Runaway ✧ w. stromberg

One California Night

Chapter 1 

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.:.Althea's POV.:.

(pronounced: Al-thee-ya)

I stepped off of the plane and into the air-conditioned air of the airport, the scents of numerous different foods appealing to my senses.

I had slept the whole flight here, which took about five to six hours.

Honestly, I hated it back home. The weather was horrible all the time. I needed a change. And plus, I didn't like the way I was treated by people. I needed a fresh start. Somewhere I could find who I really was. I couldn't do that in Cleveland. I admit it was hard to leave what little I had back there, but I had to. I couldn't take it anymore, so as soon as I turned 18, I planned to move out, but it didn't actually happen until now.

Immediately turning my attention elsewhere, my stomach made a grumble noise.

"Shhh. I'll buy you food you monster!" I giggled as I patted my tummy. I earned a few stares and laughs from people as they passed me.

"Sorry, I'm just really hungry!" I gave them a cheesy smile and a peace sign in return. I checked my watch to see it was now 8:45 pm. I continued to walk out of the gate and searched for the closest place I could get some food at. I came across a Paradise Bakery and settled on that seeing as I wasn't feeling fast food at the moment.

We had Panera Bread back home and I thought it would be similar. And I was right.

I got my food, and sat at a table, leaning my skateboard on the end on the table. I was starving so I immediately dug into my food.

"Oh. My. God." I paused, pulling a spoonful of soup up to my mouth, "This is amazing!"

I took the one last bite of my sandwich and leaned back into my chair. I couldn't eat anymore so I saved my cookie and put it in my bag.

"No Paradise where you're from?" A sweet little old lady said as she stopped next to my table.

"Panera actually, but I think this is better!" I smiled sweetly back to her.

"Ahh, an East Sider. Well, enjoy the West Coast young lady." She said before strolling along with her walker.

I got up moments later and threw my trash away. I headed for the terminals automatic sliding doors. The warm breeze brushed my face, messing up my hair a bit. I pushed back a piece of hair behind my ear. I stepped forward, looking for where the taxis were, but unfortunately there were none.

"Uhhhh, Excuse me Sir. Where can I get a taxi?" I asked the security guard, rubbing my head in slight confusion.

"You'll have to wait about fifteen minutes, is that fine with you?" He wiggled his mustache as he looked down at me.

"Yeah, thanks." I said politely and walked off.

I sat on an empty bench outside and waited. I unlocked my phone to see some texts. I was about to open the text from my mother when a low, smooth voice interrupted me.

"Hi. I heard you needed a ride? You can catch one with us." A guy with caramel brown eyes looked down at me. His shaggy brown hair was kept in a white snapback with the words PLAY written on the front.

"Uhhmmm, I- I"

"That guy's been saying that to everyone who is waiting here." He nudged his head in the direction, past the security guards podium to where about ten or more people looked very frustrated.

"I don't think you want to wait another hour. Seriously, we could give you a ride." He turned to the car parked a couple meters away from where we were. A younger guy was in the passenger seat, his blue eyes glowing and his hair swaying outwards. He looked like the guy who was now standing before me. I assumed they were brothers. Another guy with short, spiked, dirty blonde hair sat in the drivers seat. They both gave me the 'Sup' nod, and smiled.