Ria sat across from Trennen, a window between them and an old telephone on each side. He stared at her blankly, and she picked up the phone, waiting for him to do the same. His blonde hair was cut short in a jagged hair cut, his glasses taped in the middle, and his brown eyes had dark circles underneath making him look older than twenty four. He did not look well. Jail had not gone easy on his usual handsome appearance. He wore an ugly orange uniform, just like every other inmate. She tried to smile slightly at him, but knew that it didn't reach her eyes. It was disconcerting to see him this way. He grabbed the phone and put it to his ear. "Valeria." he said, "I have to admit, I'm surprised to see you here.". He took in her appearance. She had braided her dark wavy hair to the side, and wore a simple flannel shirt and jeans. Still, somehow she managed to shine brighter than anyone else. Still she was beautiful in an ethereal way, even though she didn't know it. Especially because she didn't know. "My heart is heavy to see you in here, Trennen." she said, searching his eyes for something. Some sign that maybe he wasn't all the way gone. He sighed heavily, "I never listened to you, did I? I wish I had now. I wish a lot of things, though, things that will never come true now." he lowered his gaze, unable to look her in the eye anymore, "I am sorry, Val. I was so very wrong. I messed up my whole entire life, and it all started with the moment I let you go.", he kept his gaze on the wooden table that his arms rested on. If there had been no glass between them she would have reached out and touched his cheek. Assured him that it was okay. It wasn't though, and it never would be now. "Trennen, look at me. Face me, because you have no choice now." she said, the slightest threat in her tone. He looked up, and locked eyes with her. Tears began to well up in his eyes, and she felt her heart break for him, even after all of those years. "This is not your end. This is a humble beginning. Lay down your pride, do what you're told, and get out of here. Treat the next girl better, or don't have one at all. This is goodbye, Trennen." she said, and began to put the phone back. He mouthed something, his eyes pleading for her to wait. She faltered, knowing that it was the last time she'd see him, and picked up the corded phone once again. She waited as he decided what to say, and made no motion to sit back down. "I am sorry. I am crushed because I know that if I had stayed with you, none of this would have happened, and you would still love me. We would not be sitting here now, because you leave everyone better than when you met them. You inspire, and you shine. I know you, and I know you will try to never see me again after this. I also know that may very well be true. I just wanted- no, needed you to know that it was never because I didn't love you, or that you weren't good enough. It was because I was filled with darkness and pain. You broke me, and light began to shine on all of the terrible things from my past. So I ran. I need you to know that." he breathed out slowly, eyes glued to her own. Her cheeks were wet, but she had no idea when she had began to cry. He placed his hand flat against the glass, eyes wet, lip quivering. She did not hesitate to put her hand parallel to his. They sat there for a moment like that, one hand holding the phone to their ears, one on the glass. "Ich verzeih dir." she said, meaning 'You are forgiven' in German. Before he could say another word, she kissed her fingers and placed them against the glass once more, giving him one last mournful look, hung up the phone, and walked away. She knew there was so much more that could be said. That she was walking away from a very vital piece of her life, and that she may even regret it someday. She also knew it would be okay. She wiped the tears from her face and exited the prison quickly and without a second glance back as she got into her car and drove away.
