My life, looking back on it now, was equal to many cliche romance movies you would see these days. Finishing up that year wasn't hard at all, as I distanced myself from relationships and indulged myself with friendships I had made within the past few months. Summer came and went, but nothing significant happened.

I think it all started back up again when I was out to leave for college. I found a nice community college to attend, and had my life planned out. I knew that I was aiming to get my Associate's Degree, maybe Bachelor's if I could. I didn't have to say goodbye, considering it was only an hour away from my house. The bittersweet thing was that Louis applied for Harvard, and made it in. It was an incredible opportunity, he told me of how he was taking all their English and literature classes so he would be the best author there was. When I asked him what kind of books he would write, he just shrugged, and told me that he wanted to write things that would help others.

Saying goodbye to him at the airport gates was incredibly tough. My best friend, flying overseas to the United States, chasing his dream.

"I'll be back before you know it, you'll see." he repeated, hugging my sobbing person.

But, he was wrong.

The first year was filled with hand-written letters, five or more pages per envelope, along with plenty of snapshots. I saw breathtaking sights in America, while I tried to get pictures of some friends I made here and there at the school. I made some good friends, but nothing compared to my highschool mates. Jen was still in her Senior Year, Harry was going to the closest community college he could find (he wasn't as concerned about his education as much as he was being able to see Jen), and Zayn and Suzie went to another college together. I found out about halfway through my first year, someone else I knew was also attending.

Liam and I became quite close, seeing as how we already knew each other and used that to our advantage. We had some classes together and often went out for coffee to work on assignments, or just talk.

"I thought you were only 16?" I asked when we first started talking.

"I was homeschooled during highschool. I finished and tested out early, and was eligible to start this past semester. I thought, why not?" he shrugged. He had matured, not so much in looks compared to his attitude, but both nonetheless.

Time ticked on, and the hole in my heart where Louis' absence resided slowly was filled by a new good friend. The letters became very delayed, until both of us became too busy to send any more out. Keeping in contact with old friends was a struggle, especially seeing that I had a new job at the college instead of the old diner. I had Liam, along with a regular group of friends that the two of us would hang out with on the weekends. I was homesick for a while, but it wore off as I opened up to these new people. The following summer was a relief, and I dare say that with my attention on Liam and the rest of my new friends, the old ones were nearly forgotten.

It was the second year of college, and I was home for Christmas break. Everyone was out of town, and I took joy in being able to curl up in my pathetic little apartment and watch some shows on my pathetic little television. My thoughts quickly raced to other things in the silence of the snowy day, aside from the dull sitcom chatter, and I remembered everything else that happened here since I moved in. Not much, until a class picture reminded me of Senior Year, two years ago yet still fresh in my mind. Everything that I've droned on about in the past 24 chapters were the highlights, and I smiled and also frowned at different memories. None of them really affected me at that moment, and I felt like I was reading someone else's scrapbook. What happened to the ones I held so dearly? My life had changed since then, and I didn't feel like the shy, quiet girl I was in highschool. I was more comfortable now.

I wondered what it would be like to meet up with the others. Would I be a friend to them? Would we get together like those years ago and laugh at every little detail? Or would I be a stranger, who wasn't the girl they remembered befriending? I shivered at the thought, almost surprised at how much I still cared about their opinions.

Without hesitation, I picked up the phone and dialed Jen's number. Within 30 seconds, we had a schedule and she told me that she would make sure everyone's there. I felt a giddy feeling rise inside me, and got ready to meet them all again.

~~

"There she is! Em! How are you?" Harry hollered from a booth, the first one to get up and hug me as greeting. The others did the same. Zayn, Suzie, and Jen all smiled and urged me to sit and catch up with them.

"Before we go any further, I have to ask, where's Lou?" I smiled, assuming that his silly self was running late.

"You don't know?" Harry asked, looking shocked.

"No... am I supposed to?"

"Well, we just figured, because Louis tells you everything, that you'd know."

"Know what?"

"Lou stayed in America for break. He met a girl at Harvard and is staying with her and her folks. Hasn't he told you about how amazing Natalie is?" Jen questioned.

"Honestly... we haven't talked since sometime last year." I looked down, feeling embarrassed for being the only one who hasn't kept in touch with my best friend.

"Did something come up?" Suzie looked hurt for me.

"No, at least he hasn't told me. We just slowly stopped sending letters. I guess I've missed more that I thought."

"You should ring him up tonight! He would absolutely light up at the thought of you." Zayn suggested. I remembered how much we both cared for each other, and made a mental note to do just that.

We continued on telling each other how our lives were going, and it was exciting to hear all the stories of my friends. Noticing I was the only one without a date, a bit of fun was poked at me and I was bombarded with questions about any possible boyfriend I could have.

I assured them that I had friends, but none that close. I did feel a bit lonely knowing that even Louis, overseas and away from everyone, had found someone for him. Every girl feels lonely at some point, and this was one of my times. But, I didn't let it bother me. Tonight was strictly for friends.

And I enjoyed every minute.