A week had passed with Aurora staying with Keenan. He was supposed to be happy. This is what he wanted after all. But something wasn't right. And that was Aurora.

It started out small, with little things, like her staring into space or forgetting what she went into a room for. Then it graduated into forgetting entire conversations after just hours of having them and hearing her crying every night from the living room couch.

He knew he couldn't do it anymore. He couldn't keep lying to her, when she clearly needed help. She had to go home. But he was selfish, and he wanted to hold on to her for just a bit longer.

Aurora stood out in the crowd of football fans. Keenan's school t-shirt was too big on her, nearly coming to her knees. But she loved it, so he had no problem letting her wear it everyday. She didn't dress it up or cut it do anything special to it, like every other girl in the stadium had done to their outfits. They were trying to impress everyone and anyone, but Aurora wasn't at all. And yet, he couldn't keep his eyes off of her.

He watched her from the sideline of the field through the gap in his helmet. His hands gripped the ball with a force so rough he could feel his bones quaking with the tension. He wanted her. He wanted to hold her, kiss her, claim her. But he wanted her to be free.

"Don't be nervous." Conrad patted Keenan's shoulder. "I know it's your first game and all and agents from the NFL are watching and your parents are here and tens of thousands of people are depending on you to win us this game, but you'll do fine."

Keenan gave his new best friend a death glare. "I'm not nervous." That was a lie. He felt like he was about to throw up, but not because it was the first game of his football college career as a starter quarterback

It was because of her.

She stood in the front row, her smile taking up her face as she looked at him. But Keenan knew what was behind that smile, and it hurt him to know how dark it was.

His eyes fell on his father beside her, giving him a knowing look. His father always knew everything.

"C'mon," Conrad yelled excitedly. "It's time for the coin toss. You're up."

Keenan took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He told himself that when he opened his eyes he would be in another world. He would be back on the field of his high school during freshman year, with his best friend and cousin by his side. Nothing else would exist.

His eyes opened and the stadium disappeared. All that was there were the players, the ball, and the field.

...

The game ended just in time for Keenan to crawl off the field. He tore his helmet off and looked at the scoreboard. Twenty eight to seventeen. He could relax now for the time being. He had shown himself to be worthy.

Players, coaches, cheerleaders, and staff all wanted to give Keenan their congrats. They patted his shoulder, his helmet, a cheerleader even went for his arm. But he didn't want any of them. He didn't want the congratulations or the handshakes.

He wanted her.

He made his way to the wall dividing the crowd and the field. His eyes fell on his parents instantly.

"I'm so proud of you," his mother shouted, reaching down to wrap her arms around his neck.

"You did great son," his father proudly stated.

Keenan wanted to thank them, but he was searching for her. "Where's Aurora?"

His parents looked around, as if just now noticing that she was missing.

"Oh, she must still be in the bathroom," his mom mumbled.

"Still," his Dad asked, looking confused. "Didn't she go right before fourth quarter?"

"I thought she would be back by now," responded Keenan's mom with concern lacing her voice. He could barely hear her though. He was already climbing up the wall into the stands.

"Keenan," Conrad yelled from afar.

"Keenan," his dad sternly voiced, grabbing his arm to hoist him up next to him. "What do you think you're doing?"

Conrad made his way to them, standing below on the field. "Dude we have to go into the locker room now. This isn't pee wee football where you get to just go home with Mommy and Daddy."

"I can't," Keenan wheezed out through labored breath. "Aurora is missing. I have to find her."

"Keenan," his mom soothed, grabbing his arm. "She's okay. She'll be back here soon."

Keenan shook his head profusely. He stepped away from his mom's touch. "No she's not. She's been having these . . . episodes. She forgets where she is sometimes and it's only getting worse."

"I thought she was fine," his Dad asked confused. "You told us she remembered everything."

Shame coursed through his body as he shook his head. "I lied. I knew if I told you the truth you would tell me to do the right thing."

"And what is the truth?"

Keenan's heart was beating so fast as horrible possibilities rushed through his mind. He never wanted to feel like he lost her again. "I just found her on the beach a couple weeks ago. She ran away from home and doesn't remember anything, but she doesn't know that I know her."

"Do you know how dangerous that is," Ben Lockhart yelled at his son. "She is unstable! Who knows what her mind will do or tell her!"

"I know, I know," Keenan cried. "I have to find her! Look!" He pointed towards the exits where people were crowding them, rushing to get out. "It's a madhouse, I have to find her now!"

"Okay go! We'll all split up. If we find security we'll inform them of the situation."

Keenan didn't have to hear anything else before he was off and running up the stairs. He pushed past people, not bothering to excuse him as he went. He finally made his way into the interior of the stadium after he was forced to yell at people to move.

People gawked at him in his football uniform. Some even had the audacity to ask for a picture even though he was clearly busy.

He ran to the bathrooms first and asked women coming in and out if they saw a short, dark brunette haired girl with bright blue eyes. They all said no.

Then he ran to the next set of bathrooms. Nothing. Then the next one. Nothing.

He screamed her name over and over again. He jumped in the air trying to get a better view over the crowd of people. He even climbed up a pole, but it was hard to see find anyone when everyone was wearing the same school colors.

He ran around the stadium three times and as the crowd started to get thinner and thinner his fears grew and grew. She could be anywhere.

His pulse was racing out of control when a hand grabbed his arm. He twirled around, hoping to find bright blue eyes staring back at him.

A police officer with glasses covering his face was standing before him. "You don't look like you belong here."

"Please," Keenan begged with emotion so strong his voice cracked. "My friend is missing. She has memory loss, she could be anywhere. I need to find her."

"Ah, pretty young girl with dark hair? We got her."

...

Keenan first saw his Dad. He was talking to another police officer with a sad look upon his face. He was shaking his head and rubbing his hand over his mouth. Keenan recognizes that look when his Dad has to give a patient bad news.

Keenan froze in his spot, just yards away. Whatever his dad had to say he didn't want to hear it. He couldn't bear it.

"There she is," the police officer beside him said, gesturing to a wall to the left. A huddle of officers and staff workers were blocking his view of the person his heart was beating for.

As if they knew, the circle opened up and revealed Aurora. She stood in the middle of them all, tears running down her face and her arms wrapped around her stomach as she shook in fear.

His heart shattered.

Her eyes met his and the world stopped. He couldn't move, he couldn't breathe. She ran towards him, right into his padded covered chest. He smelled horrible he was sure, but she didn't seem to mind. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close, not ever wanting to let go.

Minutes passed before people finally broke their silence.

"Sir," an officer spoke. "Are you aware that she's been filed as a missing person for weeks?"

Keenan looked at his Dad with a somber look. His Dad looked angry, but sad at the same time. Sad for his son, for Aurora, for everything that he has to sit back and watch.

"I wasn't aware no," Keenan said truthfully.

"I think we need to go down to the station to sort this whole thing out," the older officer spoke with a stern voice. He wasn't too happy.

"That isn't necessary," Ben Lockhart spat out. "This is just a whole misunderstanding."

"Sir," the officer growled. "This young woman is from Canada, meaning this involves the FBI. Do you want to tell them that this whole thing is a misunderstanding? Or her parents who believe she's somewhere dead in a ditch?"

"I'll go," Keenan spoke. "I'll tell you everything."

...

Ten hours later and Keenan was finally able to walk out of the cold empty room. His stomach was growling with hunger, his body was covered in dried sweat, and his mind was dead. He shouldn't have held on to her for so long.

The early morning air from outside the police department felt good on his skin. It was chilly for California air, reminding him of back home.

"Why did you do this," a voice called from the shadows.

Keenan looked over to see her sitting on a bench with her arms wrapped around her legs.

"You're still here," he asked amazed. "They said they were taking you to the airport immediately."

"Your Dad persuaded them to wait until this afternoon," she whispered. Her eyes wouldn't meet his. They were glued onto the ground before her.

"Ah," Keenan sighed, "sorry my Dad is trying to hold you back for me."

She lifted her face to look at him. He was taken back by the brightness of her eyes against the darkness surrounding them. "I wanted to stay."

Keenan couldn't stand it any longer. He had to look away. He wanted her but he couldn't have her. Ever.

"I want answers," she demanded with a loud broken voice.

Keenan felt tears running down his cheeks. He wiped them away before she could see them, but his gesture along revealed their identity.

"Why," she screamed. "Why would you do that!"

"Because," he yelled back, with a thousand emotions running through his veins. "I'm selfish alright! I missed you! I fucking missed you Aurora! You have no idea how much you mean to me! You never knew! I didn't want to lose you again!"

Silence echoed between them. It crushed his bones and his heart, he had to say something. "I love you. And I want you to love me too."

Aurora stood up from the bench, unfolding her legs beneath her. Keenan was prepared for a slap to the face. He was prepared for her to walk away and never look back.

But she didn't slap him. She didn't turn away.

She rushed up to him and grabbed his face in her hands and brought his lips to hers.

It lasted hours, years, eons. He kissed her back with every ounce of emotion left in his beat up heart. He held her close to him, as he always imagined he would in his dreams. He felt her skin beneath his calloused fingers. Her hands travelled through his hair and around his neck, over his shoulders and down his arms.

She pulled away breathless.

Resting their foreheads against each other, she spoke. "If I'm going to remember anything, it will be this."