Collision Course

Chapter 22: Escape with Me

A/N: Song; Hometown by Twenty One Pilots
Optional song choice: Let's Get Lost by G-Eazy

As a child, rules weren't just punishments waiting on the other side of committing wrongs, they were guidelines that were dangerous to stray from. I used to hate making the stern tone appear in my parents voice. Hearing the anger and the rise in volume used to make tears brim in my eyes. And because of the ever present fear that I would get a harsh reprimand if I did something wrong, I never did.

That is, until I learned the truth that life isn't going to give you a second chance, that rules are just borders on the edge of living. Reckless behavior had never been my style so it was a challenge bringing it into action at first. But after years of watching others get the attention they didn't need, it eventually became easier. Soon it wasn't just delaying my homework until class was just about to start, it was skipping class entirely and roaming the halls freely.

I've heard so many conclusions on who I am that sometimes it's hard to distinguish the fiction from reality. People like to make their own assumptions about me and the things that I do. It's not a matter of what's true, it's about what they want to think of me because I don't coincide with society's rules. They need to realize that they don't know who I am, that I don't need to fit in with the stereotypes to be considered sane.

Thinking can be a curse to me at times, but in others it happens to be a blessing. The thoughts that blew through my mind in the week between Nana's funeral and today were what inspired me to commit to my actions. In the eyes of someone who hadn't witnessed all that I had it would seem that what I wanted was reckless and could be deemed as idiotic. But in my thoughts, tonight was the perfect opportunity to show my philosophy on the ways of life.

The cool air that blew threw the night was limited by the flourish of leaves that surrounded my body. A natural camouflage was provided by the scratchy twigs and large clumps of green that branched off the larger parts of the tree. Slight bits of moonlight crept through the minimum spaces, a bit of luminescence to the pitch black scenery. Although it wasn't effective in keeping future scars from tainting my skin.

My legs were beginning to cramp from awkward crouch I had been forced in to for the last fifteen minutes. The only sign I needed was the dimming of electricity and darkness spreading throughout the house, only then could I continue. When the lights finally went out, I brushed the branch away from the window before knocking softly on the glass.

In a second the curtains were drawn away from the glass and I was met with the face of a startled teenage boy. Pointing to the bottom of the pane, I motioned upwards in hopes that I would be let inside. Without hesitation he pulled the glass up and stepped back as my invitation inside. Quickly I scampered through the window and landed softly on the tops of my feet, careful not to make any noise.

"What on earth are you doing here? Do you know what time it is? My parents would flip if they saw you here!" He whispered harshly, looking back between the closed door and the open window as if someone would walk through them at any second. Only shadows covered the clean room, accentuated by the revealed light of the moon.

"Goodie goodie," I muttered,  "Jones, you are wound up way too tight and it is getting on my nerves. So hush up and get dressed in as much black as you can." Ever since the funeral, Wes has been extremely cautious with everything that he does. It's like he's walking on eggshell with boots made of steel.