The trail started on the other side of the lake. We packed up our boxes and threw them in the trash on our way.

"How's your job treating you?" he asked once we got closer to the trail.

"Eh it's the same, but I'm still having some fun with it so I can't complain. How's yours?"

"Stressful," he replied without a second thought. "I mean I like what I do but it gets taxing when there's not much you can do."

I moved my hair out of my face. "I couldn't do it." We stepped onto the paved path. "I mean it's twelve-hour days right?"

"My shift is anyway," he started. "But it's three days a week usually."

"Sounds exhausting,"

"Tell me about it." his head was down and then he came to a stop.

I stopped, "Is everything alright?" I looked to try to find the reason behind our sudden stop.

"Yeah, there was a snake on the side, and didn't want to startle it."

I rushed to the side he was on and tried to spot it, "Is it still there?"

"No, it went away, somewhere in those rocks."

"Damn it, I wanted to see it," I returned to the side I was on.

"I forgot you liked snakes," we continued to walk.

"They're cool," I protested.

"I didn't say anything bad," he said before putting his right hand in his pocket. "But I am curious, which is better snakes or ducks?"

"Uh, ducks?"

"You don't sound convinced," he turned to look at me. My hand brushed against his, then I felt his hand take it. I smiled to myself.

"Well, I generally like ducks better, but snakes are cooler."

We came out of the shade and into the direct sunlight. The sun felt good against my back. A squirrel ran across the pavement. Then I stopped. "Is everything okay?" I kept my eyes focused on who the person saw, it won't be long til our paths crossed. Don't remember me. I kept repeating in silent prayer.

I focused my attention back on Dakota, "Of course." Then we continued walking. Directing my anxieties to center myself in the moment. Deep breath, step, repeat. Dakota looked over at me a few times but didn't say a word. His eyes spoke volumes, he wanted to speak but was at a loss of words.

The paths collided when they crossed.

"Tati?" his deep voice asked. He was standing on the side of the path. A black tank top and black shorts. He took out one of his earphones.

Maybe I should pretend I don't know him? "Tatiana?" I continued walking and moved closer to Dakota. "Ignore him. Please?"

Dakota didn't acknowledge my words but he didn't stop either. We continued on and I fought the urge to look back and make sure we weren't followed. We didn't stop until we got to the end. "You okay?" he finally asked.

"Yeah, just not somebody I was hoping to see," I replied. We sat on the pavement to rest before we started our way back.

"Ah, well hopefully he got the hint."

"I'm sure he did, he's not that bad of a person just our paths severed a while ago."

"Okay, I get it." He stretched his legs out. "I don't know about you, but cement is uncomfortable."

"Damn right it's uncomfortable. I don't think it was intended to be sat on."

"Okay but then why is it a long walk and no benches if you're not supposed to sit on it?"

"Um maybe they thought most people could walk back and forth without rest," I suggested.

"Nope, that's unreasonable. I'm on my feet all day usually and I need to sit after that walk."

"Well, maybe your legs just needed a rest from overuse,"

He scoffed with a smile on his face, "that would probably be correct." he looked up then at me. "Should we head back?"

"That would probably be for the best."

The walk back seemed harder than the walk to. We spoke easily and avoided the topic of the man. Finally when we were nearing the end of our walk I decided I didn't want to keep secrets. "An ex." I said.

A puzzled look spread across his face, "huh?"

"That's why I wanted to avoid him, I didn't want things to get more awkward. Ya know with the whole new beginnings and all that."

"Oh well, I appreciate the honesty."

"It was before we got together."

"Oh wait is he the one I teased you about?"

I looked at the pavement and laughed. "Yeah, that's the one. You were right."

"Obviously. I'm a great judge of character." the smile reached his eyes as his words were filled with playful sarcasm.

"Really though, everything you said happened. That's why we broke up. He said it'd never work out 'cause I was too annoying."

"Did you taunt him back?"

"Who me? Of course."

"Oh good."

We continued teasing until we made it back to his car. We got in and he drove off. "Anything else you want to do?"

"Actually if you wouldn't mind I have a few books I'm supposed to pick up at the library. It's right down the road."

"Alright. We'll go there then."

"Don't be jealous if they know my name," I teased.

"Wouldn't dream of it." he paused. "They know mine too."

Turns out neither of us was joking.

So sorry it took forever I've had this chapter planned out but had no idea how to end it. I was trying to make it longer oh well. Good news is I have all the future chapters named and outlined. I also have a timeline of events that happened before the book that apparently I had before I started writing the first draft. I'm still surprised about that.

Hope you're having a good day. And as always I love hearing your thoughts.