Escape With Me- 18+

Chapter 13

I was doing everything in my power to fight back the tears. I was beginning to walk out of the parking lot when I heard my name being called.

I turned to see Richard in a new car. It didn't take a detective to figure out that it was stolen. But that was the least of my problems.

I went over to the truck and got into the passenger's side. And it was at the very moment that Richard asked me what was wrong that I broke down into tears.

"I got into a fight with my friend, Alexa." I sobbed. I buried my hands in my face, not wanting Richard to see my face.

"Do I need to talk with her?" Richard asked protectively.

"No, it's not like that. I'm just afraid that we will stop being friends."

"Have you two ever had any fights before?"

"Yes,"

"And did you guys make up?"

"Yes,"

"Then why would this be any different?"

"I don't know," I said.

All of a sudden, I felt stupid. Shedding tears over something that small.

"If you don't mind me asking, what did you two fight over?" Richard asked curiously. I then went and explained everything.

Sharing with Richard calmed me down more and made me feel closer to Richard at the same time.

By the end of my story, Richard looked pissed. At first, I thought he was upset at me for telling Alexa about how he and I are going to run away. But what he told me showed otherwise.

"She had no right to bring that shit up. That was the lowest she could've gone. I'm sorry she said those hurtful things about you."

Richard's kind words brought tears to my eyes. In a good way, of course. I needed to hear that apology. Too bad it didn't come from Alexa.

"Thank you," I said quietly. Richard responded by pulling me in for a hug. I once again started crying. This time not caring if Richard saw.

"Come here," Richard said, motioning for me to sit on his lap. Once I was sitting on him, I buried my face in his shoulder and cried harder.

Richard told me soothing affirmations as he rubbed my back. His gentleness and calmness slowly helped ease the pain until it no longer overwhelmed me. The sadness was still there, but not as noticeable as before.

After sitting back on the passenger's side, Richard started the car and drive out of the parking lot.

"Where are we going?" I asked curiously.

"Somewhere to cheer you up."

"Richard, I'm not in the mood for sex."

Richard laughed after I said this.

"I know, Avilyn. I am well aware of time and place. And as flattered as I am about you thinking I'm this endless sex machine, I'm not one."

"Oh," I said, instantly feeling my cheeks burn scarlet red. "I just thought because- never mind. Well anyways, where are we going?"

"You'll see," Richard said, putting his hands on my thigh. I let it stay there

I was surprised by how well of a driver he was despite him being only 15. He was so chill and laid back. He drove exactly the speed limit. Probably to give the cops one less of a reason to pull us over.

An hour later we were at this building, advertised with a huge sign that proudly read "Largest Candy Store in the South!"

I grew excited, imaging the endless supply of candy they had there and enjoying the thought of eating it all.

Richard smiled after watching my excited reaction.

Once we got out of the car, Richard grabbed my hand and walked with me inside.

The candy store looked even better inside. Any kind of candy you could possibly think of was here. And they had more than just candy.

They had soda, they had pies, they had chocolate-covered fruit and more. They even had steak.

Richard and I went overboard, grabbing whatever we could get our hands on. Richard stole a few things, but the majority of the things were paid for. (Richard had found a wad of cash in a secret compartment in the stolen car.)

We ended up abandoning the stolen car and getting a new one at a gas station. The two of us wore masks and hoods to hide our faces.

Richard told me we had to get a new one because the truck was now most likely reported as a stolen vehicle, and the cops were probably on the lookout for the truck.

Once we were in our neighborhood, Richard ditched the car in an abandoned warehouse about a few blocks from the cemetery. We then went back to "our spot." I was exhausted from all of the crying. After lying next to Richard, I soon dozed off into a dreamless sleep.

***

The next morning, Richard and I had a shit-ton of candy for breakfast. I'm able to eat a whole bunch of sweets without getting an upset stomach or gaining weight.

"I should probably go to school today," I said as I unwrapped a chocolate candy bar.

"But school started a couple of hours ago.".

"I know but-"

"How about we go to school together, tomorrow?" Richard suggested. I didn't want to wait until tomorrow, but I figured that if Richard was going it would be worth waiting.

"Okay, I guess."

"Perfect. Oh, and by the way, I'm hanging with my friend, Eddie today."

"Well, I hope you have a good time."

"I will,"

***

I'm not one to hold grudges. And though I'm slightly upset at what Alexa said, I'm not directly upset with Alexa.

Life is too short, and I don't want to spend it angry with someone I care about. And besides, although I hate to admit it, Alexa did have a point.

I don't think I'm in love with Richard. I mean, I do have feelings for him romantically, yes. But not love.

Not only was I dreading going to work. I'm probably getting fired for walking out.

I took a deep breath as I walked inside McDonald's. The manager ran over to me, along with Alexa. I was expecting to hear the words, "You're fired," but instead he said, "I'm so sorry for your loss."

"My-"

"Your dog, Ronald. He passed away, remember?" Alexis said over-enunciating the word remember.

"Oh yeah, Ronald. Yeah, I miss him so much." I said, trying to sound as sad as possible.

"Well, I hope that you know I'm here for you, and I hope things get better."

"Thank you," I said. I waited until the manager was out of earshot before speaking to Alexa. "I never even had a dog."

"You don't now."

There was a moment of silence before the two spoke simultaneously.

"Let me go first," Alexa said. "I just want to apologize for what I said yesterday. It was completely disrespectful, rude, and uncalled for. Is there any way you could forgive me?"

"Of course!" I said with a big smile. And for the rest of that shift, we talked on and on like nothing had happened.