Seriously, I just wanna die today. What did I do just now? This isn't me. That invitation is the last thing I wanna attend. I just can't, just can't.

But, here I am. Standing wearing my best dress. Emerald green, one-shoulder dress, and those shoes! A nude color platform that roars 'I am hot!'. I feel ashamed. Why I must try my best to look perfect tonight? I had no intention to go!

***

"You should come, Jane. Everybody urge to see you!"

"Why? I'm not even a part of you guys. Besides, I'm not a fan of so-called memories, so just forget about that!" Krissy pouted her lips. The bride-to-be tried to pursue me to go for our 10th high school gathering.

"Just ignore them! You got us, me with Luna and Frank,"

"Krissy, I had so much drama with Kevin this week and the last thing I wanna do is just avoid any more drama. Seriously!" I drop my glasses on my beautiful coffee table.

"I heard David will attend the gathering. After almost 10 years, finally, he decided to come.." ouch! I almost made a hole from under the table. David? That David?

"Who's David?"

"That David, of course!"

"That's it! Not going. Thank you very much!" Krissy surrenders herself. She didn't say any word afterward. I was satisfied and continued my work.

***

After Krissy left, a whirlwind of thoughts consumed my mind. David, that troublemaker! If he's going to be there, it's the perfect reason for me to skip the gathering. More drama is the last thing I need. However, if he's attending alone, perhaps I should reconsider. But that would never happen. David would never go anywhere without her.

I bit my lip, plagued by my insecurities. She was the shining star of our class, and I could never compare. David made the right choice in choosing her as his girlfriend. I paled in comparison. Good grades, decent looks, and some reputation.

When he first approached me to be friends, I couldn't help but wonder if he was insane. Nobody wanted to be associated with me! The scars from my previous high school experience had left me with deep-rooted trust issues.

My former classmates were nothing but conceited snobs, treating me like trash. They spread rumors about me, simply because I enjoyed the company of boys. But that doesn't make me promiscuous. Unfortunately, that's how they saw me.

David may have been crazy, but he became a true companion. Until she came along and disrupted our bond. I don't blame her; who wouldn't want to be with her? I don't hold her responsible for losing my friend. If it was for the best, then so be it. However, my heart still struggled to accept the harsh reality. It pained me deeply to witness David with her, day after day.

After that, I kept my distance. No more Saturday night movies at my place. I knew David must have wondered why, but it was for the best. For all of us

***

Here I stand, facing the imposing elevator. A deep longing stirs within me, an unyielding desire to catch another glimpse of him. Against my better judgment, I painstakingly adorned myself and made my way here.

Oh, how I yearn to see him again, to feel his presence. If only... if only. I plaster a brave smile on my face, anticipating the building as I await the elevator's opening.

The door creaks open, revealing a sliver of hope. My gaze fixates on the entrance, heart pounding with fervor. Suddenly, my smile wanes, replaced by an inexplicable mix of surprise and apprehension.

"Jane?" a voice echoes through the air.