Augustine *continued*

chapter twelve

Augustine had written a letter addressed for Harper's home. Her brown locks tumbled down her back and bounced lightly with each step she took down the pavement. It was dark and gloomy out; it was as if the weather was her emotions. 

The brunette had decided that it was time for her to get out of town and go away for a while; she had after all already spoken to her aunt Mary who simply shook her head and told her; "Do what you have to do, sweetheart."

Slipping the letter underneath the house door of Harper's residence, she quickly jogged down the steps and made her way back down two houses before getting into her driveway. The driveway held her car that sat loaded with her bags.

She needed a break away from everything. Too much had been going on within her mind and she needed a break. Somewhere with her cousin and far away. Running a hand through her somewhat greasy locks; she finished locking her house door while grabbing some pictures she had printed.

"I'm sorry, guys." 

The words fell from Augustine's lips as she started the car she had gotten into; knowing full well they'll eventually come for her. The moment the car had left the driveway and faded down the road, Harper had found the letter and was currently opening the envelope that it was hiding in. 

Dear Harper,

Forgive me but this may sound like a goodbye but I will tell you this. This is not a goodbye. 

This is me just saying that I'm selfish and I decided to leave for a while to try and make others happy. I hurt a lot of people in this past week; either emotionally or mentally which I'm very sorry for. Instead of looking out for me, you should be looking out for yourself. you are only a nineteen-year-old who still has a lot to get accomplished and I love you very dearly; too much to let you waste your life on my own charity cases. 

I always remembered how you said that it was us against the world and I would never be alone. Well, this is me saying that it's myself against the entire world. I want you to know that I did this because I need to get better. And in order to get better? I have to focus on my health and my issues by myself. You have my number and you can always call me because you are my best friend and sister. Not by blood, but by our souls. 

If anybody asks where I am; tell them that I went to visit someone very dear to me. Although don't tell them that my Aunt Mary gave me motivation to leave cause she's the one who told me to basically do what's best for me. I should stop now. I'm sorry and remember. Love is a very powerful thing and it'll find it's way back to you.

Love, Augustine. 

Harper had walked into her hallway with a look of disbelief only to crumble it up quickly with a confused laugh. she had always known Augustine to be the wild one in High School but the moment she hit twenty, she gave up all types of partying and wild nights. This was far fetched of being Augustine Claire and for that, she knew it was best. And she wasn't angry.

Augustine sat in the driver seat with a wide smile crawling onto her face. A genuine laugh escaped her lips as she crossed the sign that had said

'now leaving empire hills' 

Harper had laid down on her couch with a soft sigh escaping with a shake of her head. "Oh Augustine, how much I love you."

The pounding in Augustine's heart was insane and she felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of her shoulders, although the guilt from not telling anyone else about her decision to just pack up and leave. But she felt wonderful like she was on top of the world and actually in control of her life for once. And with that, she drove to wherever she was able too. 

Her phone had dinged with a text and it was an address that her Aunt Mary had sent her. The address growing familiar to her and she put it into her GPS, gaining her way to the vacation she deserves. 

"You got this, Augustine. . . One step at a time."