About two minutes into my escape, I realized this was something an extremely reckless person would do. I didn't know where I was or where I should be going. I shook my head and kept running. I didn't want to ditch my plan now. Coming back would make me look like an indecisive wuss. Plus, I didn't want my dad lecturing me on how this stunt only proved my recklessness.
I heard my phone vibrating in my backpack. I ignored it and ran faster. It was probably my dad calling. Maybe he thought I was hiding somewhere in that massive house and was looking around for me. I hoped he hadn't discovered I was missing yet. That would buy me some time to find a hiding place where he wouldn't find me.
I mostly followed the neighborhood sidewalks as I ran, trying to find a way out. I didn't know this area at all and wanted to find a public store or restaurant I could hang out in for four hours until my dad left. Whatever I did, I was not going to end up at college prep camp for a week.
After a few minutes, I saw a sign up ahead that read Clubhouse and had an arrow pointing right. I didn't know if that was my best option, but I decided it was worth a shot. I turned right. Up ahead behind some trees was a small building overlooking the ocean. Golf carts were lined in neat rows in front and a few people milled around holding golf bags.
My dad was part of a country club?
Next to the building were a few tennis courts and a large pool where people were relaxing in the sun. I figured I could try and blend in with the pool crowd for the time being. I slowed down to a walk and approached the entrance.
A boy who looked close to my age stood behind a small desk in khaki shorts and a white polo with the country club's logo. He was cute. He had wavy blond hair, blue eyes, and a big smile on his face.
He looked at me. "Good afternoon, Miss. Beautiful weather for a day at the pool! Can I get your membership ID, please?"
His accent surprised me. But I couldn't deny it made him even more attractive. "Hello," I looked at his nametag. "Niall, is it?"
He nodded his head. "Sure is!"
I smiled at him. "Look, Niall, I would really appreciate if you could let me into the pool area. You see, I don't have a membership ID with me at the moment. I'm here visiting my dad and I've never been here before so I didn't know I was supposed to bring one." I stuck out my lower lip in a pout and tried to look sad.
"Oh, it's no problem! Just tell me your last name and I can look it up for ya." He motioned to the computer next to him and waited with his hands hovering over the keyboard.
"Perfect, it's--" I stopped mid sentence when I saw my dad's car pull up to the front of the clubhouse. I watched as he swiftly stepped out of his car and walked into the building.
Panic coursed through my body. "Um, I have to go," I muttered and stumbled away from the pool entrance.
"Have a nice day!" Niall called after me.
I weakly waved goodbye while thoughts raced through my head.
I shouldn't have come here. This was bound to be the first place my dad would check. I looked around for somewhere to hide out of sight. I hardly had time to think it over before I ran to the golf carts and jumped into the first one in line. I flipped the power switch to on and stepped on it.
The wheels screeched against the pavement as I frantically pulled out of the parking lot. One of the employees did a double take as he saw me making my getaway.
"Hey, what do you think you're you doing?" He yelled from across the lot.
I put my hand up to my head and saluted him in goodbye. His mouth opened in shock as I sped away out of his sight.
I turned out of the clubhouse area and trees flew past me as I followed the small cart path.
I would hit a main road eventually, right? All I kept seeing was more luxurious houses. I prayed I wasn't just heading deeper into the neighborhood.
I pushed the pedal as far down as it would go and the wind whipped my sandy blonde hair wildly around my face. Man, if my dad caught me now I would end up at that nerd camp for sure.
At this point, I had no idea what my plan was. Heck, I didn't even have a plan to begin with. I just needed to get out of this maze of a neighborhood and find a mall or department store, anywhere with large masses of people, so I could hide and blend in. Then I would be harder to find.
The small golf cart path merged with the regular road. I looked around for any cars and continued down the street.
If only my dad hadn't shown up I could have just stayed at the pool. And maybe even gotten Niall's phone number.
Suddenly, my golf cart beeped and began to slow down.
"No, no, nooo," I groaned. "What's happening?" The cart's speed continued to decrease. "Come on, go!" I banged my hands on the wheel.
The golf cart ignored my yelling, sputtered one last time, and completely came to a stop.
YOU ARE READING
Unchanging [h.s. au]
FanfictionWhen Clara visits her dad in California at his country club residence, she does not expect to fall in love with the popular country club employee, Harry Styles. Secrets are shared and unavoidable revenge causes Clara to take her recklessness to new...