Dream Team

A Fresh Start

"Goodbye Rosie" I whispered quietly into his shoulder before I pulled myself away from him. I instantly missed the warmth of the embrace, that safe feeling I had whenever I was with him. The cold wind cut through the holes in my sweater as I walked down the pier. At this moment, it felt like everything was moving in slow-motion. Like I had no control over what I was doing, I was just sitting and watching as I walked away from him, while everything in me longed to run back to him. I stopped in my tracks and turned around to face him. Standing at the edge of the pier, looking out at the water glistening under the moonlight. I stood there for a minute. Debating whether I should say something. This was my last chance.

"Say something that will make me stay," I said, tears in my eyes. He just stood there. Still, staring at me. Like there was something he wanted to say but he just... couldn't. I turned back towards the parking lot as I prepared myself to leave. to walk away from what could have been and embrace a new life. With Adrian.

"Annalise" I turned around and looked at Rosie. Was this the moment? Was he finally going to say the words I had been longing to hear?

"Good luck," He said. I took a deep breath and turned away. This time for good.

5 years later

I sat at my kitchen table just staring at the pile of cash in front of me. I knew it was wrong. I knew I shouldn't take it. And I know for a fact, 5 years ago I wouldn't have. But now, now I needed to. I mean sure, I could live without it. I had enough income to get by. To get food and pay rent. I sighed, ripping up the pieces of the envelope and tossing them into the candle in front of me. I watched as they went up in flames. I looked back down at the money. It had been 3 years since I left Miami. And for those three years, I had gotten an envelope of money, every month. There was never a note, but I always knew who it was from. At first, I needed it, to get myself up on my feet. I didn't want Adrian paying for everything, I didn't want to be reliant on him. But then the fight happened. And I was on my own. And I needed the money more than ever. Before I would have been too proud to take it. I wouldn't have wanted to accept help from anyone. But I saved Marcos's life. And I lost everything because of it. Once I was back on my feet, I wanted to stop accepting the money. But these monthly payments are the only sign I have that he is ok. That he is alive. So, I kept accepting them. Each month I take the money and make an anonymous donation to the heart and lung research foundation. As I transferred the money into a new envelope, I heard a knock at the door. I shoved the envelope underneath the seat cushions and walked over to the door.

"I need your help," Sarah said bursting through my doorway into the kitchen. I closed the door and followed her as she walked all the way into the living room and sat down on the couch.

"Ok," I said sitting next to her. "of course, I'll help, what's wrong?"

Sarah was my best friend. Ever since I moved here, I felt so alone. She was the only good thing I had in my life. Well, her and Grace.

"I think Josh is going to try to take Grace." She said, tears in her eyes.

"How?" I said, shocked "he can't. You have full custody."

"I know, I just... maybe I'm being paranoid but he's back in town and I can't help but think he's up to no good. Ana, I need you to promise me that no matter what, you keep Grace safe and you keep her away from him."

"I promise." I said. "but I won't have to because you will always be here to keep her safe. Now I have class in 20 minutes, so you gotta go, I said pulling her up of the couch."

"can I stay?" she asked sitting back down. "I just want to sit on the couch and watch tv and eat cereal. And I can't do that at home because I have to be a good role model for Grace."

"ok, you can stay," I said before grabbing my bag and walking to the door. I opened the door and turned around to face her.

"Sarah?" I said

"ya"

"don't worry about trying to be a good role model, we all know that ship has sailed," I said before closing the door. I could hear her laughing as I walked towards my car. I looked up at the blue sky. There were little wisps of clouds pulled across the sky like cotton candy. The sun shone brightly down on the pavement making the heat almost intolerable. For a moment, standing there. I thought, is it sunny in Miami? Is it this hot there? I wonder... no. I stopped myself. I left that life behind. I opened the door and sat down in the driver's seat of my car and drove off.

Sry this chapter was really short. I'll post the next chapter in a few days.

Pls comment any recommendations or story requests!

XXX

Gill