Below the Sky

Chapter 31: Lila

Two days earlier

I had a plan. I knew that me and Riana couldn't stay at the Davis's for much longer, even though they had been so kind. It was simply, not fair to them. So that's how I had devised an idea. And that idea had formatted into something more, a strategy, a plan, to leave.
Now me and Riana sat in our room, talking. I had proposed my idea to Riana a few days ago, and at first she was hesitant.
"The Davis's have been so kind, do we really need to leave them?" Riana had asked me. I took her hand, staring somberly into her eyes, "yes Riana. I can't fully live inside this home, no matter how much I try."
"It's settled then, we'll leave," then I had smiled, and kissed Riana.
Right now though, me and Riana were simply finalizing our plan. "Where will we go once we're gone?" Riana asked me.
"To the town, to Elijah," I said. I had first thought of asking him to take us in a few days ago, but it had seemed too preposterous at the time. Now I feared, it was my only choice.
"Elijah, you've spoken to him once. You don't know him, or even where he lives. Are you sure it's safe to ask him to take us in Lila?"
"I know it may seem risky Riana, but it's our only option. It's our best choice." I took Riana's hands in mine. I knew that she was skeptical, and I also knew that she was right. I had spoken to Elijah once, and that one time we had only shared our names. What if he was dangerous? I wanted to at least try though. I couldn't breathe, stuffed up in this house with basically nothing to fill my days with. I wanted to live, see the world.

A day later, we were ready. We decided to stay for one last dinner, just to have a good memory.
Me and Lila walked downstairs around seven, and entered the kitchen for our final meal with the Davis's. Rebecca was already running around, cooking the food and setting the table up. Luke and Abby were seated, talking and laughing. The only person absent was William, and I just figured he was working.
Rebecca's face broke into a smile when she noticed me and Riana walking down. "Hello girls, dinner will be ready in just a moment," then she turned away from us, returning to her work.
I approached the table Luke and Abby were seated around, and pulled up a chair. I sat, and started to follow along with their conversation. They were chatting about Abby's ex-boyfriend I assumed, giggling.
"And one time, for valentines day he bought me a cake. But when he brought it over to me, he dropped it somewhere along the way, and all the frosting smeared and instead of saying 'Happy Valentine's Day,' it said very discreetly just 'day.'" Abby laid her head down in her arms, trying to contain her laughter. Luke smiled, then picked up a small glass and took a sip.
"What was your ex's name Abby?" I asked, attempting to engage in their conversation.
"Caleb," Abby said. Her voice's pitch turned down slightly for a moment. It seemed that talking about Caleb pained her, so they must have had a very lengthy, meaningful history.
I looked at Luke for a second, wondering if Abby knew everything that had went down between us. She seemed to sense my disarray, and dropped the subject of ex's.
"So, Lila, you're going to be a senior in high school, correct?" Abby asked.
"Actually, I graduated already. I haven't really thought of college yet though."
Abby nodded, "I'm going to Upstate Community College in the fall. That's actually why I'm staying with the Davis's. My mom thought it would be good for me to live where I'm going to go to school before classes start, that way I can get a feel for the area."
"What are you studying?" I asked.
"Art," Abby's eyes lit up at the mention of her passion. "I've always loved painting, and I want to be an artist someday."
"I don't really know what I want to do," then our conversation ended. I stood, going to Rebecca to try and get some of what Luke was drinking. I learned that it was champaign, and though we were all technically underage, one small glass couldn't hurt, especially of such a liquid lacking strong alcohol.
Rebecca poured me some, not too much. I took my glass, and returned to my seat. The champaign tasted good, really good. The bubbles erupted on my tongue, sending shivers of happiness down to my stomach. I hadn't been one to drink too much in the past, but this champaign I could consume until my vision grew foggy and I couldn't hold anymore.
After a while the food was ready, and Rebecca carried dishes piled high with our meal over to the table. Then she yelled for William, telling him to come eat and take a break from his job.
We dug into the food. It tasted great, and I savored every bite. Tonight we were having chicken breasts, and some sweet potatoes. The potatoes weren't bland though. Rebecca had sprinkled spices like salt and pepper, and oregano over the potatoes before they cooked, leaving them full of flavor.
One plate turned into two, and then one I could have erupted I was so full, I placed my fork down. I smiled, happy where I was right then and there. Then I remembered that I was leaving tomorrow morning, and my happiness turned sour. It would be so hard to leave this beautiful family, but I knew that it had to be done. I was stuck in time here, but also time moved too fast. The days blended together, and I feared if I didn't leave soon, fall would arrive in the blink of an eye, and then the year would be over, and I would have lost all that time of my life.
Eventually Rebecca brought out desert. She pulled some ice cream out of the freezer, and I noticed that it was chocolate. Then she asked everyone what they wanted, and except for Abby, who assured us she was too full to eat another bite of anything, we all asked for some of the cold treat.
Rebecca set a bowl down in front of me, and drizzled on some chocolate syrup. I dipped my spoon in, and raised it to my lips. The desert tasted incredible, and I sighed.
For a moment I didn't notice it, it was so subtle, but then I did. A hand was on my knee, and Riana was sitting to my left. She squeezed, once, then twice, and I smiled over at her. At least when I left this family, I would still have Riana.
Eventually everyone was tired, and full, so we said our goodbyes, and dragged our feet to bed. Me and Riana practically crawled to our room, and climbed into the bed.
I thought as sleep pulled me under that this was the last time sleeping in this comfortable bed, but I still didn't regret my decision to leave. It needed to be done, and though it would bring many hardships, it would also bring happiness. And a life where I felt free, to find my calling, and someday, settle down.
Who knows what my future would bring. Maybe me and Riana would someday split up, or instead we would spend the rest of our lives wrapped in each other's arms, like we were now. I didn't want to worry about the future though, I just wanted focus on the present.