AMACon Book 2 Extension

Runaway - 9 Days Prior

I managed to sneak back into my room a few minutes before the clock's hour hand ticked at 6 that chilly morning. I had to climb the rusty pipes I forgot to oil the other week in order to reach my window on the second floor. It wasn't an easy task when all you had for dinner the previous night was a cheeseburger and some soda from McDonalds; not to mention that I didn't even get an ounce of sleep the whole night. My little early field trip to the Hill that morning could have been the worst decision I have made in my life. But I have no regrets with this one. I have none at all.

I dug myself inside my blankets as I pondered about all the things that has happened to me in the past 12 hours—even up to the tiniest details, as I retraced my steps. Precisely half a day ago, I was lying in my bed, listening to sickening love songs from Lauv while I watched the sun setting from my bedroom's window. I found how I came to be stuck in the same position above my bed again just after the clock's hands made one lap quite fascinating—there I was, lying in my bed again, listening to the sound of chirping birds while I averted my eyes from the sun's coming rays. And it left my mind questioning whether if time went a bit faster during those 12 hours. Or if I was just too busy that I forgot that time ran with me. The sunlight entering my bedroom really made it hard for me to fall asleep—just as hard as how my unorganized thoughts were making it difficult for me to fall into slumber. I closed my eyes either ways.

I thought that keeping my eyelids shut would make things better. But it only made it worse. As I closed my eyes and severed my vision, I stopped seeing the real world—my messy desk with my Biology report about the differences between the various cells of the human body, yesterday's newspaper next to it, the light blue shade of my walls, my soccer stuff, my school stuff, my other stuff and the numerous Captain America goodies found in almost every corner in the room that would never go unnoticed. I did not see these but instead saw the images that were projected at the back of my head; all those nasty things I just laid my eyes on to and the things I didn't want to see anymore.

I started to crave for the delicious waffles they served at the Hill, almost regretting my decision to leave before the cook arrived when. It was also then did I realize the promises I have broken. I was picturing the chocolate syrup oozing above the freshly made waffles and how I would savor every second till it reached my mouth—my means of distracting myself from my messy breakup with Lauren last night. Like usual, the universe was against me again. I was craving for something sweet but it was just around then did the scent of fried eggs and bacon entered my nostrils. It made me turn to the direction of the door. Then to my alarm clock, 6:14 am. Mom was already awake. Making breakfast for the family.

I felt my insides churning with mostly my stupidity, my frustration and the fact that I was a very disappointing son to my parents. I wanted to get up from bed, go downstairs and apologize to Mom; for the things that I have said to her the other day and to Dad; for not living up to my words. I felt like crying. I felt like crying so much but a certain emotion overpowered every other that morning. It filled me so much that tears failed to make its way down my cheeks.

I was about to lose it—break into sobs and just shout for my mom like how I used to when I was afraid of sleeping alone in the dark before. Then I heard footsteps walking past my door. It made me cover myself with my blanket all the way up to my head. The noises outside my room clearly wasn't doing much good to me. They sounded like fast paced drumming, almost in sync to the rapid beating of my restless heart. I heard the footsteps and the chuckles that came along it getting fainter a few inhales later—it was most probably my brother—and it made me leave the warmth that comforted me by popping my head out of the sheets. The cold March air seeped into the skin of my face and it made me notice that I have left the window opened. I still remained wrapped inside my blanket, my feet still tucked in its creases and before I knew it, I was already breathing heavily.