Brendon stares at Terra for who knows how long. He just stares at her, on the path of woodchips, at the lake that used to be their favorite spot, Where he felt most comfortable..This spot that was now ruined by paparazzi. Everyone is surrounded them. Fans, reporters. It doesn't help that Terra is one of the best well-known actors of our time. Excited chatter ringing in their ears for every direction. Somewhere in his mind he thinks "wow okay, this is creepy as anything" but it's all right because Terra is staring right back.
Terra is staring back she is fiddling with her hands, unable to keep them still, she just keeps on blinking. Her eyes are bewildered but also sad and it makes Brendon's heart hurt. It also makes his throat close up and it just really, really hurts. Memories crash through the shield he's worked so hard on to build over the last five years. Now the beautiful blue waves threaten to pull him under again.
The only thing that kept him surfaced is Terra; it's always been Terra. All Brendon can see is those eyes. In his mind, he sees the first time he saw those eyes in the parking lot at age sixteen. He sees those eyes, brimming with hope as Terra asked him out for the first time. He sees those eyes as they say 'i love you' for the first time. As he gives her a single rose, she was smiling the shyest smile Brendon had ever seen. Brendon sees those eyes as they share their first kiss, their last kiss, and every kiss in between.
Brendon needs to lie down. His head is spinning and his vision is basically a blur of white and blue, Terra is still staring at him. Brendon figures he probably looks insane to the average spectator, though he really, really can't bring himself to care right now.
"I like your bowtie," Terra says. Out of all the things she could have said. She smiles, a stupid smile that doesn't reach his eyes, that fake smile that Terra used to use with strangers because she could get away with it, and Brendon hates it. He hates standing in front of this beautiful stranger, knowing that he used to know every inch of her skin, mind and soul better than anyone. And she's using that stupid fake smile on Brendon, of all people.
Brendon kind of hates Terra himself, now that he thinks about it. He hates Terra's crooked bottom teeth, and the sparkle in her eye and the way her lips were always too dry. He hates Terra, and he hates the lake, and he hates seeing someone in front of him who he used to know like the back of his hand. Brednon just doesn't see Terra anymore; not his Terra...Not the one he used to know.
