Escape

Chapter Thirty

Three Months Later--

The sun beams into my window, breaking me from my sleep. I check my phone, it's 10:00 am. I roll out of bed and sit on the edge in silence. It's been a few months now. Since everything happened. Since my entire life came to a screeching halt. I lived the worst nightmare of my life. Except I couldn't wake up from it. My entire adult life consisted of abuse and fear that turned into running and hiding. Hiding from a man that was supposed to love me. Then I found someone that was able to show me what love was actually supposed to feel like. The warmth, the kindness, that unconditionality. Sam embodied someone that I had been searching my whole life for. He's the true love of my life. I'll never love or be loved by someone like Sam again. It took only moments for me to fall for him, but it will take a lifetime for me to forget those moments.

I walk over to my closet and pick out my nicest black dress. Sam never saw this one. He'd love it.

I gather my hair into a low bun and slip on my black heels. I stare at myself in the mirror and think about how this apartment was my very own hell not too long ago.

I leave the apartment and walk towards the bookstore. I want to stop in the bakery a few doors down, Sam loved that place.

I walk up to the bakery counter and order a half-dozen of muffins.

"Make sure there's a blueberry or two in there please." I smile softly. The lady behind the counter nods back. I pull out my wallet to pay and she stops me.

"Oh hun, they're on the house today." She smiles and slides the bag towards me. Clearly Sam impacted more than just me.

I walk a few doors down and stand in front of the bookstore. The sign is flipped to CLOSED. I walk in and the chime on the new door announces my presence. I see Sarah in the back, and I set the bag of muffins on the glass countertop. I walk to the back and greet her.

"Oh Payton! It's so good to see you." She greets me with a hug. She's wearing a black knee length dress. She's so beautiful, just like her brother. I help her set up some tables and chairs in the center of the store. I see friends and family start to file in, greeting one another.

The memory of our night together in the center of this store overwhelms me. I can still feel my face rest against his chest.

"Hey," Sarah pulls me from my thought, "You okay?" she asks. I nod to her.

As more people arrive, Sarah shuffles everyone to the center where all the tables are. She has Sam's favorite indie playlist playing through the speakers of the bookstore, the same playlist he played the night we spent here together. Dancing, laughing, falling for each other.

I introduce myself, one by one, to Sam's closest friends and family.

"This had to had been hard to arrange." One of his band mates said in passing.

"You have no idea." I offered a soft smile and stood, staring at the door. I see Noah and Olivia walk through the door. I wave them over.

"Payton! How are you?" Noah says as he brings me in for a tight hug and Olivia follows.

"You've been through so much. If you need anything, please let us know." Olivia says with full sincerity.

"Thank you." I reply as I squeeze her hand that's on my shoulder.

"Alright guys! It's almost time." Sarah yells to the guests.

I stand staring at the front of the store. Sarah comes up behind me.

"You have to hide." She says as she smiles and walks away.

I hear the door chime and see a beautiful dark-haired man walk in my direction.

"Surprise!" Everyone yells. He jumps back.

"What?!" He looks at me with his beautiful smile. One I will always remember. He walks straight to me pulling me into a tight embrace.

"How did you do this!?" He asks.

I laugh and bring his lips to mine, then whisper "Happy Birthday, Sam. I love you"