Escape

Chapter Four

The next two days at work flew by. Laura was right, the weekends get very busy. By the time my shift was done on Saturday, I was exhausted. Just as I started to daydream about getting into my pajamas and continuing to read the book I got from the bookstore a few days ago, I remember the plans I made with Noah, the barista. I told him I'd meet his girlfriend and him at a local pub this evening. I was trying to come up with an excuse to tell Noah so I could bail, but the best I come up with is food poisoning, which is the world's most used "I'm trying to get out of something" lie. So, I suck it up and text Noah to confirm the time.

ME: Hey! What time should I meet you guys?

NOAH: We were thinking 8pm! Is that okay?

ME: Sure! See you there 

That's an hour and a half from now. That gives me just enough time to shower the smell of diner food off of me and look semi-decent.

I head back to the apartment. As much as I'd like to stay in and read, I'm also looking forward to making some new friends here. I can't spend my life here locked up in my apartment; even a homebody like me will get stir crazy eventually. I change from my greasy diner uniform and step into my favorite pair of black jeans and a grey sweater. I dry my hair that's still soaking wet from the shower and put some loose curls into it. I decide to pull half of it back and let my blonde bangs frame my face. I dust on some black mascara and some blush to help me look more awake. I put on my only pair of black combat boots, that have definitely seen better days, and head out.

The pub isn't very far from the apartment, so I pass on a taxi and decide to walk. I get to the pub and see Noah and a strikingly beautiful woman next to him, that must be his girlfriend, Olivia. Noah is also very handsome, so it makes sense that his girlfriend is just as striking. Once Noah gets eyes on me, he starts waving at me to signal me over. I walk up to the high-top table they're seated at.

Noah begins introductions, "Olivia, this is Payton. She's a frequent at the café. Payton, this is my girlfriend, Olivia." I hold out my hand to shake Olivia's and she grabs it and pulls me into hug that I was not expecting.

"It's so nice to meet you! Noah was telling me you're also new to the area." Her accent is beautiful, easy to understand, and she seems so kind. Olivia has perfectly curled shiny brown hair that goes to the middle of her back. Her smile shows beautifully white teeth and a perfectly angled jaw. She's so pretty it's intimidating, even though she is actually the opposite of intimidating.

"Um yeah, I'm definitely far from home." I say and my stomach knots. "Well, this is home now, but you know what I mean," I laugh off the feeling in my gut. Noah, Olivia, and I go on to order a few drinks and asks questions like we're all on a first date.

"So, what brings you to Hampstead?" Noah asks.

"I guess I was just looking for a change," I say keeping it light, and short, "You guys?"

"Olivia's job transferred her here." Noah explains.

"Oh?" I say as I look at Olivia, "What do you do?" I ask.

"I'm in publishing, and they opened a new office out here, so I came to help get it going." She smiles.

Small banter like this continues. I learned that Noah was a teacher but couldn't find any jobs near here when they moved, so he's working at the coffeeshop until he finds a teaching position. He worked at a coffeeshop as a teen, so it was familiar to him and easy to pick up again. They've been together for three years and have lived in England their entire lives. They are the perfect couple. Although, as I know first-hand, looks can be deceiving. But overall, they do seem very happy.