Runaway - Ashton Irwin

Chapter 3

   The cab ride from the airport to my new home was possibly the most exciting moment of my life. The second I stepped off the plane, my new life started, and I couldn't have been happier.

   "Where you come from?" The cab driver asked.

   "Originally America, but I moved to England when I was 11." He smiled through the rear view mirror.

   "And now Australia? Why?" I smiled back and looked out of the window.

   "I'm a bird."

   The house looked beautiful, wooden panels, painted the brightest white, like most houses on the street. The inside was decorated but I planned to decorate it the way I wanted when I had everything else sorted out. I put my suitcase in the bedroom and sat on the bed, realising, very suddenly, that I knew absolutely nobody in this country. I spent the rest of the day having my kitchen appliances and TV delivered. I rented a car and did some grocery shopping, and dropped into the book shop I was going to be working at to introduce myself. By 7pm, I was done in, but I wanted to make a cake for the neighbours, to introduce myself with. I wanted to make a good first impression, even if they had been blasting very loud music most of the day. I decided to blast my own music and get to business. I spent an hour dancing around, making a cake mix, and then I got my first facebook message. Of course, I had to change my sim card when I got to Australia, so my family couldn't call. I checked it, it was Kelsey.

Kelsey Maywell: Addie, I know why you had to do this, and I'm not mad, but Mom is freaking out. Just let us know you're okay, please. I love you.

I typed a quick response, letting her know I was fine, and telling Mom not to worry. I'd write a more detailed response later, but for now, I had to focus on my new life.

   I was frosting one of the two cakes I'd made when I heard footsteps. Not human footsteps, quick padding footsteps, like an animal. I put the frosting down and walked into the living room. On my floor was an animal, slightly bigger than a cat, black with a white stripe across its chest.

   "Hey little guy," I said, walking closer. I couldn't remember if Tasmanian Devil's were nice or not. As I took a step, it bared its teeth and made a very weird noise. Scary enough for me to turn and run. I ran, not out of the door, but up the stairs, because I'm dumb, "What the fuck?" I said to myself, looking around, searching for an idea of what to do. I knew I couldn't go back downstairs in case it attacked me. I looked over at my bedroom window. I seriously needed to stop climbing out of windows, I'll fall one day. I sighed and opened the window, pulling myself up and out. I looked down, it looked a lot higher than my window back home.

   "What are you doing?" I heard from somewhere below. I looked around until I saw a dark haired boy in next doors garden. His garden light came on and I could see him better. Dark hair, deep brown eyes, emo.

   "Are you Calum Hood?" He smirked and nodded.

   "Yes, what are you doing?"

   "There's a Tasmanian Devil in my living room." I lowered myself, hung and dropped from my window pane. I walked over to the flimsy picket fence that separated my garden from the neighbours. "I like your band." I smirked, holding out my hand. He shook it and chuckled.

   "Come over, we'll try to help with your Tasmanian Devil situation. I'm Calum, as I'm surprised you already know." He held my hand as I climbed over the small fence.

   "Don't flatter yourself, my sister's the fan, not me. You're cool though. I'm Adelaide."

   "Nice to meet you, Adelaide."