Runner

HI DAD

Picture of Lizzie above.

This is my second story on wattpad (though I haven't finished the first) but I hope you guys like it. any comments or criticism will be great because feedback can only make me improve. Anyway ON WITH THE STORY!!!!

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As I descend from the plane with the only carrier bag that I brought with me, I notice someone holding a card with my name; Lizzy written in large black letters. I head towards him, taking in the appearance of the man I have to spend the next five months with. He is tall, standing at 6'9 with brown curly hair, a strong physique and is wearing a tired expression.

He is the person who was supposed to protect me. The one who was supposed to care. He's the one I'm supposed to look up to. That's not the case. Instead I'm staring at him with disgust. All of a sudden he parts his lips, takes a deep breath as if preparing for the worst and quietly calls my name. Then everything comes rushing back...

It was summer, the last day of school and the world just felt alive with a joyful buzz. There I am, five years old, with a tear streaked face, messy dark brown hair and a runny nose, trying to be strong for him, when it should actually be the other way around. He was kneeling in front of me wearing the same tired expression; the grey stubble dotting his chin making him seems older than he actually was. He whispers a couple words, gives me a kiss on the forehead, then draws himself up to his full height, spins on his heel and he walks away, leaving me with a complete stranger who would 'take care' of me. That's how the memory always ends... he always walks away. No matter how much I call or scream or even chase after him, he always walks away.

'Lizzy?' his voice questioning, weary and full of regret pulls me back to reality, to the here and now.

I clear my throat and lift my eyes to meet his.

'Hi, Dad.'

After exchanging awkward small talk for ten minutes we both climb into his royal blue, Toyota pick-up truck. He tried to talk, asking me about studies, the orphanage, how my carers were until he realised that I wasn't going to reply. Then he gave up. We drove in silence and it was the longest drive of my life but I refused to talk to the man who abandoned me. I refuse to relieve him of his guilt.

My eyes slowly open and I take in the dark sky and the slowing of the tuck. I guess I fell asleep and glancing at my phone the automatic numbers tell me that it's past 10pm. As the truck comes to a stop, he turns to me, offers me a smile and says, "we're here. Your new home."

I don't smile back but I nod my head to show that I understand. He stares at me for a minute, as if expecting me to say something more. I glare back at him, looking as innocent as I possibly can.

I don't want to say anything but I'm unsure as to what I'm supposed to do now. Do I stay in the car or do I get out and slam the door?

As if reading my thoughts he lets out a sigh and begins to get out of the truck. I follow him out just to hear him say, 'you can make your way inside, I'll take your bags to your room.'

Again I choose to nod in understanding and walk towards the house.

The house however, seems like something out of a movie, somewhere I would have never expected to be. It's three stories and has ten bedrooms, each with its own en suite. The house itself looks both modern and vintage at the same time. As I walk around I hear a very familiar tune, but can't seem to place it.

"Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?..." The words float easily to where I'm standing so I follow the sound as best as I can. After about ten paces I find myself in a room with cream walls, a flat screen TV hanging on one side and two big leather sofas opposite it. On one of the sofas a child of about 10 years old is fast asleep and on the other sits a guy about my age with his earphones plugged into his IPhone, texting.

I don't move closer I just stand still taking in his appearance, his short, muddy brown hair with little hints of blond, his blue and black checked button up, his black skinny jeans and his black blue converses fitting him snuggly. His expression is soft but focused. I think he felt me staring at him as he swiftly looked up to see me standing there. He jumps, maybe a little surprised; I know I would have been if I found a random stranger standing over me.

He pulls out his earphones and stands to face me.

"Hi, who are you? "he asks.

Before I can answer my father walks in.

"Hey Joe, thanks for watching Bobbi for me."He said smoothly handing Joe two twenty dollar notes.

"It was no problem, he did a lot of drawing, we played football out back and we went to the pet shop for a bit. He says he's gonna ask you for a snake so good luck with that one." Joe's voice is full of humour and happiness.

My father chuckles, a little sparkle in his eye. 'Thanks again.' And then as if he only just remembered I was there he adds, "Oh, by the way this is Elizabeth Reynolds, my daughter. Lizzy this is Joseph Blue he lives next door."

Joseph offered his hand for me to shake but I simply looked at it, then at him and nodded my head. He pulled back his hand in understanding and gave me an awkward smile nodding his head in reply. He then turned back to my father.

"There's some left over lasagne in the fridge and everything else is sorted. I'll see you later."

My father nodded, taking in everything and ended the discussion by saying his goodbye.

As Joseph turned, leaving through the front door, my father just stared at me.

"Ok", he said letting out a sigh, 'Let's show you to your room.'

Again I nodded at him refusing to speak.

I followed him up two flights of stairs and down a corridor until we were standing at the door for what I assumed is my room.

He opened the door and stepped to the side, gesturing me to enter first. I tentatively step into the room, taking in the cream coloured walls, the blue lights hanging from the ceiling, the king sized bed, standing at the centre of the left hand wall covered in royal blue sheets. Against the right wall there was a chest of drawers and a door which I assumed led to the en suit. At the back of the room was a wide window and under it was a blue love seat. The view from the window was nothing short of breath taking. The beach in the distance was quiet and the water seemed happy, dancing in sync with the movement of the current, the moon sitting lightly on the surface.

It's beautiful.

When I look back I notice that while I had walked further into the room my father made a silent escape. I made my way to the bed sitting on the surface, sighing deeply.

Just a couple weeks and I'm gone again.

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That's it for today, tell me what you think and i can't wait to upload again.

Tell me what you think is gonna happen or what you happen, I just might twist it to suit you if  I like your idea.  Until next week... goodnight and enjoy. LIVxx