No escape

chapter one

Living in a quiet lonely town, I grew up to be a loner. With limited friends and little interaction with my family. I always stayed up in my room. I actually didn't care about what people thought about me. Every morning, I wake up to open my window to stare at the empty house in my neighborhood. It's been seven years now since my best friend and her family left. I really didn't get to know the reason they left because my best friend didn't really want to talk about it ever. I couldn't pressure her, and it's not like I really blamed her. I for one hated opening up. Though I heard my mom say they moved to the states because they had a family there. I really miss my best friend though, we had a lot memories together. I tried to reach her but I failed. I don't know if she forgot about me but I always hope she didn't.
But today is a very special day, I'm actually over the moon because finally I'm heading to a whole new level in academics. I'm just so thrilled to finally be leaving home for the college. I'm actually a bit nervous because none of my friends wants to join the college I adore. I'm just wondering which friends I'll have to meet, how they will treat me. I had no extra time to mull over the issue when my mum called for me. I grabbed my jacket and my sneakers and joined her at the door.
I kissed my baby sister goodbye. Callie is really a sweet girl. She is my only sister and I love her so much but still being Harley, I never spend time with her. I often run away to hide from her. She never cries when I do that but she fetches ice cream for me and repeatedly asks me to pardon her. I accept because she is the closest thing I have got. She is only nine but it feels like she is seventeen or something.
When I walked to the car, my suitcase and everything I needed were already inside. It's mid February but I'm not expected to be home till December and I would only spend a few weeks before I head back to college. I actually don't care about getting home because I feel like I'm escaping from all the adult supervision my parents give me. Apart from missing my old friends and my little sister, I'm not afraid of being on my own. Being three hours away from home is all I ever wanted. I had been stuck in my own little world that I didn't notice that we had reached the train station. My dad helps with my luggage and kisses my forehead. He turns to go but I call him back. I held him tight as I closed my eyes and let the hot tears roll down my eyes. Not sure of how I was feeling, I wanted to scream because my heart was aching terribly at the thought of living alone. I had to finally take care of myself. Callie will no longer bring me ice-cream. Mom will never tell me to take my breakfast, dad will never remind me not to skip meals. I'll have no privacy at all, because I'll be sharing a room. I finally pulled myself together and boarded the train.
I closed my eyes and didn't open them until the train pulled away. I really didn't want to see my dad leaving. I didn't want to lose it. I didn't want to cry anymore. I wanted this, to be alone and I had to face it though it was pain staking. I made up my mind, I opened my eyes ready to run after my father but it was too late. For once in my life I was scared of being alone. The train had long pulled away and nothing was in sight apart from the trees. I pulled out my wipes and blew my nose. I don't know why I cried so much today. I buried my head in my hands, I suddenly felt like I'm not alone and before I could compose myself to look up, I felt someone touch my shoulder. It was a large masculine hand. I felt my heart in my mouth. I had never talked to any guys apart from my best friend's brother. We used to play together but everything changed when I turned thirteen. We had different desires now and he found new friends. In my junior years I hardly had any male friends, I didn't date and I don't think I'll ever. I always found someone's flaws. Most guys said I played had to get but I was just not interested.
And here I'm in a train weeping my eyes out like a baby who has been denied a candy. I must be feeling embarrassed but what I feel is nothing compared to shame. Instead I look up to see who had touched me. I felt sad to see that it was not my dad. I felt so stupid; I mean how could I even think that my dad would be on the train, he must have reached home already because he is really a fast driver. It was a total stranger, he was beautiful, he had this perfect movie star face. A reassuring smile. He had those eyes that would drown you. His long lashes complimented his beautiful face. And those lips looked kissable; "hey Miss, " a voice called me out from my fantasy world drawing me back to reality.
I looked up at him, "yes may I help you? " I asked.
"I'm sorry miss for interrupting but I'm not used to seeing ladies cry without anyone comforting them," he said. Holy angels, his voice. It was so soothing like a lullaby, I think I blushed a little but I pushed those thoughts away. Something about him made me speculate about how it felt to date and somehow I started wishing it's him. I mean the one I'll finally fall for. At this point I recalled what Leah's mum always told us, "you will get someone who will crush right into you." Of course we do laugh at that because l and Leah were very convinced that love doesn't exist. But sitting here staring at this stranger, I knew with no doubt that she was perfectly right. He took a sit right next to me and held my hand. I felt my cheeks go red. He was so gentle, his hands were so smooth but they still had that masculine texture. "Little miss weep it all, do you have a name because you can call me Austin," he said teasingly. I knew he was trying to lighten up my mood and I mentally promised that I will make it easy for him. In my whole life I never thought I would ever blush but well congratulations because I'm here in in a train with a stranger smiling like crazy and blushing my face red. We talked for along time, I didn't notice the train making two stops. I suddenly felt hungry I pulled out my lunch box that my mother had packed for me. Austin laughed and I shot him a warning look. He shook his head and said, "I knew you were little but I didn't expect you to carry food around like you are in kindergarten." I felt insulted, I didn't want him to think about me that way, I wanted him to stop thinking about me like his little sister like he had told earlier. "I guess you want some of my food but your so proud to ask huh!" I blasted. He laughed again and I swear I have never felt so much of an idiot like today. I decided to concentrate on my meal but Austin poked my cheek, "hey little miss weep it all I just told you that I don't eat while travelling so don't worry I'm not going to ask for some of your smashed potatoes mixed with milk," he said chuckling. I really felt so offended and outraged. I actually wondered if this guy really came to comfort me or to show me how cold someone can be.
I finished my meal and let myself go to sleep. Hardly had I slept when I felt someone touch me. It was that similar touch that sent me to the seventh heaven. "Little miss weep it all, can you please wake up and if you don't mind you can tell me your name. I don't think anyone will like me calling you that," he mumbled. "I'm Harley so never think about calling that miss little whatever again," I stated. "Got it," he said smiling and walked to pick our luggage. I walked to a cab and I asked him to put my luggage but to my surprise he put his as well. I took my seat and he followed me, he sat really close and I couldn't help feeling the tension rising within me. To avoid the silence that was building up, I asked him why he was still following me around. He smiled again and looked away. I truly hate this guy. He makes me feel like I speak nonsense all the time. "I think I didn't tell you where I was going though. So don't react too much. You may be disappointed to learn that you are the one following me," he finally said. With that everyone kept quiet and let the silence linger until we approached the college. Austin rushed out to carry our luggage. I knew better than to ask questions about where we were going so I just followed him. He escorted me to my dorm and he asked me if I could go with him to his apartment. I was taken aback of course but having no friends yet at college I guess I had no choice. I accepted to join the only friend I had. After all his apartment was just opposite the street. We talked till late and Austin pushed me back to my dorm. He hugged me good night and promised to show me around campus the next day.

Actually the first chapters may have less activity but I can't help it. They are simply there to help us get familiar with the characters.

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