Behind The Hoodie

Chapter 9: Nerd Is On The Run

I look up to my dad as tears fill my eyes from the cuts and how he is feeling. 

"This is all your fault! It's your fault she's gone!"

I stand up and my dad rushes over to me grabbing my arm and pulling back a fist. I duck down making his fist go through the wall as Jenny shrieks at him to stop. I pull away from him and race down the hall to my room on crutches. I slam the door behind me as thundering footsteps come my way. I lock the door and pack my backpack with my phones, money, extra random clothes and a toothbrush and hairbrush. I quickly slide on a jacket and some shoes along with slinging my backpack over my shoulder and open my window next to my bed. 

I throw my backpack down as carefully as possible and follow by jumping out the window into the backyard. I run around to the front and race down the driveway. I hear the front door open.

"Get back here you little w&^$*!"

I continue to run when I hear a bottle shatter and see it shatter behind me almost hitting me.

I run as the icy air fills my lugs cooling the burning sensation as I continue to sprint. My hair makes me colder as it is soaked from the beer. I continue to run, scared he is after me. I have never seen him like this. 

I eventually make it to a bridge over a river and run down the rock path to under the bridge limping on one leg. I drop my crutches and lean back putting my hands behind my head.

"Beth?"

I look up scared from the surprise of someone being here making me take a step back before seeing who it is. It's the guys. They each have a cigarette in their mouths or in their hand. They look at me, surprised.

I lean back under the bridge against one of the braces.

"You alright?"

"Yeah. I'm good."

"Were you drinking?"

"Poice found you or something?"

"I wasn't drinking. So, no, police are not after me."

"Well, you have to be drunk because you smell like beer. Did not take you for a beer sort of person."

"I'm sober. I can walk in a straight line and everything."

"So why are you here, strongly smelling of beer?"

"That's family stuff."

"The beer?"

"It's in my hair. I did not drink any."

Gray flicks his cigarette in the river and they all continue to look at me. I run my hand back through my hair and finally start to slow my breathing.

"Mind me asking why you have beer in your hair?"

"I had a beer bottle thrown at my head. And I ran. This just so happens to be where I am taking a break from running."

"Dad not handling it so well?"

I put my head back then nod.

"Yeah. Not well at all."

"Do you need a place to stay? Or a ride?"

"No, I'm gonna just go the hotel down the road."

"C'mon, we'll give you a lift."

"I ran here on a broken leg with crutches and a bag on my back. I'll be okay. Thanks though. How did it go with the Tori girl?"

"Got her number."

I pull out my phone and look to them.

"Your worried about us getting a date while you smell like beer, your arms are bleeding and are on the run from your parents?"