Chapter 16

It had been two years now since Seth left. I was packing up my things because school is over now for good but I have nowhere to go. I wouldn't ever go back to my father even if he wasn't in jail and I had spent my holidays and summers staying at the school. Luckily they had summer programs with reduced staff so I was able to stay all year round.

I had barely survived the past two years. I got a new roommate about two weeks after Seth left. And guess what. He was basically just like Jake. He would do things to me all the time. And not only did he do things to me but Jake still did things to me! After a while I just stopped fighting against it. And then there was the constant beatings from Alex and a few other guys.

I hated my life so much. The only thing that kept me going were the letters and calls from Seth. He kept his word and we talked all the time...but I never told him about what was happening to me. He constantly asked if everything was going okay so he probably had a hunch that it was happening but I wouldn't ever admit it.

We never did get to meet up though. His parents had him on a short leash after everything had happened. They had him on the straight and narrow too. He complained about it constantly but at least that was the worst of it. He even had a college lined up. I didn't have the grades for a scholarship and didn't have the money to go. I should have tried harder in school but with everything that was happening...I barely had the motivation to do any work at all.

I hadn't heard from Seth in a while though so maybe he decided he was better of leaving me behind. Maybe he found someone else. As long as he was happy, I guess. But...that meant that I had no one left. That I was all alone with no one in the world left to care about me...

With a sigh I walk out of the school with all of my things. I had to leave the grounds but I had no idea where I was going. I guess I'll have to try hitchhiking? Maybe sleep on the streets until I can find a job? If I can find a job. Or...I could just end it all. I mean, really, what was the point in trying- "Sam!" I hear a familiar voice call out my name and look around for the source. Who would be calling out to me..? But then I spotted him and I swore my heart stopped for a moment.

He started walking over to me but I was frozen in place. I could hardly believe my eyes. I could tell it was him but he had changed so much. I didn't think it was possible that he could be ever more handsome than I remembered him! "Seth..." I couldn't control myself as tears started falling down my cheeks. "Is that really you? I'm not dreaming, am I?"

"I promised that we'd see each other again, didn't I?" Seth made his way over to me and wrapped his arms around me, holding me tight like I would fly away if he let go.

"You said that years ago!" I cried into his chest. "And I hadn't heard from you in a couple weeks...! I thought I'd never see you again! I thought you had moved on...!"

"I'm sorry, Sam. I wanted to surprise you." Seth nuzzled his head against mine. "I guess it worked, huh?" He laughed lightly.

"You idiot..!" I was crying still but I was laughing too. I had so many emotions running through me that I didn't know what was going on.

"So, where are you heading?"

"Honestly, Seth? I have no idea. I was just going to start walking..."

Seth frowned at Sam's response. He knew that Sam didn't have any family to go back to but he didn't think that Sam would still be so hard off. "Well then...I guess it's a good thing I showed up. My plan was to kidnap you and bring you with me." He grinned.

"...What?" I looked up at Seth, not really believing what I was hearing. Part of me was thinking that this was all a dream.

"Why else would I be here? I'm a free man now and I've come to take you away with me. I had a job while in school and I saved up a lot of money over the years for this master plan of mine." Seth smiled.

"Master plan...?" I was still in disbelief. It all sounded so perfect and wonderful that it had to be a dream.

"Yeah." Seth laughed at my reaction. "So are you coming, or not? I kind of got us an apartment so I'm really hoping that you'll come with me."

"You..what?" I could barely see anymore from how much my eyes were tearing up.

"...Is that a no?"

"No...! It's a yes! Of course I'll come with you! It's all I ever wanted! It's what I've been dreaming of all of these years...!"

Seth smiled from ear to ear. "Same. But...you look like crap. Definitely haven't been eating, have you?" He teased. "I'm going to get you so plump. I've been working on my cooking and I have to say...I'm pretty great at it." He grinned.

"You're so mean..." I say though I was smiling so much that I thought my face would crack in two.

"Come on, let's go." And with that Seth led me to his car and we drove away from the living hell that I had spent the last three years of my life in. I had a feeling that my life was about to get a million times better. I couldn't wait to start my future with Seth.

The End.

(Author's Note: There was supposed to be a side-story called Two Years Without You that would have taken place during the two years that Seth was away and Sam was all alone but I lost all motivation for it and never really got it going and now it's been ten years. I tried to fix up the ending a bit to make it a little more enjoyable so hopefully it's a bit better. Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed!)