to you ♡

~Chapter Two~♡~

It was a magical moment.

She felt at peace.

Her mind forgot about him. She was proud of herself. Smiling, she continued running down the path.

Turning the corner, Isla ran past an old couple. They were standing on the side of the path, throwing bread at some birds. Isla slowed down in the moment, her breath was caught in her throat. She couldn't react like this when she saw a couple in love, but it broke her heart, chipping at it piece by piece.

They looked happy, the man had his arm wrapped around the woman's shoulder, keeping her close to him. His eyes never left her face. The woman gave him a big smile, wrinkles firming in the corners of her eyes, as she intertwined their hands.

'They look so happy.' She thought. They were smiling in each other's arms.

She wondered if she would ever feel that type of love again. And the emptiness struck her heart again.

Loneliness, jealousy, and heartbreak, made her heart throb. All Isla ever wanted was to be loved like that.

She just wanted what they had—wanted it so deeply it hurt.

"Was it really that impossible?"

She didn't want her feelings and emotions to get the best of her, so she quickened her pace, putting her focus on running. She forced her mind to forget everything around her.

It wasn't their happiness that made her want to cry—

It was the way it reminded her just how alone she felt now.

She couldn't be jealous of everyone else's perfectly good, and healthy relationships.

She was getting mad at herself for feeling like this again.

Isla did not stop running, even though she was out of breath. She just kept on running, not wanting to feel anything.

Not wanting to think.

Not wanting to remember how he was the one who pulled her closer to him, holding her tight. That he was the one that loved her deeply.

She ran and didn't look back.

With her head bent low, her legs carried her on, pushing her forward. The path below her blended into a blur of brown leaves and grey cement. Her feet hitting the ground without a thought.

Isla's whole body ached, but she didn't stop.

She kept on running and somehow the grey path turned into a dirt trail, leading to unknown parts of the park.

But she did know this place. It haunted her.

Isla looked around to see where her legs brought her.

The place was familiar. She stopped by the little lake. It was surrounded by little trees, but there was one big tree right next to the lake. Its roots dipped into the water, its branches still had their golden leaves on them. She was suddenly pulled closer to the tree, like it was reaching out for her, telling her to come closer.

That's when she remembered.

This was where they fell in love. Together.

This was where he kissed her, her first kiss. Where he told her he loved her. Where he promised she would be his forever.

She remembered his lips on hers, a year ago it made her feel warm and special. Loved and adored.

And now she was just another one of his girls, lost and forgotten.

She walked around to the other side of the tree, her steps slow. Isla held her breath until she felt her chest tighten.

Her fingers reached out before she could stop them. It felt wrong to touch it. She traced the faded carving etched into the bark.

I + D

Their initials. It was surrounded with a heart, an arrow piercing through.

She was lost in the memory of him again. She closed her eyes, her hand still tracing the heart carved in the tree.

That's when she heard it.

A laugh.

His laugh.

Her eyes opened immediately, listening for any other signs that it was really him or if she was just hallucinating.

She heard the laugh again.

Her mind wasn't playing tricks on her. He was real. And he was standing there.

Smiling. Laughing. With someone else.

She froze in place. Her chest tightening. She couldn't breathe. She felt like own breath was caught in her throat. Her heart was thumping in her chest, forcing its way out of her ribcage.

The sound was so loud,

Was it her heart hammering, or his laughter?

Isla's eyes were glued to him, the way he had his arm slung over the other girl's shoulder, the way he leaned in close to hear her before throwing his head back to laugh. It was that laugh Isla loved. It erupted from the kindest part of his heart.

And now that laugh belonged to someone else.

The love he gave to her, was now offered to another girl.

Isla's vision was blurring on the edges. Her fists were clenched, leaving crescent shapes on her palm. She felt the world spin beneath her. Her legs were going to give out. She pressed her body against the tree to make sure he didn't see her. Her fingers were trembling, her mouth was dry, she felt cold but there was a layer of sweat on her skin.

It broke her heart that it was easy for him to move on. To forget every memory they shared. To forget her. While she was left picking up the pieces of her broken heart.