Finding My Way Home - Short Story

Chpt. 6 - Getting Closer

As we were sitting there, I didn't exactly know where to start. I think we both didn't.

I just started by laying one of the wrapped sandwiches in the middle of the bench for her to grab and unwrapped my own. Hopefully she liked the last one.

"That one is for you if you'd like." I told her and watched as she looked back at me before cautiously picking it up. She whispered out a gentle 'thank you' and also unwrapped it before taking a bite.

We just sat in what felt like comfortable silence as we ate and enjoyed the view. It looked beautiful with the water in front of us. You could even see some ducks swimming back and forth.

As I was finishing my sandwich, I thought of what to ask her, but she surprised me by going first.

"Do you work at the bar?"

"The one where I first saw you, yes. I was covering for another employee that was sick that day."

"Why did you save me?" Was the next question she asked me. I was glad that she was asking questions. It means she is getting more comfortable around me.

"Because you needed help. It's as simple as that. I've had to deal with a lot of guys like that and I'll be happy to give them a punch in the face." That's when I heard the cutest giggle I've ever heard and I wanted to hear It again.

I looked at her, seeing her smile for the first time. I could also see her eyes from close up now and they were a beautiful light blue. And all I could think about in that moment was how she ended up like this.

I saw her smile disappear when she noticed my serious face. "I want to ask you a question. You could give me the short story or nothing at all if you don't want to." She looked at me expectingly.

"What's your story? How come a young girl like you is living on the streets?" I watched as her face turned into a sad expression and she looked at her lap. I immediately regretted the questions but at the same time I was curious.

If I knew more, maybe I could help her.

"It's a long story, I don't think I'm comfortable sharing everything yet, but I've been alone for basically all my life and nobody seems to care about me. What is so wrong with me, do I not see it?" I saw a tear fall down and I needed to look away for a second to compose myself.

"Sam, there is nothing wrong with you. You're just one of the unlucky ones." I watched as she started crying harder, it seemed like she was finally letting go of emotions that had been bottled up for a long time.

"Please don't cry, can I give you a hug?" She nodded a bit and that was more then enough for me. I put her half eaten sandwich away and carefully wrapped my arms around her.

She was fragile and I could feel her shaking in my muscled arms. She was obviously underweight and much smaller than me.

After a minute or so, she hugged me back by putting her head into the crook of my nek. I don't think she has been this close to anyone for a while.

"It's okay honey. I've got you now. I'm here." I continued to hold her while she let it all out.

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*Sam's POV

I couldn't believe that I was crying in Hailey's arms. Somebody I had met not that long ago.

I don't know what happened, it just came out and the tears wouldn't stop. When she had asked me for a hug, I was so happy.

I would have thought that she was too disgusted to have a street girl like me so close, but I've come to know that she isn't like other people.

And for the first time in a long time, I felt safe. She made me feel safe and that's surprising because normally I feel more threatened in people's presence.

As I continued to cry, I started to feel exhausted. I didn't want to go back. I didn't want to have to wait and hope for Hailey to come back again.

I closed my eyes as I felt her gently stroke my head. I didn't want this moment to end. It's been too long since I trusted someone like this, since I had proper human contact and it makes you go crazy sometimes.

Slowly I calmed down and stayed close to her.

"I'm going to suggest something to you, and it might scare you away or maybe you don't want to do this, but it's your choice." She called out after I stopped crying. I didn't know what she was going to say, but I held my breath.

"Would you be alright with staying at my place? I don't feel okay, knowing you are alone on the streets." I unwrapped myself from our position and looked her in the eyes.

Was she really offering me a place to stay? I remembered my time in the foster house and was scared something might happen to me, but reminded myself that she's not like that. All she's done is help me. Maybe I was finally getting lucky and getting the help I deserve.

"R-Really?" I shakingly asked.

"Yes really, you could stay in my guest room. You'd be safe and warm. You deserve a break. I can tell you've been through a lot and you're exhausted. It's the least I can do." She's the nicest person I've met in a long time and I appreciated her so much. She is almost like an angel that dropped into my life when I was losing hope.

"Please, It would mean so much to me." I said as tears came back to my eyes. But this time they were happy tears.

She brought me close to her again and hugged me once more.

"Do you want to come with me now? Or maybe tomorrow? There is no rush."

"If it's okay, today?" I unsurely got out. I didn't want to seem greedy.

She just gave me a kind smile. "Of course you can."