To Whom It May Concern

I'm not sure why I was unhappy.  I had every reason to be happy according to those "closest" to me.  But everything I'd done was to please them and only them.  I never gave a shit about the stupid fads like my chums or politics like my parents or what my extended family thought.  My life was built on what everyone else wanted because I was born with the incessant urge to please everyone, everyone but myself.  That's why my body began to weaken, my thoughts began to darken, my will to live began to descend.

I had a lot of secret hobbies, like reading books and drawing and writing.  I didn't have a lot of time for them though.  My parents requested A.P. courses as soon as my school would let me take them.  My friends demanded I read article upon article on the designer fabric shoes that French models wore.  My family pushed me to be the perfect family princess with all the tassels and buttons of our ancestry.  It was a heavy load and they kept shoveling more on.  They were the Arabian traders and I the weary camel.  

I kept that fake genuine smile plastered on my facial muscles to appease them.  Plastic surgeons lined up to inquire on the genius that melted my smile on my lips.  Unfortunately, my faux facial contour was enough to thoroughly convince everyone that I could handle more work than humanly possible.  To them, I was an alien creature that had no earthly bounds for workload.  I must have popped out of my mother with a toothless grin and radiating potential.

I decided in my sophomore year that I had had enough.  Eight A.P. courses and eight advanced classes, not counting every summer enhancement and online program my parents could sign me up for.  Father was even looking into college prep courses for me to conquer.  I couldn't deal with it anymore so I took my only course of action left, I left.

That's right, I ran away.  I briefly considered offing myself but there isn't any merit in it.  I might as well do something with all the knowledge crammed in my skull.  The college prep courses were applicable the summer before my junior year started.  I knew I had a short time to act, sophomore year had only three months left.  I packed everything but what was expected by my "loved" ones.  I grabbed all of my illegal items and clothing and high tailed it the hell out of there.

I had a lot of practice presenting myself as an adult.  The bus drivers didn't ask many questions to my relief.  A few older people casted me curious glances but I dismissed them with a fake call to mom stating I was only a short distance from grandma's house.  I'm quite the capable liar.  I got off my last bus at seven P.M. and walked into a motel lobby.  I tapped the bell once and a cheery looking woman walked out.  Her smile turned curious.

"Hello, welcome to the Mountain Motel.  Can I help you?"  She sounded like an always-too-happy type of person.

I nodded, "One room please."  

"Aren't you a bit young to be here by yourself?"

I pulled out my PowerPuff Girls wallet, "I have enough to pay for the night ma'am."

"How old are you?"

I sighed quietly, "If my age is an issue, I suppose I could try to find another bus to another motel."  

She shook her head, "It's not but you look a little too young to be an adult."

"I'm almost sixteen." She pushed the sign in paper towards me with a pen.

She looked around nervously, "Alright, one night's fee is thirty dollars plus whatever you eat or drink in the mini bar. All the alcoholic beverages better still be there come morning you hear?" I nodded and gave her the money.  She put it in her pocket and slid me the room key.  I took it and wandered to my room.

The room was plain but clean, not what a normal motel room is depicted as.  I dropped my backpack and flopped onto the bed.  The blanket felt coarse and stiff like a donkey's fur.  I shrugged and fell asleep.

I woke up and took a quick shower.  The warm water cascaded down my slim body in small rivers.  The water washed away my past troubles and cleansed me for my new better life.  I stepped out and dried off with a fluffy blue towel.  I pulled my clothes on and gathered my things.  Time to move on.  I dropped the key off at the front desk and walked to a cafe for a bit to eat.

I sat down while the waitress got out her pad and pen.  

"I'll have some water and the breakfast combo without the sausage links please."

She nodded while writing it all down, "I'll be back in a few." She rushed off.  

The meal was good. I guess I can skip ahead to present time…

I lazily swing in my new guardians’ hammock.  My parents never marked me as missing or runaway.  When I called and explained that I wasn’t going back, they disowned me.  Jack and Danni gained guardianship the next day.  I’d met them through an online book chat room and we talked quite a lot.  They didn’t want to have children of their own yet and welcomed me with open arms.  So, this is the end.  Most say running away doesn’t solve your problems and it doesn’t, it just gives you different ones.  I can handle the newer problems of starting anew.  Hope you didn’t run away from my story.