My jaw has dropped while taking it all in. It's completely different than the last time I was here. Strong emotions come over me, but I can't quite distinguish what exactly I'm feeling. "Anthony isn't here yet. Let's grab a table before it gets busier," Casey says. We follow her to an empty table off to the side that only has two chairs. The people around us are dressed in fancier clothes like we are and suddenly everything feels so luxe. "I'll go get drinks. What drinks do ya'll want?" Levi asks us. I'm feeling particularly fancy so I ask for a cosmo and Casey asks for a dry martini. Levi disappears in the crowd and Casey gives me a big smile. "Different, right?" she asks. "A lot different." Maybe too different. It's like Raven's grew up along with us and I highly doubt they'd let Derrick and Jared play in this place now. I wonder if they still play. "Does this place have a new owner?" "I think so. They kept the name, but they revamped the place. They definitely don't allow teenagers in anymore," she smirks as she glances at her phone. "Anthony said he's walking in." I finally get to see Anthony after so many months and in Raven's of all places. It's like high school all over again, and this time I'm not mad at it. We're here to celebrate Casey and Levi's engagement and things seem to be coming full circle in the best way. As I scan the crowd my eyes lock with a pair of green eyes and it's like the world stops moving. I feel myself blinking a couple times to see if he happens to disappear just as he did those couple months after we broke up. Just a shadowy figure in the crowd I was only hoping to see. My eyes leave him and I almost laugh. That was weird. I turn to the crowd again and there he is, seemingly frozen in place. Before I can question whether he's really real or not, Anthony comes into view and places a hand on his shoulder. Suddenly I feel like I might pass out. I lean on the table and give Casey a look. "What the hell is going on? Did you invite him here?" She seems confused. "Who? Anthony?" Her eyes travel around until they widen. Her mouth opens like she wants to say something, but nothing comes out. "I had no idea, I swear," she finally says. My heart is pounding in my chest and in the corner of my eye I see them closing in on our table and I wonder if I should run and hide, or head straight for the bar. Shit. Shit. I can't do this. Not now. "Here are my girls," Anthony's voice says, and I really don't want to look at either of them. "Anthony," Casey says, her tone changing. He looks at me and I can tell he knows I might kill him right here and now. What the hell possessed him to do this now? He opens his arms and I reluctantly hug him. "It's good to see you," he says. "You too," I tell him. Let me reconsider my feelings. Why am I letting this affect me so instantly? We broke up almost five years ago. We haven't spoken a word to each other since that very day. I told myself I'm over him. I glanced at his Instagram and called it good. We've grown from this. We can be adults about it, maybe laugh about it, and go our separate ways after tonight. "Lacey, wow," he says, stepping forward. "It's good to see you again." "Dylan," I breathe out. My eyes scan over him quickly. He's wearing an expensive looking collared shirt with a black and gold design. The top few buttons are opened, exposing some of his defined chest. He has on black trouser pants and black shoes. To complete his lavish look he has on a gold watch. "Uh, you too," I say. We're watching each other shamelessly, and I wonder if he's thinking the same thing. Is this really happening right now? Someone clears their throat, and I tear my eyes away from Dylan to Levi who's holding mine and Casey's drinks. He sets them down and looks at all of us. "Um, Levi, this is Dylan. Dylan this is my fiance Levi," Casey quickly introduces them. They shake hands and Dylan says, "Nice to meet you. And congratulations to both of you." "Thank you," Levi nods, but still has a confused look on his face. Casey takes her drink. "Dylan is Anthony's cousin. We all went to high school together," she explains to Levi. "I didn't know you were in town, Dylan." He clears his throat. "It was kind of last minute. This is all a surprise to me." His eyes shift to Anthony as if looking for an explanation. This whole thing was planned by Anthony. He knew I'd be here and he just had to bring Dylan along. Everyone has their eyes on Anthony and he lets out a nervous laugh. "Just thought it might be fun for all of us to get together." I grab my drink and I tilt it back, feeling the strong liquid slide down my throat. I finish the whole thing and when I feel everyone staring I say, "I'm going to get another one." I quickly leave my seat and head for the bar, hoping to clear my head. I don't know what to feel. I don't know what to say. Tonight was supposed to be a fun friends night and now it's just awkward. I'm probably the one making it awkward, but I can't process quick enough what's going on. Anthony could have at least said something so I could prepare myself, or maybe not even come tonight at all. Shit, I need to start taking my pills again. The bartender comes up to me and I ask for another cosmo. I try to breathe it out to calm my heart. Dammit, why does he have to look so good? "Lace," Casey says, standing next to me. "I swear I didn't know Anthony was bringing him." "It's fine," I wave it off, trying to be normal about it. I hand my debit card to the bartender after he places my drink in front of me. "Open a tab, please." When he takes my card, I take a big gulp of my drink. "Getting sloppy won't help," Casey says, giving me a deadpan look. My mind is racing as I take another sip. "I won't get sloppy. I have to take my pills tomorrow." I wince as soon as the words leave my mouth. Jesus, I didn't want to tell her about them.