Run (John O'Callaghan Fanfiction)

Chapter 2 - Lyrick

I breathe in the hot Arizona air as I shove my hands in my pockets, walking leisurely through the city. Tempe is great.  I'm really glad I chose to stop here. 

It's hot, dry, and people don't ask questions. Definitely a change from Vancouver. A good one. It's nice to be standing on the outside for once, seeing people being happy and in love in coffee shops or in the streets, laughing with their friends, instead of wrecking themselves completely, as I've been so used to. 

I'm so used to being sucked into the worst of things. Which is weird, because I never had anything to do with any of it. Or anyone, for that matter. I was mainly ignored unless someone needed something from me. I was always pulled into the bad things that happened up in Canada, which still doesn't make sense, considering I didn't have any friends to defend or anything like that. I guess I was just easy to blame. Nothing new. 

I kept to myself most of the time, but I got picked on anyway. Again, weird, because I didn't do anything weird, I was just quiet. Still am, but I'm not afraid anymore. I used to be. I used to hold my breath if someone came near me. I thought they would hurt me. But 8 months in the real world changed me. I'm not scared anymore. 

I couldn't take those feelings anymore, the night that I left. I hated being the pawn in their cruel game of chess. 

It was like everyone took a piece of me, and I was left to try and stitch myself back together. I was over it. Beyond over it.  But it doesn't really matter now, does it? Considering I left that all behind. 

Being alone is nice, actually. Really alone. Not like before. This time, I really have no one. I don't have a phone, there's no one I would want to talk to, anyway. No form of communication to me.

I left no tracks. I just got in my car in the dead of night and drove. I didn't even think twice. Hell, I didn't even think about where I was going, I just went. 

Finally, I can think for myself. I don't want to implement any form of communication, but I need to, because I really need a job. I've been here for 1 month. I've been traveling for 8. Money is running short for me. I have to supply for myself now, since no one else is going to do it at this point. 

I'm so lost in thought I'm not even really paying attention to where I'm walking. It's not very busy right now. I snap my eyes open and look around.

Where the hell am I? Well, shit. I'm lost already. 

I sigh and look around, taking in my surroundings. Looks pretty much the same as everywhere else I've been today. Great. I keep walking and round a corner, hoping for some shop, or a sign from God or something that will tell me where the hell I am.  

As I'm fantically glancing around, I run right into a very tall and lanky body, falling back, flat on my ass.

"Holy shit!" I shout, as I collide with the cement. I wasn't mad or anything, I was the one not paying attention. I was just startled beyond belief. 

"Oh my god, are you okay? I'm so sorry." The man I'd just run straight into says to me, sounding a little worried. He has a deep voice, kinda raspy, even. He reaches out a hand and I take it, looking up at him as he helps me off the ground.

Woah. He's unbelieveably attractive. 

Wow, okay. Stop staring, Lyrick. He'll think you're weird. 

"I'm fine. Thanks for asking. But don't worry about this. I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention." I say, looking away from his face. "Uhm, this is kind of a weird question, but do you have any idea where we are right now?" He chuckles. 

"Yeah, get a little lost?" He smiles at me and I want to melt. 

"Yeah, tell me about it. I just moved here, not completely sure where anything is yet." I admit, looking back up to his eyes. They're hazel. Very green. Mesmerizing. I could get lost in those eyes. I look away again.

"Well, where do you need to be?" He asks, shoving his hands into the pockets of his tight fitting jeans.

He wore a blue flannel with a white shirt underneath, jeans, and black boots. Not huge ones, they even were a little dressy looking. He wore a beanie, and it covered most of his light brown colored hair. He was undeniably handsome. 

I told him where I needed to get back to and he gave me some directions. I wasn't too far off track, as I'd believed.

"Thank you so much, random guy. I really appreciate it, but I should get moving." I say, turning away from him in the direction he'd first pointed. 

"Hey, wait!" He calls after me. I turn back.

"Uh, yeah?"

"Can I at least get your name? I mean, you did run into me." He winks and I roll my eyes.

"Lyrick. My name's Lyrick."

"Nice to meet you. I'm John."

"Hi John, bye John." I reply. I turn back once again and start off in the direction of my home.