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Friends. They used to be friends. Actually; lovers. They used to be lovers. Pickle sighed as he walked over to the Hotel OJ bar. Somehow, OJ approved the bar. Nobody knows why though. Returning to the topic on hand, the reason he is here is that the reminiscing has gotten to him again.
"I'd like some red wine, please," Pickle asked Knife, who asked, "Why? Didn't take you as the type to drink." Pickle thought about it; he didn't know why his mind suddenly started remembering those moments all the way back in Season 1. He missed Taco. Not the current Taco who backstabbed him, but the old Season 1 Taco, when instead of drinking tea and spying, she drank whatever liquid she could find and spat out lemons. Pickle laughed to himself as he wondered how she even did that. "Trying to get my mind off some things, I suppose..." Pickle missed the hugs he gave Taco and her attempts to return it, which either turned out wholesome or funny. He also remembered watching some movie. What was it... was it Intersections? Wait, no, that wasn't it... Interstitial? No... still isn't it. Interstellar. That's the one.
While lost in thought, Knife gave him the glass of red wine. As Pickle drank it, he thought how crazy Taco was to betray the relationship like that. After finishing the wine, he thanked Knife and went to his room. While relaxing, he heard a knocking on the door. He sighed, going to the door and opening it, and was shocked to find Taco right there. Pickle thought Taco was crazy for coming back, knowing what she did. Taco began explaining her presence almost immediately. "I'm sorry. I'm willing to bet you never wanted to see me again. I tried to write-"
"Oh, I got your letters," Pickle interrupted. "You did?" Taco asked. Pickle sarcastically replied, "Yeah. They were really flammable." Taco simply said, "I see..." Pickle later clarified, "To be clear, I burnt your letters." She said, "Understood," but Pickle continued, "In a fire."
Taco began explaining her reasoning behind what she did. "Listen, when I lost, I... unraveled... but I just want you to know, I never intended for you to be part of the plan. When you offered friendship, I had to play along. So, in a way, we were playing together." Pickle was quick to object, saying that Taco was playing him, and that she had to know how bad he felt when he found out. Taco admitted, "I'm ashamed to say... at the time... it never really crossed my mind." Pickle rebutted, "Then I guess it wasn't all an act. Maybe you really are stupid." Taco looked offended while Pickle continued. "This isn't like the movies, where letters or apologies magically fix everything." Taco hesitated, then asked, "So... I guess those movies we watched lied to us?" Pickle nodded.
Taco felt heartbroken. Despite her whole faking friendship thing, her love was real. She wanted to say it but didn't think she'd get the chance to. However, she got her chance, as Pickle added, "Don't get started about our relationship. I know that was part of your 'plan' as well." Taco took this chance and revealed, "Pickle, I- I know the friendship was fake, but the feelings were genuine. I miss it." Taco walked up and hugged Pickle, with tears starting to form in her eyes. Pickle was visibly taken aback but reciprocated. He let go a few moments later, and concluded, "I don't think we can be lovers after what you did. I don't even think we could be friends. I don't think we can fix this. I'm sorry, Taco. I guess I will see you around." He then closed the door on her. Taco stayed there for a while, until she turned around and walked away. Taco turned back one last time to the door and said her final goodbye. "See you, Pickle."
There always will be next time, she thought.
But maybe that next time will be in another life.
She shook off the thought and returned to the lobby.