Alex takes Rosie's hand and I walk up the stairs behind them. Secretly I wish he took mine...No, no, no, forget it Chloe. Even the stairs are marvellous, the steps are a light chestnut shade and the frame is a darker colour. It's the shape of them that makes them look just as cool as everything else. They aren't straight, they curl around a centre wall, and lead to the top of the building.
We get to the second floor of the house and what I see completely stuns me. Although just as the rest of the house, everything looks modern and cool, this is totally different. The walls are a deep ocean blue, tiny patterns covering some parts of it. The wall at the end of the hall is a lighter shade of blue and is covered in all types of drawings and painting. There is a table at the side with paintbrushes, paper, pencils and all other stationary.
Alex sees my reaction and smiles widely.
"Mum said our brother and I can design this floor as she designed the bottom." he explains.
"What about that wall?" I ask, pointing to the one covered in beautiful art.
"Oh, that's just a wall for some doodles, you know, when I get bored" he tells me this and acts as if it's nothing big.
"Doodles", huh, I think, that's an incredible work of art, wish I could "doodle" like that too.
"It's looks magnificent" I say with a tune of excitement in my voice.
He nods and smiles as a thank you.
***
I'm sitting on "my bed" and gaze out the window, the moon is shining and it's bright light fills the room. I hear a soft knock on the wooden door.
"Come in" I say a bit too loudly for this peaceful night.
"Hey", Alex enters the room and the moon lights up his face.
I look over at him, wondering what he's doing in here at 3 am.
"I...was wondering if you're sleeping...I know it's 3am but I used to not be able to sleep in other people's houses myself so..." he continues.
"Yah, me too, I'm completely awake" I say understandingly.
3am talks are the best thing to me. Although I've only had them with my 4 year old sister, it was still fun, well sometimes, because usually these talks were caused by us not sleeping because of our parents. Speaking of parents...Still wondering why we look different and have nothing in common with them? Also have they even noticed we are gone? They probably don't care. With this thought, tears start curling in the corner of my eyes but I quickly wipe them away. He can't see me cry.
"I was wondering...Your sister said something about your parents being "mean"? Um, I don't want to seem nosy but...did you...run away?" he asks, clearly uncomfortable, but curious.
"Yes" I reply, looking away, out the window- "We did, because...our parents don't really care about us, they drink, come home late, ignore us, my dad even hit me a few times. I called the police on them because they do need to get help, but I can't risk being put into a child's-care home, we had to leave." I answer cautiously .
"I understand...I've never had that problem but I see why you made that decision. Well, you know you're welcome to stay here as long as you like" he says shyly.
"Thank you, you have no idea how grateful I am, but...we can't, we have to be independent and not give all the work to others. Also how much do you want for the night?" I question him with a serious look on my face.
"You want to pay us?!" he asks, astonished by what I said.
"Yeah well, it's only fair if we..." I begin.
"Visit us again someday" he concludes and laughs- "No, I'm not going to allow you to give us money, that's ridiculous.
"Why is that?" I ask, getting quite irritated.
"Look, my mother and I are willing to help you out, we love doing these things and if you pay us we won't have the satisfaction that we did something kind for someone else. Do you get what I mean?" Please, "thank you" is enough, no need for any money" he insists.
"Right okay, but I'll pay you back somehow, in another form, other than cash" I wink at him. Alex grins. I wonder what he thought I meant...
I can't believe that I am having a chatty, laid-back conversation with a total stranger. Maybe it's because it's nearly dark and I don't have to make eye contact? Or is it because I'm in a new place? They say "New Year, New Me", I say "New place, other side of me" because my timid, frightened, small, weak side is hiding there, ready to come out as soon as possible to put me in a terrible situation but I'm not gonna worry about this now.
I once again drift off in deep thought and only the touch of warm skin causes me to come back into the world. Alex is right beside me sitting just as quietly as I am. I literally feel shivers going down my spine, even though I'm certainly not cold.
"Try to sleep, goodnight" he gives me that look that makes me melt ( now my third side came out, I'm secretly a snowman) and head to the door.
"You too, goodnight" I respond quietly, still amazed at what someone's touch can do to me.
The door closes with a slight squeak and I find myself drifting off into sleep, my wonderland.
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HELLO! OKAY SO WAS SUPPOSED TO UPDATE 2 DAYS AGO BUT I WAS REALLY BUSY SORRY! I think I will just do shorter chapters but update more often? What do you think? Please leave your thoughts about this story below and tell me if you want me to read yours xx Love you all so much! Have a wonderful day/night xx
Em xo
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Run Away
Genç KurguChloe runs away with her little sister from her parents, and heads on an adventure to New York. There's drama, tears, fear and love, all on one journey. Nobody said is was going to be easy, but nobody said it'd be this hard either. When they stumbl...
