The Forgotten

Epilogue

Yesterday was history, tomorrow's a mystery but today is a gift. That's why it's called the present - Master Oogway (Kung Fu Panda)

10 Years Later

I walked into the hotel and smiled. I hadn’t been here for ten years and a feeling of nostalgia came over me. I walked into the hall to be greeted with people drinking and chatting in small groups. I remember the last time I was in here; that was a great night.

“Ness!” Someone exclaimed and I turned to locate the owner of the voice. I smiled when I saw Lia rushing over to me and I gave her a tight hug. She pulled me over to the group that she was with before. “Here is my boyfriend, Adam.” She introduced me to a tall, dark haired man. I smiled and shook his hand.

“You were supposed to be here ages ago.” Someone from my side commented. “Yeah, we were beginning to think you didn’t want to see us.” Another voice chimed in. I grinned at Hayley and Cory before hugging them both. “It’s great that you guys are back together for good now.” I told them. They smiled at each other. “No going back.” Cory replied nodding before pulling Hayley closer to him.

They’d had a rocky relationship. At first, they kept on splitting up for the silliest reasons and Hayley was constantly complaining about him to me over Skype. Then, when they really got serious, Hayley’s parents didn’t approve of Cory because of his upbringing. They eloped together last year. “I am a bit annoyed that there was no wedding ceremony that I could attend.” I mock scolded.

“Hey where’s Jess? You said that you would bring her with you.” Lia enquired. “That was before Luke decided to be spontaneous and take her on a romantic getaway. They’re still in the honeymoon phase even though they got married two years ago.” I replied smiling as I thought about Luke and Jess.

They were that couple who stayed together from secondary school. Not many people believed that they would be able to do it but they proved them all wrong. I was a little doubtful at first but they had so much love for each other that they refused to split up. Obviously, they have their fights but what couple doesn’t?

“Aww, that’s a shame; I was really looking forward to meeting her.” Lia said pouting. “I’m sure you’ll meet her one day.” I replied grinning. Actually, it’s almost certain that you’ll meet her and it will be pretty soon. “Is it me or are we missing someone from the group?” Hayley enquired. “Marcus isn’t here.” Cory replied to her.

“What exactly happened with you guys?” Lia asked. I ran a hand through my hair and Lia’s mouth dropped open. “What?” I enquired. “What the hell is that?” She asked pointing at my hand. “What are you... oh right.” I finished as I realised what she was pointing at. “When were you going to tell us that you’re engaged?” Lia demanded and I smiled sheepishly. “Who’s the lucky guy?” Hayley asked.

“Sorry I took so long sweetie. It took so long to find a good parking space.” He said encircling his arms around my waist and kissing my temple. I smiled up at the face of my soon to be husband. “Why weren’t we informed of this?” Hayley asked. “What do you mean?” I asked smiling awkwardly. “Why the hell didn’t you tell us that you’re back together with Marcus, let alone that you’re marrying him?” Lia almost screamed.

“We wanted it to be a surprise?” I replied but it sounded like a question and Marcus chuckled. “You have a really bad habit of leaving important things out of conversation, Ness.” He told me. “If it makes you guys feel any better, she completely forgot to tell her brother and he ended up finding out through Jess. He almost beat me up when we went to see him earlier for not asking his permission.” He added to the girls.

“Hold on a second... Cory did you know?” Hayley asked. “Maybe?” He replied in the same way I had earlier and I giggled. “Why didn’t you tell me?” She enquired. “I was waiting for Ness to tell you. You took your damn time!” He finished looking at me. “Sorry guys.” I apologised. I gave them the invitations to my wedding.

“You guys are getting married next month?” Lia asked looking very frustrated. Adam started rubbing her shoulders. “Baby calm down.” He soothed her. “I’m calm now thanks honey.” She replied after a few minutes and I smiled. They were such a cute couple. “So what the hell happened with you guys?” She asked. Marcus and I looked at each other and shared a secret smile.

I would love to say that we were like Luke and Jess and we stayed together after the summer until now but I would be lying. We broke up as we needed to focus in our last year of A-levels. There was no time for a relationship and Marcus lived quite far away from me so it was almost impossible to see each other regularly.

As time went on, we lost contact completely. During university, I wrote a book about the struggles of teenage life. I didn’t think it was any good but once my friend read it, she got in touch with a publisher friend and hey presto, my book got published. It was a stroke of luck that it was a big hit. Loads of copies were sold worldwide.

While I was going on book tours, Marcus had become a qualified English teacher and went overseas to teach children in LEDCs. At one point of time, I had huge writers block and decided to take a holiday to clear my thoughts. On the way back, I felt rejuvenated and happy. I got new ideas for a new book and I was ready to get back to work.

I was sitting at the window seat looking out at the country that had given me so many ideas. “Erm excuse me, I think you’re in my seat.” A voice said from the side and I turned to him. “I could’ve sworn I booked the window seat.” I said before reaching for my ticket. “It is you.” He said and I looked at him carefully. “Marcus?” I asked after a few minutes. He grinned. “Nice to see you again Ness.” He said.

“So basically, you’ve somehow got a movie-like reunion.” Lia concluded as I finished telling them the story. “I guess so. It sounds so cliché and fake but that’s what went down.” I replied grinning. “So you’re getting married in a month? Are you guys ready?” Hayley enquired smiling. “I am so excited for it to be over. I’m getting so stressed with the arrangements.” I admitted smiling sheepishly.

“Is that why you said that you’re sure that we’ll meet Jess?” Lia enquired and I nodded. “You’re a sly dog.” Cory commented. We all chuckled and started talking about work. “Can I have your attention please?” A voice got all of our attention. At the microphone trying to quiet everyone was Isaac. He was starting to grey.

“He’s starting to get on.” Marcus murmured echoing my thoughts. “He’s not even that old. We must have stressed him out.” Cory whispered causing us all to chuckle. “Thank you to all those who came back today. It’s been ten years since the second group came here.” He said.

After our year, ‘The Forgotten Retreat’ began to branch out and was held in different states and countries so we were no longer required to go back to the hotel and help the next batch of kids. I wouldn’t have been able to anyway because that summer, I had a job but I would’ve felt slightly guilty.

“I can see the happy faces of all the people in this room and that makes me really glad. I remember a lot of you couldn’t even smile when you first came but now you’re all glowing. I’ve done my job well. Everyone please raise your glasses and celebrate with me; to forgetting the past!” He finished with his glass in the air. We echoed his sentiments and took a sip from our glasses.

I remembered what Isaac had said ten years ago. New experiences will have more importance and the bad things that have happened to will sink into insignificance. He was right. Here I was; a published writer who was marrying an English teacher. I smiled as Marcus nuzzled my neck. There was also something that we’d neglected to tell our friends. I was three months pregnant. I’m impatiently waiting for the day that I will hold mine and Marcus’ baby in my arms.

I hardly remember the fact that I was raped or that a boy called Stefan even existed. Those facts were meaningless now. They were forgotten. I had so much happiness in my life. I had an amazing and supporting family, a fiancé who loved me more than anything in the world and friends that I could always count on. I hope this happiness never ends.

The End.

Well that is the end of this story. I probably won't be writing for a while as school is starting soon but I have a few ideas so you never know! Thanks for sticking with this story and I hope you enjoyed. Nana :)