Justin’s POV:
Romi eventually led us out of the institution unseen at night. I couldn’t tell you how many times I thought we were going to get caught by nurses walking around everybody’s rooms doing their nightly check in on the patients. We only had a flashlight that was dim so no one could see the light from any of the hallways. I kind of felt uncomfortable but very nervous at the same time. The blood pumping through my body was beating faster than its usual speed and my heart was pounding on my ribcage so loudly Romi can probably hear. Although I was nervous, Romi’s hand squeezed mine in reassurance every now and then making me feel at ease.
"Wouldn’t they know we are gone?" I would constantly ask as Romi led me down a staircase that seemed to last forever.
She shouldn’t reply, she would just continue on looking ahead and pretend I didn’t exist. Then she would turn around and look at me, even though it was dim, I could still make out her lips turning upwards in a gentle smile. This was the only time I have seen her so calm and relaxed, if you had just met her you could barely tell she was diagnosed with anxiety and a bipolar disorder.
At last we made our way out throught the back of the hospital. We seemed to be in the back of it and there was a road not too far infront of us. I squinted my eyes slightly and could see a long black limo on the side of the road. I was about to ask why it was there since there were no cars on the road and it was at least 2am but Romi sprinted towards the limo at full speed. She tugged me behind her and together we both ran towards the long black car.
When we were running, I felt a moment of happiness. I felt the cool night’s breeze nip at my cheeks and breath in the fresh air. I felt the dew on the grass seep into my shoes and socks chilling the tips of my toes. I started to feel… free. I had moments of clarity flashing through my mind and my footsteps began to quicken. Step by step by step the wind rushing past me and Romi’s hand dissapearing from my grasp as I raced past her. I heard her laugh behind me as I did a cartwheel, landing on my back with a thud. I felt the grass tickle my arms and neck and heard Romi plop down next to me in delight with a small giggle escaping her lips.
"Thank you Romi. I don’t know how I can ever repay you." I breathed out of my bubbly smile.
She didn’t hesitate when she rolled over ontop of me and placed a quick peck to my lips. I was stunned, I didn’t react until after a few seconds of silence between us. I rolled her off of me and got up, brushing myself off and heading towards the limo. “So, is this for us?” I asked changing the subject.
"Yeah," Romi said with a slight frown, "I called in and ordered us a limo. It’s unlocked and the keys are inside."
"Isn’t that a little, unsafe?"
She let out a scoff, “Justin, it’s early in the night and we are outside of a mental institution. Why would anyone want to steal a limo now?”
"I don’t know," I replied while shrugging my shoulders."
I opened up the car door and as Romi said the keys were inside on the leather seat. She climbed in on the passenger side and buckled herself in, propping her feet up on the dashboard. I climbed in and started the engine, feeling weird since I haven’t drove a car in a long time. It wasn’t just that, I felt like there was somethign missing. Information that I needed to know…
"Where am I suppose to go?" I asked, well, more like blurted in confusion.
"You go to the Hilton not too far away from here. About…20 miles. Take your time, I heard your brother wants a limo there by 10 so we have some time." She replied casually as she turned on the stereo.I was so confused but I decided not to ask anymore questions. I sped off down the road as Romi blasted "Fancy" by Iggy Izalea bobbing heer head back and forth. I let out a chuckle, noticing that for a while I have never truly felt happen until now.
