𝑅𝑢𝑛𝑎𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 (𝐻𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑜𝑛)

𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑛𝑒: 𝑌𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑒

Trigger warning || warning possible triggering subjects such as depression, death, abandonment, and other mental health issues.

Hope Mikealson POV
I wake up in the middle of the night in my bed at the Salvatore school. I got up packed a bag just what I needed, clothes, food, a little cash, and personal  items. I then write a letter to Dr. Saltzman explaining everything the letter read. "Dear dr. Saltzman I know you're probably wondering what went wrong and why I had to leave. I appreciate everything you have done for me and I hope will miss you and the girls but I have to do this. I'm sorry for everything-Hope." And then I ran well stunk out of my window and went to the bus stop and sat there holding my bag as I stared at my feet trying my best not to think about my family. I wasn't sure what I was going to do or where I was going to go I just needed out of this town anyway from the past and away from the memories. I knew I should just go home but I couldn't handle being back in that house. I close my eyes and play with my hands before feeling myself slip back into my head. I started to have flashbacks of my parents dying, of all the blood, and pain. As the memories flood my head I sit there crying to myself trying to make it stop. And it didn't not until a boy sat down next to her on the bench obviously waiting on the bus too. It was dark so I couldn't see him well but I knew he was definitely about my age. And he had black hair. I was slightly confused about why he was their but I'm guessing at the same time if he saw me then he was probably thinking the same thing.

Landon Kirby POV
I had been up all night getting ready to run again. Well it's kinda what I do. I didn't want to stay with my foster family and as much as I hated it I couldn't drag along my brother Raf this time either. I had to do this alone. I walk up to the bus stop and sit down on the bench next to this girl. I couldn't see her face but she seemed upset or something but of course I wasn't just going to start talking to her I didn't even know her or so I thought. I put my earbuds in and pull out my notebook and pencil before drawing just to calm my nerves because I was very anxious about running alone and well the fact it was 2 am didn't help any. After waiting for what seemed like a hour the bus finally pulled up the headlights shined on us that's when I grabbed my bag and stood up. The girl next to me did the same and that's when I saw her I couldn't believe it. I looked at her until she saw me staring which I could tell made her tense up. And then I think she fully saw me. "Landon?" She says. "Hope." I say giving a small smile. Hope seemed relieved but nervous at the same time. "Is this you're bus too?" She finally asked. I nod. "Yes it is. Come on we should probably get on before it leaves." I say chuckling slightly. Hope nodded before getting onto the bus I follow her on we then sit in seats across from each other so we could talk. I let out a sigh still slightly anxious before looking at her I could tell she was also nervous it didn't help that all the creeps were on the bus because it being so late. I saw one guy who had been watching her ever since we got on. It was definitely making her uncomfortable hell I was uncomfortable just watching it. Finally I said something. "Hey Hope do you want to come sit with me?" I ask.

Hope Mikealson POV
After getting onto the bus I instantly became very uncomfortable and nervous due to some creepy guy who I'm pretty sure was staring at my butt. Landon then asked if I had wanted to sit with him. I nod yes before walking over. He got up to let me sit on the inside which made me feel much better knowing the guy in the back wouldn't mess with me if I was with Landon. Trust me I know from experience. Landon then looked at me. "Are you okay?" He asked seemingly very worried. "Yes I'm fine, are you?" I asked noticing him shaking a bit. "Yeah of course." He said before looking over at something still a little shaky. That's when I did something possibly risky I gently placed my hand on top of his trying to calm him.

Landon Kirby POV
I look over at Hope's hand on mine I couldn't help but smile I have had a crush on her since we were 14. I then put my other hand on her's which did help a lot. "Hope can I ask you something?" I ask. She nods. "Of course what's up?" She asked. "Why did you stop coming by the grille?" I ask before seeing her mood change. Hope let out a sigh before speaking. "My dad died. I've been having a hard time dealing with it so I normally just stayed in my room." Hope said. I rub her hand. "I'm sorry Hope." I say. Hope nods trying to keep her emotions in. "Thanks." She said obviously upset. I was thinking about hugging her or something but was afraid she wouldn't be comfortable with that so instead we both just sit there in silence not saying a word. I sigh softly before putting my arm on the seat which was definitely close to Hope. She barely noticed because she was starting to have flashbacks again tears started running down her face she turned to look away trying to make sure I didn't  know so I turned to look at her. "Hey, hey it's okay." I say. She just shook her head before I pull her close to me and hold her. And that's how we stayed for the next 30 minutes.