Leave Me [h.s] (On hold)

Chapter 22

Chapter twenty-two- Having no regrets

-Noelle's POV-

On my way back to Chicago I learned something new about myself, there is nothing that I hate more in this world than planes. About an hour into my flight I was already completely over the whole thing.

I would be lying if I said that I wasn't a little choked up when it finally came time to say goodbye to my foster family. I had always thought of the day when I left that place, since the day I arrived I had been counting down the days until I got to leave. But leaving was everything except what I had anticipated.

All of my foster brothers and sisters stood on the porch as I loaded my bags into the back of Wes' truck, even Jett and Amber in all of their glory. Each one of them hugged me and wished me well, and of course Melody had some sage words of advice for me before I left. It seemed like the kind of advice that I could very easily carry with me for the rest of my life.

She had told me that your attitude towards life ultimately determines life's attitude toward you. I wasn't one to internalize things like that, but I couldn't help but feel so much truth in what she said. It's not like I was going to wake up tomorrow and be a completely changed person, but I could work at it.

I watched the same suitcases spin around the conveyor belt at the baggage claim for a solid twenty minutes before I spotted my bag. That extra waiting certainly didn't put me in a better mood from my aggravating flight.

I walked through the crowded airport in my baggy sweats and hoodie, trying desperately to avoid eye contact with anybody. When I finally got out of the airport I was extremely hungry so I guess that was the first priority.

I walked about a block away from the airport doors and hopped onto a bus, which I was extremely familiar with because my family never had a car when I was growing up, and found a seat in the very back.

I sat in the back of the bus for about an hour because we had to drive right through the big city to get where I was going. I watched as tons of people, some looking extremely professional and busy while others looked somewhat similar to how I looked, got on and off the bus.

When my stop finally came I stood up, collected my suitcase, and stepped out. I then walked a few blocks over and went into my favorite restaurant from my childhood. It was just a tiny, extremely run down pizza place, but it was the best. The air conditioning blasted me right when I walked in, which was always a welcome feeling. I'd rather be freezing cold than the slightest bit hot, I'd always been like that.

There was only one other person in the place, other than the employees, and he looked to be fast asleep in one of the booths.

I walked over to a table and set my bag up next to it before walking up to the counter. The owner of the restaurant, whom I had known extremely well, greeted me.

"What can I get you today?" He asked in his usual chipper tone. He clearly didn't recognize me. I mean, why would he? Last time he saw me I was 15.

"Well geez, do I look that different?" I smiled at him. He looked confused for a moment before his old brain made the connection.

"Noelle? Is that really you? Look at you, all grown up with purple hair. Wow. I never in my life expected you to see you back here." The owner, who's name was Marty, said with a beaming smile. He looked truly overjoyed to see me, I was worried he was going to climb over the counter and give me a huge bear hug. Let it be known that I did not want that to happen.

"Yeah me either. The place looks the same though. Just as I remember it." I smiled politely back, giving the whole place a quick glance.

"Well, you know me. Don't like change all that much. So, can I get you something to eat? It's on the house of course." Marty said.