Nostalgia.

Last week some old friends of mine ventured back into this dreadful city. These were school friends, guys and girls whom I had grown up with, whom have seen me in my finest and most embarrassing moments as a kid.

I got an email on the old facebook from a friend who had finally caved in to the peer pressure of joining the social networking and anonymous harassment website. It was from Tom, a friend who was always troublesome, it read;

''hey nob head Im in london for a lil bit so are the other lots lets meet got your nom of Carl but u cancelled my call 2moro 1pm usual spot''

Well first thoughts on Tom is that he certainly has not learned to express himself in a coherent manner. I sat nostalgic and thought of a more memorable time I had spent with Tom when I was 14/15. I remembered it was a school day and to avoid a boring science lesson Tom, myself, and some others ditched class and went for a kick about (football). For reasons unknown Tom and I got into an argument which resulted in him punching me in the chest, I wasn't prepared to fight back until a racist slur was chanted at me, I remember hitting Tom several times while he shielded his face before the older boys pulled me off, when I looked down I had Tom's blood on my shirt and he was sat in bloody tears.

I know this doesn't sound like a story of friendship but after a couple of days Tom had forgiven me, as I had forgiven him, that was the kind of friend he was, he did not hold grudges...We never fought (physically again). (Not with each other anyway)

So the following day I went to meet Tom, at a quiet spot in the local area which could only be described as derelictly beautiful. As I walked towards the small crowd of people Tom was instantly recognizable, he was tall maybe 6''4 with very short cropped hair, he was wearing a black T shirt to match black jeans and shoes. He stood with 2 girls and 4 other boys (perhaps ''men'' is more appropriate) whom I did not recognize immediately.

I was greeted and reintroduced to Klara, Brit, Theon, Charlie and others who's names are irrelevant. We sat sharing pizza and cheap cola as everyone but Klara and myself boasted about how happy and successful they were, between us there was 2 college graduates, a home owner and 5 children. As conversation turned to football and clubbing I lost interest and took off to walk off the calories with Klara and another guy who's name I still can not remember, lets call him Marco.

As Klara walked beside me I looked down and noticed she was still as small and fragile as ever, ''how tall are you?'' I asked ''4''9 '' she said embarrassed. ''Wow you could para glide on a dorito'' I joked as Marco choked on his drink. Klara and I were fairly close at school, apparently I was her first kiss, whether this is true or not I don't know, but I remember it being awkward, cold and wet.

We sat on a cold patch of grass as Marco described his career as a Z class rapper, he boasted about girls, and as he smiled I noticed the massive gap between his front teeth, I didn't know whether to smile back or kick a field goal. Marco boasted about having a quickie with a groupie whom was most probably blind or stupid ''man I was going at like 100 miles an hour'' he said before I interrupted ''no, you mean 68 miles an hour'' both Klara and Marco looked at me puzzled, ''68 miles per hour, the sex speed limit, you have to turn around at 69'' I explained as my poor attempt at a joke went over their heads.

As Marco continued talking to, himself now, Klara explained she was working as a fashion buyer and she was engaged. I wasn't surprised, the girls got mad style I thought in my head. She then asked about me ''well I'm still a good for nothing contradiction living in this dumping ground feeding my addiction for nicotine while I repress the sociopath within me, quietly hoping that someone will save me from myself'' I blurted out in a melodic tone making it sound like a chorus.

Klara looked up at me and for a short moment I could see the pity in her eyes. She stroked the back of her hand on my left cheek ''I'm sure you can save yourself'' she said as I examined her charm bracelet. ''why did you never ask me out at school?'' she asked, ''I was only young, the hormones hadn't kicked in yet'' I said. We both sat in silence as Marco attempted a freestyle rap which sounded dreadful and shallow.

We were joined by the others who were now discussing bad movies, dreadful music, and celebrities. I excused myself claiming I had a an appointment and after an awkward exchange of phone numbers and hugs I walked off into a dark alleyway adjusting my walk to fit in with the now melancholy atmosphere. As I walked I noticed Klara running behind me followed by a lazy Marco. I slowed down and stopped when they approached, ''we're going the same way'' Marco said, Klara took my hand and we walked into the quiet streets, I left them both at Klara's car which was parked 2 streets away and said my goodbyes, I declined Klara's offer of a ride (in her car) and walked home where I spent the night trying to decode my nightmares.