I wake up the next morning with an awful crick in my neck. I sit up, twisting my head from side to
Austin chuckles slightly. I opened one eye to glare at him, but he just grins. "How's the runaway princess doing?" he asks, glancing away. "Need a neck rub, Ma'am?"
"Yes, peasant," I say, standing up and stretching. "But what I need more is food." Suspiciously, I peek inside of my pack. Sure enough, one of my chip bags was missing. I roll my eyes at Austin and hold out my hand.
He grins, and I resisted the urge to wipe it off his face. "Sorry. That was my breakfast," he said.
"You're about to get a knuckle sandwich too," I whisper under my breath.
"What was that? I look handsome this morning? Why thank you!" he said, giving me a smug little grin which almost earned him a slap across the face......again!
"No, that is NOT what I said," I say in annoyance. "But to the point," I add quickly before he can press me for details. "You can't just steal people's stuff! Especially if it's my stuff. I can't go like this."
Austin glances away for a second, but then returns his look to me. "Well, good," he says cheerily. "'Cause I'm gonna go my own way, Zoey."
"What?!"
He looks at the broken clock, and stands up, holding his bag tightly. "I'll be going now. Good luck on your quest." He winks and then steps out the door.
I don't bother to grab any of my stuff as I race to the door. I quickly slow my pace, however, so he doesn't know I was running. He's already set out onto the grass, but turns around when I yell, "You owe me, Austin!"
"What?!" he yells back.
"If I see you again, you have to buy me a bag of chips!!"
Austin rolls his eyes, but laughs heartily. He waves and then keeps walking.
I watch him for a few seconds, but then I go back inside the gas station. I pack up my things fairly quickly, shouldering my backpack again.
I take a deep breath and set out the door.
I look down the road. Then I look to the side, making sure Austin is out of earshot. I spread my arms wide and say, "This. This is my road home."
Then I run. I run as hard as I can, away.
Away from everything.
YOU ARE READING
Journey Home
RomantikZoey has been living in Miss Flavrin's orphanage for most of her life, but now that she's seventeen and has finally figured out where her parents live, she's decided that, with the help of her best friends and roommates Nancy and Clare, she's going...
