Peter McFeely

“I’m so glad you organised this.”
“Yeah, thanks Dave, it’s great fun to see everyone again.”
“Don’t thank me – I’m glad everyone came. It’s just too easy not to see each other anymore. Especially with Facebook, WhatsApp… I feel like I know everything happening in your lives, but then I realise we haven’t spoken properly in years.”
“Have we done this since we left school?”
“Yeah… the first Christmas…”
“… That hardly counts.”

Michael heard the conversation though he wasn’t really listening. His mind was elsewhere. He was pleased that Dave had taken the initiative to get everyone together. Plus it was a lot of fun to be back in the bar. He still saw Dave a lot but he hadn’t set foot in the bar since he left for university. He also hadn’t been there for that get-together at Christmas. He had actually lied and said he had to spend time with his family; that his mum was sick. He still felt guilty about the lie. These were his friends. He liked them. He shouldn’t be lying to avoid seeing them. But he was here now and it was good.

“I can’t believe that we are all graduating. I don’t think I’m ready for the real world.”
“Are you serious? You’ve been doing internships since we were 16! Every summer, you’d take yourself off for six weeks and come back with tales of skyscrapers and city life.”
“And sleeping with some hotshot!”
“Hey! Not when I was 16… I just wish I was doing what you’re doing. A gap year. Travelling the world. I’m so envious.”
“Then do it. It’s easy!”

Michael forced himself to focus on the conversation. He wasn’t surprised that Anna had got an offer to go straight into one of the big banks. She’d always been the smartest in their group and she’d always been focused on her career. He was a bit more surprised about Sarah. He was pretty sure that she hadn’t even liked flying when they were in school. Now she was going on a round-the-world trip and hugging a few trees along the way. University changes people he supposed. He knew that. But then again her boyfriend seemed like a bit of a tool. He’d only met him once. George Something-and-something. Yeah – he was a tool.

“Anyone for another?”
“Yes please – vodka, soda.”
“Gin and tonic”
“Cider.”
“Pint – here I’ll give you a hand. Michael? Pint?”
“Yeah – pint”

Dave and Kevin got up. Some of the changes were strange – Kevin had always been Michael’s best friend. Still was a great friend. But they went to universities at different ends of the country. You wind up with friends in your own city and spending a day on a train is just too much of an effort. Dave on the other hand was in the same city. Different uni but same place. They’d become better friends than they were in school. Plus Dave actually kept in touch with everyone – so Michael could still be part of things without having to really be part of things.

“What about you Michael?”

It took him a moment to realise the question was asked in real-life, not just his wandering thoughts. He looked at Kerry. She was still beautiful. Even more so. Now she was a woman. The make-up was a little less conspicuous and the clothes slightly more refined. But the lipstick still glistened on her perfect lips, the neckline still fell away from her collar giving the world a glimpse of her wonderful breasts. The watch on her wrist was more expensive but it still sat on the hand which fit so perfectly in his. He felt his stomach tighten and his boxers cut into flesh as his crotch swelled.

“What are you going to do? God, what have you been up to? I can’t believe it’s been so long since we have seen each other!”
“Yeah, it’s… crazy.” Crazy that I had to cut you out of my life to get over you. Crazy that you went from wanting me to having no interest. Crazy that I’m seeing you for the first time in three years and I suddenly feel like I’m falling in love with you all over again. He didn’t say.
“It’s been great – to get away from here, live somewhere else, do something different.” Get away from you. “I always loved living here” loved you “it’s a great place but there’s just so much more in the world. You know… you don’t know what you don’t know – but now I know. If you know what I mean?” Course you don’t. What I mean is now I know there are better girls than you. But somehow you are still making me hard and you’re sitting a metre away from me and there’s a load of sweaty teenagers behind you. “So yeah, get a job. Stay down there. I really like it.” Unless you want me to run away with you. I’d do that in a heartbeat.
Kerry laughed. “I think I know what you mean. There’s plenty I didn’t know when we were younger.” She smiled. That smile.
Kerry leaned over and put her hand on Michael’s knee. The sweaty teens melted away into a blur. He could have sworn his boxers were made of cheese wire.
“I’ve really missed you Michael”
Red hot cheese wire.
“You know…”
She threw herself back in her chair.
“I still think of you as one of my best friends. Friends should speak more than we do right? I mean I don’t even know if you have a girlfriend! Do you? And you’ve never met my boyfriend!”
His boxers caved in as blood simultaneously rushed from his head and cock.

He was interrupted by the dinging of his phone. Kevin. Dickhead. We can see that face you’re making. You are NOT allowed to talk to Kerry on your own! Bar. Now.
Michael stood up. “Kevin and Dave need a hand.”
“OK” She smiled up through her lashes.
Cheese wire.

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