Could've Been A Bad Dream

Nowhere to Go

•••

"Just come." Santana demands over the phone. Her voice is getting so stern it's hurting my ears. "I know I'm far but I'd rather have you here and safe than there and homeless because your parents fucking suck." Her voice grows angry, not at me but the situation.

My parents never liked me. They blamed me for everything wrong in their life. They constantly reminded me I shouldn't have been born because I fucked everything up. So I guess they were eager to get rid of me the second I turned 18 and graduated. I didn't have anyone to fall back on, all my friends lived with their parents so i received many immediate rejections when I asked if I could crash there until I could get back on my feet. I can't really blame them, it's not their responsibility to take care of someone else's child. That's why when I had nowhere else to go, I called up Santana. She graduated a year before me and immediately moved to the beautiful woods of Washington. It was always her dream to live on her own and create a cozy life for herself. Although I called to ask to stay with her, I felt guilty and hesitant. Hence her harsh tone to make me come.

"Fine," I sighed, "I'll catch the soonest bus I can."

"Good. I'll pick you up when you get off the stop."

She hung up. I wasn't too sure what to expect. I had no idea what's been going on in her life cause i've been so wrapped up in mine. I know it's not fair for me to put her aside and then force her to take me in. It makes me feel like i'm using her but I really have no other choice.

I don't have a car and I have just enough money for the bus to her. Currently where I live or well, lived, is northern Oregon, just shy of the border to washington. The bus ride will still feel like forever but at least I have a destination. I've been out of my parents for a week, spending most of my money on cheap hotels and bad diner food. I've gotten food poisoning more times than I can count.

I head to check out of my room at the questionable motel I stayed for the night.
Handing in my card, I make my walk to the bus station around the corner.
I sat there for 15 minutes with my earbuds in thinking about what's to come. I'm entirely curious to know what her place looks like and if she's doing well off on her own.

•••

On the bus, I watch the scenery go by. To my left, forest full of beautiful nature. To my right, a drop off the mountain with a rapid river. It's calming and serene. Although I hate what my parents have done, in this moment I feel like a new chapter of my life began. One that would've been held back had I stayed. I'm free of their judgment and torment. I can be my own person now.

•••

My stop is next and I stand up to grip the railing, I feel eager to get off this bus. My ass hurts and if I had to stay on for one more hour I think I would've melted into the seat.
The driver announces the stop and the doors slide open. I heave my bag over my shoulder and exit. Immediately I pull out my phone and text Santana. She's just around the corner so I start walking that way.
I see her same old busted up car she's always had and she waves out the window. Quickly jogging over to her, I wave back. I go around to the passenger side and get in. I then sling my bag off and into the backseat.

"Damn girl, you look like a tired wreck." She jokes but it's plain to see that she's worried as well.

"Jeez, warm welcome." I respond. We then look at each other and burst into laughter. Even though it's been a year since we last saw each other, everything still feels the same. It feels like time has never passed and our friendship never changed.
About 10 minutes into our drive, Santana breaks some news I wasn't expecting to hear,

"So I didn't tell you this, possibly on purpose," she glances from the road to me, a look of shame on her face, "but I actually have 2 roommates."

"Okay? What's the big deal about that?"