The gathering was held at a private lounge downtown. Old classmates were already there when James arrived, laughing, drinking, taking pictures, and pretending everyone had stayed close after graduation when most of them hadn't spoken in years.
James pulled into the parking area while the black sports car drew attention even before he stepped out. He could see faces turning toward the windows from inside the lounge.
The car got noticed first.
"Who is that?"
"Wait."
"That car is insane."
"Is that James?"
"No way."
"It is him."
James stepped out dressed sharply while walking inside with measured steps. The noise in the room dropped for a second when he entered, as if someone had turned down the volume before it slowly rose again.
Some people recognized him immediately from the stream footage they'd been watching for days.
Others took longer to match the quiet boy they remembered from school with the man from the Floor 9 broadcast.
