy birthday man," greeted Zeke from the doorway, a familiar redhead trailing behind.

I smiled at the welcome sight of both of them, gaping a little at how beautiful Harper had grown. Not that she hadn't been pretty before, it's just now she was stunning.

"Happy birthday Justin," she said, beaming. She looked alright for someone who had gotten out of hospital recently, a small cut above her eye and the sling on her arm the only indication she'd had an accident. She threw her good arm around me and I hugged her in return, perhaps a little longer than I should have.

"Bit of a jump to go from 19 to 30," she whispered in my ear.

We pulled away and our eyes met. She knew.

She wandered away with a hint of a smile on her face, following Zeke through the crowd. I watched after her, wondering just how much Alex had told her.

"Let's go get something to eat baby," Emily said flirtatiously, stroking the back of my neck.

I removed her hand from my neck and put it in mine, to not completely brush her off. It didn't feel right, it didn't fit but I left it there, not willing to put her in a bad temper.

Sometime later, I found myself sitting alone, watching as Emily chattered away to a bunch of friends. She looked at me every couple of minutes and waved, and I waved back, feeling like a fraud.

"Why so lonely?"

I smiled as Harper sat down next to me. "My wife ditched me for some her of her friends. Not that I mind."

"Just so you know, I never really liked her."

I laughed. "I don't blame you." We both observed Emily for a moment. "What did I see in her?"

"I can't answer that. It's not like I've ever been in your head."

"Well I wish I knew what I've been thinking the past ten years." I paused. "How much did Alex tell you?"

"Enough. Any idea how you're going to get back?"

"Nope." I took a swig of my beer.

"You'll figure something out, you always do."

We stayed silent for a while and I was well aware of Zeke's eyes on the both of us. "What's the deal with you two?"

"We're friends," she said flatly. "Nothing more."

I caught Zeke's eye; he faintly smiled before looking away. "Looks more than that to me."

"It might be more to him but it's not to me."

I turned to Harper at the exact time as she gazed at me, our faces inches apart. I'd never noticed how big her brown eyes were. "You look good Harper," I told her, breaking away our stare to focus on resting the beer on my lap.

"Thanks," I heard her answer. "I'm not the crazy, weirdly dressed teenager from your time anymore. I grew up."

I looked back up and she was smiling so I returned the favour before tearing away again to see Emily, staring like a hawk with her eyes narrowed. I waved to her and she just pursed her lips before continuing her conversation. My stomach groaned; I guessed I was in trouble now.

"Happy birthday brother, the big 3-0."

I froze, and saw Harper in my line of sight acting the same way. "Please tell me that's not who I think it is."

"I'm not supposed to lie," she answered softly.

It seemed like the whole party had gone silent. Mom and Dad certainly had. Max didn't look at all fazed, like he'd expected this from Alex. My own bottle was hanging partially upside down, drops slowly falling out until I knocked some sense back into myself and pulled it back up.

I am going to kill you Alex.

Alex

The look on Justin's face almost made up for the fact that he was going to deliver the biggest lecture later. I sauntered straight over to him and hugged him, everyone's eyes on me. I guess it was no secret that I was estranged from the family and the sight of me rocking up for a reunion on Justin's 30th birthday would become a topic of gossip for weeks to come.

"You're dead," Justin whispered furiously.

I let go of him and smiled. "You're welcome."

I turned around and everyone looked away, afraid to be caught staring. The noise started up again and I just plonked myself next to Harper, forgetting I was mad at her.

"Alex," the tall statuesque blonde moved over to me, the fakest smile on her face, "I had no idea you were coming." She shot Justin a glance and I smirked.

"I told Justin, didn't he tell you?"

Emily's face become hostile as she looked at Justin but she quickly wiped it off for a frosty smile directed at me. "He didn't but it is wonderful to see you here." She gave my hand a squeeze before walking off.

"Thanks Alex, now she's going to yell at me," he said grumpily, following her.

"Man up, she's not the boss of you," I yelled out after him.

That left me and Harper. I realised how close we were sitting and scooted away a few inches.

"You still mad at me?" she asked.

I shrugged. "That depends. Are you going to tell me about the competition?"

"You know I can't. I promised-"

"Someone. You promised someone you wouldn't. I've heard it before." I sighed. "Can you tell me what the fight was about? Or did you promise to keep that quiet too?"

"Fight?" She looked puzzled.

"Zeke said we had a fight, and when I showed up, you seemed surprised I was there-"

"Oh. That."

She stared into her lap. "I found out what you were doing with Dean."

"Ah." That explained a little.

"I told you it was wrong to be with a guy who had a girlfriend, you told me to stay out of your life. Words were said…."

"I didn't mean any one of them," I said straight away, not even knowing exactly what I'd said, just knowing that I was sorry even if the other me wasn't.

"I know," she said simply.

We sat there for a moment until Max wandered over to us. "Hey Alex, I don't know why but Dean Moriarty is here."

"What?" Harper and I both exclaimed. We looked at each other before both standing up, weaving in and out of the crowd until I saw that annoying grin of his. He saw me too and his grin widened.

"Alex, what a surprise seeing you here."