Banff Avenue bustles with three times the usual crowd compared with Canmore, converting the sidewalks into lively pathways. The mountains, standing tall and majestic, seem to lean in for a closer look at the vibrant scene beneath them. Amidst the mainstream retail shops and upscale restaurants, Thalia and Miguel meander towards the Cascades of Time Garden, an inviting oasis of landscapes and flower beds with terraced trails that beg exploration.

A family of four interrupts their walk, asking Thalia to snap a photo. At that moment, an inexplicable ache tightens in her chest, a silent longing for a family picture of her own. She yearns for the bittersweet company of her mother and sister, despite their rocky relationship. They're her world, her everything.

In retrospect, she doesn't have anyone else, really.

Thalia doesn't have a single friend. A friend she can call when she wants to cry or share moments of laughter. She is horrible with sustaining communication, and she hasn't found someone effortlessly low-maintenance like her. The friends she once had have drifted away in the currents of their own lives, and the effort to reconnect feels daunting. Besides, there's the added burden of explaining the upheaval in her circumstances—she's become a fallen star. It's a story she's not thrilled to share.

Thalia hands back the camera after capturing a few shots, then leisurely absorbs the surroundings with Miguel.

"What do you think?" he inquires, his eyes searching her face for any reaction to the view.

"It's beautiful," she murmurs, using the scenery as a shield against the encroaching waves of sadness. And then she glimpses at Miguel, rediscovering that she's not truly alone; she has him, if only for the time being.

But he can't be everything to her. When they finally part ways, she will break.

"I'm glad you like it..." Miguel replies, his tone pitched low, signs of excitement absent in his tone, which Thalia discerns instantly.

Unsure about the shift, she continues, "How many times have you been here?"

"This is my third."

"With family and the ex, I presume?" she probes, her gaze sharp as she challenges him.

"Yes. And Steph."

She shoots him a glance. "Oh? We're doing a name reveal now?"

Miguel's response lacks the usual fervor, his shoulders slouching. "It's weird to call her my ex all the time..."

"Mm. You alright?" she asks, her concern woven into the question.

Miguel's lashes flutter uneasily, and he pulls off a half-hearted yawn, the kind that's more of a rehearsed act than a legitimate sign of fatigue. "Just tired from the drive, that's all."

"Really? Or are you reminiscing about your moments with her here?"

His left arm circles in a lazy loop, a feeble shot at nonchalance. "No. And even if I were, I wouldn't feel a thing."

Thalia's lips curl up into a sly smirk. "Oh? Feeling bitter, Miguel? You know what they say. If there's still anger, there's still love."

Miguel descends the stone steps, refusing to discuss history. He's too engrossed in the guilt that has sprouted within to care about the past.

"Eh? Why dodge it?" she prods, unyielding. "Come on. I'm curious. Spill the beans. Do you still like her?"

"I don't, okay? I don't," he asserts with a tone that's equal parts conviction and irritation. Bringing up Steph's name was a mistake; he's unintentionally given Thalia the perfect ammunition to pry into parts of his life he'd rather keep locked away.

Thalia's eyes gleam with amusement. "Then why are you pissed?"

He snaps, "Because you won't drop it. Why would I think about her when you're right here?"

The unexpected confession results in an unanticipated ripple in the atmosphere, and Thalia finds herself caught off guard, cheeks tinged with minimal blush. Simultaneously, Miguel's face is smeared with mortification.

"I mean... Well... Just you're wrong. I'm not a jerk who'd think about an ex when I'm with another girl, okay?"

"Alright, fine. Don't be mad..." Thalia whispers, dropping the urge to poke fun at Miguel. In reality, she has a purpose. She's eager to know if he still harbors lingering feelings for Steph. She isn't teasing for nothing; she wants to reel in his true emotions.

Why? Just pure curiosity.

They walk along Banff Avenue, window shopping like the rest of the visitors. Their conversation takes on a quirky tone as they awkwardly dance around odd and seemingly trivial subjects. Who even discusses the secret lives of pets or whether they have their own inner monologue? And the idea that some people might not have inner speech? These are all random musings serving as a diversion, a joint effort to lighten the mood from their earlier exchange.

After a while, they hop back into the car to drive to the Banff gondola, another round of spontaneous discussions occurring between them. The ambience eventually normalizes as they approach the tourist destination, which is shrouded in scaffolding due to ongoing construction.

Missing the journey up Sulphur Mountain is a crushing letdown.

"Dang it," Miguel grunts in disappointment, his already thin lips tightening into a more formidable line. "This is the best part."

"I guess we'll just have to bookmark this for a future visit."

"Maybe a pre-wedding escapade or the honeymoon..." Miguel muses, his thoughts manifesting audibly. "But... It's t-totally your call. If you're up for a return trip, that is. Um, with me."

"Why are you stuttering?" Thalia inquires, eyebrows arched. Since their conversation at Policeman Creek, the energy emanating from Miguel has waned and dropped to an all-time low. And he was more pumped about the trip, too.

"Are you really wiped out? Do you want to check in and take a nap?"

Miguel pivots, seizing Thalia's hand. "No, not at all. Why should we? Let's move on to Lake Louise."

They stroll with their fingers intertwined, and Thalia, stealing veiled glances his way, doesn't push further.

Miguel pledges to keep it together. Despite the tempest in his head, he's decided to ensure Thalia has a good time. He designed the getaway to give her a break from the store. These three days can't be all about him. It's a delicate balancing act, though. Thalia, perceptive as ever, sees through him like glass, and he, unfortunately, isn't the best actor.

On the way to the lake, they spot several parked cars on the roadside and decide to take an impromptu detour to investigate the commotion.

A peaceful gathering of fawns is leisurely grazing nearby. Miguel follows Thalia as they approach, both careful not to disturb the serene scene and intrude on the creatures' idyllic feast.

Minutes pass in quiet admiration before they retreat to their car, resuming their journey to the lake. However, the prospect of reaching their destination immediately encounters a snag – a lengthy queue for parking. Miguel suggests that Thalia explore on her own while he waits. Her response is swift, a skeptical sneer reflecting her disbelief. The mere suggestion of navigating the unknown terrain without him appalls her. Going solo isn't her idea of fun. After all, they're officially travel buddies—frenemies with benefits.

The wait is worth it. Lake Louise steals Thalia's breath, its pristine water reflecting the magnificent mountains in an image straight out of a postcard. Her camera goes into overdrive, working tirelessly to capture the stunning spectacle, her jaw suspended in awe.

"Wow. This is amazing. The most beautiful I've ever seen..." she declares, her face aglow with admiration, a radiant smile appearing on her lips – a rare gem Miguel wishes he could immortalize as a keepsake. It's a better memento than any fridge magnet.

"I'm glad you're happy," he mumbles, staring at Thalia. Only at her. Nothing else matters. "You... You're happy, right?"

"I am. Thanks," she responds, inching closer and nestling her head on his shoulder. "I know you did this mostly for me. After all that bashing by your fans."

The view of the lake, while undoubtedly stunning, pales in comparison to the contentment originating from her.

"I've been thinking about this even before that," he admits, whispering to her hair, and again, desperately hoping that he's able to whisk away some of her misery. This little adventure, he acknowledges, is the bare minimum.

"Makes it even better," she replies. "Don't worry, I also have something up my sleeve."

He vigorously shakes his head, warding off potential trouble. "Don't bother."

Thalia pulls away, eyebrows furrowed. Rejection is not on her agenda! Not when she's made up her mind to lose her virginity to him in a mind-blowing fashion! "You don't even have an idea what I'm talking about."

"It's really unnecessary. You don't have to do anything in return, Thalia," Miguel insists, a sense of finality in his tone as he makes peace with his own soul, his conscience. He cannot dare take anything more from her.

Thalia clenches her teeth, frustration bubbling as her nostrils flare in irritation. Hours invested in instructional videos, followed by heartfelt prayers for forgiveness, and a little cash thrown in for the perfect plan—all building up to this moment. Just for him to brush her off? The audacity. No way is she letting him off the hook.

"Fine. We'll see if you'll still say that after I show you."

To say that it doesn't stir a hint of interest in him will be a downright lie. It's not that he doesn't desire anything from her; he does. He's just made it crystal clear that what he wants is her heart, free from the shackles of their arrangement. Yet, he's sworn off expecting more, resolved never to make requests.

"I can assure you. There's nothing I need in return. I'm fine as it is."

Well then, Thalia thinks, a stubborn glimmer in her eyes. Challenge accepted.

******

A/N: Ah, if only you knew Miguel. Hehehe. Who do you think will triumph here? The tenacious virgin or the penitent golden retriever? LMAO. Hope you're still enjoying! This is more like a filler chapter.

Votes and comments are always welcome!