Mine (Book 2 of the His Series)

Thirty-Two

Ellie

That night Leo and I were driving to the restaurant down town. It was quiet and neither of us had said a word since getting into the car. All I could think about is what we would be talking about tonight. Leo always seemed to want to talk about things even when I insisted nothing was wrong or going on. I wanted to move out of the house because I needed to get away from Leo. It's like I always caused him so much problems. First it was my emotional damage, then it was my inability to trust him and to believe he even loved me to begin with, and now, now it was because I had a madman on my tail and there was no way to get rid of him. Sure, he was in jail. But the memory of him was still etched into my life. Even with Chris in jail, it didn't mean that he wasn't going to get out soon enough. And I didn't put it past Chris to remember everything. 

He had broke into my office and choked me, he slapped me around when we were together, made sure he destroyed me. Our last encounter, he tried to kill me. And I'll never forget what I did to poor Amber. She had found me in the bathroom after I had taken my pills and slit my wrists to make sure that I didn't make it to the morning. These past three years were a long and painful journey. I thought going to the Dominican Republic and volunteering my time would cure me, make me stop being so pathetic. But all it did was act as a band aid. I was destructive and I ruined everything in my path. I pushed people away from me and I hurt those that loved me. Amber didn't look at me the same since she found me that night. I know she told me that she wasn't mad at me anymore, but I knew I had scarred her and I'd never forgive myself for it. And Leo....my crime to him was not being good enough to keep him from Donna. That's probably why he felt the need to do what he did. I know it was just a kiss and that it happened a long time ago. But I hated how the one woman he told me did the most damage to him he willingly let back into his life. So, I just needed to move away from everyone and just be alone awhile. It was for the best, then everyone would be happy and Leo could finally find someone who he deserved.

"Ellie?" He asked

"Huh?"

"We're here. I've been calling you for a good minute now."

I looked for it and lo and behold we actually were at the restaurant.

"Oh, alright."

I unbuckled my seatbelt and we both got out of the car, walking into the restaurant. Everyone was seated at a circular table in the middle of the restaurant with the perfect view of the band. I looked around at the happy, laughing faces of my friends-- no, my family, and felt a sick feeling in my stomach. I had been thinking about it all day, I would simply pack up my things and in the middle of the night I would leave and start over in another town, another state, it didn't matter. As long as everyone else was happy, who cared if I disappeared? That was the most important thing to me: their happiness.

"Hey guys, glad you could make it." Brandi said with a smile.

I hugged her and Amber and sat down next to Brandi while Leo sat next to Josh. They gave each other a hand shake and soon everyone broke off into their little conversations. I just mostly sat there and thought about anything and everything. I hated being myself so much.

I suddenly felt a hand on my arm and startled, I looked towards whoever it was. It was Brandi.

"Hey, you alright hun?" She asked concerned

"Oh yeah, I'm fine. Just tired is all." I lied

"Well alright, you know you can talk to me about things right?"

"Yeah. I know." I replied, giving a small smile in return

She gave a polite smile and rubbed my arm a bit before turning back to Josh.