You Only Live Once, Better Think Twice

Chapter One

"No! We're done! Take your shit! I'm done with it!"

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I sat in my room listening to music. Boring, I know. I looked out the window and saw my dad's stupid red Tesla. I groaned. I looked at my bags all packed up, hidden in my closet behind all the designer clothes I never wanted.

Not all girls want a big pink sparkly dress made of pure silk and cotton for every birthday, Dad.

"Bliss!" My father called. I walked downstairs. "Don't call me that!"

"I call you by your name! I go by what your birth certificate says!"

"I don't care! Wouldn't you rather have me happy!?"

"I don't care if your happy, Bliss." And he walked away. Just like that.

What am I to do? Listen to him? I refuse to live my life by what some self-centered ass hole wants. I walked back upstairs. Why'd I even bother coming down?

I entered my room and sighed. I'm not just a rebellious teen. I'm 17 and fully able to take care of myself. Unlike my father, Merrian, can. The man can't even get to work on time! Not without scaring the living shit out of pedestrians on his way. With his fancy Tesla and mansion, he feels like he can do anything without consequences. Yeah right. When he's in jail again and can't afford bail, you better believe I won't bail him out.

"Bliss! I'm going out! Don't leave the house!" I heard the front door slam and the Tesla drive away. Back to the bar again Merrian? Your mistake.

My plan was falling in place perfectly. What was my plan? Simple, that's for sure. My bags were packed for this exact moment. One navy blue suit case with my clothes, enough to last me almost a month before I needed to wash them. My black leather backpack held my phone, earbuds, charger, my car keys, some books, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, makeup, etc.

I grabbed my bags and walked downstairs. I went to my dad's room and opened his drawer. Inside, was a stack of money. I counted it to find $600.

It will have to do. I sighed and walked out. I grabbed my keys out of my backpack and as I was just about to walk out, noticed another hundred dollars sitting on the coffee table. I quickly grabbed it and walked out.

I started my car, a jet black Nissan Altima, one of the things I was proud of.  I pulled out of the driveway and immediately left town. Leaving the city of LA isn't easy though

I got stuck in traffic about 5 times until i got out of LA, and by then, it was dark out. I groaned in anger. I had only left at 5:00, and now it was almost 7:00. I wanted to be way farther than this by now. Honestly, I was shocked by how long it took me to leave the city area.

I pulled over at a gas staion. While waiting for my tank to fill, I walked into the tiny store. A man was leaning over the counter, looking at the lottery tickets. The woman at the register, looked annoyed, but trying to hold it in.

The man looked at me, then back at the cards. He picked what looked like 6 cards, then paid. He had also bought an energy drink, and some chocolates. I didn't think much of it, as I grabbed my stuff; two iced coffees and a salad.

I brought it up to the counter and watched tiredly as the lady rang up my stuff. "Tired eh?" She asked with a strong country accent.

"You have no idea," I sighed. "Bet I do. See, I got night shift from 1pm to 3am."

"Damn," I replied, grabbing my stuff. "G'night ma'am."

"Goodnight," I called, walking out.

I walked out and saw the same guy from inside by my car filling his tank. I got in my car, opening a coffee as I started my it.

I drove about 4 more hours till I could barely keep my eyes open. Both cup holders holding the empty cups I had finished. I had stopped after my first one to eat my salad before driving once again.

I pulled over in a hotel parking lot. I walked in. "Do you have an open room?" I asked the two young looking men at the counter.

"Sure do! We have multiple. Would you like one on the first floor?"

"Yes, that would be great."

"How long are you staying?"

"Just one night sir."

"Okay, $104, cash or credit?"

"Cash." I paid him and took my change back. Already down to about $600. I can't stay at hotels as much.

"Here you go!" He cheered giving me the key.

"Thank you," I mumbled, tired.

"Sure thing!"

I left the lobby and went to my room. It was small, but it would do. It's only one night anyway.

I collapsed on the bed, laying my bags the small table, and plugging my phone in to charge. I covered up in the blankets and tried to sleep.

It wasn't hard to sleep, there was quiet traffic outside, just cars passing by. The bed wasn't super comfortable, but it was good enough for me to sleep.

I woke up turned over. It was around 7, so I got up and took a shower.

Feeling the warm water hit my bare skin woke me up pretty quick. I changed into a simple purple sweater v-neck, over a white T-shirt, along with skinny jeans and knee-high leather boots.

I brushed my shoulder length black hair, watching my reflection in the mirror. I wore slight but natural makeup. I finally put a silver locket around my neck. It was shaped like a key, with my mom's picture in it.

I grabbed my bags and my phone and walked out. I turned in my key to a woman at the front desk, who had replaced the two men here yesterday.

She wasn't as cheery as the two men, and it was a little unsettling to hear her moody voice as I walked out.

"Hope you had a great stay." There was no emotion in her voice, but I still answered, "Thanks, have a good day."

I loaded back into my car, only to hear yelling. I looked in front of my car. Halfway across the parking lot, the two men from last night stood.

"No! We're done! Take your shit! I'm done with it!" The taller man was yelling.

"Babe, I-"

"I'M NOT YOUR BABE!" I then realized the shorter man, was crying as his apparent partner yelled in his face. The taller one threw some bags at the other, then got in the car.

"Please don't! It was an accident!" He cried. The one in the car flipped him off and drove away.

The other sat alone, crying in the parking lot. I looked in the hotel. The girl at the front desk saw this, but laughed and went back on her phone.

I stared in pity at this man. I couldn't do anything though... I don't have much money. I don't have food either. It's not like I could help him, right?

1202 words
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Edited by Sky💙