A Little Piece Of Heaven

Chapter Fifty:

It’s been a year since I graduated from high school. I was Valedictorian and it meant more to me than I ever expected it to. I actually made it through school relatively unscathed. I got a full ride to UCLA. I have a double major in English and modern art.

I just published two novels. One is a book of poetry. The other is an autobiography of a survivor. I never thought I would ever have the opportunity to get my works published. The biggest surprise was the interest in my life story. Who would want to read about something like that? Apparently, more people than I thought. Both books are well on their way to becoming best sellers.

Matt and the rest of the band are doing ridiculously well. They released their first album at the beginning of the year and it has gone gold. Jared has hopes that it will go platinum before the year is out.

He’s been busy touring, but we’re still going strong. He gave me a promise ring for my birthday.
Matt has been more than understanding about my need to take things slow on a sexual level.

We made love for the first time last week. He was back in town and we spent the weekend together. We went to this amazing Japanese restaurant and took a walk around town afterwards. We ended up back at Jared’s place – he was out for the night. He drew us a bath and lit candles. It was romantic – magical. It definitely wasn’t planned.

I was comfortable with him, but it didn’t stop it from being awkward and new. I felt exposed and incredibly naked. He kissed my worries away and we took things one step at a time. We talked through all of it. It made things easier. I felt so safe with him. We went slow and it was perfect.
It wasn’t forced or distorted. When we made love… it felt like we were connected in a way that I’d never experienced before. It was amazing.

Jace decided to stay closer to home with school. He didn’t want to go too far from Gwen. He’s actually happy. He finally found a girl of his own. She’s a total knockout and right up his alley. I do my best to ignore her physical similarities to me. She sweet but she doesn’t put up with his bullshit – which is exactly what he needs. Gwen loves her, of course.

Jared and Gwen have been spending a lot of time together. They started meeting up because of me and Eric. I guess they never really stopped. She’s in LA a lot more than she used to be. I think there’s more going on than they will admit to. I have no problems with them dating. They fit, somehow.

Jared has gone above and beyond my expectations. He’s stepped up to the fatherly role so quickly. Our relationship feels so natural. We have to work at it, sure. But you’d never know that he didn’t help raise me unless you asked.

Brian has quickly become one of my best friends. We talk and text all of the time. He helps me with my writing and even encourages it.

Jimmy and I have become a lot closer, too. We talk about the more sensitive subjects that other people don’t quite understand.

For the first time, in a long time, I feel happy. I know that Eric isn’t going to hurt me from where he is. Sometimes, I still worry that he’ll make good on his promise and find some way to seek vengeance. I do my best to push that aside and focus on the good things in life.

And they are good. It’s great having the luxury to focus on the good things. I’m going to continue to good things with my life. I hope that my story helps inspire others and gives them the strength they need to keep going through whatever bullshit life throws their way.

When I was a little girl, I lost my mother. When I was a little girl, I lost my childhood. When I was a teenager, I fought back. When I kept fighting, I won.

My name is Angela. I’m a woman. I was abused. I was beaten down and told that I was weak. I overcame that. I am strong. I will never be the victim again.

My name is Angela and I’m a survivor.

Notes

Thank you all for staying with me through this story. I can't believe it's finally finished! Reviews would be stellar.
-Katie