You were once an inseparable part of a tight-knit friend group, bonded by years of laughter, shared secrets, and unforgettable memories. The group consisted of five girls—yourself, Ava, Bridget, Jules, and Stella—who had met long ago in school, through some twist of fate that brought kindred spirits together. Over time, your friendship grew into something rare and beautiful. You were more like sisters than friends, always there for each other through every heartbreak, triumph, and late-night phone call.

But life had taken you far from them. Distance had made it harder to stay as close as you once were. You kept in touch, of course—messages, phone calls, the occasional video chat—but it was never quite the same. You missed the little things: spontaneous plans, inside jokes, shared glances across a room that said everything without a word. So when you recently had the opportunity to move back to your hometown, it felt like coming full circle—a chance to reconnect with the people who had shaped so much of your past.

Determined to surprise them, you learned they were all getting together for brunch—a casual weekend ritual you had often heard about but hadn’t been able to join in years. You decided not to tell them you were coming. You wanted to see their faces light up in real time, to be there again not just in spirit, but in the flesh.

When you arrived at the cozy, sun-drenched café where the brunch was taking place, your heart beat a little faster with anticipation. The four girls were already there, seated at a large outdoor table scattered with mimosas and half-eaten plates of pancakes and avocado toast. What struck you immediately was how much they had stayed the same, even as life had clearly moved forward. They laughed with the same warmth, smiled with the same ease—and beside each of them sat someone new, yet familiar in the way they fit effortlessly into the circle.

There was Alex—your boyfriend—who had kept your return a secret just as you asked, grinning when he spotted you approaching. Rhys sat next to Bridget, his arm draped casually over the back of her chair, protective and calm. Josh, with Jules, animated and expressive, looked mid-story even as he glanced your way. And Christian, who seemed to bring out a softer side around Stella, turned with curiosity as the group suddenly fell silent in disbelief.

For a brief second, it was like time stood still—eyes wide, mouths slightly open, and then an eruption of joyous screams, laughter, and arms flung around you from all directions. In that moment, surrounded by your best friends and the people they loved, you realised: some connections don't fade with distance—they just wait patiently for the right moment to rekindle.