Runaway

Beep! Beep!

My alarm sounds like a jackhammer. I quickly turn it off, check my phone for any messages.

   One from Charlotte: Sorry girl! We can hang another time, promise.

   Another from Lucas: I had fun last night, let's hangout again sometime.

   A text from Avery appears: Morning. Turns out my sister had a panic attack, but she's alright now. Get ready, I'll pick you up in 5. We can stop by the coffee shop too if you're hungry.

I pull on black cargos, two toned long sleeve, and headphones. Throw my backpack on and I'm out the door before anyone's up.

Well, at least, that's what I thought.

   "Where are you going? School doesn't start in another hour, right?" Again, it's Mom. At this point, I'm tired of seeing her porcelain-like face.

But like an old porcelain doll, if you drop it, it'll crack.

   "Don't you remember what I said yesterday? Or is the old age getting to you too? Don't meddle in my business. Also, don't act like you care, if you did, you'd be around more."

   "Maple-!" I shut the door, don't wanna hear anything she has to say. I walk around the corner, Avery's car is waiting for me.

My phone buzzes, it's a text from Mom.

I suppose we need to talk after school. I'll be waiting for you to come home. Please, allow me to explain myself.

I shut the car door. "Hey Avery. Oh, I have a gift for you." Pull the seal out of my backpack. "Here, do you like it? Don't try to give it away, I put my name on the flipper."

He looks at the paw, chuckles. "I'd never even think about giving this away. Thanks, I love it." He places it on top of the dashboard, starts up the car and we're off.

"Do you wanna stop and get coffee before we head to school? There's this place behind campus I wanted to show you." Avery seems a little nervous, like he has something planned for me.

"Sure, what's this 'place behind campus' that you're talking about? Have I seen it before?"

He has a cheery smile on his face, "Hopefully not, I want this to be your first time." He brings the car 'round to the Drive-Thru. I order a latte, and he gets a regular coffee, no creamer or sweetener (crazy).

He gets to the window. The barista is a pretty girl, maybe a little older than us. Copper brown hair, and freckles spotted on her face. Her forest green eyes are glued to Avery.

"A Café Latte and Brewed Coffee, no creamer or sweetener? That'll be $7.46. You're drinks will be out shortly." She smiles at him, I can almost see sparkles glistening in her eyes.

After a short while, our drinks are finished. The girl writes something on Avery's cup before handing it to him. She grazes his hand with her own, and whispers something I can't quite hear.

"Thanks. My girlfriend loves this place. Don't you, Maple?"

My turn to act. "Oh, yeah, this is my favorite coffee shop." I lock eyes with her, "Thanks for the drinks." I can see the girls face fill with embarrassment as Avery drives off.

"Take a look at my cup, see what's written on it." I lift the cup, tilt the coffee so I can read the writing.

It's the girl's number, and underneath,

Call me!