One Way Ticket | a love story

Chapter Twenty-Four

- Okay, you can. What's your name? Do you have anything else with you? - I questioned and they shook their head.

- My name is Luna. - A long sigh left my mouth once the speaker announced the train arriving.

As I stood up, the kid grabbed my hand and walked next to me to the platform. We stood there and waited, I leaned on a thicker pole and the child leaned on my leg. Finding its mom would be the best thing but I didn't have time for that. Leaving it here would make me feel guilty. If they told the police, I'd return it and leave again. It didn't seem like a trap and the child was actually crying but I could never be sure enough.

As the driver opened the door, we got on the train. She held my hand tightly and showed her ticket before we sat down at the back of the train. I placed the bag under my legs and Luna sat on my lap as the train started filling up. Soon her head found its place on my shoulder. I hugged her and stared out the window in hopes of zoning out and falling asleep. Eventually, I did and Luna woke me up once the train stopped.

-Mister... wake up... - I rubbed my eyes as I gathered the information from before I fell asleep around my head. The driver opened the train door and let us out. Once we ran out, the doors closed and we got lost in the crowd to try and find our way around.

First thing I noticed was the electronics store where I had to buy a phone and potentially call mom to tell her that I didn't die or something. I know it might not be a good idea but I don't want to make her worry to the point of calling the police and making a fuss about all of this. After all, I am an adult and I want to do what I want much rather than obeying more of their rules.

So we did. We moved down the street and across it before entering the store. It smelled almost plastic-like. Devices were scattered all around the white tiles which were catching the white artificial lights. Luna's grip on my hand got significantly tighter and she walked closer to me. I smiled at the worker and went over to the desk he was sitting at.

- Hello, I'd like a cheap Samsung. - I blurted out quickly while rubbing Luna's hand in circles.

Soon I unpacked the phone and took it out, turning it on. - Do you have sim cards by any chance? - The worker nodded.

- Which one would you like? - He asked. - Lebara please. - I paid for the device and card before going out of the store.

Soon I felt a pull on my hand and as I looked down, my eyes locked with Luna's big, pleading eyes.

- I'm hungry. - She said and I took another look around.

- Let's walk a bit further to find a place to stay and then we will find some food. Okay? - She nodded and I started speed walking down the street until I saw my salvation: a yellow door with the hostel sign on it. I picked Luna up, crossed the road and went inside.

A woman greeted us and got us to the beds. I agreed to sleep in one bed with Luna today so tomorrow we could find a better place to be until I decide to go back to London. A few other people were in the room with us and stared at me until we went into the community living room which was empty at the time. Oxford was a pretty bright place and the people looked pretty friendly. Luna sat next to me and watched as I typed the number of the phone's secretary and asked for my mother's number. While I was leaning back, Luna hugged me from the side and I heard her stomach growling. The guilt washed over me as I realized I took her out of her mom's arms because I couldn't wait a little longer.

-Hello? - I heard mom's voice from the other side.

- It's Noah. I'm fine, don't look for me, I'm not dying, bleeding, or in pain. - I said and closed my eyes.

- Oh god, Noah! What is wrong with you? Why did you run out of the hospital? Are you insane? Are- - I hung up on her, at the edge she always brings me to.

Luna's head snapped my way as I got up and took her hand. - Let's go eat. - We left the hotel and went down the street to find a restaurant to eat lunch at.

She ordered what she wanted but I only got a cup of water. My appetite dropped a lot today and I am too lazy to try and fix it. Luna ate in silence which was broken by my phone ringing. It took me a moment to realize since the ringtone was different. The number was unknown but I answered anyway since it might be Sam. But it was much worse than I imagined.

- Hello? - I spoke while taking a bigger sip of the water.

- Hey Noah, what are you doing in Oxford? Going to study? Or running away? - John spoke from the other end of the line and a lump formed in my throat.

His voice was easy to recognize and it hit me that it was his number. It just came a bit too late.

- What do you want? - The only words that came out of my mouth. I was honestly only wondering why is he calling me. Yeah, I slapped Layla, but she deserved nothing less than that.

- I want you to come back so I can kill you for beating her up. - I was too distracted with my own thoughts but I heard the words 'beating her up' loud and clear.

- I didn't beat her up. Find someone else to take your anger out on. And educate yourself about the events of a few days ago. - I hung up and put the phone in my pocket.

Luna was staring up at me again and put a bite of spaghetti in my mouth. - It'll make you feel better. - she flashed a smile.

Her mouth was dirty so I chuckled in return for her smile and wiped the sauce away from her face for her. The one bite made me feel much better actually and I was almost happy she was here with me. If she wasn't, I'd be sitting on a bed, drunk or high and crying.

But I had to be strong even if it was for her since she was much younger, smaller and for her being alone would be hell in a city she knows nothing about. Luna got up on the chair and took the hat off of my head with a smaller quieter giggle.

- You look pretty with scars! You look like a dangerous gangster, like the ones in dramas! - My cheeks were red from her remark and I chuckled while looking for the bill and placed down the money we owed.

As we went out, Luna spotted an ice cream truck and pulled at my arm. - Can we get some ice cream? Please? - She pouted a little and jumped up and down slightly as I nodded and started walking to it.

She took the flavor she wanted and I paid for it before we walked back to the hostel which was not far away luckily. She licked her ice cream and sat on the bed while I lay on it in silence with closed eyes. My mind was on another planet where I was alone.

Suddenly, inside of me grew the feeling of greed. I wanted revenge. I wanted John dead. And the rest of my ex-friends. They all collectively lied to me and tried to hide things from me for no valid reason. I needed to see them suffer.