Author Note: Ahhh – Donna… you either love her or hate her!

Chapter 04 – SoYou're Not Interested

Eric waited in the Vista Cruiser for an hour before the Corvette dropped Donna off at the dorm. She remained on the doorstep until she could no longer see the Vette then she stomped over to Eric's car. She opened the door violently and fell into the seat.

Eric could tell she was pissed. She glared at him, her eyes dark and ominous. "How dare you." She said through clenched teeth. "How dare you have the audacity to show up uninvited and expect me to welcome you with open arms."

Okay – royally pissed. Eric fell back into a practiced response. "I - I love you?"

Donna reached over and pinched him on the arm. "You idiot. Do you realize you almost jeopardized my chances at writing the news article of the year? This is my chance to do something worthwhile and you almost blow it for me. How could you!"

Eric scratched his neck self consciously. "I'm sorry?"

She whipped her head back around, red hair flying. "You're sorry? You are always sorry Eric. But that's not good enough. You're sorry you left for Africa. You're sorry you couldn't stay away. Well, quit being sorry and be a man." She was breathing hard – he had to go and upset her after the best day ever!

Eric waited until she appeared calm. "Donna, I'm not sorry I came to see you. I miss you dammit. I get to see you for 10 minutes on New Years Eve? I can't talk to you? We used to share everything together. What happened?"

Donna put her hand on the door handle. "Look. Whatever we had is gone. It disappeared with that damned promise ring, it vanished when you ditched me at our wedding, it left when you went to Africa – do you see a trend here?"

Eric did and everything she said was true but that didn't make him love for her any less. "Donna." He said quietly. "If we are officially ending our relationship, can we not do it in the car?"

She looked at him and released the door handle. "There's a park around the corner." Then she sat back and stared out the windshield.

With a lump in his throat, Eric turned on the engine and went to the park.

*

Eric got out of the car and made for a bench under a shady tree. When he woke up this morning, this was not how he planned his day. He was so sure she would be happy to see him. Now, she was dragging her feet just walking to the bench.

Donna sat down leaving plenty of space between her and Eric. It was funny how she remembered being madly in love with him but now she felt nothing. There he was looking at her with puppy dog eyes and she used to crave that kind of attention and now it meant nothing.

"Eric, I'm not saying this to hurt you. But we are not the same two people anymore. Your experiences in Africa changed you. I'm sure you got a nice job and you're going to school somewhere because that is what you would do anyways. You are predictable. I used to like that. My mom was always leaving my dad but I had old predictable Eric to lean on. Then you come back and want to pick up where we left off – Eric, be realistic. You hurt me. You've always hurt me but I let you because I thought that was what love is."

She pulled her hair off her face and closed her eyes. 'Eric, you will always be my first love – I will never forget you but I've changed. I have goals and ambitions and I'm never going back to Point Place. You should have just stayed in Africa."

Eric swallowed the lump of his heart that was lodged in his throat. This was it – she outgrew him. He knew she was always smarter and more gregarious than he ever was. "Do you love him?"

"Who?" she asked puzzled.

"Jim. The guy from the restaurant."

Donna laughed. Eric promised himself he would never forget that tinkling laugh of hers.

She beamed. "Jim is my editor. No, I'm not in love with him. Maybe serious like – but no I don't love him. He just gave me an assignment that is going to boost me towards Pulitzer Prize country."

Eric smiled – at least she was happy. If this relationship had to end, the least Eric could do, would be to end it on a happy note.

He stood up with his hands in his pockets and a tear in his eye. "Donna. I'm going to go. Maybe we'll see each other at our ten-year reunion – or not. But know this: I will always love you and you will always know where to find me. Yes, I'm predictable but that's me, Eric Forman. I can't change what I am and I can't change for you. You're going to be great out here. The world is your oyster or so my dad likes to say. You have the potential for greatness and I won't stand in your way. Be well Donna."

He hesitated a moment then swooped down and placed a kiss on her cheek. She could feel the wetness of his tears and turned to watch him walk back to the car.

Eric Forman would be fine – Donna had no doubts. He just needed to find the right girl for him. Someone that was bright - wanted to be a housewife and have little Forman babies. Donna Pinciotti was just not that girl. At least for now!

*

Eric was working late at the record store. His whole weekend was bust and he couldn't even remember where it went wrong or how it went wrong. He wandered over to the pop music selection and picked up an Air Supply record. Removing it from the paper sleeve, Eric put it on the turntable and cranked the speakers up loud. He sat down in a captain's chair, closed his eyes and waited for the music…

Lost in Love said all the words he was feeling:

Lost in Love - Air Supply

I realize the best part of love is the thinnest slice,
and it don't count for much
but I'm not letting go,
I believe there's too much to believe in.

So lift your eyes if you feel you can
Reach for a star and I'll show you a plan.
I've figured it out, what I needed was someone to show me.

You know you can't fool me I've been loving you too long
It started so easy -- you want to carry on, carry on.

Lost in Love and I don't know much,
Was I thinking aloud and fell out of touch?
But I'm back on my feet, and eager to be what you wanted.

Now I'm Lost
Lost In Love
I'm Lost in Love

Eric wiped a tear from his cheek and scoffed, "Crap hole pop music. This is chick stuff – why am I listening to it?" The little bell over the door tinkled and a customer came in. It was Sleeping Beauty! Eric got up and hastily moved to the counter.

"Hey Christina – how are you tonight?"

She sighed, "Oh Eric, you are the only one that can help me. We're hosting a retirement party tomorrow and I need some old Dean Martin kind of music."

Eric smiled, "Let me help you." Maybe this day wouldn't completely suck!

The end

Disclaimer:

I don't own any lyrics or song titles or anything that would cost money. I just own my crazy imagination!