Weeks went past. Months. Then years.

Brendon was 21 now. He'd gone to high school and graduated. He was an incredibly smart person. He still thought about Talia. About why he never saw her again. About where she went.

It was a Tuesday, Brendon worked at the bowling alley. He sat there spraying disinfectant info the shiny shoes.

"Hello?" a frail voice said. Brendon turned to see a girl, but not any girl.

Talia.

"Oh my god, Talia!" He said. Her eyes widened,

"B-Brendon?" she stuttered. Brendon reached across the counter and hugged her. When he pulled away he saw a look of distraught on her face.

"What's wrong?"

"I, I dunno. Its been so long. I... I forgot about you," she said and Brendon could hear his heart shatter. "I was sent to a hospital for a long time, I had many mental issues. I couldn't handle what happened. I have a husband now, and a kid." she said, gesturing to a man and a two year old sitting on a bench. Brendon tried to blink away any incoming tears. He smiled halfheartedly and nodded.

"I understand." he said.

"Thanks... so uh. I need some bowling shoes.." she said awkwardly fidgeting with her bracelet.

•

Brendon watched from the counter as the love of his life taught her child how to bowl, smile and laugh with a man that wasn't him. He couldn't believe that she just forgot about him. How do you do that? You're held in captivity for four months with a single person and you forget him. What the fuck?

Since Brendon had returned, he had seen many movies and read many more books, and he had always seen those 'happily ever after' endings. It seems as though Brendon didn't get one.

He slouched down on the ground and heard something on the counter. He stared at his hands.

"Thank you." Talia whispered as she places the shoes down on the marble. Brendon listened as she walked away, giggling with her daughter. Oh how he just wished he could have something like that, but he wished more it was with Talia. He whispered something to himself out of utter pain, and his eyes filled with tears.

"I love you, Talia.."

the end