I smiled at Nic's giggles. We were in the rowboat paddling around the lake. The ducks would come up, so I gave Nic some bread to feed them. I placed the picnic basket in between us. She smiled and attacked the chocolate covered strawberries. She smiled and held one out for me. I rolled my eyes, but took a bite. She then placed the rest in her mouth.

She looked so happy in this serene setting. Strangers would wave as they passed us. Nic had her face turned away. She was slightly bent over the boat so that she could pet the ducks.

I used her distraction to set up the chess board between us. I finished right before she turned to face me. Her brow arched at me. I smiled and gestured to the game.

"You asked me to teach you."

"Took you forever to keep your promise!" She playfully pouted.

"Okay, so..." I explained the game to her. She was a little confused, but listened to me and picked it up pretty quickly.

"So, Ali..." I arched a brow at her. "Tell me why and how you fell in love with me." She took my pawn.

"You sure are demanding." I teased while she smirked at me. "Well, you intrigued me from the beginning." I captured her pawn. I wanted to go easy on her. "You spilt chocolate milk on my shirt and tried to clean it up, but you were just spreading the stain." I laughed. "You were in my math class and ugh! You were so beautiful." She blushed at my comment. "Then I saw you again on the tennis court, and you were just so sweet. You bought me a new shirt and I was mean because I didn't want to be attracted to you."

"I was trying to distance myself from you because I felt drawn to you and I didn't- I wasn't out to my family and you weren't... what I thought my family would've wanted. I wanted to ignore you, but I heard about Rohan and... I couldn't just do nothing. Then, we hung out and I had so much fun. I wanted to continue being around you." I sighed.

"I had finally gotten you to be my girlfriend and I made so many mistakes. From Tamsin bullying Willa-" I nodded at her gasp. "Ya, I know what she did. She had Willa come on to you and then... the kiss and I didn't handle that well. I went and did stuff to try and hurt you. I did it again with the scholarship thing. I wanted you to hurt the way I was hurt." I wiped my eyes.

"I was then soo cold to-to you. I completely overlooked your insecurities and was focused on my feelings. I was being selfish. I made all the decisions for us. Instead of speaking to you, I just made the executive decision to keep you hidden. I wasn't ashamed of you. I was just terrified of what the paps would do or the haters would say. I was worried they'd tear us apart." I sniffled. "And then then the hospital and-"

"Ali." I felt her hand on mine. I looked into her teary eyes. "Not everything is your fault." She gripped my hand.

"But I was terrible! I went on a rampage after we broke up! I chose to be engaged so that you'd be hurt and think that I didn't love you anymore! I slept with Eric." She stiffened at my revelation. "I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. I slept with him to get my mind off you and he did for a short while... but, then I'd see you at school and all the emotions would rush back. I'd see Skye kissing you and I'd feel like my heart was bleeding." I began crying.

"I allowed her to get in my head and- and... the accident." I choked out. "I saw the car coming towards your unaware body. My first thought was to protect you. Protect you from the oncoming impact, hateful words, and even me. I failed when I heard you were in a coma. I tried to protect you and failed, like I've been failing ever since I met you!" I threw the Queen.

"And then the hospital and your memory." I placed my head in my hands. I was hysterically sobbing right now. "You didn't know who I was! You still don't! You remembered Skye, but not me! Not me! How could you forget me, Nicola?" My voice cracked. "We've been through so much, but you don't even know me. You're trying so hard and I know and appreciate that, but... you don't look at me with the same amount of love you used to." Her eyes fell.

"I'm at a crossroad, Nicola." She met my eyes. "You don't really remember me, meaning you don't remember the pain I put you through. The only way that I can truly show you how much I love you is if... is if..." I began sobbing again. "Is if I let you go." I whispered.

"Ali-"

"I'm sorry for all the pain I caused you. I truly am, Nicola." I gripped her hand. "I'll always love you. You will always be my greatest love." I kissed her hand. "But, I think I should let you go and allow you to have happiness. A happiness that I seem to be stifling from your life." I gave her a broken smile. "Take care, Nicola."