Rain had been falling on and off all day, letting up only to give the promise of sun before the dark clouds returned and the rain came in sideways. There was something astronomical about the downpour. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was following me. I had only left my apartment once that day to check on a dog I was watching and go for a walk, but other than that, I was lost in my Steam library. Unfortunately, I was out of Oreos, so I needed to make a CVS run. This was when my night took a turn.

 

I was in a daze as I strolled through the aisles, browsing various skin ointments and La Croix flavors, still unable to shake the feeling that someone was just out of my eyesight. I would turn a corner and as I started down the next aisle I would see a dark figure in my peripherals, but when I turned to put the dark spot in my full vision, it would be a poster for Red Nose Day.

 

I had just found the Oreos, right next to the black sludge, when I heard his heavy breathing behind me. His walk was as silent as the stars and I turned to face his hockey mask just as he was upon me. “Oh. Jason. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

 

“I’ve missed you so much. I’m sorry, I couldn’t help myself from doing a little stalking. You know me.” Jason shrugged. I wasn’t happy with him, but he always knew how to make my heart flutter.

 

“Listen, I’m only here for these Oreos. I don’t have time for this right now. Seeing you just brings back all of those memories and they are confusing. Half of them are wonderful, but then the rest make me feel numb. I don’t think I can keep doing this. I think I’m going to move to New York like I always talked about.

 

As I was talking, trying to avoid those jet black eye holes, something had been happening to the store. CVS stores usually all have the same feel, that’s kind of the idea, but the fluorescent lights had either dimmed or something was blocking their light. The aisles of shampoo started transforming into stalagmites and stalactites, while the tile of the floor liquefied into a dark liquid you hoped was water.

 

“I don’t want to live without you,” Jason said. The gushing rapids of what was once this pharmacy’s floor surrounded him, but he didn’t seem to notice. It was impossible to not fall for him a little. “I have never been happier than when I have been with you, Goro.”

 

“It’s too little, too late,” I replied, trying to hide my tears, but they were coming too hard and fast for me to stop them. “I don’t think we’ll ever be able to rekindle what we once had.”

 

Again, it is impossible to tell if Jason expresses emotions with his mask on, and I can’t confirm whether he experiences emotions or not either, but I want to believe that he was crying underneath there. He had been looking down at the water, trying to collect his thoughts, but he lifted his head and I got nothing. “Remember Sydney?” he said.

 

“Of course I do. Of course I do, Jason. That was the best time of my life, but then you had to ruin it. Why did you ruin it?”

 

“I promise we can rebuild. We can have Sydney again. My Sunflower, I love you.”

 

“I loved you too, but I have made my decision. I’m going to New York.” With that, I took my Oreos and headed for the door. After being tackled by security for not paying for my Oreos, returning to the store in order to pay, and then walking out again, I felt anew.

 

Maybe it was just the cool, calm breeze of a post-storm evening, or maybe it was something like gumption, but I knew that I had made the right decision.

 

I never saw Jason again, but I wish him all the best. He deserves someone who understands him better than I ever could.

 

This article was written by Nathan Ellwood, who wants to wish everyone out there a Happy Pride Month. Celebrate responsibly. Follow him for more on Twitter @NPEllwood.