Here we are again in the old, abandoned school building, eating sandwiches, forgetting our problems just as well as skipping school once more. Watching the sun rise into the blue sky with fluffy cotton candy clouds.
"You know we're both screwed when we head home, right?" I asked him.
"Not if we don't go back were not," he smiled playfully.
I smiled back then. I wondered what would happen if we did not go back home, and then we would not have to worry about school or our parents ever again. No more stress or anxiety of disappointment from them and no more pain nor more bruises we will finally be free at last. Then an idea sparked why not leave they won't miss us hell they didn't even want us in the first place. I sat up immediately with a smile on my face.
"What if we actually left and never looked back? Just leave the pain and scars behind so we can finally be at peace," I suggested.
His playful face turned serious as he sat up distraught and then shook his head in disbelief.
"We won't make it out there on our own", He said doubtfully.
"I know someone who can help us just trust me,'' I say, holding out my hand.
He sighed and took my hand, giving me a smile and a little nod for reassurance. He stood up and walked away. I stood up shortly after and followed him. we started walking towards our hideout in the woods to wait out the rest of the day before we fulfilled our plan on running away together. I just could not get the thought of my head of us being together . Without noticing, he took my hand and placed it in his. I turned towards him and started smiling, trying not to blush. He smiled and bumped me playfully, teasing me because he knew I liked him. A few minutes passed, and he nudged me and looked at me with a serious face, and stopped walking. I looked at him concerned and wanted to know what was wrong.
"What's wrong?" I asked him, concerned.
"Are you sure you want to run away, we don't know what's out there we could get hurt or worse I don't know if were eligible to survive out there,'' He said unsure.
He broke down and fell to the ground, curling up into a ball. I sat down beside him, giving him gentle rubs on his back, lying my head on his shoulder. Hoping he would calm down and realize they were not safe, they were better off out there. Sadly, I do not think he is ready to leave, or he is just afraid that his dad would find him.
"Hey, I'm ready to do this and you should be too do you still want to be beating or hurt anymore I know you're afraid so am I, but anything is better than what we go through so come on and let's move", I smiled.
He lifted his head up and gave me a little nod. He stood up and we began walking again. Finally, we arrived at the hideout. we sat down and began to plan where we were going to go. Jay pulled out a map marked where going to go, which is Chicago. That is where my brother lives. He said he would help us.
"Alright, tonight a train runs at 12 on the dot. we have to get there at 11:30 no later or earlier", He instructed.
"So, we will meet here and make our way there, right?" I asked.
He gave me a nod as he stood up and grabbed his bag. I stood up as well and grabbed my stuff as well. Jay stopped me and pulled me closer, and gave me a kiss on my forehead. Then he started walking home, leaving me flustered and blushing red. Not shortly after, I did the same and went home thinking about how our new life would be together.
One hour later.......
I had finally arrived to see my mother passed out drunk on the couch with the bottle still in her hands spilling all over the carpet. I had figured my dad was not home yet, or he would be pissed to see her spilling beer all over the carpet. I walked over to the couch and picked up the bottle, and threw it away. Then I opened the cabinet and grabbed the cleaning spray and the scrub brush, then did the best I could to get the stain out of the carpet. After I got most of it out, I headed to my room and waited for nightfall. I was getting tired, so I set my alarm and went to sleep. "BEEP, Beep!!!" I woke up to the annoying sound of my alarm it was 10:55. I immediately got up and grabbed my bag, and snuck out of my room. I tried to be quiet as I could, but a loud creak came from the floor and woke up my dad. He yawned before beginning to speak.
"What are you doing up so late, and what's with the bag you going somewhere?" He asked while rubbing his head.
"I Was j... I'm just getting some fresh air, etc...that's all, I have a few snacks in the bag while I sit outside'' I stuttered, catching my breath.
I hated running into him; he always smelled of booze and was always mad. I hated that he would always get his way every time even when he was wrong. She would always side with him on everything and would do anything to keep him and even offer me as a plaything. That was all I was to him. I was not his sweet, loving daughter. I was just his thing. I hate him. I tried to run past him, but he grabbed me. He looked at me and smiled while walking towards me. Then, he leaned down to my ear and whispered.
"Don't be out too long, oh and don't forget, we must play our little game tonight", He whispered in my ear, then walked away, giggling
I nodded, teary-eyed, and ran out the door before crying . when I got outside, I pulled out my phone and called Jay. I got no answer. I called again, not noticing he left me a voicemail. I finally noticed the voicemail and played it.
"Hey, z. I want to let you know that I've always liked you, and I even love you. I want you to know I care about you. I will not ever stop, but I can't do this anymore. I am not as confident as you or as positive, so I need you to not hate me for what I am about to do. The truth is this world is not for everyone, and I am in that everyone. Life has been nothing but hell and havoc for us and we've been broken many times but this time I can't be put back together, so Z I love you till death and that's coming quicker than I thought...............Goodbye".
I dropped my phone and fell to the ground, tears rolling down my face. I started sobbing loudly with the thought of my best friend dead. I could not believe it. I stood up and checked my phone. It was 11:10. I ran to Jay's house, hoping I could stop him. I ran as fast as I could, and I finally made it. I ran up the steps and busted through the door to see his mom and his dad on the couch going at it, not even noticing or caring that I busted through their front door. I ran upstairs to the bathroom and kicked the door in. I say to him with the blade about to do it. I ran over and yanked the blade out of his hands and through it to the ground.
"What the hell you were going to leave me here alone?" I screamed in anger.
"I love you and you were just going to end it all when I'm the only person that actually gives a damn about you and you were going to leave me", I Yelled as my voice cracked.
"I'm sorry, okay? I wasn't thinking, but she burned me on the stove for not answering her", He cried.
He stood up, revealing all his nudity, and held out his hand for his towel. I gave it to him, blushing like crazy he went in his room to put on some clothes while I waited in the bathroom. His mom came upstairs and looked at me confused like she did not hear me yelling at her son. She scratched her head, still looking like she wanted to say something.
"Hey um...Zari, when did you get here, I didn't see you come in,' Carol asked me.
"I've been here a while now. I'm waiting on Jay," I said politely.
Jay finally walked out of his room with his bag ready to go. He held out his hand for me so we could leave. I took his hand, and we walked past his mom and headed for the door. Sadly, she followed both of us confused and concerned. She pushed between us and stood in front of us, blocking the door and looking mad. She gave both of us a death glare.
"And where the hell do you think you're going this late?" Carol yelled.
"Away from you," Jay hissed.
"Boy, don't you talk to your momma like that,'' His dad scolded.
Jay looked at me, and I looked at him. He smiled and gave me a little nod. I smiled, knowing what he was about to do. He immediately pushed past his mom, and I followed. We both kept running until we got to the train. I pulled out my phone to check the time it was 12:02. I looked up from my phone and saw the train pulling off. We both dashed after the train. Jay jumped on an open cart and held his hand out for me. I ran with all my might, and they I jumped and reached for his hand. We were only inches apart, but I my fingertips slipped through his grasp.
To be continued
