Chapter 85: A fresh start.

4 years later.

When I came out of prison, everything looked different. My apartment looked bigger, even though I was kicked out because I wasn't there to pay the rent, I lost my Job and I was left with nothing. I went back to my parent's house, I expected that they would hate me when I returned but when I got home, Mom and Dad embraced me and asked me to come in. We all sat In the living room and had a conversation, it was like a family reunion.

"Angie you have no idea how happy we are to see you," Mom said,

"I'm so happy to see you too Mom, and I'm so sorry I...,"

"Don't," Mom interrupted, "Dont apologise my darling, we already forgave you years ago,"

"Yeah, we love you and nothing can change that," said Dad.

"Thanks, guys, you both are the best,"

"We are lucky to have you as our daughter," Mom said,

"Thanks, guys, honestly I thought you both would hate me,"

"Angie, how could you say a thing like that, we would never hate you, you're our daughter," Mom said

"Our only daughter," Dad said,

"Yeah, you're all we have. So please if you ever have that intention that we might hate you, wipe it off your mind," said Mom.

"Thanks, guys," I said, then there was silence in the living room.

"So, what are you up to?" Dad asked,

"Well, I'm going to rent a new apartment, and start a new life,"

"Baby but you can stay with us," said Mom

"Uh... I can but I'm 24, it won't be good if I stay, I have to find my way Mom,"

"Woah wait, you're 24 already?" Dad asked,

"Yeah,"

"How come I didn't notice?" He asked,

"In 12th I was 16, spent 4 years working that restaurant I told you about and 4 years in prison,"

"Oh yeah, that's right. Well if you say it's best you rent an apartment it's fine, as your father I would still be
Here for you. I would give you $20,000 to suit yourself, please Baby don't get into any more trouble,"

"I promise you I won't Dad," I said and smiled,

"But why not at least stay here while you look for an apartment to rent,"

"Uh... Yeah that is what I'm planning on doing Mom, I'll be here for now until I find a place to stay, I even need to find a job, I cant still be relying on you guys for money," I sighed, "This prison I went to ruined my life," I said and leaned my hand on my forehead.

"Darling don't say that, as long as you are alive, there is always hope,"

"I know Mom but this wasn't my plan, it wasn't,"

"Darling no one plans that they go to prison. Even criminals never have the intention of going to prison, so calm down okay, it would be okay," Dad said and stood up, then he sat next to me and hugged me, while I leaned my head on his chest, I felt so much relaxed and a little guilty because I know I've made them pass through a lot.

The next day when I woke up, I walked into the bathroom brushed my teeth, and then went down for breakfast, Dad and Mom were already downstairs when I got there,

"Good morning Mom, Good morning Dad,"

"Morning sweetie/Angel," they both answered together but Mom called me sweetie and Dad called me Angel. I sat on my favourite seat in the dining and picked a slice of bread, then I began to apply peanut butter on it, when I was done, I took a bite. I was so focused on my sandwich that I didn't notice Dad and Mom were looking at me. When looked up, I saw them looking at me and smiling,

"What?" I asked curiously,

"Oh nothing, we're just so happy to have you back, believe me, you have no idea," Mom said

I smiled,
"I'm so happy to be home too, believe me, you both also have no idea,"

"You are 24 and you still look like my little Angel,"

"Dad," I said and chuckled, "I am still your little Angel, just that I'm older, but that doesn't change the fact that you're way older than me," I said and we all laughed,

After breakfast, I took a shower and got dressed, then I headed out to get myself a new apartment and look for a Job, when I got out, I saw my car parked outside. The car my parent bought for me on my 16th birthday. They said I could only drive it when I'm 18 and thanks to prison, the years went by so fast now I'm very mature to drive. I walked back inside and went to my Dad's room, I asked him for the key to my car and he told me it was in his wardrobe. I got the keys and got into the car, then I drove off to find myself an apartment.

While I was driving, I stopped at my high school and I began to have good memories of the past. I parked in the parking lot and got down from the car, then I walked into the school building, it was 8:23 AM so everyone was still in class. I headed to the hall, the school's auditorium and even the laboratory. It felt so good looking at the school I went to. While I was looking around, the bell rang and students rushed out of their classes, it was the last thing I expected to happen though. While students were going to their lockers and getting ready for the next class, someone called my name, when I looked left, I saw it was our geography teacher. I walked to her and we hugged,

"Oh my goodness Angie, look at you, looking so grown up," she said

Thanks," I said and chuckled, and then she took me to the staff room where I met some of my other teachers, although they were just a few of them still in school, plenty of them had already left including Principal Benjamin, the school had a new principal and they were new faces in the staff room.