The gardens were a safe spot for him. He would often wander there to simply take a deep breath, without the buzz of the castle. Sometimes he would bring his brushes and canvas, and sit for hours painting the landscape. It was calming; the garden did not judge him, and it did not talk back. He did not see the veiled girl wandering the shadows watching him. He did not notice the gardens were already calming a lost soul when he arrived. He believed they were his and his alone; but he was wrong.

She watched him. Adeline had been going to the gardens for comfort for years, and now it seemed this stranger was doing the same. So she watched him. In the shadows of the garden, on her balcony, she observed him, because while his laughs echoed the halls at day, the gardens were soaked in his despair at night. Adeline felt that on some level, she understood him.

He had heard about her. The girl with the scars, the girl with the veil, the girl in the shadows. He had heard the fear in their voices when they talked about her. He didn't understand their fear. He wanted to meet her one day, he felt that one some level he understood the scarred girl named Adeline.

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They didn't meet under the best circumstances. He was in the gardens, trying to get inspiration, but Adeline was stuck close by getting attacked. Not physically exactly, but the words being thrown her way felt like a blow to her face. She was trying to get to the gardens, her safe heaven, but she was stopped by shouting and cursing tossed her way. It was moments like these where Adeline felt utterly and completely alone.

But he was close by. He heard the shouting, he heard the cursing and he was determined to help. However, when he arrived to the pandemonium he was surprised to see the girl everyone talked about being screamed at by a stranger. She stood up perfectly straight, her veil covering her face down to her beautiful lips, and while her hands were perfectly folded in front of her, she was shaking. He didn't even think before he reacted.

"Excuse me sir, but I think you have said enough. Now if you would excuse us," he then proceeded to grab Adeline and guide her towards the gardens. He tried not to notice how she flinched when he touched her, or how she was breathing too heavily. He tried to focus on just getting her away.

He guided her towards his stool, by all his artistic tools. She had stopped shaking, and was sitting with perfect posture, looking straight afraid. The tension in the air was suffocating. Adeline finally spoke. Her voice was horse from lack of use, from shock.

"Thank you for you assistance." He stared at her. No explanation, just a simply thank you. He looked at her. The veil was blocking her face, her eyes, her soul. He felt blocked from her; he could feel her closing herself off from him. He wanted to scream at her, to show that he understood her pain, that he could help her, that he could be her friend. But he did none of this. Instead, he looked away and said,

"Your welcome," and with that Adeline gracefully stool up and walked back towards the palace. She elegantly walked away from her safe heaven, from a man she thought could be her happiness. She walked away from the man she wanted to know but was to afraid to open up to, for she knew how broken she was, and no on loves a tragedy. And that's what Adeline was, but what she didn't realize was that's what's he was too.

Dear Adeline,

I miss you. Guess what? Today it rained. I was in inside when I heard the storm start. I went out onto my porch and sat in my new chair, and watched my first rain without you. It was bittersweet. I have always loved the rain; the way it washes us clean. But even the rain could never wash away you from my skin. Do you remember that we first met in the rain? You always had such a terrible memory, I was always reminding you things. It was kinda our own little game.

A woman came to my door today. She was welcoming me to the neighborhood, even though her house is at least a ten minute walk away from mine. I have to admit Addy, I was quite rude to her. She was about your age, and she was beautiful, and I felt awful for noticing. Do you hate me now Addy?

I think I'm starting to hate myself again.

Dear Adeline,

I miss you. The woman was back today. She brought food, and made me smile. She didn't come into the house though, I just couldn't go that far. I made so many promises to you Addy, and I will never want to break them, but misery is cruel. It makes us do crazy things Addy. You of all people should understand that.

My soul feels so empty without you. My heart breaks again every time I try to paint. You are the reason of my sorrow, but the reason for my external happiness. How does that work? How can one sort through that? But most importantly why is this woman slowly breaking me, like you did.

Come back and fix this Addy.

The day she first saw him it was raining. Everyone from the palace had taken sheltered from the unexpected storm, but not her. She was sitting on her balcony watching the chaos the downpour caused. She was sitting tall, with her legs crossed, looking as lady-like as ever. Her black veil was pulled away from her face, a rare sighting, and she was smiling.

It was here when Adeline first saw him. He had obviously been traveling a great distance but he did not look tired. Unlike his complains he did not rush to the haven the palace provided, but instead took his time. He took his time and got soaked by the rain, but he didn't seem to mind. To Adeline's surprised he seemed to enjoy the weather, and the consequences that came with it.

He must have sensed her eyes and him, for his own snapped up to the balcony. Adeline froze when he waved. She didn't have her veil on, she realized, but she also realized that in the dark he wouldn't be able to see her clearly. Put at ease, she waved back. That was the end of their exchange: a wave in the rain, a veil-less smile.

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He had finally gotten a real job. A royal family from far away hired him to paint portraits. He was glad to leave his hometown. He was glad to prove his family wrong, but he was not glad to have to stand out. He was not glad that he would have to make new acquaintances, and start over. He just wanted to hide behind his paintings, but it seemed that wouldn't be possible anymore.

When they arrived it was raining. He loved the rain. He loved the way it smelled, and he loved the way it made everything seem fresh again. But even the rain couldn't stop him from sensing eyes on him. It was too dark to see who it was, but he waved anyway, automatically liking anyone who shared his loved for the rain. When the woman waved back he ran inside the warm palace, finally seeking the comfort it provided.

He soon realized, the people in the palace were nice. He was laughing often, and smiling more frequently than that. Still at night, when is mind was free to wander, the doubts seeped through, and he sunk deeper into his depressed state. His brush was his relief, and his portraits were the product. But as the days blurred together, he couldn't stop thinking about the girl in the rain. Who was she? Where was she? Was she thinking about him?

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Adeline couldn't stop thinking about the boy from the rainy night. She wanted to know more about him: Who was he? What was he doing here? Was he thinking about her too? Adeline smiled to herself, and put down the book she was pretending to read. It was a beautiful day outside and she was sitting on her balcony, soaking up the sun, or at least that what she told herself. In reality, she was trying to catch a glimpse of the mysterious man.

Adeline didn't believe she would ever find love. In her mind she was tainted, and burdened. She would never accept that fact though. Adeline wanted love, she simply didn't know how to get it. For now she was contempt with reading her books, with wearing veils, sitting perfectly in a chair, and waving at strangers in the rain. Or, at least, that what she told herself.

And Adeline always loved a good fantasy story

Dear Adeline,

I miss you. With you the world was so beautiful, but without you everything has lost its color. I haven't painted since the incident. I miss you Addy. I wish you could come back to me. You used to tell me all your dreams. How much you wanted to run away and make your own little story. I bought a house Addy. It's small, like I know you wanted. It's far away from city, by a big forest, but it's so lonely without you here.

I loved how strong you were; the way your veils never covered your lips. I loved your smile Addy. I miss it so very much. At night when I can't sleep I imagine you are laying besides me smiling while going on about the latest book you finished. When I do that I fall asleep easier. On the really bad days, I hear your voice. It sounds so strong Addy, that I don't want to let you down. When I hear you I don't feel so weak anymore.

Some days I walk through the forest and think of you. You wanted a happy ending so bad Addy, we both did really. I want you to know I tried to give it to you. I tried my best, and I'm so sorry I let you down. I love you so much Adeline and I just wanted you to know I won't forget you. I know that was you biggest fear. You whispered it in my ear when you thought I was asleep one night. I won't let you be forgotten Addy.

Dear Adeline,

I miss you. I tried to paint today, but I ended up sobbing. It reminds me so much of you Addy, it breaks me heart every time I pick up a brush. Even though I can't paint, I take comfort in looking at your portraits. Seeing you, even through a canvas, gives me hope. You are so beautiful Addy, and it hurts me that it took you so long to see that.

I am having nightmares now. Nightmares about you Addy. Every time it is the same thing: that I can't save you. Funny how close to the truth they are. I am barely living. Missing you is taking over my mind. It is driving me insane Addy. I don't know how much more I can take.

I miss you Adeline

He was the complete opposite of her. He had a "normal" life, with a normal family, in a small house. He didn't dream of castles or of princess, like most boys his age, but he was content where he was. Unlike most people, he saw the beauty in the normalcy, and some say it made him beautiful himself. When he smiled, others smiled. They say he had the power to light up a room with just his presence.

However he wasn't vain. He tried to be humble, and tried to blend in. He was a very unique person, who was trying so very hard to be "normal." He didn't need to hide behind a veil, but he hid behind something else. He was a painter, a very good one. He hid behind his canvas, his colors, and his brush. He used his skill, and craved it into an unhealthy obsession. The ones who knew him best knew this certain fact.

Everyone loved him; they loved his smile and his laugh. The problem was he didn't want or need anyone to love him like this. He wanted to blend in, to morph into one of his paintings. Still, beautiful, but "normal." He was so perfect, according to society at least, he felt they expected him to meet standards he simply couldn't reach. With his paintings, portraits to be exact, he knew he could reach the standards given to him. It was easy, it was normal.

He loved nature. He would often go for walks in the forests for hours, wandering around, simply enjoying those few free moments. Sometimes he would even let himself feel sad. He would wallow in self pity, only because he felt so used. Used because he had people telling him who he should be. People saying how amazing he was, how beautiful he was, and how happy he should be. Then the pity would come from the fact that he wasn't happy, not really. He felt like something was missing. It sounded silly, of course, but there were days were he felt hopeless. But the forest was always there for those bad days, and that was slightly reassuring for him in a sick way.

His life, for his short seventeen years, had been "normal." He had worked with his father, painting on the side. Then he would come home for dinner, and receive a lecture about how much time he was wasting on his portraits. He simply nodded, Because that was expected of him, and then went in his room and continued to paint again. But then something completely abnormal happened for his normal family.

His talent proceed him, and it wasn't as easy to hide anymore. His small house, upgraded to a big palace, his normal life, changed to a strange one. He had been recognized by royalty. They wanted his portraits, but they wanted portraits made of their family. People said he should be excited, happy, delighted; his work would soon have the face of royals. But he couldn't seem to lift his lips into a smile. The only reason he was happy was because it proved his parents were wrong, all these years. But this also meant he would no longer be able to blend in. He would no longer be able to hide behind his paintings.

However, his dream of a normal life shattered when he stepped into those palace's walls. He fell hard for a girl, who slowly ruined him. He fell for a girl who made him want to be anything but normal. One day a girl fell into his life and he didn't want to hide behind his paintings anymore.

She was beautiful, stunning even. She was born in royalty, she had dresses of gold and jewelry worth more than some houses. She should have been the envy of girls everywhere. She should've had suitors lined up for marriage. She should not of had to wear a veil to cover her face everyday. She shouldn't of had to cry herself to sleep most nights. In reality she shouldn't even be alive.

They said she was doomed to a life of loneliness; if she was lucky she would die young. She listened to the whispers, became a ghost, never really living, until one night she meet a beautiful man. He saved her, helped her live, but they were doomed from the start, with tragedy always close at their heels.

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The day she was born was not a happy day, her mother cried and her father drank wine out of anger. Her face was deformed. She should've died, as the rumors said. They should've killed her, but her royalty saved her life. Her parents were too important for their child to be murdered.

They say she had perfect lips. A smile that could make you wanna conquer your biggest fear just to see it. Her face was scarred, but her lips were smooth. She wore veils. Beautiful black, lace veils that stop at her lips. She always wanted people to see her lips. She said they were the only part of herself she really loved.

Her dresses were always gold, to show her statue in society. She didn't get out much however. She was banished to her own castle, locked away by her own family. She didn't mind though, she found comfort in her solitude, passing the days with books, and prayer, but most of all she dreamed. She dreamed of a different life, somewhere she didn't have to where she didn't have to wear a black veil. She dreamed of love. She dreamed of a little house somewhere far away. She dreamed of a happy ending.

She was fifteen now. Fifteen years of salty tears, and sleepless nights. Fifteens years of beautiful smiles and beautiful veils. Some days she almost forgot about her deformity. Some days she could almost forget what was under the veils. Some days however, she didn't want to leave her bed. She wanted to hide away from the world. And some really bad days she wished she was dead. Fifteen years of the highs and lows of living.

Those who really knew her, knew she loved stories. On the rare occasion she would have a visitor, she loved to hear them talk; she loved to hear of the outside world as she called it. She loved to read. Some say she saw it as a escape from the real world, and that was one reason. The real reason she read, was because she loved stories. Some believe she was writing her own story, a book even. But, she didn't need a book, her life was her story and every day was a different chapter.

She wanted a happy ending. She longed for it really, but it seemed fate had other plans. She never really thought of love in a relationship way. She longed for love as more of a acceptance. She wanted to be loved and accepted by her peers. She craved it. She didn't receive it. Fifteen years of smiling behind veils.

They say she was cursed to a lonely life, and that thought crushed her. It haunted her dreams, and followed her around during the day. She had come to accept her deformity, but she couldn't accept the thought of a loveless life, to her it wouldn't be a story worth reading.

One day a boy fell into her lonely life, and made it a story worth reading. One day a boy broke down all her walls. One day a boy ruined her. One day she ruined a boy. One day a boy fell into her lonely life and she didn't see a reason to wear veils anymore.

Cathy didn't cry herself to sleep that night. She didn't sleep either though. She lay awake. There was too much on her mind for her to sleep. Cathy thought about moving back to Ohio, Cathy thought about how happy it would make her parents, and how easier it would be. Then she thought about how bored she would be, and how unhappy she would be. New York was her new home. It wasn't the city's fault Cathy's life got off track, it was well, Cathy's fault.

Cathy thought of how excited she was too see her city again. Then Cathy thought of how much she needed a real job. She still wanted to be a writer of course, but she didn't have an idea for a novel, of any story for that matter. She would need a job in the mean time. Cathy laid in bed that night waiting for the sun to rise so she could put her plan in action. The only problem was going to be telling her parents.

The next morning Cathy got up early, and bought her plane ticket for the next day. She felt like she was walking in slow motion when she went down to tell her parents.

"Morning Mom, morning Dad," Cathy said while pouring her coffee and then she took a seat at the table.

"You're up early Cathy," her mom looked surprised to see her daughter awake so soon.

"I have some news," Cathy looked at her parents before continuing. "I've decided I'm going back to New York tomorrow."

"Did you find what you were looking for here?" Cathy was surprised to see that it was her mom who asked.

"I think I did Mom."

"We're going to miss you." Cathy looked at her dad expecting him to seem sad, but he looked happy.

"I'll miss you guys too. I'll visit more this time and call I promise."

"I'll hold you to that promise," her mom said.

The next morning was bittersweet. Cathy was ready to go back. She knew what she needed to do, and she knew New York was where she needed to do it at, but she didn't want to leave her family. All her bags were packed, and she was walking towards the door. Her parents were there waiting. She hugged her mom first.

"I love you Cathy, I hope you know that now."

"I do Mom." Cathy went to hug her dad next.

"Be good Cat."

"I will, I promise," Before Cathy could walk out the door, her dad said one last thing.

"Write about what you know." With that last piece of advice Cathy smiled one last time and waved goodbye.

On the plane Cathy couldn't stop thinking about her Dad's words.

Write about what you know.

Cathy had her idea for her novel, and now she couldn't get home fast enough.

Silence had overcome them. No one spoke, it felt like no one breathed. Each waited for the other to start the dreaded conversation. The low hum of the porch lights, was the only sound heard, the slow rhythmic rocking of the porch swing was the only movement Cathy and Tom made. The unspoken words weighed heavily between them, even though each had a chance to rid themselves of that regret. Eventually Cathy simply couldn't take it anymore.

"Why did you cheat on me?" Cathy's voice sounded like a scream, in the streak silence even though it was barley above a whisper.

"I was scared," Tom answered without hesitation. "I would look at you and see such a beautiful, talented girl, and I didn't want to hurt you. I was too afraid to end things, even though I knew I should. So I took the easy way out, but ended up doing exactly what I was trying to avoid."

"How is cheating on me, taking the easy way out?" Cathy's voice held no anger. She wasn't mad anymore, she just wanted some answers.

"I figured you would break up with me, like any girl would, so then I didn't have to break up with you myself." Cathy looked at Tom, and seeing he was serious broke out in laughter.

"That's messed up Tom," Cathy said through her laughter. Tom ran his hand through his hair, becoming increasingly more uncomfortable.

"Yeah well I know that now." Cathy finally stopped laughing, and the silence once again shed a dark cloud over them. Neither knew what to say, but had so much to say at the same time.

"Tom?"

"Yeah Cathy?"

"Did you ever love me?"

"I don't think so Cathy." What scared her was she wasn't sad, she wasn't mad, or even happy. She was still the same. Nothing Tom said made her feel really different. She didn't feel as though she had gotten closure or whatever. She almost felt empty.

"Cathy?"

"Yeah Tom?"

"I really am sorry."

"Me too." Tom got up from the porch swing, took a step but then turned to look at Cathy.

"Stop letting people get in your way. Stop making excuses and go show the world the beautiful talented girl you showed me. Okay?"

"Okay," Cathy let the word slip from her lips at a whisper. And watched with dry eyes as Tom walked away from her life for good.

Cathy didn't know how long she sat on the old porch swing, staring into the dark, before her dad walked outside. He stayed silent as he took a seat besides her, the only sound the creaking of the old chair.

"Is he gone?"

"For good Dad," Cathy couldn't get Tom's words out of her head, they were on repeat.

"Are you okay Cat?" Cathy finally turned around and looked at her Dad. He looked tired, and that made Cathy sad. Was she the cause of his exhaustion?

"I'm okay." Her dad, not knowing what else to say, got up and walked inside. "I'm okay," Cathy whispered to the dark.

Stop letting people get in your way. Stop making excuses and go show the world the beautiful talented girl you showed me.

Maybe Tom was right. Maybe she was letting other people decide her life. Maybe it was time she just started living. The problem was Cathy didn't know how, and she was scared. She was scared to fail. She always had big dreams. Dreams that included big cities, coffee cups, offices, and high heels. But Cathy was staring to find the big city too big, the coffee too hot, the office non-existent, and the heels too uncomfortable. They never mentioned that in the movies.

As Cathy swung on the old chair she realized her dreams might be changing. She realized she might not be moving back to New York after all.

They were having a quiet, tense dinner, do to the argument at the mall, when the doorbell rang. Desperate to escape the awkward silence Cathy jumped up and practically ran to the door. However she instantly regretted it when she was met with the face that was behind the door.

"Tom, what are you doing here?" Cathy was absolutely stunned to be looking at the face of face of her ex-fiancé. Her jaw dropped, and her heart speeded up.

"Cathy, please let me explain myself. I've been going crazy without you. I know what I did was wrong, and I could never expect your forgiveness right away, but could you please just hear me out," Tom, a grown man, was begging, and as sad as it was for Cathy to admit, she was slowly breaking. She wanted to hear him out, she actually wanted to forgive him. Cathy may never know what Tom was going to say though, because before she could even response her mom walked into the room.

"Ah, and you must be Tom. Hello I'm Linda, Cathy's mother that you haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet. Sadly, Cathy isn't going to be able to hear your horrible sob story that you most probably made up on the way here. So if you would excuse us, we were having dinner. Have a wonderful night Tom," then she proceeded to slam the door in Tom's face.

"What was that?" Cathy turned towards her mother in confusion. "Are you fighting my battles for me now Mom?"

"Of course not, Cathy. Please don't be so dramatic. He was interrupting our dinner, and you didn't look like you were going to do anything about it."

"You didn't give me time to say anything!" Cathy yelled exasperated. She was annoyed and tired. She was still in shock over seeing Tom, let alone the way her mom was reacting over it.

"It looked like a bad situation, I was trying to help, Cathy alright! Is that okay with you? Is it okay if I try to help my only daughter who had been away for two years?"

"Sure, Mom! You can help; give me some advice. But please, don't slam the door on my ex-fiancé and try to convince it's in my best interest. I moved! I moved to New York and I got a job. I moved on without your help okay? So please, give me a chance here, and you might find I've grown up a bit Mom." Cathy was out of breath after her outburst. She looked at her mom and felt the guilt start to seep in.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry if sometimes my actions seem rash to you, but they have always been out of love and to help you Cathy. I hope you know that by now. And you might have moved on without my help Cathy, but you're back now. Don't forget that."

Those few words were like a slap to the face for Cathy. How could she forget the reason she was home to begin with. However, there was still a part of her that couldn't help but remember the reason she left. Cathy wanted so much, had the biggest dreams, but they were ripped from her. The worst part was there was no body to blame but Cathy herself; she let herself forget her plans and ambitions. Yet, here she was doing it again. Fighting with her mom, once again bringing up moving, it was repeating just like two years ago.

Tom was still sitting outside when the argument began. He too was in complete shock over the situation. He never thought he would've gotten rejected, let alone by Cathy's mother. He was embarrassed to say the least. He thought he was doing the right thing coming here and apologizing. He still was confused on what he did that was so wrong. It wasn't like their relationship was super serious, at least not to him. But if he was being honest with himself he did like Cathy, but that was it. Tom didn't love her, or really even want to marry her. He didn't even propose, he just joked about it and she took it seriously. However for whatever reason, he just couldn't break up with Cathy.

There was something about her. She had a fire, that most girls lacked. She would always talk about her dreams, and how she wanted so much. For Tom, that was enough. He loved her in his own way. However, he knew from the start that he wasn't good for her. Cathy was going somewhere, and maybe Tom was too, but he wasn't going to go there with Cathy. Tom didn't enjoy cheating on her, he did it because he reality he was a coward. He couldn't break up with Cathy, so he made an excuse for her to do it for him.

"But please, don't slam the door on my ex-fiancé and try to convince it's in my best interest." Tom cringed when he heard Cathy yell at her mom. He really hadn't meant to start an argument. He had just wanted to apologize to Cathy. Instead he was outside all alone, while an argument he caused raged on inside. He was really contemplating just leaving when he heard the door open.

"Oh, you're still here. I thought you have left by now," Tom didn't need to turn around to know that it was Cathy standing behind him.

"I was just leaving." Before he could even take one step off the porch Cathy spoke up.

"Tom, please stay," Cathy sounded close to tears, and as much as Tom wanted to walk away he just couldn't. So he decided right then and there to make things right. Not with their relationship, he had already shattered that to pieces, but to make things right with Cathy. This talented, beautiful girl was breaking apart in front of him, and he just couldn't stand it. So Tom turned around and instead of walking away, he decided to stay with a girl who deserved much more than he could give.

They were having a quiet, tense dinner, do to the argument at the mall, when the doorbell rang. Desperate to escape the awkward silence Cathy jumped up and practically ran to the door. However she instantly regretted it when she was met with the face that was behind the door.

"Tom, what are you doing here?" Cathy was absolutely stunned to be looking at the face of face of her ex-fiancé. Her jaw dropped, and her heart speeded up.

"Cathy, please let me explain myself. I've been going crazy without you. I know what I did was wrong, and I could never expect your forgiveness right away, but could you please just hear me out," Tom, a grown man, was begging, and as sad as it was for Cathy to admit, she was slowly breaking. She wanted to hear him out, she actually wanted to forgive him. Cathy may never know what Tom was going to say though, because before she could even response her mom walked into the room.

"Ah, and you must be Tom. Hello I'm Linda, Cathy's mother that you haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet. Sadly, Cathy isn't going to be able to hear your horrible sob story that you most probably made up on the way here. So if you would excuse us, we were having dinner. Have a wonderful night Tom," then she proceeded to slam the door in Tom's face.

"What was that?" Cathy turned towards her mother in confusion. "Are you fighting my battles for me now Mom?"

"Of course not, Cathy. Please don't be so dramatic. He was interrupting our dinner, and you didn't look like you were going to do anything about it."

"You didn't give me time to say anything!" Cathy yelled exasperated. She was annoyed and tired. She was still in shock over seeing Tom, let alone the way her mom was reacting over it.

"It looked like a bad situation, I was trying to help, Cathy alright! Is that okay with you? Is it okay if I try to help my only daughter who had been away for two years?"

"Sure, Mom! You can help; give me some advice. But please, don't slam the door on my ex-fiancé and try to convince it's in my best interest. I moved! I moved to New York and I got a job. I moved on without your help okay? So please, give me a chance here, and you might find I've grown up a bit Mom." Cathy was out of breath after her outburst. She looked at her mom and felt the guilt start to seep in.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry if sometimes my actions seem rash to you, but they have always been out of love and to help you Cathy. I hope you know that by now. And you might have moved on without my help Cathy, but you're back now. Don't forget that."

Those few words were like a slap to the face for Cathy. How could she forget the reason she was home to begin with. However, there was still a part of her that couldn't help but remember the reason she left. Cathy wanted so much, had the biggest dreams, but they were ripped from her. The worst part was there was no body to blame but Cathy herself; she let herself forget her plans and ambitions. Yet, here she was doing it again. Fighting with her mom, once again bringing up moving, it was repeating just like two years ago.

Tom was still sitting outside when the argument began. He too was in complete shock over the situation. He never thought he would've gotten rejected, let alone by Cathy's mother. He was embarrassed to say the least. He thought he was doing the right thing coming here and apologizing. He still was confused on what he did that was so wrong. It wasn't like their relationship was super serious, at least not to him. But if he was being honest with himself he did like Cathy, but that was it. Tom didn't love her, or really even want to marry her. He didn't even propose, he just joked about it and she took it seriously. However for whatever reason, he just couldn't break up with Cathy.

There was something about her. She had a fire, that most girls lacked. She would always talk about her dreams, and how she wanted so much. For Tom, that was enough. He loved her in his own way. However, he knew from the start that he wasn't good for her. Cathy was going somewhere, and maybe Tom was too, but he wasn't going to go there with Cathy. Tom didn't enjoy cheating on her, he did it because he reality he was a coward. He couldn't break up with Cathy, so he made an excuse for her to do it for him.

"But please, don't slam the door on my ex-fiancé and try to convince it's in my best interest." Tom cringed when he heard Cathy yell at her mom. He really hadn't meant to start an argument. He had just wanted to apologize to Cathy. Instead he was outside all alone, while an argument he caused raged on inside. He was really contemplating just leaving when he heard the door open.

"Oh, you're still here. I thought you have left by now," Tom didn't need to turn around to know that it was Cathy standing behind him.

"I was just leaving." Before he could even take one step off the porch Cathy spoke up.

"Tom, please stay," Cathy sounded close to tears, and as much as Tom wanted to walk away he just couldn't. So he decided right then and there to make things right. Not with their relationship, he had already shattered that to pieces, but to make things right with Cathy. This talented, beautiful girl was breaking apart in front of him, and he just couldn't stand it. So Tom turned around and instead of walking away, he decided to stay with a girl who deserved much more than he could give.