Bright, flickering lights. Loud, continuous chatter. Shelves after shelves after shelves.
She pushes her shopping cart slowly up the aisle, examining the the rows of produce carefully.
The years have changed her, but not beyond recognition. Her unique hairstyle and traditional spirit garb have been replaced by unbound hair and the Master's formal attire.
Her innocent, exuberant demeanor has given way to something sterner and more mature.
People give her odd looks as she makes her way through.
He dangles his nearly empty shopping basket as he strolls slowly down the aisle, looking over the rows of fruit.
The years have changed him, almost beyond recognition. His spiky hair and bold business suit have been replaced by a blue beanie and a slouchy gray sweater.
His energetic, serious appearance has given way to something more laid-back yet untouchable.
People give him suspicious looks as he makes his way through.
They both stop at the apples, leaning over to pick one, when they notice each other on the other side of the stand. They look up, eyes meeting, blue to gray.
Unspoken words pass between them, the happy memories, the heavy regret.
For a brief moment, she can see the future they could've had together, can feel the steady tempo of his heart beating next to hers.
For a brief moment, he can taste her lips on that final April day, can feel her hand warm inside his.
They both open their mouths, to say something, anything, to break the silence
-I miss you, I'm sorry, I'll never let you go again-
but nothing comes out except for a sad smile through the tears.
A young girl in a blue cape runs up to him and tugs playfully on his arm.
A tall man walks up to her and puts his hand protectively on her rounded belly.
"Hey Daddy, who's that?"
"Hey darling, who's that?"
A chance to tell the truth, to break free of the lies they live in. After all, the truth was once all they had ever wanted, what they had fought to every last breath for. They stare at each other like deer caught in the headlights.
He watches as she gasps, the baby kicking in her stomach as the man beside her grins proudly.
She gasps as she watches his daughter smile sweetly up at him, waiting for an answer.
That's not who they are anymore.
They both look away as they continue their paths in opposite directions.
"No one."
(Just someone I once loved.)
Just something that I dreamed up for Nick/Maya Day. The format is odd, I know, but I do hope it's coherent enough.