(3) Not the Same: An All Time Low Fanfiction Romance

Chapter 52: Hotel (Lauren's POV)

        It had been another day since Craig came and went from the apartment. Since then, I had barely left my room. I didnt have aynthing to do, anywhere. Nothing on television interested me, at least, not anymore, and even with the free time I had from lack of school and lack of a job, I couldn't bring myself to do any of the things I once wished I had the time to do. I couldn't even bring myself to get out of bed yet.

        My phone had woken me up in the late morning, but I let it ring, keeping my eyes closed as I tried to slow down my heart beat from the sudden noise. I had forgotten to put my cell on silent, but then again, I hadn't been expecting anybody to call. I assumed it was Stella, knowing I wouldn't be hearing anything about the interview from yesterday for a few days, and for that reason, I ignored it.

        I knew she wasn't mad at me, considering she'd known about Craig the whole time, and she knew how I felt about Zack, but I just didn't want to talk to her. I didn't want her pestering me about how I was feeling and how I shoul dbe out of the apartment doing something. I was exhausted, staying up through the majority of the night replaying the argument I'd had with Craig, and then thinking about what I was going to do. Staying in this apartment was starting to suffocate me, nothing but reminders of awful memories every time I looked around.

        It reminded me of Maryland too much, the feeling I had of just wanting to get away from everything.

        As I looked across my room, blankly staring at the wall, my mind raced with thoughts of what to do. Lack of sleep and the little food I'd consumed in the past few days made me easily susceptible to headaches but I didn't feel like getting up to find Advil at the moment.

        My phone rang again, the fourth time that morning. It was still Stella. If she had caled this many times, there must have been a reason, and part of me thought I should answer it this time, but a bigger part of me still wanted to be left alone.

        Instead, I ignored her call this time, ending it after a few rings. I stood up, leaving my phone in my room before moving to the bathroom for more medicine. I carried it into the kitchen, taking an Advil with a small glass of water. I looked around the kitchen, knowing I should probably eat something, but the food supply was limited. I hadn't been shopping in at least a week, and most of what was left was stuff I wouldn't eat, thing's Craig would buy that he hadn't been home to eat.

        There was a basket of apples in the corner of the counter, and I walked over to them slowly, picking out one that wasn't bruised. I ran it under the kitchen sink for a moment and then started picking at the sticker absentmindedly, still thinking.

        My headache was subsiding, and as I paced slowly back into my room, a feeling of determination overpowering the upset I'd been feeling, if only for just this moment.

        As I entered my room, my phone started ringing again, and I took a moment to peer at the screen before seeing that it was probably safe to answer this call.

        "Hey mom," I said, holding the phone to my ear, doing my best to sound normal.

        "Hi sweetie," she greeted me. "Congratulations! We're so sorry we couldn't make it out there for your graduation, but we just can't afford it right now. We'd love for you to come home though," she said, hinting the same way she did evey time she called me.

        "I know mom. It's okay. I had some friends there," I said, reaching up to rub my nose with the back of my hand, still holding the apple. "I was actually thinking of flying home for a few days soon."

        I bit into the apple, listening to my mom gasp in surprise. "Really? Oh, Lauren, that's so great! We'd all love to see you, especially before Mike leaves for school in a few days."

        I'd forgotten my brother graduated high school this year. "Where's he going?" I asked.

        "He decided on the University of Delaware," she answered, sounding pleased, probably because he wouldn't be too far away. She hadn't liked that I was on the opposite coast and that my brother had been considering a school in both Rhode Island and California, along with Delaware.

        "Well, that's good," I said softly. "Listen, I have to go, I've just started packing. I'll call you later," I said, pulling my phone away from my ear as she was saying bye.  I hung up and turned my phone off before sliding it into my pocket.

        I took another bite of my apple, venturing out of my room to throw it away before going back. I pulled my suitcase from my closet and started moving around my room, packing enough clothes for a few days.

        I worked quickly, the urgency of getting out as soon as I could growing stronger.

        In the back of my mind, I couldn't help thinking that history was repeating itself. The situations were all too similar, and here I was, running away from my problems again. I wouldn't face anything; I was done trying to fight with Craig, I was done hoping that Zack would call because I knew he wouldn't. I was done sitting alone in my apartment. I just needed to get away again.

        With everything packed, enough for about a week, I grabbed my purse from the counter, locked up my apartment and headed downstairs.

        "Have a nice trip!" She grinned waving her wrinkled hand slowly. I hesitated for a moment before forcing a msile and then rushed out the door. I fumbled with my keys, unlocking my car and throwing my suitcase in the back seat.

        I was in a rush, for no reason other than to leave as fast as I could.

        I pulled out of the apartment, turning onto the main road. I had gotten past one set of stop lights before my attitude changed, and another feeling of stupidity and despair washed over me. I didn't have enough money to buy a ticket out to Balimore. What would I do when I got there anyway? I only had my family, and this past summer would somehow come out during the time I spent with them, but I didn't want to talk about it anymore.

        Leaning deep into my seat, I contemplated turning around the next chance I got, before I drove past a cheap hotel, the sign catching my eye. I kept glancing at it as I drove past, picturing it as a second option. I didn't want to stay in Los Angeles.

        I kept driving, going further and futher until I was out of town, until I reached Santa Barbara, two towns over. I coul dhave kept going, except I was almost out of gas. I stopped as a gast station, filling my tank halfway before driving around the area, searching for a hotel. I pulled into the first one I saw, a small hotel by the water, looking cheap enough fo rme. I grabbed my bag and headed inside, having no idea what I was even doing.