Little Lynch

Run

A/N Thanks so much to AllisonKatzenburger for the idea for this chapter!

Ryland left me to be alone for a bit. I stayed in his room and he went downstairs. I heard a lot of yelling and I knew I had caused it.

"I'm sorry," I whispered to them, even though I knew they couldn't hear it. I needed some fresh air, somewhere to be alone. And I knew just the place.

 Ellington and his family had been out of town for the past few days. I was pretty sure they weren't getting back today or else the boys would be over there. So I grabbed a bag and shoved some things into it, incase I was going to spend the night.

I went into my room, knowing no one would suspect anything and jumped out the first floor window. I landed on the grass and made a run for it, hoping no one saw me. I ran down the footpath, into town. I stopped for a moment to catch my breath before realizing I was crying. But I started up again, running and running, running away from everything. Everything good, everything bad. My family, my house, my ugly body, the only person who understood me. But I needed to learn to be more independent. I finally came to Ellington's neighbourhood and slowed my sprinting to a walk. I walked up his driveway and across his yard to his back door. I found the key above the window frame and let myself in, sighing with relief as I came into the kitchen. It was so organized, so peaceful. I walked to the guest room and made myself at home. I sat on the bed, thinking this all through. Was it worth it to leave Ryland, the only person in this entire world who knew certain things, the only person who actually got it, who could make me feel better? The answer was yes. It was worth it. It was 4 against 1.

The front door opened and closed. Who was here? I looked out the window in the guest room and saw Ell's car in the driveway. I ran into the bathroom, not sure what I was going to do there. Maybe I could run again? But to where?

"I know! It was awesome!" I heard Ellington talking in the foyer, probably on the phone. "Kay, bye."

I was able to wait a few minutes to collect my thoughts. I still didn't know what to do, though. I decided I was going to jump out the window and run again, hopefully I didn't break my leg.

The window wouldn't budge. I leaned into it but I fell, knocking over some bottles of hair products.

"Is somebody here?" Ell yelled. I gasped. What if he found me? I would never hear the end of it. He jogged up the stairs, following the sound to the bathroom.

"Is somebody in here?" I didn't dare move or breathe. "I can hear you, ya know. Who is in there?" He rattled the knob a bit before the door opened, revealing a confused Ratliff.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Um, I live here? I was just about to ask you the same question."

"Well, um," I stalled.

"Do your parents know you're here?"

"Um, not exactly."

"Do your siblings know you're here?"

"Not really," I tried.

"Okay, come with me," Ellington said, holding out his hand. I reluctantly agreed and he wrapped his arm around me. When we got downstairs, he lifted me onto the counter.

"What is going on, Ro?"

"Please don't call, please!" I cried. My body was shaking with sobs.

"What happened? Tell me or I'm calling Rydel to come get you."

"Please don't!" I choked. "Please! I can't explain it because you wouldn't get it, okay?! No one does!"

"No one understands what, Ro? Just tell me. You know I'm always willing to listen."

I took a deep breath. "Rydel got mad at me for yelling at her and I started panicking and everyone was just making fun of me and Ryland told them to stop and took me to his room and I couldn't breathe, I couldn't move. I thought I was gonna die, Ell. Now everyone's mad at Ry for standing up for me and it's all my fault. I'm so sorry."

"You need to slow down, that's your issue. You need to look at your surroundings and just stop talking and just think. How could I solve this problem? Was this the right decision? What can go wrong? What can make things better? Alright?"

I sniffled. "Okay."

"And you know I love you, you're my baby sister and I could never let anyone hurt you. If you need someone to talk to, I'm always around. Just tell someone you're coming here next time."

"I will."

"Good. Let's get you cleaned up and I'll call Ryland and we can maybe watch a movie?" I smiled for what seemed like the first time in forever. (Frozen, anyone?) I washed the tears off my face, not going to let any new ones fall today. I walked downstairs and sat on the couch next to Ellington.

"I just called Ryland. He was really worried but he's glad you're okay. He's going to come pick you up in 2 hours."

"Okay," I replied, but I knew I was in for it. Sleepless nights, round two.