Lost

We Have Eachother

                 

Chapter 6

After a few hours, the music mellowed out and the gym emptied. However, since the reunion was schedule to go until 10 p.m. the girls stayed at their table and continued catching up.

"China! Wow, I can't believe you've been working there," Sarah said before sipping the light pink punch from her clear plastic cup.  "How has it been transitioning to the orphanage?"

Michelle swished her punch around in the cup before answering, "Tough. I am not so sure I am cut out for it." The girls were silent and suddenly Michelle realized the brutal honesty in her statement. "I am sorry.  I don't mean to bring down the vibe. It's a great job and I love spending time with the babies."

"Don't apologize," Meg said offering her a warm smile. "What about you, Sarah? What have you been up to?"

"I am an lawyer for the U.S. embassy in Medellin, Colombia. It's a lot of paper work." Sarah chuckled at the monotony of it. "What about you Meg? Are you and Elliott still out in L.A.?"

"Actually, we just moved back in town. E and I are starting our own brewery." A smile snuck across Meg's face as she thought about how they were pursuing their long time dream.

"That's great! Kegger at your place!" Sarah exclaimed. The girls laughed in response.

"Madison, aren't you spending some time in Central America as well?" Sarah asked.

"I am. Currently, I am working the D-league down in Nicaragua looking for up and coming basketball players. Got in trouble on my last assignment, so this is my punishment."

Ana pulled a flask out of her purse. She held it up while saying, "Brutal honestly all around! Can I offer you guys a real drink?"

The girls agreed and each of them held their punch towards her to fill with vodka.

"What about you? I mean, I haven't heard from you in at least six years," Madison gestured to her old friend. "Who are you?" she added a chuckle so the comment wouldn't come off as harsh.

Ana smirked and contemplated the question. Who was she? "I am working for Mix Media and producing a show for History Chanel. I haven't been to this great state since I left." The last sentence carried a weight with it.

"Well, we are glad to have you back," Meg said as she rubbed Ana's arm attempting to comfort her.

"Oh! What ever happened to Charles? You two were the cutest!" Sarah added.

"Charlie! That's right, he was the foreign exchange student from Britain right?" Michelle asked.

"The two blonde bombshells," Madison commented.

"I am not sure," Ana looked down at the silver engrained flask in her hands. "I haven't spoken to him either, since I left." She raised the flask to her lips and allowed the clear liquid to burn her throat.

"You guys broke up?" Madison asked. Her voice was laced with genuine concern. Back in the day, Madison and Ana were the best of friends. She remembered when her friend first told her about the crush she had on Charlie. Madison also remembered how excited Ana was when he asked her out. They even made it to college and stayed together.  Since her and Ana's friendship had ended the summer before college she never really heard what happened to Charlie and her relationship.

"Yes. More important things came up." Ana offered a smile and raised her glass one more time to begin a toast. "Let's make a toast. To renewed friendships."

The other girls raised their glasses and repeated after her, "To renewed friendships!"

Their voices continued to carry throughout the night as they caught up on the details of each other's lives. The old familiarity began to slip back in as the girls fell into their rhythm.  It was a peaceful night, no fights or grudges - just friendship and safety.

However, all good things come to an end.

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Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think in the comments section and if you like the story be sure to vote for it. :)

I am really excited about getting into the meat of this story. I know the past few chapters have been exposition, but exciting things are about to happen!