runaways

4

"What do you mean? Anna?" Joelle spoke fast.

"I just met Alex." I said slower. "I- I was in Taco Bell, and we ran into each other, and tacos went everywhere, and, and he drove me home and asked for my number, and--"

"Holy shit.." Joelle cut me off. "Did you get a picture or autograph or anything?"

"No.." I realized I hadn't. "But it's fine. He has my number. But I have to go, I need to shower."

"Wait!" She said. "The police are still searching everywhere for you. Your mom and Mike, they made up some lie or something about you assaulting them, it's all over the local news, and they're alerting a bunch of places. Anna, keep moving. Don't find a permanent place, until you're far. Be carefu--" I hung up. I didn't need her shit tonight.

~

Bing. My phone went off at about 9:30pm as I was watching Netflix on the hotels small tv. I hoped it wasn't Joelle as I looked at the message from an unknown number. My heart stopped as I read: annabell? It's Alex.

Holy shit. How do I respond? What should I say? I stared at my phone, my hands shaking.

Hey :)) I typed. Wait, was that too flirty? I erased it.

Hii. I typed again, then erased it. Fuck.

Heyy. I typed, then sent the message. Alex replied a couple seconds later.

So, what shirt size should I get you? Since I ruined your shirt :(( He typed.

Medium, I think. But don't worry about it. I sent my message.

He never replied to my message that night.

~

The next few days, I tried applying to jobs, and finding a real apartment, which was really fucking hard. No one was hiring, and apartments were full. Alex hadn't texted me in a while, but I didn't mind. Of course I wanted him, but I was just a fan to him. That's what I had been for the past four years.

I laughed as I watched family guy on the hotel bed, then someone knocked on my door. I rolled my eyes, then slowly got up and walked to my door. I opened it to see Alex standing in the doorway, smiling. My heart stopped as he asked if he could come in, and I nodded.

"I remembered the hotel, and then asked someone at the front which room was yours. Surprise!" He held up a brand new Fools Like We shirt, then handed it to me. "For the taco incident."

I smiled, then instantly hugged Alex without even realizing what I was doing. I felt his warmth against mine, and smiled at his heartbeat. I pulled away, then blushed at my action.

"Sorry." I mumbled.

He smiled, "it's fine."

"Wanna hang out?" I asked.

Alex came inside, and we hung out for the rest of the night, getting to know each other. It was strange to me, since I was a fan girl, but I don't think he really cared by the end of the night.

"So, tell me about yourself. What made you come to LA?"

"Who says I haven't always lived here?" I smirked while talking another sip of my grape soda.

"I've never seen you around."

"Ah. I came here a couple months ago." I lied. "I'm leaving soon though."

"Oh." He frowned. "Well, we can make the best of the time he had."

~

Between seeing Alex, and finding jobs, I was quite busy and never really found time to sleep, but I didn't mind. I finally got an apartment of my own, but my insomnia kept me up all night, or I was too intoxicated to sleep. I rubbed my eyes as I glared at Alex across from me on the floor of his kitchen, then stuck my tongue out at him.

He laughed when he looked up and saw my silly face. "What?"

"Nothing." I shrugged my shoulders. Over the past couple weeks, or months, I'd gotten closer and closer with Alex, and I usually hung out at his place. It still amazed me every time I talked to him that I was speaking to my idol, but he didn't see me as a fan anymore, and I didn't see him as someone famous. I saw him as my only friend, even though I never let him get to me and know my past. I decided that if I wanted to be friends with anyone, I couldn't let them know much about me, or I might get turned in. Apparently, I was still be hunted down for 'assault' and could easily be charged and taken.

I watched Alex take another sip from his beer, and I took a sip of vodka at the same time. The floor of his kitchen was cold, and I wrapped my arms around my knees, pulling them closer. I gulped down the foul taste of the strong drink.

"Annabelle?" Alex mumbled.

"Hm?"

"You're gorgeous." Alex smiled up at me after slurring his words, his dimples showing and his cheeks turned a light pink.

"And you're drunk." I swirled my hair in between my fingers. My eyes felt heavy, and so did my head. I yawned and stretched my arms out, then pushed the vodka bottle away.

"Wanna go sit down instead of on the floor?" Alex asked me, then got up and lead me to his living room couch. He got a big blanket and wrapped ourselves in it, then he turned on Netflix. I watched for about five minutes before falling fast asleep on Alexs chest.

~

Ever since the day at Alex apartment, I haven't stopped thinking about him. Of course I loved him, I had for four years, but this time it was more. He always sent mixed feelings, so I never knew how he felt back. I tried to set boundaries for myself so nothing between him and I would happen and so when I had to leave, I wouldn't be a mess going away from him.

I had been in LA for almost three months, and even though I was happy there, I wasn't safe. I wasn't safe anywhere.