Runaway

Turn to leave,

But Avery holds on to me.

   "Maple, are you avoiding me? Why? Did I do something after—well, you know."

   Shake my head. "No! It's not like that. Seriously, things have been coming up. I'm not avoiding you on purpose. Swear." Okay, that's a lie.

   "So where are you going this time?" Uh oh.

   "Uhm.. one of my friends offered to drive me home. I didn't want to miss the opportunity, so I figured we could just talk another time."

   "You know that I have a car too, right? I used to take you home all the time. Maple... what happened to us?"

   "I wish I knew."

I cancel Lucas' invite, hope he didn't start leaving yet. Avery's holding my hand, leading us to the school's parking lot.

   We get to the car. He opens the passenger door for me, and...

   "Hey Avery! Oh—and Maple. Room for one more in your car? I don't have a ride home." Me and Avery look at each other, I shrug.

"Oh, hi Hazel," That's what her name was. "I think you'll haveta find another ride home today, me and Maple have to go somewhere."

"Awh, really? Where are you two going? Can't you just drop me off first and then go..?" Desperate!

"Sorry, I can't drop you off first." He gives her a hug (gross), and gets in the car.

"Sorry about that. Where do you want to go? I didn't have a place in mind beforehand."

"Can we go back to the meadows you showed me last time? The one near the school?"

   He looks surprised to hear me say that. But he agrees, and reverses the car.