Drops to the Sun

Running: Chapter 1

~Elijah's POV~

The trunks and branches of dark trees sped by in a blur as we flew through the dark, and we felt free. But we weren't, and we knew it. We were running away from something, and running away was never the path to freedom. I thought about telling John to turn back. I thought about suggesting it countless times. But I knew how John would react. We've been close long enough that I know he would just laugh and tell me I was being silly, that we were almost there. He was like that a lot, and I guess that's what kept me grounded.

Not that he knew that.

My mind left no room for sentimental thoughts anymore. And plus, I thought, this relationship is merely for use, nothing more. That thought wavered as John threw a quick smile over his shoulder. He pulled something out of his pocket and gestured to it. I grabbed my little black box as it crackled to life.

"Catch up, Eli! We're almost there!" I rolled my eyes and muttered a quick "Whatever," before running up to John's side. I turned, my pace never changing, and yelled into the cold, dark air. "Where the hell are you bringing me?" He smiled and sped up as we broke free of the forest. "Back to campus, silly." He shot me a grin that would make any Alpha weak, but I just rolled my eyes and sped right past him, reaching the beginning of the track sooner than I would have liked. I briefly contemplated taking off into the woods again when John's familiar boot-squeak came up from behind, his scent smelling of defeat.

"God damn it, Eli!" I turned to see John hunched over, his breathing heavy as I approached. "We were supposed to finish together," he pants. I shrug as the all-too-familiar hum of a motor turns into the school parking lot.

Hometime.

John looks at me, the sympathetic look in his eye as I walk towards a fifteen-minute hell on wheels. I jumped into the car with about as much enthusiasm as a rock. "You don't have to keep picking me up, you know." I pulled out my phone as Danielle smiled and shook her head. "Don't be silly. I insist. The walk home is exceedingly dangerous." I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, a walk through the nicest neighborhood ever is totally not safe," I mused, the sarcasm oozing down every word. She giggled. "Oh Elijah, you crack me up!" I shot her an awkward smile and returned all focus to my phone. Per usual, she cranked up her Broadway station, full of happy songs I absolutely loathed.

Hooray.

I've been with Danielle for almost five months already. Any system kid could tell you that I'm almost at my limit of six months with the Revends. No foster kid survives a home for more than six. But, they've been surprisingly decent. My guess is that it's because they get more money for fostering me. I am an Alpha, after all. I guess that makes me more of a handful to raise. But that's not entirely true.

Suddenly, a song catches my ear. I'd never heard it before, and its soothing melody was actually drawing me in. I put down my phone and actually listened to the words.

You and your words obsessed with your legacy

Your sentences border on senseless.

And you are paranoid in every paragraph

How they perceive you

You, you, you.

I genuinely liked the song, so I google-searched the lyrics and found the musical it was from.

Hamilton?

I could have sworn I had heard of it before. The feeling it left me was one of pure sensitivity. I shook off the feeling and downloaded the album. No other musical had left me with such a feeling, and I intended to find out why.

The car pulled into the driveway of the Revends house, and I hopped out and into the house before Danielle could even stop the car. I bounded up the stairs quicker than I knew I could and threw my stuff onto the bed. Another day, another thought. I knew they were going to kick me out soon, so I never really unpacked my stuff.

I was turning 18 in about three weeks, so I knew the system would stop sending me anywhere, and I was free to go live my own life.

I snorted. It's not like you have one.

I sighed and settled down onto my bed, my headphones plugged in, and I waited for dinner.

And what a long wait that was.

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OY, THAT CHAPTER KINDA SUCKED. Sorry about the gross first chapter. I could feel my writing going downhill as the chapter went on.

SO! My friends have been pestering others persistently, and if you are coming from a recommendation, thank you so much for sticking around. I know this kinda sucks, but please bear with me. This is kinda the prelude to the madness, and more angst will follow.

COMMENTS, VOTES, AND ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR ARE MY LIFE! PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COMMENT OR VOTE IF YOU FEEL I DESERVE SUCH A THING!

Thank you for reading, this is Caden, signing out!

BAI!

•Caden•