There are only three. A “WELCOME” banner billows over the alcoholic punch. Three familiar ladies sip quietly. The empty and hollow gymnasium echos my heels.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

Until I’m in front of my best friends from high school. Stephanie quirks a grin at me, Andie rolls her eyes at my late (but understandable!) entrance, and Mel sidles up for a hug.

“Quite empty, isn’t it?” I can tell Mel’s concerned. She checks her phone. “It started twenty-eight minutes ago, and they can’t all have work like Amelia.” Her eyes glance to the others.

Mel isn’t wrong. RSVP’s were required and Christine, popular cheerleader turned gold digger, bragged how many she’d received. The host isn’t at her own party.

We all feel something a touch eerie, but I wouldnt say I miss the bullies I once called classmates. Steph agrees. “I don’t miss the jeering I’d been expecting. But I was curious how they’d turned out. Maybe,” she adds mischievously with wiggling blonde eyebrows, “their looks make up for their trash personalities.”

I shove her, punch in her hand and all. “Redeeming beauty is so hard to find,” I sigh. “I did pass Parker in the street the other day. No ring, but killer white teeth.” I bare a mocking scowl and we laugh.

It’s a shame that Christine wouldn’t make it to her own party, but only for her. All these jerks look down on the less rich. Steph, Andie, Mel, and I had been sheep surrounded by glittering and blinged wolves once upon a time.

Alone but together, that’s how we were and still are. And now? We’ll never tremble for them again. Parker and his pearly whites haven’t been found. They never will be. Christine left my hands messy. I’m strong and moved on. Each and every classmate. How terrible to go missing under suspicious circumstances, I think half-heartedly. Sounds like it sucks, I suppose.

We slip our heels off and we toast until dizzy and we’re all caught up. Separate states doesn’t leave much quality time.

Andie brings out sweatshirts, ever prepared. Mel brought cards (trumping Stephanie’s intoxicated truth or dare suggestion) and we play until deep in the night.

What a satisfying reunion. I’m so very glad for the time with them, knowing that our high school ghosts are absent and dealt with.