RUN AWAY || H.S

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟗

Alana's POV.

*5 Years Ago*

I'm happy. Buzzing, actually. Still floating from yesterday.

Because yesterday... I went on a date with Asher. A beautiful, super-smart guy. A guy who is actually interested in me. We've been on several dates before, but yesterday was different. Yesterday, he asked me to be his girlfriend. And my answer? Yes. Obviously.

I met Asher on my first day of college when I literally bumped into him. He's a year older, kind and confident in that effortlessly charming way. He helped me around campus—offering to show me the best study spots, the easiest classes, and even where to find the best coffee. At first, I thought he was just being friendly, but I later realized it was his way of flirting. Spending more time with me. How adorable.

I just saw him a little while ago, right before coming home. He's leaving for almost two weeks to attend a wedding, and my chest already aches at the thought of being away from him. God, I'm going to miss him. It's crazy, right? We've only just started dating, but I already feel this strong pull toward him—like I've known him forever.

But my bliss is short-lived. As I step into the house, my father's voice cuts through the air like a knife. "Alana won't agree, Mia."

I freeze mid-step. My brows knit together. Why are they talking about me? And what exactly won't I agree to?

"She will! She loves me, dear. And this is the only option we have. We don't have that much money or time left. I'll talk to her," my mom's voice follows, trembling with desperation. She sounds like she's on the verge of tears, her voice cracking under the weight of whatever burden she's carrying.

Money? Time? What the hell is going on?

"Even if she did, I'm not agreeing to this shit!" My father's voice explodes through the house. It's sharp and filled with barely contained rage. "I'll take out loans, okay? And if needed, I'll sell the house!"

I suck in a sharp breath. My stomach clenches violently. Sell the house? My legs feel weak. My hands turn clammy. What the fuck is going on?

My mother's voice wavers, filled with fear as she pleads. "If you sell this house, where will we live? We just moved here, Carl. We are not financially stable. Look, I'm not fond of this idea either—she's our baby girl—but I don't see any other options."

Baby girl? I blink, stunned.

They can't possibly be talking about me. They never call me baby girl. Never. I'm the unwanted child. The accidental one. The one they barely acknowledge. I just... exist in this family.

But then my dad's voice breaks, raw and tired. And suddenly, I know. I know they're talking about me. "Mia, she just turned eighteen. She's still a kid. She has a bright future ahead of her—she has dreams—and this stupid thing is going to ruin all of them."

His voice wavers with anguish, cracking on the last words. And that's when it hits me. I feel my blood run cold. My knees lock. My pulse pounds violently in my ears.

Slowly, carefully, I step forward, my feet light against the wooden floor. My hands press against the wall as I inch closer, straining to hear every word. Peeking around the corner, I spot them.

They're sitting near the balcony, their backs to me. My father's head is buried in his hands, his shoulders heaving slightly. My mother's face is pale, her knuckles white as she grips her own trembling fingers. She looks so fragile—so unlike herself.