Take Me Back to Start

The hospital stay proved to not be very long. Next thing Jolie knew, she was in the car with her father one the way to the apartment she had been living in for years to clear out her stuff. This would be the last time she was staying there. She kept sending nervous glances at her dad, but quickly turned back to the window watching the buildings pass by.

When the pair finally arrived, Jolie saw that Alex’s car was missing in the parking lot. She insisted she could pack herself and asked her father to stay outside. After a short argument, he finally agreed. She let herself in and saw the mess from the fight still evident. She forced herself to look away and head to the bedroom. Very slowly, she packed up her clothes and personal belongings. There was about three bags. Nothing else really mattered to her.

When the bags were packed, Jolie froze when she looked at her nightstand. It was a framed picture of Alex and herself on their one year anniversary. She was looking at the camera with a huge grin and couldn’t remember the last time she smiled so genuinely. What practically tore her apart was when she looked at Alex. His eyes were locked on her with so much admiration and love, that she felt a tightness in her chest. She would do anything to go back to that moment, to live in it forever.

With a final breath, Jolie grabbed the photograph and brought it into the kitchen. She set it down on the counter and pulled out a piece of paper.

Alex, This moment is tearing me apart. I never thought this day would come. I love you with my entire being, but I can’t stay here. I can’t live like this and neither can you. I’m leaving you. I’m so sorry, so sorry. Just look at what we use to be and look at us now? Can you say you’re happy as you were in this photograph? It’s been years since we looked at each other so genuinely. I’ll probably always love you, but I need to look out for myself for once. I can’t let you kill me. I can’t…Please understand. Make yourself happy, okay? I hope life treats you well.
Love you, Jolie
After a final glance at the apartment, Jolie headed back outside struggling to drag the backs with her. Scott noticed her and instantly came to get the bags. “Are you okay?” he asked her softly as they walked to the car. Without looking at his eyes, she nodded her head. There was nothing else for her to say. She had to be okay.

The big Huntington Beach sign was something that Jolie remembered well. As she and her father passed it, she realized the reality of her situation. She actually left. It was official. She could feel panic start to rise in her chest and she grabbed onto the car door tightly. With her eyes closed, she tried to focus on her breathing. Her heart was beating faster, but after a few moments of controlling her breathing, she calmed herself down.

After about twenty minutes, the car pulled up to a medium sized, grey blue home. It was the house that Jolie grew up in. Scott got out of the car with ease and picked up the three bags. Jolie was frozen in the car for a moment before slowly getting out.

“Hey, Mr.Nickelson! Need help carrying anything?” A familiar husky voice called out making Jolie instantly stop in her tracks. She couldn’t get herself to turn around and face the man, but there was no way it could be anyone else. She would recognize that voice anywhere.

“I’m good, Matt, don’t worry about it. You might want to come over though. I got a visitor,” Scott laughed softly glancing over at small daughter.

Matt Sanders noticed the young girl next to his longtime neighbor and his eyes practically bugged right out of his head in shock. The last thing he had expected was to his best friend since childhood. The last time he talked to her was at least two years ago. Before he could even get a word out, he was crossing the road with his eyes locked on Jolie. His eyes wandered over her taking in every inch of her, even though she still wasn’t completely turned to him. He could see each bruise on her and was shocked. When he finally reached her, he went to pull her into a hug.

“Don’t touch me!” Jolie panicked almost instantly. She finally looked over at Matt when she practically jumped a foot away. The minute the words left her mouth, she regretted them when she saw the hurt in his eyes. She took a breath and looked down at her feet. “I’m sorry…I didn’t mean that. I was just on edge. I…It’s good to see you, Matt,” she said gently with guilt clearly in her voice.

Jolie felt bad that she reacted so poorly. She could remember the days when Matt Sanders meant protection and safety. The pair grew up together and couldn’t remember a moment in their childhood without the other. Their parents grew up across the street from each other and were good friends, thus they raised their children to be friends too. She could remember the day she asked Matt to be her brother.

“Matty?” a ten-year-old Jolie asked her best friend Matt Sanders. The pair were sitting in the tree house in her backyard. Matt was looking out the little window trying to spy on the neighbors. Without even turning around, he just mumbled a response. “Can you be my brother?” she asked in a little voice.

Matt turned around with a confused look on his face. “What are you talking about? We don’t have the same parents,” he said simply.

“I know that, but I heard one some show that Mom had on that friends are the family you choose. I choose you, Matty. I don’t have any siblings and I really want a brother!” Jolie insisted.

“Well, if that’s true, then yes. I’ll be your brother, your big brother! That means I’ll beat up anyone that’s mean to you and I have to approve of your boyfriends…And I won’t let anyone make you cry!” Matt said proudly, “That’s what I do for Amy, but Amy is just little.”

“You already do that for me, silly,” Jolie said easily tossing her hair over her shoulder, “But as your little sister, I will annoy you all the time and make sure no crazy girls mess with you.”

As Matt looked at Jolie, he was able to assume what was going on. From the lack of communication, clear injuries, and panic, he could tell that things hadn’t gone well with Alex. If he hadn’t already hated the other man, he would now. With a forced, dimpled smile, Matt just kept his distance. “No worries, Jolie. It’s good to see you. The guys and I missed you. It, uh, it would be nice if we could hang out. You sticking around for a bit?” he asked a bit awkwardly.

With a quick glance over at her father, Jolie looked back at Matt with a nod of her head. “I’ll be around. I’m staying with Dad for a bit. Um, I have a new number. If you want it…” she offered a little self-consciously.

Matt laughed right away with a dimpled grin and shook his head. “Stop overthinking. I definitely want that number. We have a lot of catching up to do. Plus, the guys really miss you too,” he says easily. Jolie was surprised how genuine he seemed. If she was being honest with herself, she missed all of them just as much. With a tiny smile, she pulled her phone out to exchange numbers. Afterwards, Matt promised to text her soon about hanging out. He had to head back across the street to visit with his parents.

Notes

Thank you everyone who commented! I hope chapter two is good! Let me know what you think! :)