Two years later Apov
As I sit at the airport I replay the last time I was in Seattle in my head. You would think after two years I would be over the situation that caused to leave my life behind and start over new in Savannah. I know I should have stayed, god knows I wanted to. But at the time I just wanted Christian safe and he was anything but safe with me around.
So I left, moved to Savannah, got a job at a high school and never looked back. I enjoy my life here. I spend most of my time with my mom and I don't have a lot of friends but I'm happy. When I first decided to leave Seattle I didn't have many people to tell since everyone close to me basically bullied me away, but when I told Ray he was devastated.
He didn't understand why I had to leave and he really didn't want me to be with my mom but he came around. He comes to spend weekends and holidays with me and he even managed to play nice with my mom. I'll be the first to admit I hated my mother for cheating on my dad but he has Bernice and my mom has Bob, everyone is happy so the past is the past. Ray never fails to ask me to move back and I always tell him no.
Everyone made it pretty clear they didn't want me around, so why go back. Over the years whenever I think of what Mia and Elliot said I don't feel sad, I feel pissed. They blamed me for something I had no control over and bullied me for wanting to be with someone I cared about. I know you're wondering why the fuck I'm going back? It's simple, Jose is having a huge gallery opening. My other friends may have turned their back on me but not Jose.
He's the only one that gave a damn about me enough to ask my father how to get in contact with me. Whenever he calls I feel like my old self again. We talk, we laugh and before you know it our call is over and I'm back to being the closed off person I have become. The other teachers at the high school have tried to get close to me, but I keep them at arms length. I don't feel the need for friends. I don't feel the need for anything anymore. I have my dad, my mom and my job to keep me grounded.
"Boarding call for flight 211 to Seattle." Well it's no turning back now. As I board the plane I prepare myself for the five hour flight. Jose show starts at seven, so I'll have just enough time to check in to my hotel room, change my clothes and head to the gallery. Not wanting to be bothered I put my earphones in and lose myself. I find myself in the same dream as always. A copper hair, blue eye little boy running in a field of tall grass in search of me. I always wake up before he finds me. I always wake up feeling depressed. I don't see a child in my future, maybe because I haven't been with anyone in two years. As I get off the plane and walk through Sea tac, every memory I have of Seattle comes rushing back. I instantly become annoyed. I leave the warmth of the airport and walk out into the cold, damp Seattle weather. I'm glad I only have to be here until Sunday. I hail a cab and tell him I'm headed to the Fairmont hotel. While he's driving I can't help but be dazed when I notice Grey house. Knowing Christian he's probably still in there somewhere. I won't allow myself to think about him. I can't allow myself to think about him, especially when I know I can't have him.
Upon arriving at my hotel, I check in, shower and get dressed. I don't want to stand out to much, so I decide to wear my black sheer DKNY blouse, white skinny jeans and my black Malono Blahniks. I grab my white blazer and I'm out the door. I jump in another cab and head to the show. Not wanting to reminisce I put all my attention into my phone. After texting my dad and mother letting them know I landed safely the cab comes to a halt. I don't know what to expect from Jose's show but I just want to see my friend. I enter the gallery and I honestly don't know where to begin. Every photo is beautiful. From landscapes to forgotten keepsakes every photo is better then the next. I am extremely proud of him. I walk around a little while longer until I bump into a wall of muscle. At first I'm pissed off, but in second glance I realize it's Jose. I wrap him in a hug so tight I truly think I'm hurting him.
"Ana, I'm so glad you're here. I've missed you."
"I've missed you to." Don't cry, please don't cry. A single tear rolls down my cheek. Crap!
"No Ana, no crying tonight. Now come on, I want you to meet my fiance." He introduce me to his fiance Lyla. She is a engineer and shares Jose passion for photography. The whole night is one of pure joy. I can't believe I've been away for so long, oh well I'll just enjoy the time I have with Jose now. After the show is over Jose insisted he take Lyla and I out to eat. I agree just to spend a few more hours with my old friend. He picks some fancy restaurant called the mile high club. It's kind of weird seeing Jose so mature but it suits him. Once were seated we order wine and Lyla tells me how Jose proposed. Apparently he took photos of jewelry for some magazine and asked Lyla opinion on them. She picked out her favorite ring from the photo and the next day Jose dropped to one knee and presented her with that very ring. It's so romantic.
"Jose, I'm really happy for you. When is the wedding?"
" six months from now. I want you there but if you feel uncomfortable I understand"
"Jose, why in the world would I be uncomfortable?" He gives me a you know why look and I understand what he's trying to say.
"Ana look, they are my friends as well. I know the Grey clan might not be your favorite people but they mean a lot to me as well as you. Like I said I'll understand if you feel uncomfortable." This is his wedding, my feelings are the last thing he should be worried about.
"Jose Rodriguez, if you think for one moment I'll miss your wedding you're crazy." We share a small laugh before I excuse myself and head to the ladies room.
As I maneuver through the maze of tables I think I hear my name. When I look in the direction I thought I heard it coming from I don't see anyone I know. Just some pregnant lady with short strawberry blonde hair. I keep walking and as I get closer to the bathroom I hear it again. I turn around and I'm wrapped in a hug. Well it's kind of a hug, the pregnant lady is hugging me but it's weird because her huge belly is in the way and I'm making no attempt to hug her back.
"Um, do I know you?" She lets me go and as she stands before me I realize this pregnant woman is Kate. "Kate?"
"Yeah. I know I'm fat now but I didn't think I was unrecognizable." I don't laugh at her joke.
"Um, well I guess congratulations are in order." I keep my voice flat and cold. This woman is not my friend.
"Thank you. Why don't you come say hi. I know everyone will love to see you." Before I have time to protest she's dragging me to a table in the back where Elliot, Mia and Ethan are seated. Crap, crap, crap, crap.
"Everyone look who I found." They all gawk at me as if I'm a ghost. Ethan stands and hugs me, once again I make no attempt to hug him back. Elliot and Mia both stay seated but Elliot greets me.
"Ana, you look great."
"Thank you, oh and congratulations on the baby." He smiles the smile of a proud father.
"Thank you. You should sit down and have a drink."
"No, I'm fine. I really should be going."
Kate and Ethan look as if they want to protest. "Enjoy your dinner." I turn to leave but I her the high pitch voice of one, Mia Grey.
"Ana wait, we should all get together for old times sake." I want to laugh. Last time I checked she accused me of trying to get her brother killed.
"I'm only in town for a couple of days and I have plans that will take up most of my time. But Once again, enjoy your dinner." I turn on my heels and head back to Jose and Lyla to grab my coat and purse and get out of here.
"Ana what's wrong."
"Nothing, I just want to get some sleep, I have to drive out to see Ray tomorrow." I wish I could stay longer but I rather not be bothered with the grey clan.
"Well, will we at least see you before you leave?"
"Of course, we can have breakfast before my plane leaves Sunday." I hug Jose and Lyla and head to the elevator. I don't know why, but I'm angry. Kate act as if we're still friends, if she was ever my friend she would have been there for me that night I was getting attacked by Mia and Elliot, the same could be said for Ethan. I'm better off without them. When the elevator comes to open I'm paralyzed. I'm met with grey eyes. I look him over and can't help but notice Ashley hanging off of his arm scowling at me. I want to tell her it's no need for that but instead I brush past them and enter the elevator pressing the button for the ground floor. Christian walks off the elevator and simply says "welcome back Miss. Steele." To anyone else that would seem like a simple greeting, but I know Christian and I can tell he is anything but happy. I can tell by the way he has his hands in his pockets that he wants to scream.
"I'm not back Mr. Grey, just visiting." The elevator door closes. I let out a breath I wasn't aware I was even holding.