CHAPTER 1:

"Are we falling or flying? Are we living or dying? I guess we'll never know." – Grace Potter

Laila Rygaard recognized the look in his face. Another breakup.

Her boyfriend, Kevin, has brought them to one of the best restaurants in New York City, Donovan's. Laila thought it was going to be a proposal an hour ago. She had been with Kevin for 4 years, and she thought that they loved each other. They had met on an airplane from Copenhagen, Denmark. Laila had just graduated from the University in Copenhagen to be an elementary school teacher. Her best friend had paid for a trip to New York City as a graduation present. She met Kevin and never came back.

"Laila… you know why I'm doing this." Kevin said quietly and slowly, head down. He wasn't going to expand past that.

"What are you talking about, this?" Laila said, her voice shaking.

"Breaking up, Laila. I thought that you knew. You've seen us drift apart. To be honest, I can hardly stand being around you anymore. And with my new job…" Kevin trailed off, eyeing a waitress that was walking by.

Laila couldn't think of anything to say. She was flabbergasted. She resisted the urge to crawl across the table and slap him. The drifting apart was actually his infidelity. He slept with a new girl a week after work, claiming to be in "meetings". Laila let him because she knew that she had nowhere else to stay. So she put a smile on her face, and kissed him every morning after putting breakfast on his plate. She felt dirty and disgusting every time he touched her, but she thought that deep down in his heart he cared for her. Plus, she had nowhere else to go. She didn't have any friends, because Kevin was paranoid about her cheating. Her family had all died, and her best friend in Denmark was no longer on speaking terms with her after she eloped.

"Laila…don't cry. You know what I think of crying." Kevin had no sympathy in his voice, instead it was said with a mocking tone. Laila gently wiped the tears away from her face, noticing a slight smudge in her makeup. She was trying to be inconspicuous about it; everyone in the restaurant probably knew they were breaking up. She quickly began digging in her purse, looking for her concealor and mirror.

"I'm sor-" She was cut of quickly by Kevin, who noticed her smeared makeup. His screaming brought everyone's attention to the couple.

"God damnit, you fucking idiot! Look, now I have to sit here with a weeping moron. Everyone knows Laila. Is that what you wanted? Huh? Do you think that if everyone noticed you sitting there sobbing I would take you back? Well, you're fucking wrong Laila." Kevin flew out of his chair and stomped out of the restaurant, flinging his chair at her.

Laila stopped crying, realizing what a dilemma she was in. She sat there stunned, her hands turning clammy, her heart beating against her ribs. She had no money. She had nowhere to go. How was she going to pay the bill? How could she get in a homeless shelter at this time of night? Kevin didn't let her have her own bank account or credit cards; she had no cash on her.

The skinny waitress Kevin had been ogling brought her out of her reverie. "Ma'am, are you okay? Can I get you anything?"

Laila looked up, and couldn't help but feel resentment for this girl. She was 19 or 20, perfectly skinny, had big boobs and sexy plump lips.

"N-n-no, I'm fine." Laila said quietly, desperately trying to hide her tears. Maybe if she stopped Kevin would come back. "I just want the check."

The check was brought out for just the wine, and the bill was $60. There was no way she could pay that.

Laila finally broke down, her tears coming in torrents and sobs wracking her body. She wrapped her arms around herself and cried, the first good cry she'd had in years. Everything hit her like a wrecking ball. Kevin, the man she planned on spending the rest of her life with, having a family with, broke up with her and walked off. She had no money, no job, and no place to go. No one loved her; no one was there to comfort her. She was truly alone.

All of the sudden, she felt arms around her. Her heart elated. Kevin was back! He really did love her, he came back for her. She knew it.

She looked up and although her eyes were misty, she could see it wasn't Kevin.

A/N: This is my new story. I have been thinking about the plot for years and started to write a story, but there was something missing so I'm starting over. This was originally a screenplay for a film project but turned into a story. I'm in need of a beta and not quite sure how to work the new fictionpress.

Oh, and please read and review. I know my writing isn't perfect. - JDering