Marriya's POV
As the video posts, I am consumed with an overwhelming sense of relief. Life for me in LA is over now, for better or for worse. At the very least, Ellington can rest assured knowing I am alive.
Although he won't say it out loud, I can sense Cole is unhappy about me leaving. Despite his reluctant attitude, he has helped me purchase a bus ticket to New York. What he doesn't know is I don't plan to make it there. Odds are I'll get off at a stop in some small town and start a new life. Some place where no one knows about me or my relationship status with the unfaithful pop star. Some place I can truly move on. It's time I cut my losses and find a way to be happy again.
As usual, I wake up alone in the confines of the small apartment since Cole is off to work. I find it strange he has never told me a thing about his job, but then again I am not one to be judging on the account of secrets.
Taking the duffel bag out from under the small bed, I tuck each one of my belongings inside. Before long, I am packed and ready to leave. For the second time in my life, I write a note in place of saying goodbye to someone I care about. Leaving people has alway hard, and walking away from the person who loved me when I had no one is no exception. It's just easier this way.
Leaving the apartment feels strange. Something is off. It feels as if someone is watching me, but I am alone on the street. Not a single car in sight. Uneasiness settles in the pit of my stomach, but begins to fade as I make my way into a populated area of the city. Hailing a cab; I request a ride to the one place I have avoided going back to for months.
"Hi, Mom," I whisper. "Hi, Dad."
Flowers grow freely along the outer edge of the cemetery; tall pine trees creating a wall closing in the small memorial garden. Afternoon sunlight pours over the ground, causing a beautiful glint to rise off each of the headstones. As I stand between the two rocks of the families that weigh heavy on my heart, I think about all the other peoplewho have lost someone.
My fingers trace the engravings of my parent's names; their smiling faces appearing in my mind each time I close my eyes. These two people gave me so much, and it was because of me that they lost it all. If I wouldn't have came into their lives, they wouldn't be dead. George and Cheryl were compassionate, gracious, and loving people, and they didn't deserve the fate they got. No good people deserve what they get, but life has a way of hurting each of us in the way that destroys us most.
Before long, I find myself wandering. With one final look at the place my mother and father have been laid to rest, I walk away from them forever.
Although every brain cell in my body urges me not to, my heart brings me back to my home one last time. Charcoal storm clouds hang low on the dark ocean skyline, ready to burst at any second. My sneakers press into the damp sand as I cross the beach, slowly approaching my house. Despite the risk, I have to see my brother one last time. However, it isn't Ellington I find sitting on the front steps of my house.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Ross' POV
I sit alone on Ellington's steps, working up the courage to go inside. My head rests between my knees; my hands folded together over top. Violent wind whips my hair around, but I stay frozen in place. After the video was posted, I've lost all the fight remaining in me. No matter how much I want to, I don't have the power to bring back someone who doesn't want to be found. I think it is in my best interest to cut ties with my family and leave the city. If Marriya is finding her peace this way, maybe I can too.
YOU ARE READING
Crazy Stupid Love
Fanfiction"She was his first, he was her last." Marriya Mitchell didn't have it easy. Her life was far from perfect, and the people around her were a constant reminder of that. She had a dad who was never there, a verbally abusive mother, a physically abusive...
