I squinted my eyes as I tried to read the time on the digital clock sitting on my bedside table. The red numbers read 6:03 am. Wait, what? 6:03 am? I jolted awake, heart racing. My sweat drenched t-shirt clung to my body tightly. My breaths were short and fast, almost like I'd just run a marathon.
Suddenly, I heard a quiet squeak. I strained my ears, and sure enough, it came again. Whenever my parents tossed and turned in bed, the squeak of their mattress was broadcasted throughout our tiny house. I was certain one of them would wake soon. Now, or never! I leaped out of bed and my feet landed on the carpeted floor with a thud. In a split second, my knees were touching the ground. I'm a clutz, so I guess it shouldn't have been such a surprise. Grabbing the bed frame, I hauled myself to my feet once again.
Oh my God, this is insane. I can't do this! To my amazement, that single thought gave me just enough strength to stumble into the bathroom, half blind. I flicked on the light, which made my eyes burn and fill with tears.
Palms pressed against the counter, I took a moment to look at my reflection. Brown eyes, coarse brown hair, chapped lips and if you looked carefully, into my dull eyes, you could see the raw terror that was consuming me. I took a deep breath, but it ended in a huge fit of coughs. I swallowed, but I had difficulty with that, too.
I turned on the tap and attacked my face with cold water.
Pull yourself together! I pictured Zachary standing alone at the park, waiting for the girl who would never come. Because she was a coward. Because she was weak. Because she was-
I turned off the tap and stared into the mirror once again. My name is Scarlett Bellamy, and all my life I have lived in fear, afraid of consequences and worrying about the outcomes, never taking risks and never believing in myself. This is not who I want to be anymore, this is not who I am.
I peeled off my sweaty clothes and let them drop onto the floor. Quickly, I pulled on a dry outfit and marched out of the bathroom. I couldn't let Zach down, I couldn't let myself down. Not this time, not again.
***
I skated across the kitchen tiles in a pair of green socks. I swung the fridge open and scanned its contents. A couple of leftovers from last night, a frozen pizza, milk and juice. Mom hadn't done her weekly grocery shopping.
A wave of sadness washed over me as I realized it wouldn't matter if she re-stocked the fridge again or not. I was never coming back.
I glanced at the clock hanging on the wall. 6:27 am. I was late. There was no time for breakfast. But it didn't matter as I was already bloated. I'd been feeling full without eating for the past few weeks. I promised myself I'd Google it sometime before grabbing a banana from the bowl sitting on the table.
I couldn't sort out my feelings. I was numb with excitement, but also scared as hell. I know it doesn't sound right, but it's one of those feelings you can't really describe. It was almost like I was so ecstatic and scared that my brain couldn't take it all in, so it shut itself off. Thank God, though, because if I could sort them out, I might have chickened out.
I hit the sidewalk in a matter of seconds. I didn't realize I was running. My legs pumped up and down, despite the fact that the wind tried its best to prevent me from going anywhere fast and I had about ten pounds on my back. I tried not to notice the broken fences, peeling paint and dead gardens as I ran. I'm not very fond of my neighborhood. It's such an embarrassing place to live in.
The insults and comments came back to me at full force. Poor bitch! She is such a try hard! Fake! She lives there? Why would they let her in this school? She's ruining our reputation! Oh my god, I am so embarrassed for her. Who does she think she is? Freak. Please, leave this town.
I took a breath and pushed all the thoughts away as best as I could. I had to get to Zach on time. What if he left? What if he thought I wasn't going to be there? Clenching my fist, I told myself that I couldn't slip up, not now. I ran faster.
As Miss. Deliah's house came into view, I slowed down and pulled my hood over my head. She was an early bird, always awake before the entire neighborhood. I realized today wouldn't be any different. Just like I expected, she was sitting in her balcony with a steaming cup of something, probably tea. Her gray hair was still in their rollers and if I wasn't in such a weird mental state, I probably would have laughed.
"Scarlett! Is that you?" She shrieked from above. I stopped abruptly and considered my options. Should I lie? Should I run?
"Just what do you think you're doing, young lady?" She called louder in an accusing tone. My heart sank as I realized she must have heard the newest rumor. Apparently I'd stolen candy bars from a convenience store just yesterday.
"Answer me!" She screeched. I had to shut her up. It was bad enough that she saw me, I didn't need the whole neighborhood to witness my running away. I tugged my hoodie down over my eyes.
"Just a morning jog, Miss!" I screamed back before racing away. Please let her be the gullible type.
I kept my eyes down as I jogged down the sidewalk. I was aware of Miss. Deliah's eyes trained on the back of my head. I had to make it look real. I was so concentrated on lifting my legs and pumping my arms that I didn't notice the person walking towards me. The collision was painful. My right cheek slammed against his blue hoodie with such force that I was sure we were both going to have bad bruises.
"I'm sorry!" I squeaked, without looking up. Miss. Deliah must have seen my little accident. My cheeks flushed and I started to speed walk away from him.
"Scarlett!" He laughed. "Come back here." Zachary!
YOU ARE READING
The Chasers
Adventure"You'll never catch your dreams if you don't learn to chase them." Scarlett and Zachary have run away from home as an act of teenage rebellion to restart their lives- at least that's what everyone back in their hometown thinks. But they know exactly...
