The Thief of Hearts

Epilogue

Thalia's pov

Four years later.

I watched as the boys moved out my stuff, trying with all my will power to keep from drowning in my own tears. It was moving day. The day I finally stopped being roommates with my loveable, funny, and overly annoying best friend and drama queen. I graduated three weeks ago and have been delaying this day ever since.

Amanda... Ehem, Mrs. Price, was seated comfortably on a stool, stuffing her face with chocolate cake. She looked a lot like an overgrown pumpkin to me, even though her tummy was only three months old. I guess it's a part of what comes with having twins growing inside you. Ironically, she was the one who was supposed to be a cry baby and not me. She's the drama queen, she's the pregnant one. Aren't her hormones and emotions being defective? Doesn't she miss me already, like I do?

I felt like I was deserting her. I was moving away, leaving, abandoning my bestie, just because I was done with University. Even though Mandy promised me that this wasn't the end and that we'd always meet on Fridays for our lazy days and girl's night, I still felt like she's leaving me in some strange way. But I'm the one who was going. My brother, Ashton, and Keith, my fiancé was here at the apartment, packing up my things for me to leave.

I know I was supposed to be helping them, but I just couldn't bring myself to make a move. I sat staring at a box that had the word "memories" marked in bright, glittery purple markers, Mandy's handwriting. With tears blurring my vision, I took up the box and sat on the tiled floor, and began to go through the stuff inside.

I took my time, looking through the pile of pictures, yearbooks, assignments, news stories, and certificates. Tears flowing freely from my eyes, I helplessly wiped at them but they just kept on coming. Keith came to sit beside and wrapped his arms around me, enveloping me in a warm, comfortable embrace. He didn't say anything though, probably deciding that it nothing that he said would make a difference. He had already tried and failed to cheer me up.

I small envelope caught my eyes and I reached for it. Something familiar jogged my memories, but I couldn't quite reach it. I opened the envelope to find a letter inside, written in neat cursive hand writing, one that was all too familiar. I looked up at Keith and smiled for the first time today. I suddenly remembered it as the letter I decided not to read. It came with the invitation to the masquerade ball way back in my freshman year. I unfolded the paper and read:

Dear Thalia,

I know you try to ignore the obvious fact that you find me irresistible, just as much as I find you. I can see that your attraction for me annoys too. I'm not writing this letter to come off as a narcissistic, self-centered creep, I just want to understand you. And I also want you to know just how I feel about you.

You are unlike every other girl I know. You are so beautiful, and passionate about everything you do. I like that you tend to speak your mind even though you hate being the center of attention. I fell first for your feistiness, your flair, and choice of words. I believe I loved you before we even met in that locker room. When we finally met, I was enchanted by your beautiful eyes, pink, kissable lips and small, curvy figure.

I would like you to know also, that even though you caused me a lot of pain that first day, my night's sleep was the most blissful because of you. Thalia, you are the addictive drug that keeps me coming back for more, even when you push me away. I just wish you would let me in. I want to know you. Not just the rude, witty part of you, I want to know what makes you smile. That way, I could keep you happy all the times.

Lia, I hope with my whole being that you will let me in. Please give me a chance to show you that I'm not the nuisance that you think I am, even though I am partly responsible for your attitude towards me. Consider my invitation to the masquerade ball on Saturday and peace offering and a new start to our new relationship.

Sincerely yours and with lots of love,
Keith McCarthy.

......

My tears had dried up and I momentarily forgot all about moving day as I was thrown four years back. I sat speechless, staring at the paper in my hands. I couldn't believe I kept this thing for so long without even looking at it. Keith had written me a love letter and I didn't read until four years later! His actions were incredibly sweet and it caused me to wonder if I really deserved him after all the hell I put him through.

He squeezed me to him and placed his face in the crook of my neck like he usually does. He took in a deep breath as he smiled against my skin, kissing me. He absentmindedly played with the ring on my finger. I was happy for the day I finally gave up the fruitless battle against love. It blessed me with the most loving and caring man in the world. The one who was going to become my husband in just a few weeks.

Magic Papermate markers caught my eyes and I took up the set. They were all dried out and useless, but they held the memories that were worth more than the rarest gems. Under the markers laid a folded piece of paper, I smiled as I tried to remember what it was before I unfolded it.

When I finally unfolded the thing, both Keith and I began to laugh historically. The paper held two different handwritings and the most precious memory of all my University years. It was the craziest conversation I had ever had in my entire life. It was that particular note on the locker door which turned into a dialogue, which caused our relationship, our bond, and our life together.

"That stupid dare," Keith said laughing.

"Who dared you, sweetie?" I asked curiously, wiping tears of mirth from my eyes.

Keith looked at me nervously before he answered. "You sure you want to know?"

"Why wouldn't I want to know who involuntarily put us together?" I said.

"Was that a question?" Keith attempted to change the subject.

I slapped him. "Come on, spill it."

"Ashton." He said with a sigh. "He wanted me to do something juvenile..."

"That crazy jackass," I said without thinking. "Luckily I didn't know until now. Don't worry Keith, I'm not gonna make my revenge." 

I got up, taking the box of memories with me and dumped it on a much heavier one that Ash was struggling with on his way to the moving van.  He groaned in annoyance as he slowed down.

"Want more help?" I asked, not really caring. I took up a small pile of communication books and placed it in the box, patting him on the shoulder with a smile.