“We’re in the kitchen!” Benji yelled.
Seconds later Liz appeared in the kitchen. She looked the same as I remembered her. Well, it had only been about a year since I had seen her, but still, she hadn’t changed much at all. There was no real reason why we hadn’t remained friends. It was just natural. She had moved away to California because of a job opportunity and we had just stopped talking. Leigha and Liz never really got along. Leigha thought that Liz was a fake, superficial bitch. So Leigha wasn’t too heartbroken when Liz left.
“Oh my gosh… Emilie!” she exclaimed as she rushed over to me and gave me a hug. I was taken aback by her outburst, but still managed to hug her back, “Thank you so so sooooo much. Joel called me right after you said yes. This is going to be great. I missed you so much. There’s so much to do. You have to come with me to pick out everything!”
I had forgotten just how hyper and annoying Liz could be. I wondered why I had never noticed this about her before.
“Yeah, sure.” I said managing a weak smile. I honestly couldn’t believe that Joel and Liz were so oblivious to the fact that I may actually be slightly uncomfortable with this whole situation.
“Good! Well, anyway, I stopped by to show you guys the pictures that I just had developed.” Liz said with a huge smile. I glanced at Leigha who had a look of pure disgust on her face.
Billy glanced at me and then turned towards Liz, “Um, maybe you can show them later and Joel’s not even here…”
Liz was too busy digging through her bag to notice the uncomfortable feeling that had suddenly permeated the air.
“Well, that doesn’t matter. Joel can seem them later. You guys have to see them now. They’re so cute.”
Maybe I was dreaming and this all wasn’t happening. I racked my brain to figure out what the hell I could have possibly done to deserve this. Nothing. I came up with absolutely nothing.
Liz now had her first of three rolls of pictures spread out across the table. Everyone was looking through them.
“Hahaha. That’s a good one! Look at the way Joel’s looking at you, Liz.” Benji exclaimed. I felt a pain that had become all too familiar that day shoot through my stomach.
Leigha quickly whacked Benji on the arm, “Ow, what the hell, Lee?!?” Benji rubbed his arm and Leigha gave him a look that could kill.
“Nothing. I just missed you.” Leigha said replacing the look on her face with a sweet smile.
Billy stifled a laugh and I just shook my head.
“You guys haven’t changed at all.” Liz said making a face, “Here, Em, you didn’t get to see any since Benji’s hogging the pictures.”
Liz placed a stack of pictures in front of me and I knew I had to go through them. Paul, who was still seated next to me, peered over my shoulder. The first few pictures were just candid shots of the guys and other bands doing stupid and random things. I actually managed to smile at a few of them. It was exactly as I had always remembered the guys.
The next few didn’t make me smile as much. They were of Joel and Liz looking sickeningly sweet in front of the camera. I felt Paul place his hand on my shoulder as if it were in some way supposed to comfort me. I looked around the table and noticed that no one had noticed how uneasy I had become. I suddenly felt extremely light-headed.
“Excuse me.” I managed to get out before I stood up.
“Em?” I heard Leigha call as I made my way down the hallway to the bathroom.
I ignored her and quickly locked the bathroom door. I turned on the faucet and quickly splashed my face with cool water. It helped to alleviate some of the tension I was feeling. I looked at myself in the mirror and to put it lightly; I looked like shit. I didn’t usually let things easily upset me and I felt like such a stupid drama queen.
“Get it together, Emilie.” I scolded the reflection in the mirror.
Just then I heard a knock on the door. It was probably Leigha coming to see if I was okay. I opened the door to find Paul standing there with a look of concern etched across his face.
“Everything okay?” He asked.
“Yeah. I just felt a little sick. Thanks for asking.” I said slightly embarrassed.
“No problem.” He responded and smiled slightly. He could tell I didn’t exactly want to elaborate, “I think Leigha is ready to leave. She asked me to come get you.”
I nodded and gave Paul a hug, “I’ll see you soon.” It was more of a question than a statement.
“Of course.” He responded.
Paul and I silently walked back to the kitchen where I said goodbye to everyone. Liz promised that she’d call me the very next day. She kept repeating that we had so much to do. I was less than thrilled.
As Leigha and I walked to her car she threw her arm around me and gave me a hug, “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. Not your fault.” I responded trying to reassure her. I knew that she felt guilty for dragging me there.
She gave me a small smile and asked, “I’m just dropping you off at home, right?”
“Yeah. I think I just want to go gorge on Ben and Jerry’s and watch some TV. I don’t think I’m going out tonight.” I responded.
Leigha laughed, “Sounds like a good time. Mind if I join you?”
“Absolutely not.” I replied smiling.
“Nice. It will be like back in the day. Remember when we used to have sleepovers just about every weekend?”
“I remember those all too well. Promise me one thing though….no taped episodes of Home Improvement. JTT could only make this day worse.” I said trying not to laugh.
“Shut up! You know he was hot!” Leigha exclaimed.