Zac's eyes scanned the crowds of people flowing through the airport. Next to him, Isaac and Taylor were doing the same. "I think I see them!" Isaac said suddenly. Just then they heard a familiar voice call, "Isaac, Taylor, Zac!" The three guys smiled and waved at the approaching couple. "Hi Mrs. Terrence," Taylor said politely.
Ben and Rachel Terrence hugged all three boys. "It's so great to be back in Tulsa," Rachel said with a smile. "Ben, where are the girls?" Mr. Terrence turned and looked the sea of people over carefully. "I see them. They're coming this way."
Zac pulled the brim of his baseball hat lower and adjusted his sunglasses. He looked out of the corner of his eye and noticed Tay and Ike doing the same. "What's with the disguises?" Ben joked. They all laughed. "Whatever they're for, they seem to be working," Rachel added. Zac grinned at the adults' care-free nature, He had always loved that about them. Then he began to wonder if his friends were still as he remembered.
Anna tugged on her back pack straps and let out a small sigh. Sydney turned around and made a face at her younger sister. "Come on, Anna!" she exclaimed impatiently. Anna stuck her tongue out. "Shut up, Syd. It is too hot in here to rush," she complained. Sydney rolled her eyes and flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Why are you so immature?" she asked, exasperated. Anna walked past Sydney, and without looking back replied, "Because I am."
Zac stared at the two girls that were approaching with interest. He knew who they were, but couldn't believe it. He somehow doubted Isaac and Taylor did, either. One of them was fairly tall, maybe about five feet, six inches. She had glossy chestnut hair that fell just past her shoulders in soft, easy waves. Her mouth was sparkling in a perfect smile, and she moved with the style of only one person- Sydney.
Zac focused on the other girl. She was possibly around five-four. He drew himself up to his full five foot five inches (he's growing!) and scanned her features. The hair that had once been dark blonde was now a light, mousy brown color. The style was still the same- wispy bangs and perfectly straight hair flowing freely. Instead of to the waist, though, it was only halfway down her back. The smile was also the same, open friendly one it had always been, and her blue eyes still danced with mischief.
As the five kids happily greeted each other, Zac's thoughts clouded. Everyone looked different, that was obvious. But would they all act different, too?
Isaac opened the door to the Hanson home and stepped inside. "Mom! We're home!" he called. Mrs. Hanson entered the front hall, a smile crossing her face. "Ben, Rachel! It's so good to see you again!"
As they exchanged friendly hugs, the rest of the family piled into the foyer. "How was the trip?" Mr. Hanson asked. "Long," Rachel replied, starting to sound slightly tired. An uncomfortable silence followed.
"Well, why don't we go to the kitchen for some coffee?" Mrs. Hanson suggested. As the adults filed back to the kitchen, Jessie, Avie, and Mackie returned to what they were doing before, and the five old friends were left standing alone. "So how's it going, guys?" Sydney asked, flashing them a smile. Her remark seemed to pop the tension bubble. "It's going," Taylor remarked, smiling back.
"Why don't we go someplace more comfortable? We have a lot of catching up to do," Isaac stated. Zac nodded his head. "How about the backyard?" he suggested. Everyone seemed to agree to this, and they filed out of the hallway, laughing with each other as if things had never changed.
Story Index
Beaker's Story Index
Back to the Cafe