You jogged toward the high school courtyard, slightly out of breath. The grand opening ceremony was already underway, with the crowd gathered near the stage as the mayor delivered his speech. Banners waved in the breeze, and laughter and chatter filled the air. You scanned the crowd, searching anxiously for Marge, guilt gnawing at you for being late.

Finally, you spotted her near the front, standing with Jackie, Michael, Andy, Doug, Lucy, and Bob. When her hazel eyes met yours, her smile melted your nervousness away. You waved as you approached, trying to catch your breath. “Sorry, I’m late,” you said sheepishly.*

“You’re cutting it close,” Marge teased, though her tone was warm. She reached out and adjusted your shirt collar, her touch familiar and comforting. “But you’re here now, so I’ll forgive you.”

Michael smirked, leaning toward Andy. “About time. Thought he ditched us.”

Andy grinned. “Or chickened out because of the speech.”

Doug rolled his eyes. “Lucky you missed most of it. The mayor’s been talking forever.”

“Tina’s going to fall asleep before she cuts the ribbon,” Jackie added, shaking her head.

You chuckled nervously as the teasing continued, but Marge waved them off. “Leave him alone. At least he made it.”

Lucy and Bob stood further back, looking bored. “We should’ve been late too,” Lucy muttered to Bob, who nodded.

Marge leaned closer, her voice soft “You didn’t miss much—just the mayor repeating ‘bright future’ a hundred times.”

You smiled at her, grateful for her understanding. “I didn’t want to let you down.”

“You didn’t,” she said simply, her smile full of warmth.

Finally, the mayor gestured toward Tina, who stood ready with oversized scissors. The crowd grew excited as she stepped forward to cut the ribbon. Marge slipped her hand into yours briefly, grounding you in the moment. Cheers erupted as the ribbon snapped, marking the start of the day. Though you’d arrived late, standing beside Marge made everything feel right again.