Hey readers! Well, here is the first chapter of the sequel story to 'The Inadvertent Bystander'. You could say that this first chapter is the prologue in a way, as it gives you a background of the characters lives as they are now. It also includes some history from the first story, which can either serve as a recap if you've already read it; or brief you if you haven't read it. But hopefully it will persuade you to read TIB first! Lol. Anyway, I hope you like it :)
Unremarkable
As I steal a glance at the clock on the wall at the back of my classroom, a smile spreads across my face. Then I look at the group of pupils who are waiting eagerly for their cue to leave.
"Okay everyone, it's time to pack away and go home!" They don't need to be told twice. In a matter of minutes, they are all filing out the door. Every Friday I think they have beaten the record for the quickest getaway; and then they prove me wrong again. "Have a good weekend, and don't forget to bring in your homework on Monday!" I call out cheerily. Then I let out a chuckle as I hear multiple groans of protest. Two things that kids don't want to hear in the same sentence when the weekend is ahead of them: The words 'homework' and 'Monday'.
I can still hear their constant chatter as they disappear down the corridor. They can't wait to get home and forget about school work. And neither can I.
I begin to pack up my own things so that I can leave. I am almost ready to go when I hear a knock at the door, and I look up to see a pair of bright blue eyes. They belong to the man that changed my life forever, thanks to the events of one night. Every time I look into those eyes, I am reminded of the very first time I saw them up close. Every time I look into those eyes, I remember everything he has been through to get to this moment in his life. In our lives. Together.
As he enters the room, I come out of my daydream. "Any chance of a lift home, officer?" I ask my husband of three years innocently. Troy grins up at me, and moves closer so that he can press a soft kiss to my cheek.
"Well, I am off duty, but I'm sure I can make an exception for you," he replies with a wink. Then he helps me with my things and takes my hand, leading me out of the building.
"So, how was your day?" he asks.
"It was good. Tiring though, I'm so glad it's the weekend!" I reply. "What about you? How was your day?"
Troy's eyes sparkle as he answers. "Great. It's so fulfilling knowing that you're making a difference, somehow. Do you know what I mean?" I nod, because I do. There is, of course, an element of that feeling in being a teacher. But I especially know what it means to him. Not long after we were married, Troy completed his training and became a full time police officer. And ever since then, he has come home every day with that added twinkle in his eye. After almost three years, he still loves his job. Seeing him so happy is something I will never take for granted. Then again, I don't think either of us take anything for granted anymore.
It still amazes me how different our lives are now, compared to a few years back. Everything leading up to our engagement and marriage was so out of the ordinary; and now here we are, leading normal lives. We go to work; we come home, have dinner and spend our evenings together just as any other married couple would.
You see, the way we met was...unconventional. I think that's the least dramatic way to describe it. A couple's first encounter is usually known to be quite basic, isn't it. Two people meet and fall in love, and although there may be some kind of interesting story there; it's nothing too surprising. By which I mean, nothing that causes anyone's jaws to drop. It was only when I met new people in the run up to our wedding, who asked me how I met Troy, that I actually realised the complexity of our story. These people thought they were asking a simple question; little did they know it would turn out to be a long story. Of course, I do shorten it sometimes, according to the person I'm telling it to.
The short version is this. I was out clubbing one night, in the middle of London, and I ended up on my own. My two best friends had abandoned me, so I ventured outside, feeling like a bit of a loner on my own in the club. But when I got outside I saw what appeared to be a fight going on. Only it wasn't exactly a fight, more one drunken guy throwing multiple punches at another. And then another, uninvolved man stepped in to help. But he ended up being attacked so badly for his interference that he nearly died. That man was Troy.
I try not to think about the fact that only one person stopped to help him. Literally every other witness at the scene disappeared the moment the attacker had fled. Except for me. Troy continues to remind me that I 'saved his life' that night. But I prefer to think that I simply did what I thought that anyone else would do. Mere hours later, I met his parents, Jack and Lucille, and found out all about Troy. And it was then that I knew, even before ever speaking to him, that I had to come back and see him. So I did. And it was the best decision I have ever made.
I realise that I seem to be describing the long version of this story. However, so much happened in our first year together that I just cannot condense.
Shortly after Troy had fully recovered, the police caught the man who had attacked him. We later discovered that our new relationship was to be used against us during the trial. So I made another decision. I told Troy that we should part ways until the court case ended. His solicitor had suggested it as a way of lessening the accusations that I might have been lying to protect Troy.
So we spent the next nine months apart. Completely apart. The only thing that kept us going were the letters we managed to send to each other through my mother. That, and the fact that once the whole ordeal was over, we could be together again and move on.
And finally, when the time came, that's just what we did.
"What are you thinking about over there?" asks Troy gently, and I shake my head as I realise I have slipped into another daydream on the drive home. I smile at him, so that he knows that there is nothing wrong.
"Oh, you know," I reply brightly. "Just us. Nothing too thought-provoking." He chuckles, and I let out a little laugh too. It's our little private joke. Anyone thinking over the aspects of our relationship would certainly call it thought-provoking. But despite the lengthy background of it, to us it is simple. We are just Troy and Gabriella. Two people who are just trying to live ordinary lives.
"That's alright then," he says with a grin as he reverses the car up onto the driveway of our house. We moved in two years ago as soon as we could afford a mortgage. It's our home, and I love it. We decorated it together, and it was the first thing we could really call ours - mine and Troy's. It's close to our jobs, while also being near enough so that we can still see our families on a regular basis.
"So," says Troy as we head indoors. "What do you fancy for dinner tonight?"
"Hmm," I muse as though it's an important decision. "I say...surprise me." Troy smiles and nods, then promptly heads into the kitchen, telling me to sit and relax while he cooks.
I must admit, though, that this is our usual routine. My culinary skills leave a lot to be desired, if I'm honest; so Troy is the main cook in our household. And I can't say that I ever feel the need to complain.
There is nothing that remarkable about us, really. Our story is longer than most, but the result is the same. We are, as I said before, just two ordinary people.
My name is Gabriella Bolton. Life has calmed down a lot since that cold night that changed my life some years ago. And I couldn't be happier with it.
What did you think so far? It will be getting more interesting after this one ;)
Please leave me a Review so I know whether to carry on
Thanks for reading!
