"A toast! To the tenth anniversary of Charlton High's Class of 08!" Chuck Rhodes raised a beer can.

"Rock on, Rhodes." Roy Parson raised his own.

"And a happy new year, gentlemen." Terry Wyatt said as he also raised his own.

"It's hard to believe." Leslie Lockwood laughed.

"How bizarre." Shelly Strong rolled her eyes.

"I didn't think we'd still be in touch after all these years." Amy Palmer smiled.

Bree Barker said nothing, seeming deep in thought about something.

It was the first day of the year 2018 and the seven friends were all gathered at Chuck and Leslie's place. Much had changed since the seven friends graduated from Charlton Public High School. They spent the day getting caught up on the usual small talk- sports, career, vacations, life, money, family, and the like.

After ten years in the army with six of those years serving on active duty and the remaining four as a reservist, Chuck was nearing the end of his contract. He and Leslie were also married. The pair dated in high school back when Chuck was the captain of the Charlton Panthers, the school's football team. Leslie was the head cheerleader back then. They dated on and off over the years following their graduation before finally tying the knot three years ago. The two were expecting their first child by early September.

"That's wonderful." Shelly clapped.

"Congratulations, Leslie." Amy complimented.

"I think our kid will be a boy. But we'll see." Leslie smiled.

Roy, who also enlisted in the army with Chuck out of high school back in 2008, was also nearing the end of his contract. Similar to Chuck, he did five years on active duty and the remaining five in the reserves. But his wouldn't end until almost June. He was also married, but didn't have a kid yet.

"Sue and I talked about it from time to time. It's been almost four years since we got married, but she still says she isn't ready for one." Roy said. "So, it's still unlikely at this point."

Terry Wyatt also served in the army after high school. But unlike Chuck and Roy, who were stationed overseas when they were on active duty, he stayed in the Florida National Guard for six years, drilling part-time while working a full-time civilian job. He was currently a PE teacher at the very high school they graduated from.

"To be honest, I feel like I never really left." Terry joked.

As for the girls, Leslie modeled prior to marrying Chuck. Shelly acted. Amy was a registered nurse. As for Bree, she hadn't gone anywhere. Her grades were not good, so she went to community college, but dropped out. She job-hopped here and there without much direction in life for the first three or four years. She was currently working as a cafeteria cashier at a college. She only got the job thanks to a family member and so far, she was able to hold it for the last five years without quitting or getting fired like she had from her last jobs.

Still lost in thought, Bree didn't pay attention to their conversations. She only showed up because of Amy, who was the only one of the seven graduates Bree still considered to be a friend. The others to be hang-arounds at best, in Bree's eyes.

Chuck was bragging about something. Bree didn't hear what it was. Being that he was physically the alpha of the group of friends at an imposing 6'6, 280 pounds with a booming voice, he dominated a conversation he was in. Roy and Terry mostly nodded along, occasionally giving their input before Chuck talked over them. Bree wondered how they still considered that loudmouth to be a friend.

As for the girls, Leslie and Shelly were still just as vain and shallow as Bree had remembered when they were cheerleaders. They still talked about shopping, clothes, food, and vacations with Amy mostly nodding and occasionally giving her input just like Roy and Terry did with Chuck. Though Amy was too nice to say so, Bree was certain she didn't like the other two either. What she didn't know was why Amy could stand put up with their inane banter.

"I saw Laura the other day." Amy commented.

"Who?" Leslie asked.

"Laura Bay. Do any of you remember her?" Amy asked.

"What did she look like?" Leslie asked.

"Wait. I think I remember. Was she friends with Jane King?" Shelly remembered.

"You mean, Jane? Yes. They used to be friends." Amy corrected.

"Did those two even graduate from Charlton?" Leslie said.

"No, Laura left after freshman year. Jane left in sophomore year." Amy said.

"So, where did you see Laura? Did she remember you?" Shelly asked.

"Laura was working at a Chipotle. She sadly didn't recognize me." Amy said.

"That reminds me. I think I saw Alaina Smith. Or at least, a girl who looked a lot like her. But she was too far away and I didn't get to say hi." Leslie said.

"Alaina basically disappeared after graduation." Shelly pouted.

"Alex had her number." Amy yawned. "I don't know if she still does. She was the only one of us who kept in regular contact with her."

Trying to drown out the voices of the others, Bree thought she heard someone calling her name, but didn't respond until Amy waved a hand in front of her face.

"Huh? What?" Bree asked.

"Leslie wanted to ask you something." Amy asked.

"Are you okay, Bree?" Leslie asked.

"Yes. Why?" Bree asked, confused.

"You haven't said a word since we got here." Shelly said.

"I'm fine. Just, thinking. Yes, thinking." Bree muttered and looked away.

Leslie and Shelly looked at each other questioningly.

"By the way, Bree." Chuck called, suddenly remembering Bree was there. "I ran your old friend Llewlyn Thompson the other day."

"Tell him I'm doing wonderful." Bree said in a monotone voice.

"Oh, that guy. I remember you and he were close." Roy commented.

"We didn't break up. We went our separate ways. He wasn't my boyfriend." Bree yawned and looked away. "Is everything good? You seem bothered about something." Terry said.

"I'm fine. Just a lot on my mind." Bree said. For a moment, it looked like she was going to get up and leave before she turned back around to face the others. "Hey guys. I actually have a serious, thought-provoking question for all of you. One that you likely have not thought about before."

She paused, finding the right words, before she asked the question that had been bothering her for the past week. "For whom did Jesus die for, in your opinion?"