Dear Iris [h.s]

epilogue one.

Iris Grace

THREE YEARS LATER

Today is one that feels like it's been due to happen for a long time now. I'm currently on a flight back to the place that I grew up, and I'm going there to finally cut ties off with that place. After today, there will be nothing linking me with that godforsaken place. Nothing.

My studio has a new owner, I'm on my way to hand it over.

The studio was all I had relating me to that town, and I've been desperate to sell it ever since I moved away. It's been on the marketplace for almost two years, I'm so glad it's finally being sold.

I don't need a studio there anymore, not when I have one like I have now. Sure it's sentimental, there are a lot of memories I have that all revolve around that tiny, crowded studio back 'home', but there are a lot of unhappy memories from that town and I want nothing to do with it. I've wanted nothing to do with it for almost my entire life.

Now, I have a studio that's big enough for me to have a different cupboard for each medium I use, and I don't have to sleep on some old couch in that room, because I have a whole living room to do that now, and a whole bedroom which is upstairs away from the studio. I also have a kitchen that isn't in the studio. That kitchen has a table and chairs, more than two plates and three mugs, three mugs that aren't just paint brush holders.

This house is old, very old, but it's nice old, beautiful old. It has high ceilings, and the most beautiful, uneven staircase that creaks every time you step on the fourth step. The window in the kitchen doesn't open, but it's the perfect sun trap so I don't mind. The studio was originally a downstairs bedroom with one strange, out of place ceiling to floor window, but now it's a room where I can work, and feel more at home in my own home.

Last of all, there is a small, minuscule balcony upstairs in the bedroom, which fits nothing besides a small table and two chairs. It also has the most beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower.

The best part is that after today, when that old studio of mine no longer belongs to me, it'll be like a weight lifted off of my shoulders. That'll be my past in the past for good. I'll be able to close that door, lock it, and toss the key so far away that it never could be reopened. I don't want to reread those chapters of my life again.

On the plane, I had nobody seated next to me, however in front of me was the sweetest elderly couple, holding hands on their way back from a holiday to Paris. They were so in love and it was so sweet, it put a smile on my face.

I spent that flight doing exactly what I've been too nervous to do for the last month. I don't know why I've left it this long, I tell myself it's because I didn't have the time, but really I was just nervous for some reason.

I read the book 'Eternal Heaven', the debut novel by Harry Styles.

It was an incredible book. The way it was written was so poetic, and it felt as if I was a background character in the book, like that story was happening around me. I couldn't put it down. I didn't put it down until I had reached the ending which brought me to tears. God it was such a beautiful, meaningful book. An insane debut.

What got me though, was the dedication page.

'To Iris,
The reason I know how to write love stories.'

He sure does know how to write a love story. I'm still in awe over that book, that book that was written by him with the sweetest storyline and such beautifully flawed characters. I'm just glad this story had a happy ending.

When I landed, it was quick getting through security. I didn't have a suitcase to take with me because I wasn't staying that long. I need to sign paperwork, tell whoever is taking over the studio that it's so great and wonderful, and then that's me back off to Paris. I'll be back there with not one tie back to this sickening place.