Getaway
"Shyla...Shyla."
"What." said Shyla, pulling from her thoughts—or rather, the lack thereof.
Back at the mansion she'd been completely overwhelmed. Her thoughts were racing so fast, she could barely keep up with them. Yet as soon as they left the parking lot everything just fell away. She zoned out, watching the headlights on the road as the snow fell. It felt so peaceful. Everything was so peaceful, now that they had gotten away. They had escaped the nightmare. It was over… for now.
She didn't want to think about it. She didn't want to feel anything. She just wanted to stare off into space, at the endless road before them. If only it were truly endless, and they could just keep going on forever. She let out a heavy sigh, and continued to stare out the window. She didn't know how much time passed, but at some point, she realized Liam was calling her name.
She turned to him now and said, "What."
"Your lip is bleeding. Did you cut it on something?"
"Something," she repeated, more like someone. She instinctively licked her lip. She immediately tasted the blood and felt the sting of where her lip was cut open...that bastard had broken the skin! She cursed him once more, then sucked on it and finally responded to Liam, "It's uh, probably from the cold."
"Yeah the cold can give you chapped lips. Maybe you shouldn't suck on it so much, it can make it worse,"
"Oh," she said but kept sucking on it.
"Maybe we can pull over somewhere, and get you some lip balm, that should help."
"Okay," she said finding it hard to focus "Yeah."
They went around a few bends in the road, then he looked at her and furrowed his brow. "I've got this. If you're tired you can lie back and get some rest."
"I'm not tired," she said. She was far too wound up to be tired right now. "I just want to get home."
"It's gonna be a bit."
"I know," she said then let out a heavy sigh.
Things got quiet for a while. Liam kept looking back at her, but she pretended not to notice. She stared out the passenger side window, counting the various mile markers. Each one made her relax a little more, knowing they were that much farther away. At some point, she rested her head against the glass. She watched the shadows of night pulled back as the sun rose. She had never been so happy to see the light of a new day. She closed her eyes and dozed off for a bit, maybe an hour or more. She didn't feel good, her mind kept racing and her wrist had never ached so much. She began to feel psychically sick every time she moved it. She hoped it was just sprained, but worried Rotham might have broken it. She couldn't be sure, but as they drove on the pain only got worse.
After a few hours she couldn't take it anymore. "When we get back, can we stop at an urgent care?"
"Urgent care?" Liam repeated as he changed lanes. "For your cold?"
"Yeah," she lied.
He quickly reached out and touched her forehead then nodded, "Yeah, okay."
She closed her eyes, and slept a little more, but the pain kept waking her up. She kept trying to readjust, but it was now a sharp, almost stabbing pain that caused her to painfully groan, without realizing it. Liam noticed, but didn't say anything. When they got to the next city, he took the exit and found the urgent care. She didn't even realize they'd stopped or that he'd gotten out. When he opened her door, she looked at him confused.
"Are we home already?" she groggily asked.
"Nah, we're a few hours away," he said, "I just figured you don't look so good. We can stop at any urgent care."
"Okay," she said.
He helped he get out, and noticed how she held her arm. "Your arm okay?"
"I- I don't know. I think I hurt it skiing or something. It hurts really bad."
"Okay," he said.
He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, and stayed close to her as they walked inside. There was a small line, maybe two or three people. She felt absolutely exhausted. When it was there turn, Liam had to get Shyla's information out of her purse. When it came to the reason for her visit. She knew she had to be truthful. "I'm not feeling well. I think I might have broken my wrist or something."
The nurse didn't look up at them, she just handed out a clipboard and said, "Fill this out then hand it back, there is one ahead of you. We'll call your name when we're ready for you."
"Okay." said Shyla.
They took a seat in the waiting room. Liam didn't even ask if she wanted help. He just took the clipboard from her off hand, and started filling it out for her. She watched him for a minute or so, then rested her head on his shoulder and said, "Thank you."
"You should have told me you thought your wrist was broken," he said. "We would have gone to the hospital, right away."
"We don't know it's broken."
He sighed then asked, "Did you fall or something?"
"Oh something," she said drowsy.
He asked her a few questions off and on, but was able to fill most of it out on his own. He turned it in for her, then got her something hot to drink, from one of the vending machines. She drank it, and was able to wake up a little more. He wanted to look at her wrist, but she wouldn't let him. She worried he might be able to tell she hadn't hurt it falling. Luckily they called her name. He offered to go back with her, but she asked him to wait in the waiting room, or go get himself something to eat. He said he'd wait for her, and she knew from the look in his eyes he meant it. He wasn't going anywhere until she got back.
She felt bad. He was being so good to her, but had no idea what was going on. Again, she debated telling him but worried what would happen. Would he actually believe her? Would he take her side? If he did, then what would they do? What could they do? She didn't want to think about it. Right now, all she wanted to do, was get her arm fixed and go home. She knew she'd feel better, once she got home. Maybe she'd know what to do, or could start seriously thinking about it.
The nurse took Shyla into the back part of the building. She had her get on a scale and took down her weight. Shyla found she had lost a few pounds since she'd last checked. Normally she'd be happy, but she knew it was because of this weekend and everything that had happened.
After she stepped off the scale, the nurse took her down a small hallway, lined with doors. The third door was open, and they went into a small room, with a chair and exam table. Everything felt so sterile and quiet. Shyla could hear her heart beating in her ears. The nurse took her temperature and blood pressure next, both were off. She had a slight fever and higher then usual blood pressure. Again it was because of this weekend...Rotham. She was stressed the fuck out and in a lot of pain.
The nurse jotted down some notes, then wanted to see Shyla's wrist. She painfully moved it, to show her, and was surprised to see it was swollen. There was also noticeable bruising where Rotham had grabbed her. You could clearly see his hand imprinted on her skin. He must have been holding her so tight.
The nurse looked Shyla's wrist over carefully, then looked up at her and asked, "And you did this falling?"
There was skepticism in her tone. Obviously the nurse could tell this wasn't from a fall, still Shyla lied, "Yeah."
The nurse stared at Shyla for a moment, then looked back down at her wrist and said, "We'll need to get an x-ray of it."
Shyla couldn't look the nurse in the eyes. She didn't know why, but she suddenly felt ashamed.
She turned her head to the side and said "Whatever you need to do, is fine,"
The nurse left and it was probably another half an hour before someone came and took her to the x-ray machine. The technicians hands were cold and it hurt to move her wrist. She was glad when it was over. She was taken back to her room and they offered her some water and cookies. She took it feeling jittery. She waited maybe another half an hour, then a female doctor came into with the nurse. They put her x-ray results on the wall and Shyla cloud clearly see the break. She grinded her teeth cursing Rotham once again, the bastard had broken her fucking arm. For a few seconds she was so angry, then felt strange, a sort of panic or dissociation came over her. She suddenly felt like all of this wasn't real. For a moment she wondered if she was still in bed having a nightmare.
The doctor gave her something for the pain, and she gladly took it. After that the doctor started talking a lot. She was friendly and talked about everything. Shyla barely heard her she was so overwhelmed. Eventually the doctor moved the conversation to Shyla's broken wrist. "My nurse tells me you fell?"
"Yeah," said Shyla.
"When was this?"
"When," said Shyala "Uh maybe a day or so ago. I went skiing for the first time. I thought I just sprained it" She thought that sounded believable.
"Oh, I see" the doctor said as she nodded. She seemed to buy it.
"Did someone grab your arm as you fell." asked the nurse.
"I guess," said Shyla. She sniffled and realized she was crying.
She didn't mean to. Maybe it was the medicine kicking in or everything getting to her but she started sobbing like a fucking baby. She was beyond embarrassed but couldn't stop. The doctor and nurse didn't say anything. They just glanced at each other and gave her sympathetic looks.
After a few seconds, the nurse got her several tissue. Shyla used them blowing her nose. She had so many tears and snot everywhere. She was such a fucking mess. The doctor looked over her x-ray's again then she and the nurse started prepping the room for Shyla's cast. When Shyla finally calmed down the doctor reached out to her and made eye contact.
"I want you to know this is a safe place, Shyla. We wont let anyone hurt you here. You can be honest with us. If you don't feel safe, if someone is hurting you, we can help you. You don't have to be afraid."
Shyla pulled back, she knew how this looked, it was clear now they thought this was abuse. They probably thought Liam did this to her. She couldn't stand the idea of anyone thinking he could...would ever do such a thing to her, "He, the man out in the waiting room, didn't do this to me. It was someone else. I don't want him to know."
"We don't have to tell him." said the doctor.
"You don't have to be afraid. We have resources that can help you."
Shyla quickly realized in defending Liam, she had confirmed their suspicions. Someone had in fact hurt her. Great! She let out a heavy sigh then thought about what they had said. They had resources that could help her. How exactly? She wanted to ask but stopped herself. She wasn't ready to make any kind of decision in this moment. She worried if she started talking she might tell them everything. If she told anyone right now, she wanted it to be Liam.
She bit her lip then said, "Please, can you just fix my wrist. I thank you for your concern but I'm okay. I know what this look like, but it's not abuse. It was a misunderstanding."
From the looks on their faces it was clear they didn't believe her. They probably saw shit like this all the time. She wasn't in an abusive relationship...but she wasn't safe. She wouldn't ever be safe again! She knew she couldn't just go home and forget about all this. Rotham knew her now. He knew who she was and she knew who he was. Her life was never going to be the same. She needed to start making some hard fucking decision or Rotham was going to destroy everything she cared about.
"We can fix your wrist." said the doctor, "But if you need to talk, if someone is hurting you, we can help you. "
"Thanks, but I need time to think, and figure things out." she said staring at the ground.
She worried they were going to push her more, but they didn't. Instead they started treating her wrist. The doctor gave Shyla a shot of something, and waited for her arm to get numb, before she carefully set the wrist. Then the nurse began applying the cast. Things were really quiet and uncomfortable. Shyla knew they were just doing their jobs. They might even care but she needed time.
After the cast was done, the doctor gave her a prescription for the pain and fever. She also gave Shyla several numbers and pamphlets to take with her. Shyla thanked them, and again the nurse tried to reach out to her. Shyla promised to look into things, and she honestly would, if it got bad enough, but she really hoped it wouldn't come to that.
When she got out to the waiting room, Liam was bent over with his head in his hands. He'd fallen asleep like that and she had to nudge him to wake up. He ran his hands over his face and looked up at her. He quickly got to his feet when he saw her cast.
"Oh it is broken."
"Yeah," she said.
"How do you feel?"
"Better," she lied.
"Are you hungry?" he said. "I was thinking we could stop and get some pancakes."
"Sure," she said and they walked back out to the car.
He practically fell over himself as he got the door for her. He was so sweet and wonderful. Again she wondered why Rotham had to be his brother. Why did Liam have to be from that family? Why couldn't she have met Liam before all of this? She wanted to be with him, but she didn't know if this was going to work.
The thought of losing him put a pit in her stomach. She knew she should be more concerned with herself, and current situation, but she worried about Liam. She didn't want to lose him. He was unlike anyone she'd ever been with. The kind of guy you waited all your life to meet. They went out to breakfast and she kept staring at him. She wanted to remember every detail of him, or their relationship. She knew once they got home things had to change. After today, they might not be together anymore.
She got overwhelmed again and had to excuse herself to the bathroom. She cried once more, but managed to stop after a few minutes. She used the bathroom, then washed her hands and splashed some water in her face. She didn't go back out until she looked somewhat normal again. Apparently she'd been in there longer then she thought, and Liam joked he was about to send in back up. He was worried about her but she told him she was just getting used to the cast. It was a new experience.
He gave her a kiss and insisted on paying the bill. They got back in the car, and stopped at a gas station. He filled up the tank before they set out once more. They drove in silence for several hours. She kept expecting to fall asleep, now that the pain was dulled, but if anything, her mind was more active without the distraction. She didn't think Rotham knew where she lived yet, but couldn't take that chance. She couldn't stay at her place anymore.
She sat back and started coming up with a plan. Her rent was paid, up until the end of her lease, in two months. She had wanted to be free for the summer, just in case, she and Liam decided to get a place of their own. She still had a lot of money in her bank account. Perhaps it was time to put it to use. She'd go home, pack up and go to the airport. She'd buy a ticket, some place she always wanted to go, or some random place, either way she'd get lost for a while.
She'd pay in cash, wherever she went, and wouldn't stay in one place too long. She figured if she didn't put down roots, Rotham couldn't find her. Running, wasn't a great plan, but it was a plan none the less. Right now she just needed to get away. She needed time to think long term. She refused to let Rotham, or any man, for that matter have power over her. One way or another, she'd find a way to get rid of him.
The only thing that remained was...Liam. She groaned unsure of what to do. She suppose she could give him a choice. Either he'd come with her or-
"You okay," Liam asked pulling her from her thoughts.
"Yeah."
"Your wrist bothering you?"
She didn't answer for a good minute or so "No, it's okay."
"Then is something else bothering you? You seem a bit off."
"Off," she repeated, "No just tired," She was so very tired but knew she still had a long road ahead of her in more ways then one.
"Okay," said Liam.
She could tell he was still concerned. A few minutes later, she saw a sign that said they were less then twenty minutes from home. She hadn't realized how late it was. It was sometime in the afternoon now.
She let out a heavy sigh then said, "Liam."
"Yeah?"
"Do you want me in your life?"
"What? Yeah. Of course I do!"
"Do you still want to travel?"
"Yeah! Why?"
"I have some money. Not a lot, but some. If you don't tell your family...tell anyone that were leaving, then we can go anywhere."
"Go anywhere?" Liam said confused.
"When we get home, we can just pack up and go. Travel, wherever we want, whenever we want."
He glanced at her and didn't respond for a good five minutes, "It's a nice idea, but maybe we should talk about this later, when you're feeling better, and we've both gotten some solid sleep."
"I don't need to talk about it later." said Shyla. "I don't want to put it off to some day. We can do this. Today. We can literally go wherever we want and do whatever we want."
"Uh I still have a semester or two, left of college, and don't you have like another year or something."
Shyla let out a heavy sigh then looked at Liam. She wore an expression on her face he'd never seen before. Somehow he just knew in his gut this wasn't her messing around. She meant it. She had made up her mind. No matter what she was going when they got home. He realized that she wasn't asking whether or not they should, but if he wanted to join her.
He looked back at the road, and clutched the steering wheel tightly. He knew his answer was probably going to decide, if they stayed together or not. He stared at the road feeling a tightness in his chest. Again he wondered if something had happened. She'd broken her arm, but how exactly? Skiing? She hadn't seemed hurt. He'd spent all afternoon and night with her. They'd played games and had drinks. Her hand had seemed fine. She had to have broken it after, but when and how? Before he could ask she spoke.
"I know this is crazy, and sudden. If... if you don't want to go, my place is payed up until the end of the lease, a good two months. You could stay there until you find a place of your own."
He swallowed and his chest felt heavy now. The mere thought of being in her place, without her, was enough to make him decide, "Okay, fuck it! I'll go with you, but maybe we can get some sleep first."
"On the plane," she said.
"On the plane." He chuckled. "Just where did you plan on going?"
"Okay so here is the plan. We'll go home and pack what's important. We really don't have that much stuff."
"Uh I don't," he said. "You do."
"Well we'll pack what we can carry," said Shyla. "The rest the landlord can have, for having to clean up. But we'll take what we can carry, then go to the airport and pick the first place that sounds awesome."
"And what about my car?"
"I'll pay for it to sit in storage."
"So we are coming back."
"Maybe, maybe not," she said
He sighed then asked "And if we regret this?"
"Then we do but trust me I would regret not going more,"
She got this strange look in her eyes. "Right," said Liam taking notice.
"Right." said Shyla. She smiled at him.
He sighed again and knew this was crazy, but said "Okay, so we're doing this."
"We're doing this," she said happily.
They were getting out of here! She didn't care where they were going as long as Rotham couldn't find them. She still remembered the last thing he'd said to her. 'I plan to collect.' The bastard would have to find her first and next time, she would be ready!
Liam took the exit a few minutes later and they drove through the city. They still had plenty of daylight left. It was raining but she didn't care. She felt more alive then ever. She wasn't going to let that bastard win. Liam took them home and she raced him to the elevators. She won but he was carrying their bags. Once they got into the elevator, she kissed him and they began making out a little. The idea of running away together had them both exited.
Once they got inside she quickly unpacked. Which wasn't easy with one hand. The painkiller did wonders but was starting to wear off. Liam went to the bathroom and plugged his phone in. He started looking over documents and debated what he should take. Part of him told himself they'd be back in a week, but if they actually didn't come back, he didn't want to be missing anything important. He quickly got what they would need, if they were going to travel anywhere. He unpacked his suitcase then packed it again. Every so often he checked on Shyla to see how she was doing and she was like a steam engine. She had a full luggage set and had already put things into various piles. Her organization skills were unmatched. He didn't know how she could keep going full force like this, especially after breaking her arm. He told her to take it easy but could see she was lost in her own world.
He packed a total of three bags. One large duffle bag, his suitcase and a backpack. He did another sweep, and realized he had almost all of his stuff, save for his text books, but he wouldn't need them where they were going, at least he hoped not. He was starting to get tired so he thought he'd take a quick shower, to freshen up and wake up more.
When he checked on Shyla she was laying down on the bed. She was mostly finished packing as far as he could tell. He figured he take a shower and if she was up, and still wanted to go, they'd go. If she was asleep, he'd lie down next to her and they'd sleep on it. He threw a blanket over her then went to shower.
Shyla almost fell asleep, she just wanted to rest for a minute or two. She was more exhausted then ever, from everything and packing. She half expected Rotham to be waiting for them when they got home. She was happy when she didn't see him ,and saw that nothing was out of place. Everything was just as she left it, and she started to feel safe...secure.
She had almost everything ready to go. Her bed looked so inviting, she couldn't help but lay down. She planned to only rest for a minute, then two, then five and then she thought she might take a quick nap. Now she thought maybe she could wait until tomorrow. She still had so many clothes, she hadn't gone through and a box of personal items, from her childhood that she'd put in the closet, when Liam moved in.
Maybe this could wait just a little longer. Yeah, maybe she was, could- She heard Liam's cellphone ringing. The shower turned off a second later and he answered it. Shyla sat up and just knew it was Rotham. She quickly rushed to the bathroom door and listened in.
"Hey, Oh Rotham? What! We just got home. Oh well I didn't know, my phone died. I was just taking a shower, what did you want? Where am I? Shyla's. Why do you need to know? Calm the fuck down. I told you we just got home. I took it slow and we stopped off at urgent care. Shyla has a broken wrist. What the fuck! I'm not making it up! What's your problem? Why do you keep asking? What? We just spent the weekend together, why do we need to have dinner?"
Dinner! DINNER! Rotham wanted to have dinner! Shyla pulled back clutching her chest with her good hand. He was already after her. They had barely gotten back and he was trying to weasel his way in. "No you can't come over." spat Liam pulling her from her thoughts. "We're busy. That's none of your business." She heard faint yelling then nothing. She realized Liam must have hung up or his phone died again. "Asshole," Liam hissed, "Fucking asshole."
He came out a minute or so later. She was still standing there with her hand against her chest. Her heart was pounding. "Hey you're up? What's wrong."
"Nothing, I had a nightmare."
"Oh I'm sorry," he said.
"Who was on the phone?"
"Rotham."
"What did he want?" she gasped.
"Apparently he and Petra are passing through the city and want to have dinner. Don't worry, I told him no."
"Did you tell him where I live,"
"No."
She let out a sigh of relief but she knew it was only a matter of time. She had given Petra way too much information. Hopefully they wouldn't find her. She'd switched floors with a girl who'd been in an accident she needed a lower floor. The other girls name was still on her place. She assumed her name was still on the other apartment. The landlord kept forgetting to change it. The fact that Rotham was in the city was too much for her.
"I want to be gone in thirty minutes."
"Thirty minutes. I get you want to do this, but why does it have to be so sudden?"
"I'm just eager to start our adventure."
"I feel like you're not telling me everything. Did something happen this weekend? Honestly, this isn't like you. I'm worried."
She stared at him and internally agonized over telling him. Once again, she didn't know what she should do. If she did tell him, she needed to sit him down. She couldn't rush it. He would no doubt want to know everything and have questions. She was too scared Rotham might burst through the door at any moment and choke her out. Her gut, fuck every fiber in her being was telling her they needed to get out of here, at all costs, go, go, as fast and as far as she could. She took a deep breath knowing she might have been acting impulsively, but she could not stay here. She could not wait for that bastard to hurt her again!
She took another deep breath then said, "Look if you've changed your mind, I understand."
"Can't we just talk about this some more? This is a really big decision, Shyla! I want to do this! I really do want to go! But I want to know what happened between you and my family. I know it was something horrible. Did they try to buy you off?"
Shyla tilted her head and couldn't help but laugh. To Liam that was horrible. It was probably one of the worst things he thought they could do. Again he had no idea. Her eyes got misty and she pursed her lips. She shook her head then said. "That wouldn't have been horrible. I would have taken the money."
"What?" said Liam, taken aback by her response.
Shyla simply smiled. "I would have taken the money, then you and I would have finished college and moved far, far away. Just because you pay someone off, doesn't mean they have to go away."
"Actually, that's exactly what it means." said Liam, shaking his head.
"Well, I wouldn't." said Shyla. "I'd tell them I would until I got the money. Then I'd give it all to you. So you could get out from under their thumb. Don't you ever feel like they've trapped you, Liam?"
"What! No. Why would I?"
"Think about it, Liam. They pay for everything. They never let you do anything on your own and use their power over you, to make you do what they want."
"They do not!" said Liam, crossing his arms.
"Really. You wanted to take art classes, but they also make you take business classes. You want to travel this summer, but you can't because your father wants you to intern."
"They're just looking out for me, and my best interests. There is a lot you don't know about my past." said Liam.
"I might not know everything, but I've seen how they treat you, and I know manipulation, when I see it. Tell me, what if they threatened to take away your money, if you didn't stop seeing me. What would you do?"
"Is that was this is about? Did Rotham threaten to disinherit me, if you didn't stop seeing me?"
"No." said Shyla. "Just forget it. What I'm saying Liam, is if you want to see the world, see it. If you want to do something, be something, then go for it. Don't let your family and their money hold you back. Just do things on your own terms."
Liam dropped his arms to his sides, and let out a heavy sigh. She could tell she'd gotten to him, and that he was considering what she said. She felt like such a hypocrite in this moment. Here she was, telling him to do things on his own terms, yet she was forcing him to choose between his family and her. She was asking him to run away with her, when he didn't know everything. Who was the manipulator now.
Shyla ran her hands over her face. She felt like she didn't have a choice. No matter what she needed to leave. At least Liam, could say no. It was just about kill her, to leave him but she would. She looked down at her broken arm, knowing she'd do whatever it took. Liam was still just standing there, still deciding. Honestly she wouldn't be surprised if he didn't choose her. She'd spent the weekend at his house, even if his family were pieces of shit, they were wealthy fucking, pieces of shit. If their roles were reversed. Shyla didn't know if she could walk away. Would she choose love over money. She'd like to think so, especially for Liam. Ever since she looked into his ocean blue eyes, she'd felt like she was home. It was like she'd been adrift at sea, all her life and finally saw what she was looking for. It was silly.
"I need a second or two, to think," said Liam breaking the silence.
She nodded "Alright, I need to finish packing anyway."
She stormed off to the bathroom and shut the door behind her. Liam dragged his fingers through his hair, then wandered into the kitchen and sat down at the table. He knew he didn't have much time. He hated being rushed. He closed his eyes and thought about everything. A few years ago, he'd been at a crossroads in his life. He'd graduated high school and his grades weren't the best. His father and brother had ridiculed him, for not getting into the family college, on his own merit.
His father had to buy the college a new gym, to ensure Liam got enrolled. He hadn't wanted to go, but felt like he didn't have a choice. He went and absolutely hated it. He could barely keep up with the business courses and found it hard to focus on anything. He'd wanted more out of life, but at the time he didn't know what. He dated some and went to a lot of parties. At one point he started drinking.
At first, it was just a little, a beer here or there. He'd drink at parties, casually with others and then on his own. A lot of resentment came out. Some people got happy, when they drank but he just got sad. He felt like his whole life had been a fucking joke. He would never be good enough for his family. He could never pleased them no matter what he did. He was always the second son, the disgrace. He wanted more out of life. He wanted to take art classes to decide his own destiny, since he didn't fit in the family mold. Yet he had nothing without them.
They had all the power...the money. He had tried to get a part time job once but his mother had been so embarrassed. She'd harassed him everyday until he quit it. He felt like he had nothing then and that he was nothing... and so he drank and drank. He stopped going to classes and spent all his time in his room or at bars, until one day his father and brother came. The college had notified them or something when he flunked out.
His father and brother were so upset. They forced him to stop drinking and put him in a rehab for a year. It was a long hard year. He went to therapy and it helped him put what he was feeling into words. At first his family mocked him, but eventually they listened. He told them he wasn't happy. He wasn't his brother. He could never be Rotham. He could only be Liam and they needed to accept that. He needed more out of life...to make his own decisions. It took a lot of sessions, but eventually they came to a compromise.
They let Liam enroll in a lesser college. He could take art classes, but had to take business classes as well. For the most part, he was allowed to do what he wanted as long as he didn't drink or fail his classes. Once he finished college then he needed to work for his family for a few years. If he still wasn't happy, then they could discuss other options. They made it clear that if he disappointed them again, they'd disown him.
It had been several years since then, and for the most part he was happy. At times, he almost felt good about himself and the future, especially after meeting Shyla. She got him in ways his family never had. His family still gave him a hard time, every now and then, and belittled his interests, but at least things were different then before. He ran his hands over his face...different. How much different? He still felt so much pressure to please them...to succeed. Often times, he did just enough to please them so they'd heave him alone.
He sighed and wondered what would happen if...if he walked away? They were always threatening to disown him...what if he struck out on own? If he stood on how own two feet would they respect him then...would it even matter? Why if he could make it, truly make it and was happy then what did his family's approval matter. He knew things weren't going to be easy, but if there was a chance, even a slim chance that he could be happy and with Shyla, then he had to take it, right? He sighed and still felt hesitant. He wanted to take a chance, but he'd already failed so many time. What if he failed again?
Shyla started bringing her bags over to the front door. He wiped his mouth and knew it was now or never. Liam had to take a chance on himself, on them. He had to take the bull by the horns, come what may! His heart beat with excitement and his mind filled with possibilities. He got his bags then brought everything down to the car. They didn't talk, they just smiled at each other as the sun set, like they were taking part in some big heist…stealing their lives away, their future. He left his cellphone and credit cards, left them all behind, knowing his family would be mad, when they found out what he had done, but so fucking what!
When they got to the airport he parked in long term parking. Shyla paid for his car to stay six months. He thought that was a bit much, but she said he could have six months to change his mind. He told her he wouldn't change it and they kissed in the parking lot. When they pulled apart, they took their luggage inside and stood under the big board that listed all the departures. They saw dozens of places they could go but one stood out.
It had been a place they had both wanted to visit. It was departing in less then two hours. It would an overnight flight and a transfer, but they took a chance and managed to get two tickets. They checked their luggage as the sun set, and they were both jittery with excitement as they boarded.
When the plane began to take off, they held hands and locked eyes. No matter what happened, no matter where they went, they would go together. They leaned in and had never kissed so passionately. When they pulled apart Shyla looked out the window. She watched as everything fell away. Soon she couldn't see the ground and the stars began to shine all around them. She smiled to herself and hoped, more then anything, her past truly would stay in the past, and that she would never ever spend another weekend with Rotham.
End-Volume One
|
