epilogue

                                    

                                          
- autumn's pov - 
"How's Lily?" 
Bailey smiled at the name, "She's good- we're good" she answered, adjusting the phone that was next to her ear. I couldn't help but look at my reflection in the glass. This place has definitely aged me a lot more than I wanted it to. 
"You guys move out of that apartment yet?" 
Bailey got annoyed before she even answered the question. "We've wanted to, but buying the house on Madison has been such a pain in the ass. The people who remodeled it did a shitty job" she rolled her eyes "It's a whole process and we've gotten so close to buying so many times and then we always open another can of worms. Like, last week Lily and I were talking to April-" their realtor "and she told us there is a leak in the ceiling. So now we are having to call in someone to check the house and give us the run-down but that's happening in a few days." 
Bailey's expression straightened, clearly annoyed as she remembered the setback. Bailey had sold our house a year or so after the trial. I don't blame her. She and Lily were doing awesome, and apparently Lily had 'too romantic of a gesture to not say yes' when asking Bailey to move in with her. Lily's apartment was perfect for the two, and Bailey has been glowing since she had dinner with her. I can tell she's in love. And it makes me so genuinely happy for her. 
Bailey has definitely been the most constant. She visits every Sunday morning and every once in a while she would bring Lily. Funny, I've only gotten to know Lily well through a glass window and a phone. She seems sweet, and I know she treats Bailey well. I have no complaints. 
But today, it was just Bailey. "So to answer your question: yes, we are still in her apartment"
"Not a bad place to be" I shrugged, tapping my fingers on the counter in front of me. I eventually look back at Bailey, and the colorful world waiting for me on the other side. Everything in here was gray. I wonder if they do that on purpose. Maybe it's their way of dulling an inmate so that they don't re-offend when they finally get out. 
"So, are you excited?" Bailey asked, catching me before my daydream swallowed me 
"What?" 
Bailey chuckled lightly. "For tomorrow, duh" 
Tomorrow. The day I've been waiting for seven years. I smiled slightly and leaned my elbow on the counter, getting closer to the glass. "Who's picking me up?" 
"Someone" Bailey offered with a smile. She leaned closer as well, "I can't believe you're getting out" 
I rolled my eyes, pretending to take offense "What, you thought I'd be in here forever?" 
"Well, it's felt like forever. I just can't believe it's finally time" she said with a softer, hopeful tone
I nod slowly. It really has. Seven years don't pass quickly when you're spending your time in the same cell, eating the same food, and talking to the same guards and inmates. I have made memories, even if they weren't how I expected to spend my twenties. Hey, I still have three years of them left. I thought of Maddy's words that night she took me for ice cream
We sat on the sidewalk beside each other under a streetlight, eating our ice cream. My collarbone has mostly gone numb, but whatever Maddy did to it made it feel better. I knew it would be sore tomorrow morning. "You think I'll have a scar?"