Author's Note: Now, I've never written Eric/Donna before until I was trying to work on a future fic for the gang. I started to wonder why Eric really went and this was born. I haven't read a ton of DE fics (I actually don't know how many there are), but the fifty or so I have read don't deal with it like this. I hope you enjoy and you're not reading a repeat.
He rolled the pen between his fingers, thinking of what he was about to do. Just the thought of it was crushing him so badly he couldn't breathe. What would happen when he finally managed to get the words down on paper?
He liked the idea of being a teacher. Helping people had always been a part of his nature, and he loved the idea of imparting some of his wisdom on the younger generations. He wanted to give tomorrow a better future, as corny as that sounded.
But none of these reasons made up his mind.
It was one bleach blonde neighbour girl that ultimately influenced his decision. She wanted to travel, to see the world. She wanted a career that might make her move a lot.
Teachers were always needed. He could always get a job.
Ultimately, it was the fact that maybe, just maybe, they could both have what they wanted. She would have her fabulous life and he would have her. They could be together forever and get their happily ever after.
But the truth about happily ever afters? Joy comes after misery. Forever comes after never.
Together comes after apart.
If they were truly meant to be together, they could work out everything when he came back. But for now, she needed to move on. She'd given up going to a good college for him then college at all. He wouldn't let her give up anything else for him. He would work toward "them" for now while she lived her life. And maybe one day they'd find each other again.
Holding back the tears and stopping his shaking hand, he began the letter.
Dear Donna...