CHAPTER FORTY-SIX The Re
The invitation to her twenty-year high school reunion sat in Maya's inbox for almost a month.She had ignored every previous reunion.Too many old names.
Too many versions of herself preserved in other people's memories.
Too much risk of becoming eighteen in a room full of people who remembered exactly how eighteen had looked on her.This time, she clicked Yes.Tasha offered to come as her guest."Absolutely not," Maya said.
"You will turn it into surveillance.""Correct.
""I'm going alone.""Also correct."The reunion was held in a hotel ballroom near LAX.
The decorations tried too hard to look nostalgic - enlarged yearbook photos, school colors, a playlist full of songs everyone pretended they had not recently added to their own phones.Maya arrived late on purpose.For the first hour, she enjoyed herself more than expected.
People had softened. Former athletes had reading glasses.
Old rivals hugged. The girl who once started a rumor about Maya now sold luxury real estate and spent fifteen minutes showing pictures of her three sons.Then Maya saw Jalen.He stood near the bar talking to two former teammates.Time did not stop.Her pulse did not race.The room did not disappear.Maya noticed him, took one steady breath, and kept talking to the woman beside her.That was how she knew she had changed.Jalen approached twenty minutes later.
"Hey, May."Maya smiled. "Hey, Jalen."They hugged briefly.He looked older too.
A little gray at his temples now. Still handsome.
Still carrying himself with the confidence that had made half the school notice him before he noticed them.
"You look good," he said."So do you.""I heard you made partner.
""Apparently everybody knows my business.
""You're searchable."Maya laughed.For a moment, they stood inside a history that no longer felt dangerous.
"I owe you an apology," Jalen said."You've given me several.
""One more."Maya waited."I blamed you for why I cheated," he said.
"Not directly, but I did. That was wrong.
I was embarrassed by what I did and wanted there to be a reason that wasn't just me making a selfish choice.
"Maya nodded."Thank you for saying that.
""I mean it.""I believe you."Jalen looked relieved.
"You seeing anybody?" he asked.Maya raised an eyebrow.He laughed.
"Not asking for me. I learned.""I date. Nothing serious.
""Andre?"Maya's face changed just enough for him to notice.
"Married," she said. "Kids."Jalen's expression softened.
"I'm sorry.""Don't be. He's happy.""And you?
"Maya thought about the question."I'm becoming happy in a way that doesn't depend on somebody picking me.
"Jalen nodded slowly."That sounds like you.
""No. It sounds like who I had to become.
"A slow song began playing.Their song.Jalen looked toward the speakers, then back at Maya.They both laughed.
"You want to dance?" he asked.Maya considered it.Then shook her head.
"No."Jalen smiled. "Fair.""But I'm glad the song doesn't hurt anymore.
"He looked at her for a long moment."Me too.
"They said goodbye without promises to stay in touch.Maya watched him return to his friends.Then she went back to her table.First love had finally become what it should have been years ago.A chapter.Not a command.