Tate's POV
I'm woken up by a force jerking me forward and the sound of screeching wheels on pavement. I rub my eyes and take in my surroundings, completely forgetting I was on a plane. I look out of the window to my left to see the sun shining brightly and palm trees swaying in the wind. Tons of buildings cluster in the distance and beautiful green hills are behind them. A voice next to me snaps me out of my trance.
"Um sweetie? Are you alright?" A concerned elderly lady is eyeing my leg and cut up jeans.
Quick. Think light on your feet.
"Oh yeah..." I laugh nervously. "Just my big ole dog, didn't want me to leave home I guess." I rub the back of my neck, a bad habit I do when I lie.
She seems to buy it and looks away, finally letting me let out the breath I was holding in.
As soon as I'm off the plane I make a beeline to the bathroom. I have to change my appearance if I want people stop giving me unwanted attention. I snatch a handful of paper towels and dampen them, then lock myself in the nearest stall. I strip off my white fitted tank top and torn jeans and throw them in the trashcan. I take the paper towels and wipe off the grimmy substance laying on my skin composed of dirt, blood, and sweat. I change my undergarments and hurriedly put on a new pair of skinny jeans. I take out a maroon crop top hoodie and pull it over my head. I take the remaining towels and clean off the mud from my white high too converse until they look brand new. I exit the stall and look around to make sure I'm in the clear before rushing to the sink and dampening my hair, attempting to make it look less greasy and make my natural waves look better.
I decide I look decent enough and exit the airport, looking around for some sort of sign.
Where do I even start?
I inhale the fresh California breeze, much different than the musty smell of Louisiana. For the first time for a long time, I felt that anything was possible.
But that feeling slowly started dying as I grew closer and closer the city. The taxi dropped me off two miles outside of town and I had been walking aimlessly for two hours. I was confused and lost and had no place to go. The sun had begun to set and the air got cooler, making me shudder. More hours passed and suddenly I felt defeated.
I came across a lit up sign reading "MUSIC" in bright red letters. I glanced around and looked at the clock inside the store.
12:36.
It was already passed midnight? I dropped the duffle that was weighing my arm down on the bench outside the store and layed my head on it, curling myself up in a ball to provide some kind of warmth.
I was officially homeless, and so hungry. But I couldn't bring myself to spend the money Shyder gave me. I felt like if I did I would regret it when I truly needed it for something important.
A tear rolled down my cheek and I didn't bother wiping it away. For once I could let it all out. I could cry and wail without having to worry about getting slapped for being weak. It felt good, like a huge weight was getting lifted from my shoulders.
•••
I don't even remember falling asleep when I wake up from sun glaring in my eyes. I immediately sit up and look at the masses of people hurriedly walking down the sidewalk on business calls, or with shopping bags, or just on their way to work. I was never good with crowds and suddenly felt suffocated.
Breathe.
But I couldn't. No matter how many times I told myself I couldn't calm down. I felt my lungs getting tighter, cheeks getting redder, head getting lighter.
