Drizzy Water

Chapter 1: Escape

Aria:
     As I packed my suitcase neatly, I thought about whether or I really wanted to do this. I looked around my room and took a few things I knew I'd want for wherever I was headed. I packed my journal, slid a few of my polaroids in it and clicked the suitcase shut. I took one last look at my now fairly empty room, my eyes landing on my bed lastly. "I'll miss you the most," I said sadly, as I knew I'd be spending the rest of my nights in cheap hotel rooms.
     I'd been saving up for this since I was 8 years old. After I graduated I knew it was time to get out of here, I'd wanted to see the world since I was little. I was tired of being the golden child, I was tired of being controlled and nitpicked for everything I did wrong. It was time to be me and I knew that. I slid on my converse and opened up my door, suitcase rolling behind me making clunks as I drug it down the stairs.
  "Aria? Is that you? I made breakfast, come eat with your father." My mother commanded from the kitchen.
     This was my moment of truth. I took a deep breath and walked into the kitchen, only shaking slightly. My mother gleamed at me as my father read the newspaper, both completely unaware of what was about to happen. I smiled and took a deep breath, walking forward I pulled the suitcase around me and stood behind it. My mothers smile faded.
  "Why do you have a suitcase honey?" She inquired, my father now looking up to see what was happening.
  "I talked to you both about my plans after high school, after I graduated you begged me to stay here for a year and do online school. If I didn't like it you said I could leave. I'm leaving." I explained, wringing my hands back and forth.
     My mothers face turned pale and my father looked at me with astonishment.
He laughed. " I don't remember ever saying you were allowed to leave and galavant wherever you please. Where are you going to go with no money? You'll be back in a week." He went back to drinking his coffee, flicking the newspaper over as if he had made up my mind for me.
  I looked at my mother. " Mom, I don't want to stay here any longer. I've never been out of town for more than a day and I need to experience life for once. I've had a savings account since I was little, I have money and I'm leaving." I nodded my head as I spoke softly, hoping not to anger her anymore than she might be already.
  Her ears turned red. "Aria Quinn Lancaster, you are not going anywhere. You are going to stay here with us, go to school and do what you've always done." She commanded. I sighed. My father nodded in agreement with my mother, they looked at me waiting for my reaction.
  " I know you both don't understand and maybe you never will, but this is something I need to do. I'm tired of following your rules, I'm tired of fitting into this mold you've casted for me. I can't learn to be someone if I don't even know who I am yet. I'm 19 years old, I don't have to listen to either of you. I'm sorry and I love you both dearly, I'm grateful for all you've done. But I need to get away for a while." I explained in my calmest tone.
  My father got up but before he could say anything my mother interjected. "Where are you going Aria? You have no plan, no way to go, what do you expect to get out of this?" She said, her tone growing angrier.
  "I expect to find who I am. You two have always held me to a standard that I can't keep up with anymore, I'm tired of being who you want me to be. I need to find me, and as for the plan thing? I'm going to travel, and I'm going to write. I'm taking the first bus out of here and wherever I end up is fate." I clutched the handle of my suitcase for dear life, they will not talk me out of it this time.
  My father raised his voice. " We have provided everything you have ever wanted and needed Aria. We raised you to be more grateful of us than this, if you walk out of that door so help me God you will not come back to this house. We will not stand for having a daughter so entitled and ungrateful in this house. You are to stay here, finish school and make something of yourself." He stood by my mother who began to cry.
  "I love you both dearly, I'm grateful for everything you've done for me. I'm sorry you don't understand but maybe one day you will. Mom, please don't cry I promise I will call you and I will send you letters. You won't lose me forever. Dad, I know you're angry and I know you don't understand. I love you and I hope that if I ever need to come home for any reason, you won't disown me. I love you both, but I'm leaving now" I looked them both in the eyes.
  My mother began to sob and my father held her. I smiled sadly and began to walk out of the kitchen. I looked back at my parents, both in shock of what was happening. I smiled, "I love you guys, I'll be home soon." I turned my back and rolled my suitcase down the front steps and out of the house. Taking one look back, I began to walk.
     We didn't live far from town, everything around here is close quarters so it didn't take me long to hit the bus stop. I sat myself on a bench underneath a shady tree and pulled out my journal. I began to write.
"Day One: The Escape." I adjusted my position and began to write my thoughts down, as I waited for my escape to arrive.

Jax:
     I woke up to Trouble staring me straight in the face. I laughed thinking of how funny that sounded, I should've picked a better name for the poor Golden Retriever puppy. He growled and licked my face, I chuckled and sat up. I stretched and got up off the floor of my van, Trouble whined and groaned, he was hungry. "I'm hungry too buddy," I said as both of our stomachs made a noise. I grabbed some cash out of my safe place and kicked the doors open. Trouble followed after me.
     I winced at the sunlight hitting me in the face and slipped on my aviators, closing up my van and walking out of the alleyway into the street. Trouble trotting safely behind me. I lit a cigarette as we walked down the street together. Silverpeak was a place I always came back too. I loved the small town and the scenery and  though the people didn't like me very much I had a few good friends here I loved to visit. The wind tousled my dark brown hair as I walked along the sidewalk.
     I thought about where I'd go next as Trouble and I walked into the corner store. I flicked the cigarette out and pulled the door open. I smiled at the owner. He recognized me instantly.
"Ayeeeeee Jimmy my MAN how have you been??" I exclaimed as I shook the man behind the counters hand. He smiled.
"JAX dude where have you been??? I haven't seen you in months I was beginning to get worried." He said.
"I've been around you know, I spent some time in Cali recently I was down there for a while." I said. Trouble scratched at my leg. Jimmy noticed him.
" and where did you find this cute little guy??" He asked petting the puppy behind his head.
I smiled, "I woke up on a bench in cali a few weeks ago, this little guy was trying to steal my shoe and chew on it. First I yelled at him and swatted but when I got up he kept following me around. He stuck."
Jimmy smiled. "First time I've ever seen you get attached to something. I'm glad you've got a partner in crime now," I nodded in agreement. I asked where the dog food was and Jimmy pointed me in the right direction. I grabbed a bag, some chips, a few sandwiches, some water and asked for a pack of Marlboro lights. Jimmy snickered. "Trying to quit the hard shit huh?"
I laughed knowing what he was talking about. "Nah man I still got a bit of bud I keep around, you know I can't quit that easily." Jimmy laughed and checked me out. I bid goodbye as Trouble and I stepped out on the sidewalk. I slid my sunglasses on and scoped out a good spot for us to sit and eat.
      As I was looking around I noticed something. Over by the bus stop was a girl on a bench. Long blonde wavy hair and she looked to be writing something. I smiled as I began to walk towards her, time to turn on the charm. I sauntered across the street, puppy trailing behind me. The closer I got to her I realized that she was indeed writing, and next to her on the ground sat a battered light blue suitcase. I strolled towards her and stood in front of her, blocking the sun from her eyes. I pushed my sunglasses up waiting for her to notice me, moments later I was met with bright blue eyes and a beautiful freckled face. I smiled, " Hello love, the names Jax."