Dear Diary

t w e n t y - e i g h t

"Niall," Ari whined. "Where are we going?"

After breakfast that morning, I had told her we were going somewhere, but I hadn't specified where. I was wearing a hat and sunglasses, and so was she.

"Somewhere," I answered, glancing at the address. "We're almost there."

We were visiting her dad first. As I pulled into his lane way, Ari sat up, recognizing the house.

"Why are we here?" she asked.

"I thought you'd want to see your dad," I said. I turned the car off and looked at her. "Do you want me to come with you?"

Ari nodded, unbuckling and getting out of the car. I followed her up to front steps, where she knocked three times. Footsteps were heard.

The door opened, and man, Ari's dad, stood there. His mouth opened in shock when he saw Ari, who had taken off her hat and sunglasses.

"Ari?" he said in disbelief.

"Hi, Dad," she answered.

Her dad pulled her into a hug, and she hugged him back tightly.

"I've tried visiting you," he said, "but the hospital was always closed when I tried." He pulled away. "And you're on the run now, huh?" He looked over at me. "Who's your friend?"

"This is Niall," Ari said. I waved politely.

We were invited into his house, where he began to prepare tea.

"Do you know what's going on with your mother?" Ari's dad asked her, leaning against the counter. I had taken off my hat and sunglasses; they were resting on the table. He has recognized me, but he didn't say anything.

"No." Ari shook her head. "She's got a boyfriend; he's a douche. Other than that, I don't know much. They moved, and I haven't been in contact with them."

It was silent for a bit; Ari's dad set tea in front of Ari and I, and then sat down himself. I wasn't a huge fan of tea, but I sipped it politely.

"The police came here," Ari's dad spoke up. "They were wondering if I knew where you were."

"And you said no, I'm assuming?" Ari said.

Her dad nodded. "I wish I had known where you were, but I didn't. I was worried, Ari. I didn't know where you were, and the world is a horrible place."

"I know," Ari answered, sipping her tea. "Believe me, I know."

Ari's dad hugged her again. "I'm so sorry for not being there for you."

"It's okay, Dad. It wasn't your fault."

They hugged for a while, and I sat at the table, sipping tea awkwardly. They pulled away after a while.

"Ari," I said quietly. "We should probably go."

Ari pouted but agreed. She said goodbye to her dad, and then we got into my car and I drove away.

"That was nice," she said, a tiny smile on her face. "Where are we going next?"

"I think you can already guess that," I answered, turning onto another road and driving in the opposite direction of my house.