"I don't get to see them anymore. I'm afraid that I've become too different."

Yeah, so that's what I'm afraid of. If I come back and even just mingle with them, I'll see how much I've changed. How different I am from the person they knew before.

I grew up with them. I was among them when I hardly knew anything about the craft. I was the quiet teen who was content with cavorting with the rest of the ensemble.

Sometimes I dread the reunions some of them keep planning. I haven't seen a real reunion of any of the groups yet, but I guess I'm glad no one had followed through. Well, except for that one after Christmas day last year. That was when I did confirm that I had already gone on a separate path. As much as I hate to admit it, I suddenly felt uncomfortable around them, so I kept quiet. It's been about a couple of years already since I've learned to wear my heart on my sleeve, and became a little (OK, a lot) more outgoing and vocal.

Now I might have to face a whole bunch of them in a few days.

I guess I feel this way because I'm afraid I've changed too much. Or maybe because I've just been apart from all of them for a long time while life went on with them. I left, they stayed, and I distanced myself.

"Just let go and take out all your fear. You'll be great, sweetie."

Thank you.