Jordan found herself away from the crowd, if only for a few minutes. She knew in advance, that it was going to be hard seeing him again, but she at least thought she'd be able to psych herself out. Blowing out the sweet nectar of nicotine, Jordan felt herself calm a little. It'd been forever since she'd taken on the habit again. God, did it feel so good.

"You still smoke, I see."

Jordan jumped at the familiar voice. Her calm moment officially ruined. "Apparently, I do."

John grimaced as she blew smoke in his direction. "I didn't think doctor's were supposed to."

"I'm a doctor for animals, John. Animals don't smoke."

He hesitated, but took the seat next to her anyway. "Always one of the things I hated about you."

Jordan eyed him. "I think I'll go back inside now."

John grabbed her wrist. "Jay, can't we at least be civil to each other?"

She tugged her hand away. "Do not ever call me that or touch me again. You lost the right to, a long ass time ago."

He closed his eyes. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." He apologized. "But we haven't seen each other in ten years, Jordan. All I wanna do is talk."

Jordan shook her head. "I had nothing to say to you then, and I have nothing to say to you now."

John fought with himself, watching her walk away from him. Memories of that night, ten years ago.

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It was the end of the school year, graduation still fresh on their minds and in the midst of celebrating the end of those long four high school years.

John and Jordan were "thee" couple. Guys had strived to reach his status. No one every achieved, but they sure did try. Girls were just envious of Jordan altogether; she had the smarts, the looks, and most of all the popular boyfriend. Four years down the road and every one of those reasons that everyone envied, would eventually be the downfall of their relationship.

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"Jordan wait!"

Jordan told herself to keep going, but cursed when she stopped and turned. "What?"

"We need to talk about this."

"There's nothing…"

"Yes, there is!" John snapped. "You do not know how many times I've just wanted to call you. To see what you were up to. Just to know how you were doing."

Jordan folded her arms in defiance. "What? To know if I was still hung up on you, after all these years? You really think I give you that much credit?"

John sighed. "That is not what I meant, Jordan."

"Then what did you mean, John? Because by God, till' this day, I wish I understood you."

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"What are you saying right now? That you don't want to be with me anymore?" Jordan looked at her boyfriend and saw nothing. "I can't believe you're doing this right now."

John held his emotions together. She couldn't see the hurt. The hurt he felt, having to do this to her. To himself. "It was a long time coming, Jay. High school is over now." He had prayed for tears. Tears or anger, but all he saw was disappointment and confusion. Completely worse than anything else. "Jay…"

Jordan retreated as he went to grab her hand. "Do not touch me." She knew everybody at the party was watching her, but really could've gave a last fuck. The guy who had stolen her heart, the man who she thought she'd marry was breaking her in two. "You're really going to end it this way?" Her questioning eyes looking up at him, for what would be the last time, until what would be ten years later.

"It's the right thing to do." John watched the love of his life nod slowly, before turning her back on him and walking away. He knew he'd never love anyone more than her. He'd known that from the first moment he laid eyes on her. Cliché, but the total truth.

So why?

Because he had to.

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"You never asked why."

Jordan gave a mindless shrug. "The guy that I loved was breaking up with me. That was enough."

"I could say I'm sorry a million times, but I know it still wouldn't be enough."

"Maybe. Maybe not, but I would've killed for you to try back then."

The twosome just stared at each other in silence. John couldn't find anything to say in response, because he knew whatever it would be, would just be null and void. Jordan did still have plenty more to say though, but couldn't get it out. Because if she had, she knew tears would soon follow.

"Hey Jordan! Mom and dad are ready to go!" Lucas shouted for his sister to hear.

"Coming!"

And so he watched her walk away, yet again. He didn't and couldn't stop her anymore.

Maybe if he'd tried ten years ago, things would be different.

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