There was a time when Austin believed in the sanctity of staying, when he perceived it as a badge of honor. He thought that the mere act of being present and attentive held some grand significance, that he would be met with equal fervor, maybe even matching zeal. Who wouldn't want someone who was always so unwaveringly devoted? Reliability ought to be recognized, shouldn't it?

But alas, the answer proved to be all too simple; he was not the type to linger. Instead of staying, he would stroll by, have a small talk, and Austin would eagerly offer to carry his bags— but to no avail. In the end... Austin grew weary of being a stranger. He understood now, the brutality that came with believing, in remaining. And so, he too packed his own bags, prepared to move on.

What a joke. If he stayed even after all this? Well, he actually never managed to leave in the first fucking place.

If Austin were to speak the truth, he never intended to be here. When the invitation to the high school reunion for students who had attended the school a decade prior found its way to him, Austin had every intention to decline. Yet, as he took the time to reflect, he began to wonder if this was some sort of sign from the universe, a nudge from destiny to attend and finally find closure. Perhaps it would even diminish his rose-tinted memories. It was just a means to an end.

Ironically enough, now that he stood in the midst of the festivities, it felt as if he had never left. Like he had been here the entirety of these 10 years, somehow. Austin swayed with this mysterious stranger, the high school reunion doubling as a masquerade party, with everyone donning elaborate masks to conceal their identities.

Even as he scanned the faces of those surrounding him, Austin was certain that he wouldn't be here. Not after the way they had parted. In fact, maybe he was now married with kids, living somewhere else, too busy to even notice the invitation. So Austin tried to convince himself that it was alright to be here, that it was alright he had probably moved on.

And then, in a heartstopping moment, Austin noticed the stranger he was dancing with suddenly pause. The man lifted his hand and removed his mask, revealing— him. It was him. Standing right in front of him.

"Oh," Austin breathed, pulling away instinctively, his face almost crumbling. He felt his heart pounding so fiercely, he thought he might throw up. His trembling hands reached up to remove his own mask, and as he gazed at the man before him, Austin found himself at a loss for words, unsure of what to feel.

"It's... you." How tragic, Austin thought bitterly of this ironic ordeal. Here they were, finding each other once more.