But this time it wasn’t Chris. It was Tyler. He walked slowly across the street like a hunter stalking his prey, afraid that it might bolt. When he saw that she wasn’t going anywhere, he walked faster, then sat down beside her, at the opposite end of the bench. “Chris is really worried about you…he’s still out looking. He sent me too. Just come back. “

“No, I can’t, ” she said, staring down at the pavement again.

“What other choice do you have? What other plans have you made? Just come on…it doesn’t have to be permanent. Just for now.”

“No! I can’t! Don’t you get it? Don’t you recognize me yet? Don’t you understand why I can’t go back there? He deserves so much better than what I am and what I’ve done! He’s better off if I just disappear.”

“Well, can’t say I don’t agree with you there. Yeah, I remember you. I remember what happened. It was my party after all. But it doesn’t really matter whether you think you deserve him or not…because he does.”