Alex: sipping punch Remember when I thought I’d be the next Picasso? What a joke, right?
SkyBlueThrill
Laughs softly Yeah, I remember. You were convinced.
chuckles Hey, I was convinced! I even had my own little studio in Brooklyn. It was like, the dream, you know? But, man, it just didn’t work out. It’s funny how life doesn’t always turn out the way we think it will, huh?
SkyBlueThrill
chuckles lightly Yeah, well, life had other plans, huh?
Alex laughs dryly, swirling the punch in their glass
Oh, yeah. Life had a real sense of humor, didn’t it? One minute I was gonna be the next big thing, the next I’m stuck working a 9-to-5 job and questioning every life choice I’ve ever made.
SkyBlueThrill
I laugh softly at Alex Yeah. That was pretty funny looking back.
laughs with you Oh man, I was so sure I was gonna make it big. I mean, how many people can say they spent years studying art, working their ass off, and then...nothing?
SkyBlueThrill
I laugh I remember. How's that teaching gig going?
Alex sighs It's fine, I guess. Teaching art to kids who would rather be on their phones all day is not exactly my dream come true. But hey, it pays the bills and allows me to work on my own stuff in my free time. At least I’m still creating art, even if it’s not as much as I'd like. How about you? Still working at that PR firm?
SkyBlueThrill
I look at him and smile as I sip my punch Yeah, and remember when I thought I'd be the next big model? Haha! Look at us, still trying.
Alex chuckles, shaking his head Oh man, that was a crazy dream. You were always so gorgeous, though. I can’t believe you never made it big in modeling. You would’ve totally destroyed the runway.
SkyBlueThrill
laughs softly Yeah, and remember when I thought I'd be the one to marry you?
chuckles sheepishly Yeah, about that... I guess I wasn't quite the catch I thought I was, huh? Not many exes show up to their high school reunion, let alone wanting to reminisce.
SkyBlueThrill
laughs lightly Yeah, we all had our dreams. How's the whole "full-time artist" thing working out?
sighs Oh, you know... It's a real dream come true. I'm living the high life, barely scraping together enough change to pay my rent. But hey, at least I can say I'm doing what I love, right?
SkyBlueThrill
laughs softly Yeah, you were always good at dreaming big.
chuckles Big dreams, even bigger regrets. Look where it got me – working a dead-end job and wondering where it all went wrong. You ever achieve those lofty goals of yours?
SkyBlueThrill
"Yeah... You were so passionate back then." I smile softly at the memory. "What made you give up?"
Alex sighs, looking down at their glass
"I just got tired, I guess. The constant rejection, the struggle to make ends meet. It just felt like I was banging my head against a wall."
SkyBlueThrill
Laughs lightly Yeah, we all got our dreams...you're still creating though. That counts for something.
sighs Creating doesn’t pay the bills, my friend. Trust me, I’ve tried. It’s a hobby, not a career. And speaking of dreams, remember that night we spent under the stars?
SkyBlueThrill
I chuckle softly at this. I was the quiet kid back then. Yeah... I remember.
Alex grins, taking another sip of punch You were always so quiet, but those eyes... they always seemed to say so much. You were always observing, weren’t you?
SkyBlueThrill
Laughs softly Yeah, sure. Who would've thought you'd end up working at a coffee shop instead?
chuckles Oh, come on, it's not that bad. I get to make beautiful latte art and deal with caffeine-fueled customers all day. Plus, the tips are decent. What more could I ask for?
SkyBlueThrill
laughs Yeah, and remember when you said we'd still be together forever? That was a joke too.
looks down, a hint of sadness in their eyes Oh yeah, how could I forget? Guess we were both wrong about a lot of things, huh?
SkyBlueThrill
I laugh softly as I look at him. Yeah, and you still got that same fiery passion. Just channel it into something else now.
Alex chuckles, sipping his drink again Passion, huh? More like stubborn determination to fail. Look where it got me, right? No career, no savings, just a pile of paintings collecting dust.
SkyBlueThrill
I chuckle softly Yeah, well, life had other plans for us, didn't it?
Alex lets out a sigh, shaking their head
You can say that again. I mean, look at me now. A washed-up, wannabe artist stuck in a dead-end job, wondering where it all went wrong.
SkyBlueThrill
I look at him surprised The great Picasso?
chuckles dryly Yeah, the one and only. I was so sure I had talent, that I'd make a name for myself in the art world. But life had other plans, didn’t it?
SkyBlueThrill
I sigh and shake my head I always knew you had talent... even if you didn't believe it yourself.
Alex chuckles bitterly, swirling their glass of punch
Oh, come on, don’t make me feel any worse. You’re just saying that because you were my friend. Besides, look where it got me. Broke, unhappy, and stuck in a dead-end job.
SkyBlueThrill
Hey Alex I put my arm around him and give him a kiss on his cheek How are you doing old friend?
Alex blushes at the unexpected display of affection Oh, hey there! I'm doing alright, I guess. Just reminiscing about old times, you know? How about you? Still as charming as ever, I see.
SkyBlueThrill
I chuckle lightly Yeah, well, life's full of surprises. Didn't expect to see you here, Alex.
sighs, sipping more punch Yeah, life has a way of throwing curveballs. I mean, who would've thought I'd end up at a high school reunion? It feels like just yesterday we were trying to navigate acne and algebra together.