2023

Sierra had settled into her job years ago, a writer of a local production studio in the city. she had never directed anything like she had planned as a child all those years when stargazing and speaking of faraway dreams. she let out a chuckle as she thought of the girl that she had shard those experiences with and how she wanted to leave her parents, dreamed of 'making it big' and leaving their small shitty town. she really did hope she escaped, she wouldn't wish that destiny on any soul, even those she had a rocky past with.

she was thinking of this as she walked to her favorite café on the main street, not far from the studio, maybe she could catch some of the actors that were casted, she couldn't lie, she was always a sucker for gossip. Her mother really was right when she said 'getting stuck in her own head was her biggest red flag' because as she was walking to the line she bumped into someone rather hard, causing them to drop their croissant to the floor, immediately she leaned down to get it for them, only noticing the face after she said

"oh my gosh, I'm so sorry, ha I'm so clumsy, erm if you want I can buy another one for you as I wouldn't want to spoil it for you. these are my personal favorites-"

"Si- Sierra, right?"

as if an instinct well imbedded into her, her cheeks began to flush, there she was left blushing like a fourteen year old in a crowded coffee shop.

"uh, yeah" maybe she should just play dumb and leave! but then she looked closely at the woman, her face had lit up after noticing Sierra, a pure genuine sort of joy, it made her stomach betray her as it twisted in affection.

"uh, do I um do I know you?"

"oh, um yeah dawn, maybe you don't remember but we used to go to school together years ago, I couldn't blame you if you didn't, I'll get out of your hair-"

"no" she uttered in response because Sierra was someone that could never learn to move on and was pathetic and stupid-

"no?"

"don't feel sorry for that I, I do remember, of course I remember, we were best friends!" the face Infront of her that had previously began to darken with worry was now lighter with relief.

"thank god! I was so scared for a minute that you were some stranger that I had just started hassling."

"no, definitely not, hey maybe we should catch up one time."

"I'm not doing anything now."

why why why. Usually Sierra was the sort of person to think things through like huh 'do I really want to rehash my somewhat painfully messy beautiful (somehow) situation ship with my high school best friend?' but no, another part of her had been wanting, yearning for this, to just catch up and talk and pretend it didn't happen.

"I'm free as well, hang on ill get some food and we could find somewhere to picnic."

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seeing her again was rough, but refreshing, like for 17 years she had been locked into a cage and now suddenly she was set free with one of the most beautiful faces in charge of the rescuing. she forgot how much she had cried silently and longingly thought about the face Infront of her.

so now sitting down it felt sort of strange, acting like nothing had happened but Sierra began to think maybe first she should first catch up

"so, its been a long time."

"yeah, seventeen years I cant believe it."

"so what brings you to the city, last I heard you were what, the local uni?"

"ohhh that was a long time, unfortunately I was there for maybe 6 years, but I joined a band and that took us around and then I went back to school for acting."

"acting?"

"yeah, I haven't necessarily had any great breakthrough roles, side characters here and there but I'm actually here for an audition down the road for a new series being made-"

"epitome of failure?"

"ah, yes, how did you know?"

"oh my goodness! 1m working on that! I'm currently one of the writers on there."

"the fuck! small world, so you finally got there hu?"

"if you're referencing my overly ambitious dreams of becoming a famous director, that's a no."

"you still planning for that?" she asked, more relaxed than before, leaning back in the sun, seemingly interested in Sierra's dream. she didn't think she actually cared, after all those times of her complaining about no-one noticing her talent and Dawn turning away for something with more substance than anxiety ridden half scrapped screen plays, but apparently she did?

"uhm, I don't know, I well I like my job."

"for ever..."

"of course not!"

she did not know her reaction would be like that, she didn't even know that wasn't the long term plan.

"I, well I guess I could still become a director eventually but no rush."

"time has definitely done a number on you Si, last time we had a chat you were always in a rush."

"I've learned to live more rather than survive"

"good, you deserve to be more content with your life."

"thanks Dr stevens. so what about you, what role?"

"is that even a question, babe? the unhinged aunt that is secretly an FBI agent, obviously."

"of course, I must've forgotten I'm not exactly talking to the average gal."

"I prefer to call myself actually fun, people these days get so wound up with how an 'adult' should act, like sure I'm in my mid 30s, but I can still have fun that doesn't involve alcohol."

"Without alcohol? what happened to the Dawn from 2004 huh?"

"she dealt with some serious shit..."

"oh, I'm sorry, wanna talk?"

"oh, uhm" she made a show of checking her watch, furrowing her eyebrows

"yeah I'm afraid not for today, but, but I would love your number and maybe we can catch up another time or something?"

"you, you want to stay in touch?"

"Sierra." she spoke more softly as she stepped towards her, looking right into her eyes

"long ago I took you for granted and paid the price, you're important to me and I'm willing to have a relationship with you again and working for it, its important to me."

"yeah that's great, I don't even know why I just expected us to do this once, haha." she said awkwardly, shortly they exchanged numbers and went their separate ways with Sierra full of a mix of confusing feelings bubbling up inside her, maybe this was a good idea, if they still hurt each other they could end it clean and final. And she could get closure, but there was a chance they were just stupid teenagers when they hurt each other right?