Chapter 1

Paige Foster juggled the shopping bags in her arms, stopping briefly when one slipped, before continuing the climb to her apartment. The last of her shopping done, she now possessed more wine than any six people needed and enough food for a small army.

She reached her door, fumbling with her keys when she heard the phone ringing inside her apartment. With a silent curse she shoved the key in, unlocking the door before rushing through the doorway. Placing her bags down on the couch, she headed for the phone and snatched up the receiver.

"Hello."

"Ready for a weekend of debauchery?"

"Megan!" Paige squealed, happily. "Oh my God it's so good to hear your voice."

Megan's laughter sounded like music to her ears. She smiled big before lowering herself into a nearby chair.

"I know. I hate we hardly get to talk anymore."

"Me too," Paige smiled, sadly. "You are still planning on coming this weekend, aren't you?"

"Oh, I wouldn't miss it! Who else have you heard from?"

"Well, Heather called. She won't be in until Friday evening."

"Why so late?"

"Something about a last minute re-shoot. She called yesterday bitching about her co-star stepping into her light and making her look pale or some such crap." Paige laughed, leaning back into her chair and thought of her now very famous friend.

Heather Mathis, one of Riverdale High's elite, currently lived her dream in New York. She left everything behind and moved to the Big Apple right after graduation. The Queen Bee, or so they called her, graced billboards and appeared in countless movies. Of all the girls in their clique, Heather was by far the most successful.

"Anyway, you know how Heather is," Paige grinned. "She apparently hasn't changed much."

"Did you really expect her to?"

"No, but I hoped. If the others are still self-centered like they use to be, we're going to be in trouble."

"We'll just ignore them like we always did."

Paige laughed. "Sounds like a plan to me."

"Have you heard from the others?"

"Yes. Amy, Courtney and Kim are all coming in on Thursday, so I guess it will just be the two of us until then."

"Well, you aren't going to hear me complain. I miss the one-on-one chats we use to have."

"Me too," Paige said, remembering her closest friend and their talks fondly. She and Meg were inseparable in high school and their friendship stayed strong throughout the years. "So, when does your plane land?"

"I should get in around seven Wednesday evening. Are you still picking me up at the airport?"

"I'll be there."

"Great! Well I still have a few class assignments to go over with the substitute and I need to talk with the Dean, so I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay, Meg. I can't wait to see you."

Paige practically bounced in her seat by the time both girls said their good-byes. Four years had passed since she'd seen her oldest friends and the Riverdale High ten-year class Reunion drew closer by the day.

Of the friends, Meg and Paige were the closest. The once-shy brunette now held the title of `professor' at a very prestigious college in up state New York and Paige couldn't wait to see her again. Getting a chance to reminisce with her oldest friends is exactly what she needed. Living in L.A. was lonely, but she hoped to ease some of the pain she felt with the weekend's planned activities.

They all decided to crash at Paige's apartment for a little girl's weekend out. She lived the closest to Riverdale and it made more sense than everyone renting a hotel room.

After graduation, every one moved on with their lives, moving to the far corners of the country, herself included. Her mother moved them to L.A. and together, they established the large art gallery Paige now owned since her mother's passing two years ago.

Being away from her friends left a hole in her life, but she felt liberated. She did whatever she wanted, and dated whomever she saw fit, without having to have her friends' constant approval.

The girls would soon be all together again and Paige couldn't wait. No matter how inferior her friends made her feel, seeing them again left her feeling giddy with excitement. She'd looked forward to this all year long.

* * *

Paige paced nervously in front of the large windows at LAX, awaiting the arrival of Megan's plane. She hadn't seen her since her mother's funeral. They tried to talk at least once a week since Paige felt so isolated living in L.A. alone.

She felt completely out of touch with the real world. Running the gallery took up most of her free time. Although her employees were around her same age, she learned the hard way not to mix business with pleasure. Watching her days turn to nights from behind the glass windows of her gallery wasn't the life she imagined for herself, but like it or not, it's all she had.

L.A. was a large city and although Paige loved her life there, her limited amount of friends just didn't seem like enough. She missed the gang and the reunion seemed like the perfect excuse for them all to get together again.

Paige walked over to the small crowd gathering, awaiting other passengers. Straining her neck, she waved when she saw the bright smile she knew belonged to Megan. She let out a squeal when her friend looked up and saw her.

She quickly pushed her way through the crowd, making her way toward Megan. Tears and laughter erupted when the two girls finally made it to each other and the other occupants of the airport couldn't help but smile at their squeals of excitement.

"Oh God Paige, I'm so happy to see you! Let me get a good look at you," Megan said, pulling back from her.

Paige stood up straight, preening for her friend and grinning like an idiot. Hours spent at the salon getting her long blonde locks highlighted and her tan a warm golden brown apparently paid off. Megan seemed to approve.

"My, my," Megan grinned. "Who is this woman you've become?"

"I'm not that different."

"Sure you are. Just look at those curves!"

Paige agreed with her there. No longer the wafer thin, petite girl from high school. Her five-foot-three frame filled out, womanly curves now graced her petite figure and she smiled knowing all her hard work in the gym finally paid off.

"Well, I can't say you've changed much," Paige laughed. Megan's brunette hair was still cut short—the ends just barely touching her shoulders. She'd added a few streaks of highlights since the last time they were together. Her clothing style had taken a turn for the better it seemed. No longer did she see the wild colors or prints. A very stylish gray pants suit made her look every bit the professional she was.

"You know me," Megan said. "I'm scared of change."

"Liar."

Both girls laughed before Paige sighed happily. "I've missed you so much."

"Don't you dare cry, missy!"

Paige grinned. "I can't help it. You know I get emotional over nothing. It feels like I haven’t seen you in forever."

"I know," Megan said, the two finally turning and making their way over to the baggage carousel to gather Megan's luggage.

It only took a few minutes before they spotted her bags. They made the slow progression through the hoard of people trying to escape the airport and they both laughed once making it outside.

"Let's get out of here. We have tons of catching up to do before the others get here tomorrow."

"I'm right behind you."

* * *