Joana Cooper had been staring at the invitation for days before finally deciding to go. Her high school reunion. Twenty-five years since she’d last walked the halls of Northfield High, twenty-five years since she’d last seen Chad Barns — the boy who had once made her heart race every time he smiled at her.
Back then, she had been certain they were on the verge of something more. They’d flirted between classes, shared study notes, and lingered in the school parking lot just a little longer than necessary. She’d imagined prom dates, college visits together, maybe even a future. Then, without warning, Chad had pulled away. He stopped calling, stopped hanging around her locker, and by graduation, it was as if they were strangers.
For years, she had quietly wondered why. Now, walking into the school gym decorated with gold balloons and a “Welcome Back Class of ’99” banner, Joana felt a swirl of nerves and determination. Part of her wanted to show Chad exactly what he’d missed. Another part — the part she tried not to admit — still longed for an answer. It didn’t take long to spot him. Chad was across the room, chatting with a small group of classmates. His hair was peppered with gray now, his jawline more defined, but the easy smile she remembered was still there. When his eyes met hers, something flickered between them — surprise, recognition, maybe even regret. The evening moved quickly, filled with laughter, awkward hugs, and nostalgic stories. But it wasn’t until later, when Joana stepped outside for some air, that Chad found her. “Joana,” he said, his voice low but warm. “I didn’t think you’d be here.” She arched an eyebrow. “Why not?” “Because… you’ve been avoiding me for twenty-five years.” Her brows knitted. “Avoiding you? Chad, you’re the one who disappeared. One day we were… whatever we were… and the next, you were gone.” He looked genuinely confused. “I left you a letter before graduation. I asked you to meet me at the diner for a date — an actual date. You never showed. I figured you weren’t interested.” Joana blinked, stunned.
“A letter? I never got a letter.” From behind them, a voice broke the tension. “That’s because I didn’t give it to you.” They turned to see Lora, Joana’s best friend from high school, standing a few feet away. Her expression was heavy with guilt. “What are you talking about?” Joana asked, her stomach tightening. Lora took a deep breath. “Chad gave me the letter to pass along. I… I didn’t. I was jealous. You two had this thing, and I didn’t want to be the third wheel. So I told him you weren’t interested.” The words hit Joana like a punch. “You… lied? You ruined—” She cut herself off, unable to finish. “I’m sorry,” Lora said, her voice breaking. “I was seventeen and stupid. I’ve regretted it for years.” Silence hung in the air, the weight of two decades pressing down on them. Joana finally turned back to Chad, her voice softer now. “All this time… I thought you just didn’t care.” “And I thought you didn’t,” he said with a sad smile. “Guess we were both wrong.” They stood there for a moment, letting the truth settle. Then Chad chuckled quietly. “Well… no sense letting Lora’s teenage sabotage win twice. Want to start over?” Joana hesitated — not because she didn’t want to, but because the idea felt surreal. Then she smiled. “Yeah. I think I’d like that.” They went back inside together, talking and laughing like no time had passed. The years they’d lost couldn’t be reclaimed, but as they clinked glasses later that night, one thing was certain — they weren’t going to let this second chance slip away.
