Runaway

Chapter 3

We've been walking for around five minutes now. Neither of us say anything. I think he's scared I'm going to break down again. He clearly isn't used to having to comfort someone. I feel bad I put him in that situation, especially considering I barely know him. Not to mention it was humiliating. I probably look so weak and stupid. I cringe just thinking about everyone staring at me, falling to the floor in tears. I clear my throat, in an attempt to break up the awkward silence. "I'm sorry you had to see that, I'm really embarrassed and I shouldn't have lost it in front of you we barely know each other," I stop myself when I notice I'm rambling, "anyways, I'm sorry."

"Please tell me what happened, I know it's none of my business, but-"

"No it's only fair I tell you," I interrupt him, "I shouldn't have put you in that situation."

"Stop apologizing." He says sternly. "Seriously, I don't know what it was but I know it upset you, your feelings are valid... Plus everyone freaks out sometimes, it's okay."

His speech surprisingly makes me feel better. "This guy asked me to dance with him." I tell him. My eyes wander to the brick path we're walking on. I can't look at him. "Well...not asked me....more like...." I was speaking in a whisper now. "I'm sorry this is so embarrassing, I overreacted he didn't even hurt me it's fine just forget about it," I say, trying to move on from the conversation.

"Who?" Shawn replies, angrily.

"I didn't get his name." I can see Shawn watching me out of the corner of my eye. I can't tell what he's thinking but it's making me nervous.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, I don't need you to make me feel better. Please, I just don't want to talk about this," I say shakily. My voice sounds hoarse as tears start filling my eyes again.

"I know you don't....still, I'm sorry," He says, sounding sincere. "I know it's not my business, but I think you should tell Ms. Joyce."

"She doesn't care, trust me," I blurt. I didn't mean to say that out loud, especially considering he could easily tell her what I just said. "Sorry I just don't know her that well..." I say attempting to save myself.

"Well I do know her well, and trust me she cares." A small smile appears on his face as he talks about her.

"How did you guys meet?" I ask him, genuinely curious.

"My parents were good friends with her and Mr. Dave before-" he stops mid-sentence. I can see his whole body tense up.

"Before?"

"Just before. Anyways, they've always helped me out with things so I just really appreciate them." I wish I could say the same. "Plus I babysit Lily sometimes."

"Right of course," I say, giggling under my breath. "The bad boy babysits..."

"The bad boy?" He stares back at me. My words changed the tone of his voice. He sounds sad...or offended, it's hard to tell.

"I'm just joking I don't think you're bad, that's just what I heard from school today."

"Right." He says, his small smile clearly gone now. We walk up to Aunt Joyce's front porch and stand there for a while. "You should probably go in, Ms. Joyce was worried sick."

"Yeah. Thank you for walking me home...and for calming me down earlier," I say, turning to the door.

"You'll tell Ms. Joyce about it right?" I look back at him and he smiles. "She does care."

"Ok I will." He turns away walking down the steps and down the driveway.

"Hey Shawn!" I call out to him. He turns slowly, now facing me. "Thank you." He nods and walks off into the dark.