Run Away for my Baby

Chapter 1

Picture of Holly

Present day

Holly

I sat there on the bench three metres from the sea. The sun was setting in the horizon and the waves were lapping against the sand. I felt the air start to cool. I could smell the salt of the sea and the whiff of fish. I think about what I have done. It may have not been the right thing but was the right thing for now.

I took in a deep breath trying to calm myself. I had the best summer of my life but now autumn has set in I’m feel so different. I am changing in many ways and maybe they’re not all good.

I need to find somewhere to stay tonight otherwise I’ll be camping out here all night. That's not good for me.

I get up from the bench. I walk through the small seaside town; I look in shops and small houses whether they have a place for me to stay.

At the edge of the town near a small beach I find a fairly reasonable sized house. I walk towards it. Above the door it reads ‘come in’. I open the door slowly trying not to disturb anyone inside.

As I enter the foyer I see a young woman, maybe a fifteen years older than me, sitting behind a desk. “Hello,” she smiled at me.

“Um hi,” I said nervously. “I was looking for a place to stay.”

“Sure sweetheart you can stay here. I’m Olivia, me and my husband Mike run this place, I really hope you enjoy your time here everyone does. My son Tom will show you your room later but first talk to me. What’s your story?”

“My story?” I asked confused.

“I guess you don’t know about this place properly. It’s a place to stay for people aged between sixteen and twenty. Most of them have suffered with things that have happened at home. Some are sent here, others have run away. So what’s your story?” she explained.

“Um I guess I’m a runaway. I never thought I’d run away until last month.”

“I understand. My best friend and I were both runaways she however is about five years younger than me. I think our children will get married one day. Her husband is also a runaway. Luckily for them they have made up with their families now and they visit here often. You might get to meet them, if you stay here until the summer. I’m sure you’ll love it here everyone does. Um so are you going to tell me your name?”

“I’m Holly and I’m eighteen years old.”

“I’m thirty five now and my son’s fourteen.

I only found out about this area because of the girl I used to babysit. Apparently her mom and dad met here when they were like seventeen. They were both runaways they had family and life problems but they confided in each other and got through it. They fell in love and had their little girl, then got married and then had their son.

“I messed up real bad this summer and now I’m paying for my consequences,” I said sadly.

“Sweetheart whatever you did wasn’t bad, everyone here will help you overcome whatever you need to overcome. Many of us will love you and you may find your own special someone here too.”

“That can’t happen for me, once people find out no one will ever want me again and that’s the hardest thing.”

“That’s not true sweetheart. There is a boy out there for every girl and girl you are beautiful. He’ll love you no matter what.”

“Thank you Olivia, I really hope I can rely on you later.”

“You sure can sweetheart. If you ever need anything just come to me." I heard the front door slam close. "Ah look my son has just come in,” she smiled.

A young boy about around fourteen walked in the front door and smiled up at me. “Hey I’m Tom, you must be new I’ll show you your room.”

“Um thanks Tom, I’m Holly.”

“Follow me.” I followed him up two sets of stairs that lead to a white hallway, with two doors. He opens the door on the right. “This is your room girl. Across the hall is Ollie, he’ll help you out with anything you need, he’s a cool guy.”

“You Tom are a very special guy. Your girlfriend is lucky to have you,” I smiled at him. He is the sweetest kid I’ve ever met and even if he doesn’t have a girlfriend when he does he’s really going to treat her like a princess.

“I don’t have a girlfriend, not yet anyway. I’m waiting on one girl, she’s my best friend.”

“Nice kid. You’ve got to tell her one day,” I said.

“I will when we’re old enough and the time is right. I’ll see you later Holly.”

“You too Tom.” I close the door behind him. I turned and studied the room; the pale yellow wall light up the room and the big windows let in the dying sun over the shimmering ocean. The room is beautiful I love it.

Exhaustion filled me deeply. I sank into the over cushioned bed. I felt my eyes start to slowly close and I drift off into a peaceful sleep of this summer.