“Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! You finally came! I thought you weren’t going to come! I’m so happy you’re here!”
 
Some people never change, just like this girl who rushed to hug me when she saw me. I’m suffocating from the tightness of her embrace, and I feel like my ears are going to burst from the loudness of her voice. I really hate it when people touch me, especially when it’s someone I feel uncomfortable around. Just like this girl is doing now, and more importantly, I fucking hate physical touch, but it’s even worse when it’s from my own family.
 
“Hey, Mika! Let her go, you’re making my homie uncomfortable!” I’m glad Silas notices how stiff I am from Mika’s embrace.
 
Finally, she lets go of me and puts some distance between us. I’m not with Syntho today, because I told him that he didn’t need to come with me. Well, he didn’t like my decision, but he still obeyed.
 
“Oh, sorry. It seems you’re still afraid of physical touch, huh?” Mika says, her tone judgmental.
 
“Depends on the person,” And I say, without a second thought.
 
“Pardon?” 
 
“Oh, it’s nothing,” I shake my head slightly, before leaving her and heading toward the last table in the corner of the room, but I stop when someone blocks my path before I can sit down.
 
“You finally showed up,” a familiar voice stops me in my tracks. I haven’t seen him since we graduated. I tense up slightly, but I must remain composed and not be affected by his presence… again. 
 
He steps forward, and I step back. “I see. You’re still afraid of me. Are you happy to see me?” a smirk on his lips.
 
'Missy…'
 
No. I must stop my thoughts before Syntho figures out who Dante is.
 
“Why would I be happy?” I ask Dante, confidently. When he stops taking a step forward, I slowly calm myself. A small chuckle escapes his mouth, giving me goosebumps. Remain calm. Just remain calm. Hold it. Don’t show it. Endure it.
 
“Didn’t you miss me either? Too bad. It seems this reunion is going to be fun, don’t you think?” a sly smile forming in the corner of his lips.
 
“Homie!” When I hear Silas’ voice behind me, I immediately leave Dante and walk toward Silas. My strides are precise, precise to leave and get away from this place.
 
“I should go back home,” I say to him, without a second thought, causing his brow to furrow.
 
“Eh? You just got here and you’re leaving already?” I know Silas is confused, but I shouldn’t have come here in the first place.
 
“You should stay a bit longer, you know,” I hear a familiar voice say near me, causing me to tense up again.
 
Silas turns to look at Dante. “Oh, hey, man. How’s it going? I haven’t heard from you since our elementary graduation,” both men do handshake and greeting each other. 
 
I move away. This is a mistake. I should leave—
 
“Where are you heading, Shantal? Home? It’s still early for that,” Dante says, ignoring Silas’ question. Instead, he’s trying to have a conversation with me.
 
“No, I just wanted some fresh air. It’s a bit crowded in here,” I lie, because honestly, I’m heading home as soon as I leave this room.
 
“Silas, dude! It’s so nice seeing you again! How are you? I’m sure you have a girlfriend, right? Is she with you?” Lincoln shows up, striking up a conversation with Silas right in front of us, before looking at me. “Oh, hey, Lombardi! What a surprise! You finally showed up. I’m glad to see you here,” he adds, but the smile never reaches his eyes. It’s forced and fake.
 
“Likewise,” I say. With that, I turn away and start walking out of the room, without looking back, even though Silas calls out to me. But a hand grabs my wrist and stands in my way, causing me to stop. Dante. Again.
 
“Hey, hey, come on. We still have a lot to talk about. It’s been six years since we last saw each—”
 
“Hands off,” I’m scared, but I won’t let him get the satisfaction of seeing how scared I am because of him.
 
He chuckles maniacally and tightens his hold on my wrist. “Hahaha you’re making me to want you more you know." 
 
“You’re making a scene. Let go,” I command. I hate drawing attention to myself, especially at a reunion I shouldn’t have even come to.
 
“That’s my goal,” he steps forward, closing the remaining distance between us. He leans in close to my ear. My body becomes stiff. I can’t move away from him. “It seems you’re forgetting who I am. Should I tell them your family secret?” he whispers, making sure I’m the only one who can hear him. “Come on, Lombardi. It would make this reunion memorable if I spilled some secrets,” but that also means involving his family. 
 
“What do you want, Dante?” I ask, gritting my teeth as he puts some distance between us, finally letting go of my wrist. 
 
“Oh, look at that. You really want to know what I want now, huh?” 
 
“Listen up, everyone,” but before he can continues I hear someone talk from the mini-stage in the room. This person is holding a microphone. Obviously the host. “Batch 204*-204*, to those of you who are able to attend today for our fourth reunion, we will be giving a small token of appreciation for coming here. Although I’m fully aware that you’re all busy with your lives and studies, you made the effort to value this reunion by being here. Your presence matters in this event, so everyone here, please accept our small gifts before we officially start our event.”
 
Gifts aren’t really necessary, but it’s not uncommon at reunions, but I still hate receiving them from strangers I haven’t seen for many years. But it’s rude not to accept them, too. Nonetheless, I have no choice, and I accept the blue box handed to me. Huh? But what’s this?
 
“You should open it after you get home,” I hear Dante say next to me. Oddly, I don’t want to obey him, because I don’t trust anyone right now. “Besides, if you don’t want people to know your family secret, it’s only right you do something for me to stop me from exposing you,” he adds, but I’m not paying attention to him anymore. I’m focused on the box in my hands. My instincts tell me that something is off, and I don’t know what it is.
 
“You can open your box once you get home for a surprise, or on your way. You probably noticed it needs a key to open it. Don’t worry, you’ll have it later. So, buckle up, because we’ll be playing some games we’ve all prepared for you. Enjoy,” the host says. But my eyes remain fixed on the blue box.
Something doesn't feel right.