Addition, Subtraction, Division, Incision

Two months later, she stepped onto the platform, tote clasped firmly in her hand.

She looked around.

Busy commuters transferring from train to train and relieved travellers gripping their loved ones surrounded her, blocking passage to the terminal out of the building. Things seemed to be as they were when she left, although unless there was a massive diastrous event that gripped her home, things rarely changed.

She stood there, a statue among the swirling flow of people, not being buffeted, but feeling as though she was stuck in some sort of time warp. She saw things rushed by her as if in slow motion, the intention and dedication to a task lost in the slow movement.

'Hello again.'

That voice was familiar. She could just place it...

'Hello.' It was him. He had listened so well to her while she spilled her beans. It was admirable for sure, but it was still a cold stop.

'How was your trip?'

'Satisfactory thank you, how was remaining here?'

'Good thanks. Oddly formal though.'

'Staying here?'

'No, this conversation.'

She looked at him. She could tell he still had some sort of feeling for her, but she wished it to go away.

He started again. 'How have you been since we last talked?'

She closed her eyes and rolled them silently under shut lids. When she reopened, he had taken his jacket off and had it draped over his right arm.

'I still don't want anything, if that's what you're asking.'

'I know it's not. I just want to really know how you are doing?'

'I'm alright. Some days are easier than others. He's not coming back, that I need to grasp.'

'I see. Yeah, you do need to get over that, but no one can tell you what to do with it, you know?'

'Yes. It doesn't stop the frustration, however.'

'It never will. They say that you never copletely fall out of love with your first love.'

'Whoever said that doomed us all. And it sucks but I know its probably going to work that way.'

He was watching the passengers of the various trains intermingle on the platform, scurrying from place to place.

When he spoke again, it was in an almost hesitant tone. 'Would you want him to know anything now that you've gone your ways?'

'Well...' She paused, thinking. 'Yeah, I guess. Well... I dont know . I haven't gone my way. He has. I have stayed here. It was like two people sitting on a park bench, sharing a kiss. The boy gets up, the girl stays there. The once sunny day would have faded into an overcaset night and it begins to pour. The poor girl gets drenched. I'm sort of just waiting for someone else to come with an umbrella. It doesn't dry tou off but it's the thought that really counts. That's pretty much how it has been over the past while. There isn't much I can do because he's gone off, but thats too late now. I'll learn to deal with it some day.

'I guess... what I would want him to know is that I always loved him. There wasn't a time from the point where I met him to round about now that I did not love him. No matter the stupid things he's done, no matter the silly things we've said, no matter how wet I got sitting on that park bench... I always loved him. I think I will always love him. And that hurts.'

He looked at her.

Still anguish.

Still frustration.

Still love.

She was special. Her emotions and feelings were one way. She was truely alone.

People could offer words of comfort but at the end of the day, she would need to find a way. She was doing a remarkable job.

'Would you like me to tell him?'

'I'm not sure at this point,' she answered as if anticipating the question. 'I know you don't like him. I think it would be good for him to know but I don't expect you to tell him.

'If you want me to...'

'I don't know.'

She smiled then, something that didn't quite reach her eyes, but it was an honest attempt.

'Now however,' she said, 'I need to go. I have to get home.'

'Alright. I'll see you later?'

'I suppose. Have a good rest of your summer.'

'Thank you, you as well.'

'Thank you. Good bye.'

And she was off.