Stepbrother (H.S)

Chapter 13: Run Away

I haven't spoken to Harry in three days and it's killing me.

I thought about what he said. I don't want to be stupid and naive. I shouldn't have said that I loved him. I was just so confused and caught up with everything that's happened. I didn't know what else to do. I felt so unwanted and stupid when he pushed me away. We were starting to get along and now this.

Harry's the only one who brought excitement back into my life after my dad died. I lived my days miserable and boring before Harry came. He brought back life and energy into our house.

He was my first kiss.

I also shouldn't have said that I hated him. I didn't mean any of it. I don't think I love Harry. He's right, I don't know what love is.

There was a soft knock at my door.

"Anna honey, I need to talk to you."

It was my mom. She slowly walked in and sat at my desk chair. 

"Honey... tell me what happened at the party. I want to hear it from you."

I stayed silent. I couldn't possibly tell her what happened. It's too embarrassing and mortifying.

"Honey, I know that you don't know what's going on and that you're confused but, I think you should know-"

"Mom! I'm not as stupid. I know what happened and I don't want to talk about it."

She stood up and sat next to me on the bed. 

"I'm sorry honey." She looked at me sympathetically.

I looked at her. "Sorry for what? It's my fault, not yours. I'm the one who was stupid and didn't watch after myself. I snuck out to the party. Besides, nothing happened to me because of Harry."

"No, I'm sorry that I didn't tell you about these things. I should have talked to you and warned you about boys. I thought that I could keep you from knowing about...... the bad things in the world just a little bit longer."

"Mom, how long did you think I was going to stay young and innocent? I'm sixteen and I'm going to want to explore and learn, and experience life. Harry has helped me learn about life and how the real world is."

She sighed "I think Harry has taught you and exposed you to more than I think you should know at your age. I don't approve of you sneaking out anyway. Harry's a bad influence and I want you to stay away from him." She admitted.

I look at her with frustration taking over me. "Maybe I snuck out because you won't let me live my life and stop treating me like a child!"

I stood up and stormed out of my room. I quickly ran down the stairs. I heard my mother calling after me but I didn't care. I needed to get as far away from this house as possible.

I ran as fast as I could. I didn't know how far I had gotten from home, nor did I care. I just wanted to get away from there. I stopped at a local cafe shop on Main Street. I knew I was in the middle of town but that's the only thing I recognized.

As I entered the bell on the door chimed, alerting everyone inside that there was a new visitor. The smell of coffee beans and cinnamon bread took over my senses. I took in my surroundings. The place was half empty with a few people sitting at tables having small conversations. The place looked so cozy. It felt better than the cool, crisp, air outside during the fall time.

I took a seat inside one of the booths in the far corner of the shop. I didn't want anyone that I knew to notice me.

I thought about how I ran off. I hated when she treated me like I was a kid and that I didn't know any better. I wasn't stupid I just didn't understand people and why they did the things they did. I should have seen it coming. What Louis did to me wasn't much of a surprise. I was just stupid enough to fall for it.

I was stupid enough to think that Harry would like me and would want to be with me. I was stupid to kiss him back and grow attached to him. I knew I meant nothing to him. I was just some shiny new toy that he could play with and do whatever he told me to do. 

Maybe he stopped Louis because he knew he would get in trouble.

My thoughts were interrupted when a finger tapped the table. 

"Miss, what would you like?" 

I looked up to see a boy with blond hair and dark roots. His hair was styled in a quiff and he had these electric blue eyes that stood out from his pale skin.

"Miss what would you like?"

I shook my thoughts away. "Oh, nothing today. I don't have any money."

He chuckled. "That's kind of strange coming into a cafe with no money."

I looked down. "I know, I  kind of ran away," I admitted.

He seemed surprised. "Runaway Huh? Something tells me you ran away because you were upset."

I rolled my eyes. "Why else would someone run away?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know fear, excitement." 

I looked at the stage blond-haired boy with a raised brow.

"Why would you run away when you're excited?" I asked.

He sat down across from me. "One time I was so excited I couldn't think of anything else to do but run. I felt like I could run to Africa butt naked if I wanted to." He laughed.

I laughed at his confession. I couldn't help but laugh. his laugh was contagious.

"Ah, there goes that smile." I hid my face with my hands.

"Don't hide your smile. It's beautiful." I felt my cheeks heat up.

"My name is Niall by the way." He held out his hand. 

"My name is Anna." I placed my hand in his he kissed it similar to what Louis had done. flashbacks of the night before ran through my mind. I quickly snatched my hand away.

He looked taken aback by my change in behavior.

"I have to go." I blurted. 

I quickly stood up. He stood up as well.

"I'm sorry if I came on too strong. I was just trying to be polite." He apologized. I dashed past him to the exit. It was pouring down rain outside but I didn't care.

I started running down the sidewalk. I could barely see with the water running down my face. Then I noticed a familiar black car pull up next to me. The window rolled down to reveal a face I'd grown to know all too well.

Harry motioned his hand for me to come "Get in!"