My hands felt clammy and cold as I stared at the building in front of me. Inside held a piece of my past that I thought I'd never get back. My eyes look through the glass at my friends sitting in a booth, smiles on their faces as the talked and waited on me.

"You're already late.. now or never." I inwardly curse at myself and pull the doors open before stepping inside. I didn't even get half my body in before the room erupted with noice, "Is that my phat booty Lyn?! In the flesh?!" Tyler's voice was booming and I could feel my heart stop as all the eyes in the restaurant turned to me and my body. I give a meek smile and rush to my table, "Tyler!" I snap at watch as everyone snicker and giggle at each other.

The noise alone made my anger melt away as I watched Tasha scoot in for me, "Sit right here! I missed you most!" I happily sit beside her and enjoy her warm arms around me,"My poor baby ain't talk to me in forever 'n a half!!" She wailed and I hug her back tightly, "I'm sorryyy!! I'm back now tho!" I wail back and giggle as she wiggles me gently. "Yes and you ain't goin nowhere!" Sierra pipes up and points a finger at me, "You done missed so much and now we gotta catch you up on everything!" She leans in closer and my eyes widened, "What did I miss?!" I gasp softly and the three share a "She not ready for this" look

"Did somebody die?" My eyes widen and Tyler scoffs, "I wish!" His arms cross tight over his chest, "Well my tea is that I was in a relationship with this girl and I thought we were gonna be cool for life until she cheated on my with my BOSS, Jocelyn!" I gasp as everyone at the table hums disapprovingly and shakes their heads. "Mhm so we stole her dog for a week and put it's shit on her car everyday.. That ain't enough tho." I looked around surprised at everyone and lean forward, "Y'all are insane! How did y'all not get in trouble?!" Sierra laughed, "What she gone do? Cry?.. Plus she knew she was in the wrong so it is what it is." They all snicker together and I couldn't help my own at their genius minds.

"Alright my turn!" Sierra clears her throat before leaning in, "I officially graduated with my masters in education so say Hello to Ms.Williams, the cutest principle to ever exist!" She points to herself and we all clap, "Omg! Congrats!" I cheer and watch her proudly smile, "I'm going to be a principle in PA so I'm only a drive away from New York!" She reaches across the table and grabs my hand, squeezing, "That means you can't escape me!" I laugh and squeeze her hand back, "No, sis. You can't escape me!" Tyler slaps his hand on ours, "Um y'all def not escaping me!" Tasha grabs all of our hands, "Nah. We all stuck together forever." She gives me a pointed look and I return it before we all burst out in giggles.

"Alright my turn!" Tasha ends our moment and clasps her hands together, "I'm officially working at the NY hospital as a emergency dispatcher and currently got a raise for being best in my field for most calls and best tracking and communication." She proudly puffed her chest and I proudly clap for her, "I can't believe you left Chester County and upgraded like this! Amazing!!" I gasp and she nods her head, "It was never the same after you left.." The table fell quiet as they all look at me.

My mouth felt dry as my hands moved to my lap. I take a deep breath, "I-I quit because of my ex, Jason.." I start and they lean in closer, "Our relationship turned really bad and I eventually got away and moved in with a friend.. That situation went bad and I moved in with my new boyfriend." They we're all quiet for a second before Tasha spoke up, "Boo.. You went through all that and ain't tell us? You know we would have helped you.." Her hand came up to rest on my shoulder and it took everything in me to hold back my tears, "I-I thought it was too late s-since I cut y'all off a-a-and you hated me.." Tears had already began to stream down my face. I felt terrible for what I put them through and yet they were so kind as Sierra said it was okay and Tyler wiped my tears.

"So he was hitting you?.." Sierra broke our silence and I nod my head solemnly. A loud bang made us jump as my eyes darted to Tyler who had slammed his fist on the table, "We gettin revenge!" My eyes widen as they all voice their agreements. "We gonna burn down his house then rob his granny!" Sierra looks dead serious as Tasha nodded, "Then jump him and leave him bleeding on the curb!" I gasp and watch as Tyler pumps his fist, "We gon' kidnap his ugly ass and sell him to the mafia for a bag of Doritos!" I couldn't help my laugh as Sierra and Tasha gave him a look.

"Listen. Y'all got your secrets and I got mines." He cooly smirked before leaning back. Tasha rolled her eyes, "You ain't in no mafia, boy. Shut it." She turned back to me and I had to bite my lip to stop the tears and laughter from spilling out again. "But in all seriousness, I'm happy you're safe again." I give her a small smile, "Me too.. I've never been better, honestly." They all eye and give me puppy eyes, making me blush and look away, "Dont be like thaaat." I whine and smile at their giggles.

"You know how to make your life even better?" Tasha speaks up and I look to her curiously, "How?" She smiles excitedly as her hands clasp mine, "Go back to nursing and work with me!" My eyes widen as I quickly shake my head, "Oh no! No no no! I am not qualified for that job anymore!" She shakes her head with me, "Yes you are! You were the best in the floor and you are about to be again. I don't wanna hear none of that negative talk because what you put out happens." Tasha pointed a finger at me as her brows raised, "You are more than smart enough to go back to work and I wanna see it happen." I nod my head quickly and she relaxed back in her chair, "Thats better. Ain't none of my babies gone doubt themselves around me or at all." She gave everyone a pointed look around the table, making us burst into fits of giggles and laughter at her face.

"You didn't have to be all hostile with it, Tasha. Like i feel like my life is in danger." Tyler feigns fear as Sierra and I nod our heads in agreement. She sucks her teeth before giving him the side eye, "Because y'all are. I'll beat you up but outta love." I couldn't help my laugh as her eyes looked him up and down.

It felt like old times all over again. All of us just clowning around and threatening each other out of love like parents. My eyes land on my friends and I can't help the pride swelling in my chest at the scene before me. I really pushed past my fear and look what happened.. I get a piece of my old life back.

My mind reeled back to what Tasha said, "Should I go back into nursing?" A huge lump of fear sat in the pit of my stomach but underneath it was a yearning to be back to how things were before. How can I get better if I don't push myself? I sigh inwardly and watch as they all talk loudly and laugh like banshees, making me smile.

"I'll talk to Dion about it." I brush it away then think about him, "Nah.." I shake my head. He'd be all like, "Do what's best for you, babe! Hur hur hur." I mock in his voice and frown at the thought of him. He's so dang supportive of everything but just this once I'd like him to tell me what to do.

"Jocelyn!" Tyler waves his hands in my face and I swat his hand away, "Stoop!" I whine and he smiles, "Wake dat ass up! We're gonna order." He nods towards the waitress and I could have died from embarrassment as my cheeks grew hot, "O-Oh yeah.. I'll have the chicken tenders pls.." I smile and she laughs as she writes my order and starts taking the others.

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HEY YALL 😚

Should our baby go back to nursing with Tasha or should she just lay low?