hotel ceiling ✔ randy

chapter eighteen

My world finally felt complete.

Rye never laughed in my face when I told him. He's not just playing with my emotions. He means every word he says.

We've been dating in secret for a few weeks. But I just hate it. I hate not being able to hold his hand or kiss him in public.

I continuously sneak into his room, but I have to be careful. I can't be caught, otherwise we're both in huge trouble.

Lately I've been thinking. Thinking of leaving. I can't stand living here anymore. My parents are getting worse. I don't want to waste my life here.

And I'm not going to.

"Babe are you okay?" Rye whispered in my ear. We were just lying on his bed, wrapped in each others arms. I nodded slowly.

"What are you thinking about?" He asked, running a hand through my hair. I sighed.

"I hate it here, Rye. I hate my house, I hate this town. The only place I feel safe is in your arms, but I can't be there all the time." I mumbled, snuggling further into his arms. He pressed a kiss to my forehead.

"I know babe, I hate it here too." Rye agreed.

"Will you run away with me?" I blurted quietly. Rye looked down at me.

"What?" He frowned. I sighed again and stood up.

"We both hate it here, Rye. Neither of us can be ourselves. I'm being abused at home, you're parents won't let you be yourself... I'm just done. And I want you to run away with me." I looked out the window. I heard the bed creak and Rye walked up behind me.

"Andy, I don't know... where would we go? We don't know anyone." Rye wrapped his arms around my waist.

"I have a friend. A family friend. His name his Mikey. He said we could live in his flat, in London, until we get on our feet." I stated, turning around. Rye looked unsure.

"Andy-"

"I think it would be better for both of us, Rye." I interrupted. "Neither of us are happy here. This town is making our lives hell. I want to get away, and I know you do too." Rye sighed.

"I just... I just don't know. We're still young, Andy."

"I'm leaving tonight, Rye," I announced. "Mikey is picking me up from the park at midnight. I'm leaving Rye, whether you come with me or not." I gulped. Rye blinked. We heard feet beginning to march up the stairs.

"If you want to come with me, you better be there for 12 am sharp. Because I am leaving as soon as that clock changes to 12:01." I looked him dead in the eye, then slid open the window and hopped out. I closed the window just as Rye's dad walked into the room. I ran through their garden and jumped over the fence, and ran home.

-

When I got home, I pulled out a plastic bag. I shoved in my clothes into it, along with some of my prized possessions. I looked across the room and my eyes landed on a photo frame.

It was a photo of me and my parents.

I placed the bag on the floor. I slowly walked over and picked it up. It was covered in dust. I gave it a wipe.

I was about three, in that photo, and all of us were smiling. Smiling big and wide. I sighed. I put it back down, grabbed my guitar and slung it over my shoulder. I took one last look around my room, grabbed my wallet and phone, then darted out the door.

I had to wait a few hours. It was currently 6pm. I have to wait six hours. So I decided to say goodbye to Dani and George. I walked over to the cafe.

"Hey Andy, what's with all the stuff?" George greeted. I smiled.

"Hey, George. I was just coming to say goodbye." George frowned. "I'm leaving." I stated.

"Oh, you're moving? Why didn't you say so?." I breathed heavily.

"Just... haven't had the time." I lied, shrugging my shoulders. George nodded. He called on Dani and she hopped over the counter.

"What with all the stuff?" She asked. I sighed.

"He's moving." Dani frowned. But it wasn't like a sad frown, it was more of a 'I don't believe that' frown.

"Why is all your stuff in a plastic bag?"

"I don't have that much stuff and I don't want to put it in a moving van." I lied. I'm not really a good liar, but she believed me.

"Oh. Well, I'm gonna miss you." She stated, then pulled me into a hug. I happily hugged her back.

"I'm gonna miss you too, both of you." I said, looking at George. He smiled softly.

We broke the hug, and Dani started talking again, "When do you leave?" She asked. "And can I have your phone
number?" I nodded and scribbled it down on a napkin.

"I'm leaving in like, and five minutes." I replied, feeling guilty. Dani once again hopped over the counter and started putting some tasty treats into a bag.

"Here, takes these. On the house." Dani handed me the bag. I shook my head.

"Dani-"
"Don't be stubborn, just take them." Dani didn't give up easily. I sighed and took the little brown bag and put it in my own bag.

"I'll see you guys around, I guess." I gave them a small wave. They returned the favour, and I exited the coffee shop for what I thought would be that last time.