The bus plowed through the slushy snow, sliding to a stop at the station. It was early, but of course, Eli barely noticed. He hadn't slept since he'd made this decision. His leg bounced up and down the whole time on the plane, annoying the woman in the seat beside him. His heart raced as he watched out the window on the bus over to the university.

It was a brisk December morning, and Eli was about to see Audrey for the first time in three years. He had tried to practice what he might say when he saw her. Should he apologize first? Jump in to an explanation? Or just tell her that he was still in love with her?

Because, even if he knew nothing else, he knew that no matter what, he'd never stop loving Audrey Kepler.

Long after that journal had seen it's last day, eventually so ragged and torn that it needed to be thrown out, Eli carried around that one page. He held onto that message for three years, hoping against all reason that she meant what she'd written.

I'm in love with you too, Eli. I think I always will be.

Audrey.

He stuffed the crinkled paper back into his jacket pocket as the doors of the bus swung open, letting in the cold air. He pulled his brown satchel back over his shoulder and took in a deep breath of the fresh, chilled air.

There was no telling where Audrey would be. The only thing he knew for sure was that she was here, at this university. How she managed to do that, with her Mom, he didn't know.

But, when Phoebe pulled up her page, his heart swelled with pride. Nothing would stop Audrey. He was a bit disappointed in himself for even being surprised.

When he walked into the administration office, a blast of heated air brushing his face, everything quieted. A buzz of static sound surrounded him, and everything faded into the background. Impossibly, she was right there. He didn't need to go searching, or asking around.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Audrey was in front of him. A woman, radiating nothing but warmth and love. She practically filled the room with it, and Eli could see that they were wasting money on a heating system when the sun was right here, sitting at the front desk.

She'd cut her hair; one of the first things Eli noticed when he walked into the administration office. It wasn't curly and bouncy, but a short pixie. It suited her, of course. Like most anything did. Her delicate fingers brushed over the keyboard, tan skin radiant against her white sweater.

"Excuse me?" His voice came out smaller than he'd expected, he was so nervous and yet so very elated.

"Yes?" She didn't look up; too busy concentrating on her work. This was something that took Eli by surprise. Audrey never missed an opportunity to look someone directly in the eye, to get a good read of them. It was simply the way she functioned; the way she connected with everyone she met almost instantly.

Eli knew he couldn't expect her to be exactly the same, some things had to change. But, for some reason this one little inaction bothered him, and he could tell something had shifted in Audrey, something at the core of her being.

"I'm looking for Room 303." Eli knew he could shout out his presence, run around the desk and embrace her- and he wanted to. And yet, there was something so lovely about these few moments that he could watch her, fully absorbing her presence without her knowing it.

"Creative writing?"

"Yeah."

He watched a smile grace her still perfectly pink lips as she asked, "You want to write a book or something?"

Eli smiled at her; he missed this calmness, this easiness. "I already have."

"Oh yeah?" She teased, looking up at him, her glossy hair falling a little in front of her face. Her big, hazel eyes finally met his. "What did you write about?"

"You." Eli responded, smile wide, heart racing.

It seemed like hours before she spoke again. Hands frozen, lifted slightly off the keyboard, pink lips parted, and eyebrows furrowed.

"Eli," She finally breathed out, trying to discern exactly what was happening. She was sure she'd had this dream once- or more. She stared up at this man in front of her and pressed her lips together. Even with this new air of confidence, she could feel an ember of nervousness radiating out of him.

"Audrey." He replied, still smiling. Audrey grinned, heart pounding with a thousand emotions, and pushed her chair back abruptly. She rushed around the desk and into his open arms, burrowing her face into his jacket.

When she pulled away she let out an incredulous laugh. "What are you- how did you-" Audrey faltered, unable to string a coherent sentence together.

"Look at you," She decided on. Remembering herself, she quickly let go of his jacket- which she'd been grasping onto a little too tightly- and took a step back. "You're like- a man." She giggled.

"Look at me? Look at you." Eli responded. Audrey smiled and shook her head, folding her arms around herself to keep from unnecessarily touching him. "With a fancy new haircut." He commented.

"Right back at you." Audrey took a moment to look him over. "You look really good." She didn't know why it hurt to say that- but it did. She'd imagined that if she were to see Eli again after all these years, he'd stumble in- helpless and battered. She hadn't imagined the world being so kind to his sensitive soul.

It was more than that, though. Here he was, in nice clothes, a nice haircut, a calm spirit, and a smile to boot. How could he have done so well all this time and not called? How could he do that to her? Audrey took another small step back, and Eli noticed with growing concern how wary she had gotten all of a sudden.

"I actually have to get back to work." She said quietly, looking away from him.

"Okay," Eli narrowed his eyes. "Maybe we can catch up. Get some coffee."

"Maybe." Audrey mumbled, walking back behind the desk.

"I could come back when you're finished," Eli offered, leaning his forearms on the counter, "Or, if I had your number-"

Audrey chuckled coldly. "My number." She whispered to herself. "Okay." She said to no one in particular, walking back to Eli, "Come with me." She ushered him into the small, currently empty faculty kitchen, and closed the door behind them.

"Look, I don't know why you're here," She anxiously checked the door behind them. "But, It doesn't work like that," Audrey crossed her arms over her chest, "I wasn't just sitting around for three years waiting for you. We can't just pick up where we left off."

"I know." Eli replied, trying to get her to look him in the eye, but failing.

"Then why are you here?" Audrey asked coldly, her heart jumping around frantically.

"I missed you-" Eli started.

"Missed me!" Audrey scoffed, turning away, not wanting him to see the tears brimming in her eyes. She took in a deep breath, "Where were you?"

"I was-"

"You left me!" Audrey spun around, angry now. Angry that he did this now. That he came back now- now that she'd finally moved on. "Not one text, not one call." She seethed, "An email, a Facebook message, a damn carrier pigeon!" She exclaimed, fire behind her eyes.

"I trusted you," She quieted, looking away from him again. She couldn't look at him. The way he was exactly the same, yet changed. He wasn't a scared boy anymore, he didn't flinch away when she shouted.

But, he was still Eli. It only took one look into those eyes, one glance at his freckles, or his impossibly golden hair. It simply couldn't be anyone else.

"I trusted that you would come back to me." It was that day, all those years ago. She remembered it vividly, how scared he was to ask what love meant.

Audrey had said 'trust'. She still felt that way, three years on. You couldn't love somebody, not really, unless you completely trusted them.

"I did come back." Eli tried.

Audrey peered into his earnest, pleading eyes, shook her head, and started to back away from him, "It's too late." She said in an almost whisper. She turned around, ready to leave him behind, a tear rolling down her cheek.

Eli grabbed her arm to stop her. Audrey smacked his hand away and wiped under her eyes, gulping, trying not to look directly at him again.

"No," He objected, soft and yet strong. "I survived 18 years without you, barely. These past three years have been..." He shook his head of the thoughts and sighed. "I won't- I can't live another day without you."

Audrey's mouth hung open, stunned at his declaration. Suddenly, the switch flipped on again. The magnet rebooted and she could feel it just as intensely as before, pulling her towards Eli. If she was going to say anything back, it was promptly interrupted.

"Audrey- Oh, there you are." Audrey spun to face Janice, trying not to look too guilty. Janice was a lovely middle aged woman who'd worked as a secretary for the Dean for 10 years. In fact, she'd worked as a secretary for multiple Dean's. Audrey constantly told her that she should be the Dean, which Janice adored.

Janice eyed the pair and chewed on her bottom lip. "Jack is here with your morning coffee." She said, glancing at Eli.

Audrey wiped her face again and pushed a hand through her hair. "Right." She breathed out. "I'm coming." She forced a smile across her lips and started to walk out the door.

Eli followed her out, his confusion growing with every passing second. He stood, holding the door open as he watched Audrey approach who he could only assume to be Jack.

"Your coffee, milady." He smiled an easy smile as he handed the coffee to her. "Thank you." She smiled back at him. He bent down and gave her a peck on the lips, "I'll see you at lunch?" He asked. Audrey nodded and looked down, feeling her face flush.

Jack looked from his usually bubbly, talkative girlfriend to the guy standing a few feet behind her, tall and blonde, and not looking entirely happy.

"Who's this?"