Finding You

Chapter 7- In Which I Have A Day Out With My Friends

I was terrified to go home. We walked out of the lake, and it was instantly cold. I started shivering, and Grace pulled us all into a group hug and yelled, "CONSERVE BODY HEAT!" We all laughed at her, but we didn't say anything about it. Dakota had the clothes on when I first saw him again, and he didn't have a coat either.

We exited the woods, and we came up to the neighborhood me and Grace lived in. They all walked me to my house, and helped me get in soundless through my window. I grabbed some clothes, and made sure they couldn't see me. I changed into a long sleeve shirt, jeans, and a hoodie. I also grabbed some black shoes. I snuck back out the window, and Grace and Dakota had their hands out to catch me, then I heard footsteps. I froze up, and paled. My face must've looked scared, because they pulled me down and we ran.

We ran to Grace's house, and she got new clothes. We helped her out, and we did the same for Dakota. Grace had her purple coat, bell-bottomed jeans, and what looked to be a orange long sleeve shirt. Dakota had the almost same outfit, except it was lighter. "Well, wanna go get McDonald's breakfast?" Dakota asked, Pulling out his wallet, "I got 30 bucks."

Me and Grace nodded, and followed Dakota down the road. It was kind of peaceful, and no one was talking. I saw a mom and her baby walk down the road, and she gave us a dirty look. I saw her say something, but I never heard it. She probably thought we were some rowdy teenagers who were doing drug deals. Oh boy were we FAR from that. More like an emo looking kid who's a softie, a ginger haired girl who's too innocent for this world, and a depressed abused kid who believes no one loves her.

Were just a happy bunch. I saw some leaves fall, and trees rattled. We walked by a big wall of bushes, and leaves fell into my face. We turned a corner, and walked up to the main road. I always got spooked whenever I came up here. I remember before when I was running away from my mom and she almost hit me with her car. I was only 8 then. She's been abusing me since i was 6. Before that she just neglected me, and I had to grow up quick.

I never had time to be a kid, and go to fun places. It's like I'm a 27 year old trapped in a child's body, and i'm having to live like one. We walked on the sidewalk, and Dakota was closest to the road. Grace was in the middle, and I was in the grass. "We're there." Dakota monotonously said, as we walked onto the pavement of the parking lot. We walked up to the door, and Dakota asked what we wanted. I checked the time, and it was 9:22. "Hotcakes and a hash-brown." I replied, choosing a table to sit in. Grace said an egg mcmuffin, and she sat down with me.

Dakota waited in line, and he was looking at the menu. "So... were you okay this morning?" Grace asked, looking up at me. "No..." I replied weakly, looking down at the ground. I kept telling myself I wasn't going to cry, not in a public place. There was already enough people here, and I didn't want to make a scene. "do you want to tell me?" Grace inquired, reaching her hand out and holding mine.

"Later." I replied, wiping my eyes and looking up at her. I was so thankful that we all got along so quick. Heck, I just met Grace yesterday and Dakota two days ago and were acting like we've been friends for ages. Dakota walked over, and set our food down. He gave me what i asked, and gave Grace what she asked. We all ate our food, and Grace striked up a conversation. We were all talking, and having a great time. Dakota suggested we go to a park after this, and we all agreed to go. It was uptown, and it was called Old-Bucket Public Park. Despite the name, it really is a nice place.

We all finished our breakfast, and we went up to the park. I tensed up when a semi came barreling down the road, and Grace held my hand. I felt like a baby, but at least no one was judging me for it. Grace probably understood why I was tense. I did tell her everything after all.

     Dakota turned, and we followed. We saw the park entrance, and I realised I hadn't been here in a long time. Mom took me here when I was little, maybe around 5 or 6. She was a good mom until then, i'll give her that. But then she heard from dad, and then came the drug addictions and drinking problems. I wouldn't be surprised if a social worker came knocking on our door any day now.

     Grace dropped my hand, and a girl came rushing over to her. She looked to be around 15. Maybe 16. "Grace! How are you?!" She cheered, strangling her in a hug. She acted like the stereotypical, overly cheerful, neurotypical, white girl. Basic, just like the rest of them. "I'm go...ood..." Grace squeezed out, obviously getting choked from the girls death hug.

     Dakota whipped me away, and left Grace there with that monstrosity. "Sorry about her. She's Grace's older cousin. They don't talk much anymore." Dakota said, taking me to a playground for squeaks. He climbed on the jungle gym, and I just peacefully swung on the swings. My mind always made up its own little worlds whenever I calmed. It let me have an alternate reality, where I could stand up for myself, and everything wasn't so bad. 

     I could be who I wanted to be. I didn't have to be some lonely teenager who gets hit by her mom. I could be a superhero, or a pirate, and anything else. I could do anything, and that's what mattered most to me.