SOPHIA

"Do you...do you really have to go?" I asked Brian as he put his remaining stuff into the suitcase. I was trying my best not to cry, it would just freak him out. "Soph, you know I don't want to. But you also know how the situation is now."

Brian was moving to Huntington Beach to live with his dad. His parents got divorced recently and now he has to live with his dad. We were dating for a year and half now, we were both fifteen and wanted nothing else but to be with each other forever. "I know, I just..." I sighed, I couldn't do this. "Tell me." He said, taking my hand in his.

"I just never thought you'd leave me." My voice was barely audible now and that big lump of pain was forming in my throat slowly. "I'm not leaving you, Soph." Brian said engulfing me in a hug. "You are." My voice cracked as I said so. "No, you silly." He said, pulling away. Right now, I wanted nothing more than to be with him, to have him with me forever. He had become my everything in such a short time.

"You'll forget me as soon as you find someone there who's gonna be better than me." Brian chuckled at my words, he was obviously finding it funny to see me on the verge of crying. "You know what, just go. You obviously don't care about me, let alone love me." I said and stood up, freeing my hands from his. "Wow, Coleman. You just broke my heart." Brian put a hand on his heart dramatically, making me roll my eyes.

"Says the guy who's breaking my heart." I muttered. "Sophia, you're making this really hard for me you know. I don't wanna leave, I wanna be here with you. I love you so much." Brian admitted. "I love you too, but..."

"I promise you Coleman, I will never forget you." Brian said and I couldn't hold back my tears anymore. "You are the one, and you always will be Sophia." He stared into my eyes sincerely before kissing my knuckles. "Will you promise me something?" I asked as he managed to wipe away the tears from my face. "Anything, Soph," he said, shooting me a smile.

"Promise me that you won't forget about us." I said as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "I promise you, Soph. Now you promise the same and also you won't cry while I'm away. Can you do that for me?" Brian asked with an unsure look. I nodded hesitantly, making a smile pop up on his face.

"Brian, your dad's here!" Brian's mom called out, making my stomach churn. "Coming," he said back before looking at me. "Remember your promise, okay?" He said to me and I nodded. "You too." I said and he smiled. "Always Soph." Saying that, he pressed his lips against mine, one last time. Who knew that would actually be the last time ever that I'd kiss him.

14 YEARS LATER

"Sophia, do you have the new inventory list?" My boss and manager of this departmental store I worked in asked. I hated working here, this was not what I wanted to do. Okay, I admit all I wanted to be now was a mom. I wanted kids, I wanted to start a family. I was twenty nine for crying out loud and I was still single.

Apparently, whichever guy I dated thought I was too good for them. And they didn't wanna break my heart, so before things got serious they always said their goodbyes.

"Yes, here you go." I handed him the list and he asked me to manage the store for a while as he went out to make a copy of the list. A few customers came and I made their bills as usual. Honestly, I was tired of being here. The same old job, the same boring routing every single day. I feel like I could have done something more with my life, something better.

After finishing college, I could have chosen to do higher studies, get a PhD or shit like that. I could've gotten married, have kids and a lovely home. But life wasn't always in favor of everyone. I didn't have enough money to afford higher studies for myself, let alone a fucking PhD. I lived alone in an apartment, no parents, totally single, and let's not even go anywhere near kids.

I was a plain Jane, ever since he left I had turned into one. I was a mess. He called me and even wrote me for six months. For half a year, I received a letter from him every single week. He'd tell me how he had spent his week with his new friends either jamming or hanging around at the beach.

And then one day it stopped. I remember how broken I had felt when I received nothing from the postman that weekend. My heart had dropped into my stomach and I was feeling sick. But somehow I convinced myself that he must have been busy, that's why he couldn't write me. So I went to my room and started reading his previous letters, trying to reduce the agony in my chest.

His handwriting always brought a smile on my face. I couldn't understand it at times, he and his handwriting. I remember one time I was squinting so hard trying to understand what he had written that I almost decided giving up reading it.

It's been years now since I read his letters, saw his infamous handwriting, saw him. He eventually forgot about me and moved on. I was happy for him, he was famous now. He was successful, very. And he seemed very happy too, with his girlfriend. He had everything now; success, friends....love.

And I, on the other hand, had nothing. When we were together, it was like one soul sharing two bodies and I'm not even kidding. He meant so much to me and I...at least I thought I meant something to him. Who knew I'd be so wrong. It was hard moving on from him, from his memories and from the love he had ignited in me. For one whole year, I cried myself to sleep thinking about him, for a guy who had gone away from me, who was never really mine.

But what hurt me the most was he had broken his promise. He forgot about it, about us. I never imagined the guy who I loved more than anything else would be the one to hurt me the most. Every time I saw him on tv with her , my heart would just explode into pieces. It happened every single time and each time I could feel the pain stronger than never. I knew crying wasn't an option anymore, but it was my only escape from this living nightmare.

My tears had become my sole companion. Every time I'd see him on tv, my tears were the ones that made me stronger.

"Sophia." My boss' firm voice made me snap out of my thoughts with a jolt. He gave me a look before signing at the lady in front of my counter. I quickly muttered a sorry before I started making her bill. "That's a lot of baking powder you got there, ma'am. Making a cake tonight?" I made small conversation with the woman as my boss went to the back of the store.

"You guessed it right..." she said peeking at my name tag. "It's Sophia." I said with a smile. I made her bill and even offered to carry her stuff out to her car. "That's totally fine. I'll send my son in, he's waiting outside in the car." She said and I nodded. The woman walked outside while I arranged the bills in the cash till.

"Holy shit, she bought so much stuff?"

I stopped my actions immediately as a very familiar southern Californian accent reached my ears. My eyes were glued down to the cash till and I looked at the man from the corner of my eyes, only able to see him colorful tattooed arms. It was him.

"Hello, I'm talking to you." Brian spoke and I gripped the counter hard. Would he realize it's me if I spoke or looked at him? "Yeah, those are the bags." I said quickly and turned away from him. I felt his eyes on my back and swallowed hard. My heart beat faster than usual, almost ready to pop out of my chest. Before I knew it, chills were running down my spine making my body shudder lightly.

I wanted to look at him as much as I could, take in his image in my mind and heart again and again. I wanted to tell him it was me, his Sophia....no, no, no. I wasn't his anymore and he wasn't mine either. My heart was screaming to tell him the truth, the fact that he had broken his promise while I didn't. At least for a very, very long time.

But my mind was stopping me. he already had a life, a life in which I didn't exist. He had forgotten me for good, so I should do the same. Its not like I didn't forget about him, of course I did. Or at least I tried my best to.

"You look really familiar, miss." Brian said but that didn't change my posture. I still looked down with my back facing him. "Well...you, look familiar too." I mumbled. "I saw you on tv, many times." I said, picturing all those times his face had popped on the screen with his band and his girlfriend. "So are you a fan?" He questioned. No, you doofus; I'm your ex.

"Um, not really. I don't really listen to music."

"Why are you not looking at me while I'm talking to you?" He asked and I heard him chuckle. "Afraid that you'll pass out?" Pass out? Me? Oh god, he was self absorbed. "Why are you still here? I'm sure your mom must be waiting for you outside." I managed to say.

"Have we met before?" Your face seems really familiar, and you're still not looking at me," he said. "I don't-"

"Sophia, I think you should unload the new inventory. We have to get rid of the boxes asap," My boss said and I cringed internally at the mention of my name. Oh god, I hope Brian didn't notice my name.

I looked at him from the corner of my eyes and found him staring at me incredulously. Oh no, he wasn't supposed to recognize me. I felt his intense gaze on me and I swear the tension was just too much. I felt awkward under his gaze and for a split second, I even wanted him to recognize it was me. I wanted him to know that he did not keep his word.

Without saying another word or exchanging another look, Brian grabbed the stuff and left casually. That meant he did not recognize me. He truly forgot about me.

---

"Sophia, I'm kinda getting late for dinner. Kids and the wife are waiting for me, can you manage to shut down the store by yourself?" My boss said and I sighed. "Yes, I can." I was twenty nine, why wouldn't I be able to close this small store?

I was thinking, way too much after my encounter with Brian. He was the only one who ever made me feel important and needed. And today when he didn't recognize me, my self confidence crushed into pieces.

He was still beautiful. I could feel the warmth of his eyes, his soft side; a side he rarely showed to anyone. Even though I didn't look into his eyes directly, I could tell they're still the most gorgeous pair of brown eyes I'd ever seen. His chocolate orbs, the way they used to look at me with so much love and passion...I loved every second of it. I heard the door of the store push open followed by footsteps.

"I'm sorry but we're closed for-" I stopped myself from speaking further when I saw that pair of brown eyes looking straight into mine. It was too late, I couldn't look away even if I wanted to.

"So it is you." He said moments later looking at me. I swallowed hard and licked my lips, feeling my palms turn sweaty. "Sophia Coleman, right?" He questioned and I stood frozen in my spot. "No." I choked out, making him raise an eyebrow. I never thought he's look so good with an arched eyebrow. "I can see your name tag, Sophia. Now tell me, are you my Sophia?"

And somehow his words managed to wake up the green monster inside me. "I am Sophia Coleman, but I'm not yours. At least, not anymore." I muttered. "It's good to see you again, Soph." Brian said and I almost melted at his words. "I can't quite say the same to you. Please leave, I need to close the shop," I said before taking off my name tag and throwing it in my bag.

"Can I walk you home?" Brian offered with a smile. How could he forget what we had? How could he act all happy and normal about it?

"I think I'm big enough to go home by myself." I said and grabbed the keys of the store. "Big? C'mon, Soph. You're still like, five inches shorter than me," he joked. I remember him joking about my height almost always. I used to get so angry at first but eventually I learned to get used to it.

I walked outside followed by Brian and locked the door properly. "Where do you live now, Soph?" He asked walking with me. "Don't call me that." I forced myself to say.

"What, Soph? Why shouldn't I? I've always called you that, remember? Don't tell me you forgot," Brian joked and I resisted the urge to punch him. I never forgot anything that ever happened between him and I. He was the one who threw away everything just like trash, not me.

"Just leave me alone, Brian," I said walking. "Is there a problem?" He asked and I could feel the hurt in his voice. "I don't think we should talk anymore, so just go your way." I said, coming to a halt suddenly. "I see what this is about." Brian said in a serious tone.

"Really? You want me to believe that?" I started walking again with him stuck next to me like adhesive. "Of course, Soph. You're mad at me because I never came to visit you," he said poking my waist.

I stiffened at his touch and my frustration went to another level hearing his answer. "So tell me, how's life?" Brian asked. "That's none of your business." I replied, giving him the least bit of attention. "Wow, you've turned hostile and feisty I see," he said, shooting me a smug look.

"Fine, I'll go first then." Brian continued and started talking about his life. "Well, I joined Avenged about nine years ago. I play the guitar, I'm sure you know," he wiggled his fingers playfully and shot me a funny look. "I have a dog, a little Maltese." He said and I recalled one of the pictures I'd seen of him and his dog.

"Her name's Pinkly. You like it?" He asked me, cocking his head. "Why does my opinion matter to you anyways?" I sighed. "It matters, Soph. Anyways, I'm getting engaged in a few months." He said and once again I died from the inside. "Her name's Michelle and god, Soph you won't believe it but she understands me so fucking well and better than anyone else."

I tried holding back my tears as he continued praising his girlfriend, thankfully he stopped a while later. "Now you tell me something about yourself, Soph, please." Brian said and I stopped in my tracks rightaway. "Fine, I'll tell you something about my life." I said and his facial expression changed the moment my voice cracked and tears started falling down my cheeks.

"Soph, why are you-"

"Just let me speak, please." I said and roughly wiped the tears away from my face. "Ever since my boyfriend left fourteen years ago, I haven't been the same at all." I spat and Brian opened his mouth in shock. He was about to say something but I cut him off.

"I left my parents' house five years after that and started working in that small store. Luckily I finished college and kept on waiting for my boyfriend who never came back until now. And in these fourteen years, he didn't even bother to know what I was doing, where I was living, whether I was even alive or not." I said and tears flowed down my face while Brian stared at me in awe.

"Soph..." He put a hand on my shoulder but I pushed it away. "I was waiting for you, Brian. I waited for you far more than I should have. And you..." I cried harder as I knew that I was about to say the hardest part. "...forgot about me, about your stupid promise...about us..."

He inhaled deeply as he processed my words while standing like a statue. I knew this was a shock for him but he had to know the fucking truth. He had to know what he put me through.

"Wha- you're still stuck on that? On- on us?" He asked surprised and that too in the worst way possible. I looked into his eyes for one last time before walking past him. I sobbed harder as his words and image circled in my head. I wanted to erase him, his memories from my life.

"Soph, wait!"

I ignored him and kept on walking until I felt someone grab my arm and yank me towards them. It was Brian. "Let go of me." I cried, trying to push him away from me without any success. His strong grip around my waist pulled me closer to his rock hard body. I wanted to hate him so fucking much but it seemed almost impossible. "Quit fighting, Soph." Brian said in a serious tone as I struggled in his arms

"I'm fucking serious, Sophia." he said sternly, making me look up at him. He had a nonchalant look on his face.

"I stopped fighting a long time ago, Brian, for us." I choked out.

"Oh god, Soph. What have you done to yourself? You could have found someone. You and I...Soph, it's just your infatuation and you have to accept the truth. We're not meant to be together, don't you realize that?" Brian's voice got louder and his hands were on my shoulders now, gripping them tightly.

"Your promise is what kept me away from every man that wanted to be with me. I remember your promise, Brian. But you don't..." I said and a look of guilt washed over his face. "And you have no right to talk to me in that tone." I shook my head slightly and wiped away my tears. "Soph, I..." His grip on me loosened and he ran his hands over his face.

"I never want to see you again, Brian. You hurt me way too much." I said before walking away from him. It hurt to know that he didn't remember about his promise at all. How could he just erase me out of his life? Did I mean nothing to him? I surrendered myself to him from day one, I gave him away my everything. And now after fourteen years I meant nothing to him. He gave zero fucks about me, hell he wasn't even sure at first if it was me at the store or someone else.

"I remember my promise, Soph." A voice from the distance made me stop on my tracks. He was such a good liar.

"Don't you dare say that," I turned around and said. "You remember shit, okay? You never even tried to contact me," I inched towards him as each word came out of my mouth. "You forgot about me eventually, Brian. So don't tell me that you remember your fucking promise." I was standing about two inches away from him now, looking up at him with a look of pure hurt and anger.

"You should have just broken up with me before you left. You thought giving me false hopes would make me stop crying? Too bad, you're fucking wrong." I said coldly. "So what do you want me to do now? Say sorry and leave my life back in Huntington and come stay with you here? What do you want, Soph?!" Brian asked angrily.

"Don't call me that," I spat and his features changed from a look of anger to hurt. "I don't want anything from you ever. Because all you can give me is nothing but tonnes of sadness," I said, shaking my head. He looked genuinely sorry and closed his eyes, sighing deeply.

After moments of silence and shedding my tears, I looked at him again. "How could you forget about us?" My tone was softer this time and he looked down at me. "Soph, I thought you moved on. Just look at you, damn it. You're beautiful, one of the most gorgeous women I have ever seen. I was head over heels for you and so did other guys. I just assumed you found someone better," he swallowed hard.

"No one was ever better than you, Brian." I sighed before closing my eyes. God, I never thought this day would arrive.

"I can't leave her."

"I'm not asking you to," I said, shaking my head.

"Soph, can I please make it up to you? Is there any way you could forgive me?" Brian pleaded.

"Just leave, Brian. I don't wanna see you ever. No matter what you do or say, I can never forgive you. You might not understand how much you meant to me and what kind of shit you put me through. Hell, no one will ever understand that."

"I loved you, Soph. I loved you with all my heart. But you know how the situation was." Brian said. "Don't blame the situation, Brian." I chuckled wryly. "If you loved me truly, you would have stayed true to me. You would have come back as you had promised." I said and looked at him. I wanted to hug him, just once and let him know how much I had missed him. A part of me still loved him, still craved him. I always will, even if I get married someday to someone else.

Brian had taken over a significant part of my heart. It was his forever and it always will be.

"And just for the record, I love you too Brian."

He looked at me, surprised at my words. I guess in many ways, I'll never really get over him. "I still do and I always will, no matter how much I want myself to hate you." Saying these words, I turned my back to him and walked away under the dimly lit street lights.

And after fourteen years, I finally felt somewhat relieved. The burden from my shoulders was taken, I had encountered with my first and hopefully last love and let him know what I truly felt.

And now, even if I don't want to but I have to close this chapter of my life and start a new. But no matter what this particular chapter of my life, where a guy named Brian made me feel loved and also heart broken, will be my favorite chapter forever.

Notes

Okay, so this might not be really good. Just got inspired by some stuff that recently occurred. So this just came out automatically :)
I understand if readers won't take a liking to this one shot, but I just felt that this should be up here.

Comments are always appreciated, and please do vote!