Forever.

Many consider this story sad, others—romantic. But in reality, it is neither. It’s a story of two seemingly in-love people who were, in fact, lying to each other. Her wounds will never be healed by anyone except him. No one. “1975, Washington State.” It hurts unbearably. She wants to destroy everything to hell, to stop believing in all of this. To look into his eyes, to tell him that she loves him. —Maggie, do you believe me? You know I couldn’t… —Jacob, tell me the truth. Every damn night I fall asleep with guilt, and I wake up the same. —I’m not guilty. “1966, Utah State.” Cheap pop music is playing in the bar, everyone is dancing. Young Margaret has found herself in such a crowded place for the first time. She catches someone’s sharp gaze, which immediately disappears when she notices it. Her drunken friends offer her a drink, but she refuses. She must stay in control. She cannot take risks. —What, you really don’t want any? Doesn’t sound very convincing… —No, really, I don’t want it… From behind, Margaret’s brunette friend Jude approaches. A slim beauty with such perfect features that it feels like you’ve seen her on the front pages of a newspaper before. That evening, Jude clearly had too much to drink and ended up vomiting on Margaret. —Oh, damn! I’m so sorry… —Don’t worry, it’s okay… I’ll clean it up… —I’m such an idiot… There’s gotta be a bathroom around here somewhere…the blonde muttered, wiping her mouth with an already dirty napkin.Probably outside,she added, pointing to the exit. Margaret nodded repeatedly and headed toward the exit. She had found her place of salvation, but two guys stood in her way. The brunette immediately began looking for some other route, but apparently, there wasn’t one. Since childhood, Margaret had been terribly afraid of people, though she tried hard to hide it. When her shadow was finally noticed, one of the guys turned toward her and smiled. —Margaret, right? Jude’s told me a lot about you,the brown-eyed one said, running his gaze appraisingly over the brunette’s figure.By the way, this is my friend, Jacob. —Margaret Mitchell. I’m Jude’s friend. The girl offered a sloppy smile, while the other guy seemed to stare through her with a cold gaze. He was nearly six feet tall, probably slightly older than her. His brows were furrowed, and his expression was serious. A gold-framed, expensive watch stood out on his wrist. The large hand pointed to 1 AM. Her eyes widened in mild panic; her mother had told her to be home by ten. —It was nice meeting you. I’m expected somewhere!the girl blurted out. She hated her “verbal vomit.” Whenever she got nervous, she’d start babbling nonsense and regret it afterward.I hope we meet again,she muttered, wiping at her sweater. The girl had already quickened her pace toward home, but the voice behind her continued to follow. —Wait, it’s late. Jacob will walk you home. Right, Jacob?The new acquaintance glanced at his friend, who nodded without hesitation, probably not even listening. The town was in northern Utah, with a population of only about seven thousand people. Margaret had always dreamed of living in a bigger city, but apparently, it wasn’t meant to be. An awkward silence accompanied the two. What was there to say? She didn’t know herself. —There’s a fair tomorrow. Do you want to go with me?the brunette asked. The blue-eyed girl blushed at first, then thought: was it worth it? —You know, I think you shouldn’t waste your time on me. The boy let out a ringing laugh. —You only think so. When they reached her house, he stopped in front of her. —I’ll be waiting for you right here, at 2 PM, okay? Margaret said nothing. She still didn’t know whether she’d get up early and go with him or sleep through another one of her days off. And that was exactly what she would have to think about that night.