[ WP ] The reason she never called you back was because she was abducted by an alien civilization . She adapted , grew , and lead a rebellion to overthrow the tyrant that ruled there . Today she just texted that she wants to go out again .

Bzzt. 
 
 `` Hm?'' 
 
 He props himself from his bed and walks over to his cell phone. It's from Betty. `` Wait, who's Betty?'' 
 
 *Hey, let's meet up for drinks! * 
 
 Befuddled, he explores the rest of the conversation thread. `` I guess we've gone out before... But fuck - it's been like 3 years since she's last replied. What the hell?'' 
 
 He readies his thumbs, *Fuck off whore*. 
 
 -- -- - 
 
 It's been three years. She is stronger now than she was. Her arms that were once dainty and pale now have the girth and weight of cannons. Her face is hardened, as is her spirit. The rebellion has changed her 
 
 `` But what is strength for if she's alone...'' 
 
 She shed a tear. Her first since Rangox VI when she lost her first cadet. `` Oh Shilingexthor... it was all my fault. I should n't have told you to disarm that Ferronium bomb in the middle of that damn swarm of Finkledorflings.'' Her vision clouds and when she comes to, she notices her fist is bleeding. She must have been clenching it. 
 
 That is the past. She is home now. She was sent back to earth after the war. However, sitting in her room, she ca n't help but feel misplaced. She looks over her possessions: Pencil - one. Biology textbook - one. Binders - six. Backpack - one. Tampons - twenty. Going back to school seems impossible to her after what she's experienced, and her period is already two years late. She's too different now. She looks at the glass and plastic brick on her desk. 
 
 `` My phone... I forgot to unplug it before I left.'' She picks it up and presses `` home''. `` Password? Um... 4582? I think?'' The phone unlocks. `` Hm. A text.'' 
 
 *I had a lot of fun last night. * 
 
 Her heart flutters and a wave of what can only be described as relief and regret passes through her. Her cheeks flush. `` Oh Brad...'' 
 
 It's been three years. She remembers him - she remembers the love she had for him - for the first and only man to ever look at her as a woman. `` Maybe there's a chance...'' 
 
 Her vision focuses on the new message button and her fingers linger over it. `` But it's been three years...'' 
 
 The new message pane pops up. 
 
 *Hey, let's meet up for drinks! * 
 
 Her heart beats out of her chest. Her eyes water. Stress washes over her limbs, her chest, her face, her eyes. `` I do n't deserve him. He wo n't even recognize me. I'm too ugly. Even if he says yes...'' 
 
 Bzzt. 
 
 *Fuck off whore* 
 
 A swath of hair brushes her cheek. She places the phone back onto her desk. She lies back onto her bed and her sheets caress her to sleep. 
 
 In her sleep, nightmares. 
 
 *There's no going back for me. * 
 

