After Everything

Samantha finally found her seat on the plane. It was her first time in first class and it was a little more crowded than she had expected. She looked around at the other passengers and felt out of place. These people looked like they practically bled money. Samantha did well at her job as a writer and editor, but she definitely couldn't add up to these snobs. Men, women, and children surrounded her, all wearing expensive clothes, some speaking in British accents, most likely going where she was headed, and others spoke with the accent of her native land - New Jersey.

The "Fasten Seat Belt" sign came on and Samantha shut her cell phone off and slipped it inside of her purse. She started running her fingers over her knuckles, her leg bouncing, and her heart in her throat. Flying always made her nervous. She needed a cigarette badly. That, or for the drink cart to come around and serve her a scotch.

She felt the plane take off after the stewardesses had taken their own seats and she closed her eyes, her hands gripping the hand rests. Luckily in first class, you got your own seats and didn't have to share arm rests. The only time you had a neighbor was when you were traveling with that person. If you were alone, which Samantha was, you had your own seat next to the window. The blonde couldn't bare to look out of it, though. No way. It was already a project for her friend, Kate, in London to convince her to come and be in her wedding which required a plane ride, so there was no need to look out of the horrifying window. She was twenty four years old and this fear had stuck with her since she was just a child.

The plane finally settled and she took a deep breathe, exhaling sweet relief. The second the seat belt lights shut off, the drink carts were cruising the aisles. Samantha sat up straight in her seat and almost jumped into the aisle to get the guy's attention. He saw her shifting in her seat and quickly pushed his cart over.

"Morning, Miss? What can I get you?"

She smiled politely at the man and ordered a scotch on the rocks. He nodded and poured the alcohol in a medium sized glass over ice, and handed it to her. He was hardly a foot past her before she had taken in the contents of the glass in one sip. She was stressed. And it wasn't just the plane.

She was going back to London, England after leaving four years ago. Back to her old friends, her old environment. Back to her old flame.

Marcus Mumford.

Over the years, Kate had kept her updated on everything and everyone. Her and her boyfriend, Sean, had gotten engaged about a year ago and Sean was very good friends with Marcus, and the other boys - Ben, Winston, and Ted. Kate had asked Samantha to be in her bridal party, after saying that she was always very fond of her and missed her. Samantha accepted, only because she always considered Kate one of her good friends.

Kate had also said that Marcus was in and out of about three relationships over the past four years - none of which seemed realistic. Just quick fucks or to kill the loneliness he must've been feeling. He had been single for a few months now, which made Samantha a little relieved. He wouldn't be flashing some dumb bimbo around in front of her face. She couldn't lie to herself and say she wouldn't care about that. She knew it would drive her mad.

Samantha almost chickened out of going the night before, knowing that she had to face the man who had stolen her heart years before. She wouldn't feel that bad if she had given him more of a goodbye than simply whispering the word into the phone at three o'clock in the morning, hours before her flight back to her childhood home.

They had gotten into a stupid fight a day prior to her departure. An acquaintance of her swore she saw Marcus at a pub with a brunette bombshell on his arm and apparently, they could keep their hands or lips off of each other all night. Not even thinking, she ignored Marcus the entire next day, too upset and angry to talk to him or demand answers. Samantha had never been cheated on before, and was shameful in thinking that she didn't know how to handle it. She did all she could think to do - run.

She suddenly felt tears in her eyes, making her sniffle and quickly wipe them away. The drink cart was passing her in the opposite direction and she held her glass up with another polite smile, the young man filling her glass again. She cradled this glass, not wanting to arrive in London drunk as a skunk; first impressions were everything, anyway.

She took another deep breathe and decided to close her eyes and try to nap. It would take about six hours to get across the ocean to London, and she definitely needed to sleep. She had been packing, unpacking, then packing again all night before deciding that she was going to go. She was nervous, but thanks to the scotch, she was out within minutes.

"Miss. Miss, wake up. We've arrived in London."

Samantha opened her eyes, immediately stretching, her sweater nice and warm around her. She ran a finger under both eyes, hoping her makeup wasn't smudged. She thanked the stewardess whom had this eerie permanent smile on her face and stood out of her seat. She grabbed her purse, her carry on bag which held her socks, underwear, and her toiletries, and headed out with the rest of the first class group.

Samantha felt a knot in her stomach as she walked through the terminal. She had already grabbed her luggage off of the belt and was taking her time to get outside. She looked out the windows as she was slowing her pace and saw that it was a little gray outside, but not as warm or muggy as she assumed it would be. It was June and the heat was another thing she definitely wasn't looking forward to, especially if she was going to be in a dress.

She finally made it outside, the smell of her old home overwhelming her. She inhaled and exhaled, looking around the front of the airport. She hailed a cab, and crawled inside as the driver offered to place her stuff in the trunk. She reached for her phone in her bag and dialed Kate's number after telling the driver where she was headed.

A few rings sounded off in her ear, but Kate eventually answered.

"Hey, you! Where are you?"

Samantha smiled to herself and ran her free hand through her blonde straight hair.

"I actually just got into a cab and I'm headed over to yours now. Are you sure you want me to stay there?", she asked as she looked out of the window, the fact that she was back in London seeming surreal to her.

"Of course I do, darling. If I didn't, I would have never offered. Plus, having you here would help me so much with the finishing touches for the big day!", Kate exclaimed - well, squealed, really.

Samantha couldn't help but laugh, though, genuinely grateful and excited. She told Kate that she would arrive soon and hung up.

"First time in London?"

Samantha looked up and automatically grinned, remembering when she used to live in the city.

"No, no. I used to live here but it's been a while since I've moved."

"Here on holiday?"

The blonde looked up at the driver and shrugged, sending him a polite smile. His accent was a reality check for her. She wasn't in America anymore. When she first moved to London, the accent and lingo was difficult for Samantha, but after being around it for three years, she had gotten very used to it.

"Sorta. Friend's getting married in a few weeks and I'm in the bridal party", she explained with her hands, the Italian habit that she had picked up from both sides of her family.

The driver smiled and nodded as if he was impressed.

"That sounds lovely. Forgive me, but I couldn't help but hear that you're staying at her place. It sounds like a holiday to me. Staying with your friend, preparing for a wedding", he spoke, keeping his eyes on the road.

She nodded and agreed verbally. Mentally, however, she just wanted to tell him to turn around and take her back to the airport. Take her back home where she was accepted and where her career was taking off.

No.

She had come this far. She had promised Kate and Sean that she would be there and she was going to be. Whether Marcus was going to be a problem or not was the real issue, but they were both adults and hopefully handled the situation like adults.

About thirty minutes later, the kind driver pulled up to Kate and Sean's three bedroom flat. It was absolutely beautiful - almost like her old one, and that was just the outside. The driver hopped out, the motor still running, and unloaded the trunk as Samantha ran up the stairs to knock on the door. Within seconds, Kate had appeared, Sean in tow, and embraced the American before the front door was fully open.

Samantha chuckled as the two released her, and Sean had joined the driver in lifting the bags from the trunk.

"How was your flight?", Kate asked, hands on her hips and a bright smile across her face.

"It was fine", Samantha lied. "Slept through almost all of it."

Kate nodded in glee and Samantha walked down the stairs to pay the driver. She handed him the money and he smiled at her.

"Have fun on your holiday, miss. It should be a good one."

She thanked the younger man and helped Sean carry her bags inside, Kate holding the door open and closing it behind them. The smell of cinnamon and coffee hit Samantha's face as she walked up the small foyer steps and into the large living area. The floors were hardwood and the main wall that held the fireplace was brick and complete with a grand piano off to the side and a flat screen television across from it. Samantha spun slowly, taking everything in.

"Guys, this place is amazing. So homey. I'm in love."

Kate grinned as Sean was pouring the kettle.

"Thank you, dear. It took a while to get it like this but now that we have, we don't want to leave. It's rare we go out these days", Kate laughed to herself, Sean handing her a mug.

Samantha stopped twirling to gratefully accept her own cup from Sean and sat with them in the open kitchen at the island.

"You excited? The day's just another month away."

The couple glanced at each other, making each other smile. Sean spoke up as Kate sipped her tea.

"Yes, very. Again, we want to thank you for coming so early in advance to help out."

Samantha placed her mug down, holding her hands out with a smile.

"Please, no need to thank me, guys. Honestly. If anything, I'm thanking you for letting me stay here. I'm more than happy to be here right now and help out in any way I can."

Kate patted her friend's hand in a thanking gesture. Samantha just smiled as Sean left his mug to open the fridge.

"Girls hungry?"

Samantha stood up from the island stool and shook her head.

"No, thanks. I think I'm actually going to settle in, if that's alright. I'm a bit jet lagged."

Kate jumped out of her own stool and eagerly helped her friend to one of the extra rooms. When the white door opened, Samantha was immediately met with three walls around her, and the wall straight ahead was nothing but a large window. It was breathtaking. If this was their guest bedroom, she could only imagine what their bedroom must've looked like. She turned to Kate and hugged her.

"This is amazing. Thank you so much."

Kate hugged her back and kissed her cheek.

"No problem at all. And if you thank me again, I'm gonna smack you."

Samantha laughed and placed her bags in the middle of the room. She noted that there were two dressers in the room and would unpack later in the night.

"There's a bathroom directly across the hall. It's all yours, since mine and Sean's room has it's own attached. Please make yourself at home and don't hesitate to help yourself."

Samantha gave Kate another hug before she was left alone. It was a long day and knew the festivities wouldn't be happening until tomorrow, when Sean's parents were going to have a huge party for the entire bridal party and closest family at their home. Samantha knew that Sean came from a wealthy family, so something extravagant was definitely in the works. She had packed a dress just for the occasion.

After putting a few clothes away, the blonde decided to lay down and catch up on some sleep. It was already five and she could barely hold her eyes open anymore.

The next day was the first of many important days for a while, so she knew to get into a routine as soon as possible.