My first crush (COMPLETED)√

Chapter 25: Runaway girl.

A few hours later, when the house had sunk into silence and everyone had gone to bed, I quietly packed a few clothes into my bag. I added some essentials — things I thought I might need — though my hands trembled with uncertainty. Each zipper pull sounded louder than it should have in the stillness of the night.

I paused once, glancing around my room. The familiar walls, the bed, the memories — everything suddenly felt suffocating. Taking a deep breath, I slipped out, boarded a taxi, and left without looking back.

⸻

Not long after, my mum knocked on my bedroom door.

"Sharon?"

When she got no reply, she pushed the door open. It was unlocked. The room was empty.

Her eyes darted around nervously. She checked my wardrobe — hangers swaying where clothes had once been. That's when panic struck.

"No... Sharon? Sharon!"

She rushed through the house, searching every corner, her voice growing more frantic with each call.

"Carly! Tori! Wilson!" she shouted, barely able to contain herself.

They all emerged from their rooms, startled by the commotion.

"Mom, what's wrong?" Carly asked.

"It's Sharon!" Mum cried, her voice breaking. "She's gone! I checked everywhere — I can't find my daughter."

The weight of it overwhelmed her, and she sank to the floor, grief spilling out in raw, uncontrollable sobs.

"What?!" Carly gasped. "What the hell is wrong with her?"

"What's going on?" Wilson asked, appearing from the hallway.

"Dad... Sharon left the house," Carly said.

"Really?" he chuckled lightly. "Let her be. She'll come back on her own."

"What?!" Kat's voice sharpened with anger. "Wilson, is that seriously all you have to say?"

"What do you expect me to say?" he replied coldly.

"It's late! We should be out looking for her right now. What if something happens to her?" Mum pleaded.

"She's not a child," he said dismissively, turning away and heading back to his room.

"You made her this way!" Mum screamed after him. "You're the reason she left. You don't care!"

But he was already gone.

⸻

Sharon's POV

Where will I go now?

The question haunted me as the taxi drove through dimly lit streets. Maybe I shouldn't have left... but there was no turning back. Pride and hurt wouldn't let me.

I decided to go to Stephen's house. Maybe — just maybe — he would let me stay.

He opened the door, surprise flashing across his face.
"Sharon? What are you doing here?"

"Stephen... can I stay here for a while?"

"What happened? Why did you leave home?"

"It's my dad."

"You guys fought?"

"Yes. Didn't you hear what happened at school?"

"No. I left early," he said, tension creeping into his voice.

"Oh... okay."

I stepped forward to enter, but he stopped me.

"Sharon... we haven't talked about us yet. I need to clear something first. Do you still have feelings for him?"

My chest tightened. "Stephen, I don't. I told you before."

"You didn't. You sounded unsure."

His words stung. I stared at him, disappointment settling in.
"I never thought you'd be like this."

I turned away, heading toward the street, searching for the nearest bus stop.

"Sharon! Where are you going? It's late!" he called, trying to stop me — though I couldn't tell if he truly meant it.

"Stop pretending you care," I shot back. "You could've just said you didn't want me here."

"It's not like that—"

But I was already flagging down a cab. I climbed in and shut the door.

"Liar!" I muttered through the window as the car pulled away.

⸻

Stephen's POV

I stormed back inside, anger boiling beneath my skin. I wished things hadn't turned out like this. I wanted her with me — I really did — but Mara showing up had ruined everything.

"Baby, I heard your voice downstairs. Is something wrong?" Mara asked, appearing in nothing but her underwear.

The sight only made my frustration explode.

"Get out of my house. Right now. Get out!"

I grabbed her belongings, shoving them into her arms.

"Stephen, what's wrong? Are you okay?" she asked, concern flickering across her face.

"Is it because I got drunk? Relax. Nothing's happening tonight. So just leave."

My voice was sharp, bitter.

"It's not like we haven't done this before," she replied coolly. "I'll go if that's what you want. But if you change your mind..." She winked before walking out.

The door slammed shut behind her.

I grabbed a bottle of vodka, hoping it would quiet my thoughts. I needed to forget — even for a moment.

Where would Sharon go now?
I never wanted her to think I was cheating. Tonight could've been the moment we finally got things right.

How did Mara even end up here?

I remembered — I'd been drunk at school after fighting with Eric. Mara drove me home. She took my keys from my pocket and opened the door.

I kissed her... calling Sharon's name. I thought it was Sharon. I begged her not to leave me.

I had almost crossed a line I couldn't undo — I was seconds away from sleeping with her — when Sharon knocked on my door.

It had been too close.

Thank God it didn't happen.