Out of the shadows

Chapter 3: A Birthday to remember

Bailey

Four days later

Today is my birthday.

I repeat the thought like a mantra, but it feels heavy on my chest, a mix of excitement and dread. It's not just any birthday; it's graduation day. I should be celebrating, surrounded by friends, but instead, I feel like I'm standing on the edge of a cliff, ready to jump into the unknown.

The ceremony was a blur, a sea of caps and gowns, smiles and laughter that I barely registered. I walked across the stage as valedictorian, my heart pounding, my thoughts racing. I should have felt proud, but all I could think about was the empty seat in the audience—my mom's. She didn't come. Of course she didn't. Not that I expected her to, but a part of me had hoped she might surprise me, just this once. But no, silly me for thinking that. I bet she didn't even know what day it was.

I slipped out of the auditorium the moment the ceremony ended, clutching my diploma like a lifeline. I didn't want to mingle with my classmates or hear their plans for summer. I was already out of this place, figuratively and literally. I had no time for goodbyes; I didn't even have someone to say goodbye to. I had a bus to catch.

But first, I had a stop to make, the bank. I was going to get the money my dad left for me, praying that it would be enough to cover my stay until the dorms opened. It was a little room in a house I would be sharing with people I didn't know. The rent wasn't a lot, but my savings from the painting competition I participated in weren't enough to cover everything. Plus, I needed to find a job once I got there. But for now, I wasn't going to worry about that.

Once I arrived, the receptionist told me to go to Mr. Stephens' office, so that's what I did.
The guy was nice. I gave him the letter my dad sent me when I was 15. I guess he was still guilty for abandoning me, but I was just happy for the money.

"Okay, Miss Sawyer," Mr. Stephens said, looking over my file. "I see here that your father, Mr. Sawyer, left you ten thousand dollars that you can access once you turn 18. Since your birthday is today, happy birthday, by the way, you can legally take them right now if you want. Or we can open an account for you, and you can access the funds once you're in California. What do you prefer, Miss?"

My brain was a little slow to keep up. Okay, what the fuck? I thought that if I was really lucky, my dad would have left me a thousand tops. But ten thousand? Oh my freaking god. I can't believe it.

"Are you sure about the amount of money? Because I really don't think that my dad would have left that much, sir."

"Yes, I am sure. So what have you decided? Do you want them right now?"

Well, wow. Honestly, I didn't understand anything, but if he was sure, then I was the luckiest girl on the planet. "I want an account if that's possible, please." I wasn't dumb enough to travel with that amount of money.

"Okay, we'll discuss the details right now then."

When I exited the bank later, I still couldn't believe the news. The walk home felt different today, heavier. The familiar streets of Hollow Creek suddenly looked foreign, like they were suffocating me. Each step felt like a countdown to freedom, but I was still tethered to the memories, the fights, the pain, and the weight of expectations.

When I finally reached home, I didn't want to face the chaos waiting for me inside. Instead of using the front door, I slipped around to my bedroom window, climbing in silently. The sound of Kevin's laughter echoed through the house, and I couldn't stomach the thought of encountering him or my mother right now. I hurried into my room and shut the window behind me, the familiar scent of my space wrapping around me like a comforting blanket.

I tossed my diploma on the bed and opened my suitcase, trying to ignore the knot in my stomach. I pulled out clothes, shoving them in without much thought. Each item reminded me of the life I was leaving behind, worn jeans, a favorite hoodie, and that little black dress I bought for a birthday that never felt special. I hesitated for a moment, but then I tossed it in too. Why not? It could be the start of something new.

Yesterday, I had given away all my winter clothes to a local charity. Who needs warm clothes in California, right?

After packing, I sank onto the bed, the reality of the night ahead settling in. I was taking a night bus to the airport, my escape route planned down to the last detail. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside my head.

This was it, my chance to reinvent myself.

I glanced at the clock. The bus would be here soon. I grabbed my phone, scrolling through my messages one last time. My heart sank as I saw photos of my classmates celebrating their achievements, their laughter echoing in the background. But there was one message that made my heart flutter: a new post from him.

There he was, with his friends, all smiles and carefree laughter. I felt that familiar ache in my chest. I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be part of their world, to be someone who could fit in, someone who belonged.

With a sigh, I put my phone down and glanced around my room one last time. It felt both familiar and foreign, a space filled with shadows of my past. I was leaving all of it behind—the fights, the pain, and the memories of a life that never truly felt like mine.

I gathered all of the things I had left behind—my art supplies and journals, the remnants of my heart laid bare on the pages. They had been my escape, my truth, but I couldn't take them with me. So, I gathered everything in my arms and walked out of this window for the last time. The night air hit me in the face. I threw all of my stuff in front of the house and burned them. The flames danced and licked at the night sky. It was my way of saying fuck you to my mother, to Kevin, and to this town that had never cared to understand me. I watched as the fire consumed my paintings and journals, then took one last look at the house that had been my prison for too long.

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of my old life lift off my shoulders. Tonight, I was not just a girl escaping; I was a girl reclaiming my story.

And with that thought, I started walking toward the bus station, ready to leave Hollow Creek behind for good.

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Hi guys!
Thank you so much for reading out of the shadows;
I want to know all of your thoughts about bailey's story !!!