Unwritten Rules

Sudden Turn

Mike's POV

Three years have passed since that poignant day of Kierra's graduation. In that time, my life has undergone significant changes. I relocated to a new city, accepted a position at a different school, and climbed the ranks to become the head of the department. On paper, my career flourished, but my personal life remained an enigma, overshadowed by the lingering memories of a love that once was.

After parting ways with Kierra, I poured myself into my work with an intensity that bordered on obsession. The new school offered a fresh start, a chance to rebuild and redefine myself. My dedication did not go unnoticed; I earned the respect and admiration of my colleagues and students alike, culminating in my promotion to department head. Despite these professional milestones, a part of me remained anchored to the past.

The memories of Kierra were ever-present, like a haunting symphony that played incessantly in the background of my mind. I often found myself lost in thought, revisiting moments from our time together. The way her eyes sparkled with determination, the warmth of her smile, and the sound of her laughter—these memories were my constant companions, bittersweet reminders of a love that had been sacrificed for the sake of my career.

There were countless nights when I would sit alone in my apartment, staring at the city lights, a glass of whiskey in hand. The silence of the room would amplify the echoes of our past conversations, and I would wonder where she was, what she was doing, and if she ever thought of me. The ache in my heart never dulled; it remained a persistent throb, a testament to the depth of my feelings for her.

One particularly rainy evening, I was in my office, buried under a mountain of paperwork. As I sifted through the documents, my eyes fell upon an old photograph that had slipped between the pages of a book. It was a picture of Kierra and me, taken during a school event. We were both smiling, blissfully unaware of the storm that lay ahead. I traced the outline of her face with my finger, feeling a surge of longing and sadness. That photograph was a portal to a time when our love was untainted by external pressures and ultimatums.

Despite the passage of time, I had not heard from Kierra since the day we parted. There were moments when I wondered if she had moved on, found happiness with someone else. The thought was unbearable, but I forced myself to accept it. We had both agreed to make the sacrifice for the greater good, but the cost had been far greater than I had anticipated.

In my role as department head, I interacted with numerous students and faculty members. Each interaction was a reminder of the passion I had for teaching, a passion that Kierra had reignited in me. I often found myself drawing on the lessons I had learned from our relationship, using them to guide and mentor my students. It was my way of honoring her, of keeping her memory alive in the work that I did.

One afternoon, as I walked through the corridors of the school, I passed by the music room. The sound of a familiar tune stopped me in my tracks. It was a song that Kierra and I used to listen to together, a melody that held a special place in our hearts. I stood there, listening to the music, feeling the emotions it evoked wash over me. The memories flooded back with such intensity that it was as if she were standing beside me, her presence as palpable as the day we first met.

The years had changed me in many ways, but my love for Kierra remained unwavering. It was a quiet, enduring love, one that had weathered the storms of time and distance. I often wondered if she felt the same, if the memories of our time together still lingered in her heart as they did in mine.

One day, as I was preparing for a lecture, I received a letter. The envelope was simple, but the handwriting on it was unmistakable. My hands trembled as I opened it, my heart pounding in my chest. Inside was a single sheet of paper, and an invitation, a wedding invitation of Kierra and Joshua to be exact and as I began to read, tears filled my eyes.