What’s the Occassion?

I walked to my brother's house, champagne in hand, squinting at a message on my phone: "You're actually coming?"

I knocked.

Stan opened the door, surprise fading into a welcome. He pulled me into the throng of a pool party, a raucous blend of splashes and shouts.

My office attire felt misplaced. I ditched the tie, rolled up my sleeves, and blended in.

Selina was there, laughter mingling with friends'. She waved. I was about to wave back when beer drenched my shirt, courtesy of a careless bump.

"Danny!" the culprit yelled. "Sorry, man! You're actually here!" He vanished before I could reply.

Selina's laughter caught my ear again. I managed a smile.

Stan clapped my back. "Thought you'd be chained to your desk. Good to see you."

Before I could answer, a friend cut in. "Stan, time for your speech. Before everyone get's too drunk."

Stan nodded, leaving me with an unanswered question.

I found Selina in the house, splashing water on her face. "Danny! You made it!"

Her words echoed the sentiment I'd heard all day.

"I saw your photo in Stan's posts. Been back long?"

She blinked. "A year, Danny. And you? Buried in work?"

"I code. Fix things. There's this bug..." I trailed off at her laughter.

"Lost me," she said.

"High school feels like yesterday," I mused.

She smiled. "Thought you'd make a move back then."

I stumbled over words, but we were interrupted.

"Selina, it's time," her friend said.

"For what?" I asked.

The crowd hushed as Stan took the mic, Selina by his side. "We've been together a while, but now it's time take the next step. I proposed.." he started.

I froze.

"...and she said yes," he finished.

The crowd erupted. I clapped, heart sinking.

I congratulated them, the words heavy.

Exiting the chaos, I wandered, phone in hand, scrolling through memories I wasn't part of.

"God, where have I been?"