Page 7

“Congrats! Obviously, you have my vote. Anyone who can lead a football team like you did can probably lead our state, too.” The man speaking shrugs. I can’t remember his name. Ten years suddenly feels like a long time.

The guys continue talking around me, but their voices fade and my body goes numb as my eyes suddenly lock with Jennifer Briar-Keebler’s across the room. She looks as beautiful as ever with her long, blonde hair, blue eyes, and tight, royal-blue dress. I try not to notice her dress’s much-too-revealing neckline and the way her legs look in her sky-high heels. Good thing Principal Jenkins isn’t here. Her dress is definitely against Heartland’s dress code.

My stomach clenches and it feels difficult to swallow. This is the moment I’ve been dreading since the school called and asked me to speak. I no longer have feelings for her, but the pang of hurt is still there. Jen and I were just friends in high school, but when we attended the same law school, we started dating. I fell head over heels in love with her, and we got engaged shortly after graduation. Jen then proceeded to string me along for a four-year engagement before breaking up with me a year ago, stating that she found my political aspirations overwhelming.

I brace myself as I see her walking towards me. How does she walk in those heels?

Greg notices her coming towards us as well. “I heard about the breakup. Sorry, man. If I’d ever been lucky enough to have a woman who looks like that, I know I’d still be pining after her.” He shakes his head, ogling Jen.

I give his shoulder a pat. “There’s more to women than just their looks. Even the most beautiful woman can make you miserable. You’d be surprised.”

He grins, still watching Jen. “I’d like the chance to find out for myself.”

I roll my eyes. Some people have to learn the hard way.

“Madden, good to see you.” Jen stops in front of me with a tight smile. “I wasn’t sure if you’d be here tonight.”

My shoulders tense up as I give her an awkward grin that probably looks more like a grimace. “Good to see you too, Jen. Where’s Bryan?” I try to sound casual as I inquire about the man she left me for.

Jen takes a deep breath, appearing annoyed. “Oh, he went to get us some punch.”

“Well, well, well! If it isn’t Madden Windell!” I hear the unmistakable, annoying voice of my former friend and law school roommate coming from behind me. “I can’t believe you’re not busy tonight doing fancy lawyer stuff.” He scoffs bitterly as he hands Jen her drink.

I can’t suppress my smirk. Bryan was never able to pass the Bar Exam and he must still be sour about it. He really hasn’t changed much in the past year, except his midsection might have become pudgier. His light-brown hair looks the same, along with his shifty brown eyes.

“You finally ready to run for Congress?” Bryan asks, attempting to jut his non-existent chest muscles out.

He seems awfully arrogant for a used car salesman, but what do I know? I resist the urge to groan and respond with my most charming smile. “Actually, I’m running in the next election, thank you for asking.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful! We wish you the best of luck with your campaign! Don’t we, Bryan?” Jen glares at her husband as she nudges him with her elbow.

Bryan simply nods, and one side of his mouth curves up into a smile. Or maybe it’s a sneer.

Jen’s eyes dart between the two of us and she laughs nervously, like she thinks the two of us are about to brawl with each other. She doesn’t need to worry about that, though. I’d never waste a good punch on a scumbag like Bryan Keebler.

Thankfully, I’m saved from any more awkward conversation when our former class secretary, Dana, appears at my side.

“Madden! There you are. Is this a good time for you to welcome everyone and say a few words?” She smiles awkwardly, perhaps sensing the weirdness she just interrupted. Dana is maybe five feet tall and has unruly brown hair. She was always kind and friendly back in high school, and I always enjoyed working together on class projects.

“Hey! Yeah, I can do that now. Is there a mic somewhere?”

She points to the small stage at the side of the gym. “The mic is turned on, so head up there whenever you’re ready.”

I’m so ready to get away from Jen and Bryan, so I offer a tense smile, excuse myself, and walk straight over to the stage. Public speaking comes naturally to me, so I’m not nervous at all. Instead, I feel amped up and energetic. As I walk confidently onto the stage, the football team cheers, which brings everyone’s attention to me.

I grab the mic off the stand and shout, “Welcome, class of 2009!”

The crowd erupts in cheers again, and I grin. “I’d like to take a moment to thank you all for coming out tonight. Also, can we give Dana a round of applause for putting this reunion together?” Everyone erupts and chants Dana’s name. I spot her in the crowd, blushing in embarrassment.

“In the last ten years, I’m sure we’ve all had unique experiences. Maybe our lives went as planned, or perhaps we were thrown a few unexpected trials. Either way, I hope we all have grown through it and have become better people than we were a decade ago.”

I pause to smile at my old classmates, but an unexpected person comes into my line of sight, and she’s... stunning. My entire body feels warm as her penetrating gaze meets mine, and for a few seconds, I forget that I’m on stage in front of a hundred people. All I see is her lovely face and lustrous red hair.

Who is she?

I blink a few times, realizing that I’ve lost my place in my speech. This never happens to me. I’m not sure what to do. Closing my eyes for a second, the words come back to me.

“Anyway, it's great to see you all, and I hope we’ll have a wonderful evening catching up with old friends. And when we come back together for our twenty-year reunion, I’m eager to see how we’ll have grown and matured even more. Thank you!”