OLD FRIENDS

CHAPTER 3

OLD FRIENDS

Five years prior 

Jace scanned the crowded bus station, trying to locate his ride. He was supposed to be meeting a woman named Rain, whom he had only spoken to a few times on the phone. He wasn’t sure what she looked like, but he had a feeling that he would know her when he saw her.

Suddenly, he heard a loud, cheerful voice calling out his name. “Jace! Over here!”

He turned in the direction of the voice, and there she was – a tall, graceful woman with wild curly hair and a bright yellow raincoat. She was waving frantically, and Jace couldn’t help but grin at the sight.

He made his way over to her, dodging other travelers and dragging his suitcase behind him. “Rain? Nice to finally meet you in person.”

She beamed up at him. “Likewise! I’m so glad you could make it.”

Jace couldn’t help but notice the strange looks they were getting from other travelers. He wondered if it was because of Rain’s bright raincoat or the fact that they seemed to be hitting it off so quickly.

They chatted for a few minutes, discussing their respective journeys and making small talk. Jace found himself fascinated by Rain’s lively personality and quirky sense of humor.

As they headed towards the exit, Jace was suddenly jostled by a passerby, causing him to drop his suitcase. He grimaced, thinking of all the personal items that were probably now scattered on the ground.

But Rain was already bending down to pick up his belongings, her hair flying wildly in the breeze. “Don’t worry about it,” she said with a grin. “I’m basically a pro at packing and unpacking suitcases.”

Jace laughed, feeling grateful for her help. As they made their way out of the station, he had a feeling that this was going to be the start of a very interesting friendship.

Present day

Jace slowly opened his eyes and yawned, still half-asleep. He was enjoying a leisurely lie-in on his birthday – a rare treat, given that he usually worked on weekends.

But as he shifted his weight, he realized that something was off. There was an unexpected weight on his chest, and a soft, warm breath on his face.

Jace was a man of reason, and he prided himself on his scientific mind. But as he felt the weight on his chest, he couldn’t help but wonder, was it Rain, or was it some kind of impostor?

He craned his neck, trying to get a better look at the figure sprawled on top of him. Sure, it smelled like Rain, and it looked like Rain, but what if it was just some random stranger who had snuck into his bedroom to steal his heart – or worse, his wallet?

With a sense of scientific curiosity, Jace reached out and poked the figure with his index finger. It felt soft and yielding, like a pile of marshmallows.

He blinked a few times, trying to focus his bleary vision. And then he saw her – Rain, sitting on him like a human blanket, one eyebrow raised in amusement.

“Happy birthday, sleepyhead!” she chirped, grinning from ear to ear.

Jace rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off the cobwebs. He suddenly remembered that they had made plans for the day, but he had forgotten about them in the midst of his dreams.

As he sat up, Rain scooted off of him, still beaming. “So, do you remember our first date?” she asked, twirling a strand of hair around her finger.

Jace shook his head, trying to focus on the present. “Um, not really. Why?”

Rain leaned in, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Well, I was thinking we could reenact it today. You know, for old times’ sake.”

Jace groaned, feeling a sense of dread wash over him. 

As he stumbled out of bed and made his way to the kitchen, Rain followed close behind, chattering excitedly about their plans. 

“I invited Lena and Michael to join us this evening as well.”

Jace’s face lit up at the mention of Michael, he hadn’t seen him in ages. “That’s a great idea” he said, giving Rain a quick kiss on the forehead. “I can’t wait to catch up with him.”

Jace’s curiosity about the packages suddenly resurfaced. “What about those shopping bags you brought home yesterday? Are they part of my birthday surprise too?” he asked, smiling wryly.

But as soon as Jace asked about the packages, Rain’s expression turned guarded. “Oh, those?” she said, trying to sound casual. “Just a few things I picked up while we were out.”

Jace furrowed his brow. “You went shopping during the parade, specifically for those things,” he said, incredulous.

Rain just shrugged. “I’m a woman on a mission,” she said, winking. “You know me, always looking for a good bargain.”

Jace wasn’t convinced, but he decided not to press the issue. “Okay, I won’t ask any more questions,” he said, holding up his hands in surrender.

Rain smiled, knowing she had dodged a bullet. “Sure thing, But just so you know, I’ve got my eye on you and those packages,” he said, winking playfully.

 Jace rubbed his hands together as he sat on his couch, waiting for Michael's arrival. "I hope he's not too late," Jace muttered to himself. "I don't want to get stuck here all night." He glanced at the clock and then sighed. "Oh well, I might as well make the most of it." He stood up, stretched his arms, and then plopped back down on the couch. "Maybe I'll just watch some TV until he gets here."

Then he heard an engine rev down the street, Jace made his way to the front door, anticipation building with each step. The sound of the engine grew louder, and he knew Michael had arrived. As he opened the door, he was greeted by the sight of a shiny black sports car pulling up in front of the house. Michael emerged from the driver's seat, looking as sharp as ever in a designer suit and sunglasses.

Michael had been Jace’s best friend since they were both teenagers. He was a charismatic guy who could talk his way into and out of any situation, it had led to really fun times. He had a talent for making people feel special, even if it was only for a moment. 

Jace smiled and touched his faint scar as he remembered one of their misadventures.

 Lena followed behind him, her long blonde hair flowing in the breeze. Jace couldn't help but marvel at the sight of them.

"Hey, man!" Michael said, slapping Jace on the back. "Happy birthday!” Jace grinned, the excitement of the day building inside him. "Thanks, Mike! It's good to see you!” Lena hugged Jace, and he felt a sudden rush of warmth. "Happy birthday, Jace!" she said. "We're so glad to be here."

Jace took a step back and looked at his old friend. Michael had always been a man of means, but something about him had changed. His clothes were more expensive, his car more luxurious, and his smile wider "What have you been up to, man?" Jace asked, trying to keep the envy out of his voice.

Michael smirked. "Oh, you know. Same old, same old. Making deals, training clients, living the dream.”

Jace nodded, trying not to let his friend's success get to him. "That's great, man. I'm happy for you.” As they made their way inside, Jace couldn't help but wonder what kind of deals Michael was really making.