Janiel Oneshots (Discontinued...Again)

25. Runaways (Fluff)

So for a little background. They don't live in Los Angeles in this story. They're living in Massachusetts.

Total Word Count: 5.2k
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(Daniel's POV)

I never thought this day would come. I never expected to ever want to run away. But what choice do I have when my parents have already started removing my things! I get that they never really wanted a child but couldn't they at least try to act like parents until I turn eighteen? Anyway, I've already made up my mind about this. There's just one person I need to see before I leave. My best friend Joey. Maybe he'll come with me, I mean, he struggles with the same homelife as me. That was something we instantly bonded over. Climbing out of my window with nothing but a duffel bag and the clothes on my back, I make my way to Joey's.

Whenever Joey or my parents are home, we throw pebbles at the window instead of knocking. "Daniel? What are you doing here? It's practically midnight!" "Come down here, I have a proposition for you" he sighs, "can't this wait? You'll see me at school!" No, I won't.  "This can't wait until tomorrow, I won't be at school tomorrow." I see Joey slam his window and I'm left wondering if he went back to sleep. "Daniel?" I hear the sliding door crack open as Joey tip-toes out of his house "why is there a duffel bag strap over your shoulder?" Dropping the bag, I exclaim "I am finally running away! I have been trapped in that house for seventeen years now, and I am done." Joey pouts "you're running away? But I need you, you're the only person who understands my situation." I look down at the grass "you can come with me."

"Run away? You want me to run away?" "I-I mean, you don't have to. I-I just thought with your family situation being not...good-" he cuts me off "I'd love to! Come help me pack!" Joey grabs my hand, pulling me inside with him. "What did you pack?" I look around Joey's room, frowning. His room looks just like mine. Empty. "Daniel? Did you hear what I asked?" "Hmm? Oh, uh. Just clothes, health necessities, money. You know, the important things." Joey frowns "they started taking your things too? I found some of my things on the curb yesterday." "I found tons of my things at Goodwill. I just need to get away." Joey comes over and places his hand on my shoulder "we're going to get away, we're going to be fine."

Before we left, Joey asked, "should I leave a note?" "Do you think they'll notice?" Shaking his head, he walks over to me, leaning on me as we walk out. "So where are you planning to go? I'm thinking Connecticut, I mean, it's the state below us and the last place people would look for us." "That's a good idea, but we're going somewhere first. We deserve a vacation." Joey looks at me with a smile "we certainly do!"

Joey and I lay on the beach in Cape Cod. Joey reading and me planning our next stop. "Come on Daniel, enjoy the beach! We finally get away from the neglect of our families, yet here you are not enjoying it! Come on, let's go to the water!" Putting his book down, Joey takes my hand and tugs me off the sand. "I'm so glad that we ran away, I'm glad that we left with each other. No one better than my best friend" "couldn't agree more!" I smile at how happy and relaxed Joey is, this was definitely a good idea. "We should probably find somewhere to rest, we're technically trespassing." Joey nods, leading us out of the water. "You know Daniel if it wasn't for you, I don't think I'd ever get the confidence to leave on my own." He looks at the sand and sighs "then again, I don't know why I allowed it to continue for this long. The neglect, I mean."

As we walked on the cool sand, we talked about our past, letting each other in more. "So where are we staying tonight? Five-star hotel?" I chuckle "no, no. Just a motel, a nice one. Just for tonight." "As exciting as that sounds, I really want to stay on this beach for a little longer. Is that okay?" "Of course, this is nice." Joey looks at me "when did you decide to run away? I take it this wasn't a spur of the moment decision." It's silent between us for a minute, the only sound being waves crashing against the shore.