Title: Not a Lie
Author: Tinkerbell99
Rating: PG (I guess)
Disclaimer: The characters are not my creation, they belong to someone else.
Spoilers: Commencement
Summary: "Are you in love with Josh?" When the denial is also the truth...
Author Notes: My first fic! I love Josh and Donna, but you wouldn't know it from this. Sorry shippers - you might not like this.
"Are you in love with Josh?"You wonder why your first instinct wasn't to fabricate, misdirect, or to panic. Before the necessary words can be fully formed, you stop. You wonder if there was ever a time when that refutation could have been a lie. You are startled to discover that now the denial is also the truth.
"Are you in love with Josh?"
The truth is that there may have been a time when you thought you were in love. You were young and searching for a way to find meaning. You were running from one life to another seeking fulfillment and fantasy. You brought into being these things and so many more when you stumbled upon these people and this place. In your soul you are certain that you have found many of life's greatest gifts - freedom, friendship, purpose, joy. Now you doubt for the first time that you also found love.
"Are you in love with Josh?"
The denial comes to your lips too quickly this time. It flows past you without the pang of guilt or flutter of nerves it once provoked. Something is wrong and this time it's too easy to lie. The thoughts converge as you stop yourself before speaking, eyes unfocused in the distance.
"Are you in love with Josh?"
A pause.
A breath.
"No."
In a lie, you have found your truth.