So everyone, I've decided to make this a three shot because I just couldn't resist. I've never written an angst story, so please don't hate it too much. I would love to hear your opinion.

Seven Years Later

Heat radiated from the sun and warmed her slightly rosy cheeks. Her lids began to droop as she became accustomed to the summer warmth, her only disturbance being the slight rocking motion of the ship. A hand grasped her shoulder and she sat up from her seat with a jolt.

"We're here," Mirabelle said and walked away. With lifeless eyes, Julia stood up and followed her mother off the ship. Boats did not bring back good memories and caused her to feel much pain. She sluggishly made her way to store that would belong to her Mirabelle and her.

"You ready Jules? I think business will be booming here!" her mother said excitedly as she unpacked the store's wares.

Julia forced a smile and nodded. "It's the perfect place to sell livestock. Sunshine Islands has a nice ring to it." Honestly, Julia didn't want to move in the first place. All her friends were back in the city, along with her most treasured memories. The building was small and wouldn't be able to hold all of her treasured photographs and knick-knacks.

Her mother began to shoo her away, "Why don't you meet the other islanders. I'll take care of the unpacking." Julia smiled amusedly at her mother's effort to get her to meet new people. Mirabelle had done the best that she could to shield Julia from the pain: she bought her new and fashionable clothes, introduced her to new people, and set her up on fun dates. Nothing could permanently take away pain. For awhile, Julia had been pretty busy with college and rarely thought of him. His parting words, however, left a permanent indentation in her heart. I promise we'll meet again… he had shouted. Everywhere she went, she would search the crowd for his familiar face. It became an instinct. Some thought she was crazy, some pitied her, and some admired her determination. As years passed, her instinct began to fade, but every time she saw a man with blonde hair and green eyes hope would well up in her, only to be crushed by disappointment.

"Hey I'm Natalie," a girl with pink hair snapped Julia out of her trance.

Julia smiled politely, "I'm Julia. My mother and I just moved here."

Natalie rolled her eyes, "Everyone knows who you are. We haven't had a new resident in over seven years!"

"So there aren't a lot of people here?" Julia questioned.

Natalie grabbed Julia's wrist and began to drag her, "There's a bunch of teens our age. I'll go introduce you."

The duo entered the Diner and took a seat at an empty table. They chatted about the island and the dwellers. As time passed various teens entered the restaurant and introduced themselves. Hours passed and it seemed that Julia had known them all her life. Sadly, it was time for her to head home.

"Awww. You haven't even met the farmer yet!" Natalie whined.

Julia smiled apologetically, "Sorry. I really have to get home and help my mom with the store."

The pink haired girl huffed, "Fine. But don't think you're getting away with not meeting him. He's pretty gorgeous."

Exiting the Diner, Julia trudged home. Julia hated the summer. During the day, it was blazing hot, but during the night, it was chilly. So at the moment, Julia was freezing cold. So cold that her fingers were starting to go numb.

"Curse you fickle weather!" Julia yelled to no one. She laughed hysterically. In the city, she and Mark used to scream random phrases to no one in particular.

"Hello?" a deep voice questioned. Julia kept laughing. If she stopped, she probably would start bawling. Her memories either brought smiles or tears.

"Are you alright?" he questioned. Gravel crunched under the man's feet as he neared her. Julia strained to make out the figure.

"I'm fine," she replied. It was dark. Dark enough to kick start her common sense. She didn't know who this person was, yet she was inclined to talk to him. She found out why. The man came closer and Julia could make out his face. Concerned emerald eyes peered down at her. Her chest tightened as she realized who he was.

"Mark?" she whispered incredulously. Her heart soared and crumbled at the sight.

Realization flicked in his eyes. "Julia," he said in confirmation. He smiled warmly; a smile that broke her heart. Not a smile filled with love and adoration like it once had been, but a pleasantly surprised one. Julia mentally slapped herself. What had she expected? For him to kiss her ride off into a sunset?

At a loss of words she merely nodded.

He seemed to sense her uncertainty. "Why don't you come over for some coffee? We can get reacquainted. Plus it won't be so cold,"

She smiled and nodded.

His house was warm, just as he had promised. He lived in a nice log cabin that emitted a homey feel.

"It's not much, but it's home," he said. He walked to the kitchen and began to make them coffee.

"It's nice," she murmured as she sat at the dinner table. Fiddling with her hands, she patiently waited for him to join her. Multiple questions rang through her muddled mind. Would he still love her like she still loved him? Was he upset that she didn't leave with him?

He pulled up a chair and passed her a steamy mug. "How have you been? Did you end up going to college." he asked conversationally.

"I've been doing well. I ended up going to Tarleton State University in Texas. I majored in Livestock Management," she replied. She took a swig of the coffee. Black, just like she always had it. He remembered...

"You decided to carry on the family business?" he pressed.

"It's not really like I had a choice…" Julia began but stopped. His eyes flashed with an unexpected emotion. He looked at her and his eyes seemed to urge her to remember. He gave her a choice: elope with him or face the harsh reality of life. She had chosen the latter. Looking back she knew she made the wrong decision. The way he spoke radiated friendliness, but she knew him. He was shielding his true emotions, and she couldn't blame him.

Silence hung in the air. She cleared her throat. "How did you wind up becoming a farmer. That doesn't seem very adventurous to me."

Mark looked solemn as if remembering something tragic. "You remember when I left?"

Her chest constricted, but she managed to nod.

"Well, my ferry got caught in a storm and I was shipwrecked. I washed up ashore here. The islanders took care of me and I felt like I was in their debt," he looked into her cerulean eyes, "But I stayed because I found what I was looking for."

Julia felt the wind getting knocked out of her lungs. Wounded, she turned her hurt gaze to her coffee cup. Steam soared from the dark liquid and disappeared into the air. Strength had returned to her. Forcing herself to meet his gaze, she smiled. "I'm glad you found what you were looking for."

He paused for a moment before responding, "I found a distraction from the pain."

She bit the inside of her cheek and a warm metallic taste invaded her mouth. It was her fault. She was the one who had caused him pain; she caused them both pain and misery. In a twisted way, it comforted her slightly. It meant that he still cared about her.

He continued, "But farming soon became my passion. I admit that since I'm a city boy, my skills are somewhat underdeveloped, but I pushed through. The farm has been pretty successful," he took a long sip of coffee, "But that's partly because of you."

Her interest was piqued. "What do you mean?"

"I always wore your lucky hat," he murmured as he adjusted said hat, "But it was like a double edge sword." She looked at him with curious eyes. "Every time I wore it, I thought of you. I remembered our first date, when you laughed at my lame jokes. I remembered when you first cried in front of me, when your dad died," he said the last part softly. "And I remembered when we had to say goodbye."

A lump grew in her throat and she tried to swallow it. She took a sip her now cold liquid in attempt to break up the tension. It didn't work. She realized that he hurt just as much as she did. He had given her all his love, but Julia was too afraid to follow him and be by his side. A surge of courage coursed through her veins. Abruptly she stood up and walked over to Mark's side. She pulled him into a tight embrace.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered into his shoulder. Tears couldn't help but fall. It wasn't the reunion she had hoped for, but it was better than nothing. Seven years of pent up misery and loneliness were expressed a mere three words.

"I promised you that we'd meet again," he said softly.

There will be one more chapter coming! Can you leave me a review telling me what ending you like better?

1. Julia and Mark get back together

2. Mark is actually married, Julia kills herself

3. Mark is dating another girl, Julia moves on

4. Any other ideas?