Hope: The Runaway

CHAPTER ONE

June 1st, 6:30 PM

Well, I guess this might be the first time, and the last time writing in this stupid "diary" that Mrs. Beth gave me. Thanks a lot. I hate talking about my "feelings" or whatever. I remember when I was at the airport in Chicago, waiting for the overhead to call "107 airplane boarding, 107." When Mrs. Beth came trotting over to me acting like there's not a care in the world. She sat beside me and watched me hovered over a book. "Hope, hon," she started, "You see that store over there?" She pointed with a red polished nail across the airport, to a tiny little book store next to other stores and fast food places. "What?" I said as I looked across the airport. "Before we go, want to get a book?" She said as she touched my shoulder. The surprising thing is, she's my aunt and I HATE her touching me all the time, but this time I really didn't mind. I picked up my backpack and swung it across my back as we walked towards the book store. When I walked in, it smelled like ink and paper. Oh, how I love that smell! I walked around, touching the wooden shelves and books that filled them. I finally picked out a book called, "Risha's wish". It's about this girl who finds a magic tea pot and a genie come out when you fill it with tea. Anyway, while I was going to the checkout (a tiny little table with a box on it and a woman sitting in front), my aunt picked up a dark brown thick book filled with blank pages and lines and set it on top of my book. "I think you will need this for all the adventures you will go to Hope." She smiled her perfect little "aren't-I-a-genius" smile at me as I gave the books to the old lady. She looked like a mini librarian, with her old glasses on and mid 90's shirt and pants on. "And where are you going today sweet?" She said with her scraggy voice while my aunt handed her the money. "I'm going to-" my aunt poked me a little with her elbow. She looked at me with her "don't-tell-her-your-going-to-your-first-foster-home" face as she took the books back. I sighed. "I'm going to Illinois." I said, smiling at her and adjusting my backpack strap. "Oh, well have a nice trip!" She said, smiling with her old yellow teeth. She seemed pretty nice, but she hesitated when she said "Oh, well have a nice trip!" I shuttered. We walked back to the bench and sat down. I looked at my new book and journal. "107, airplane boarding. Please get your tickets ready. 107." I

jerked my head up. Then, I started to panic. What if they don't like me and hurt me? My mind was racing with terrible thoughts. "Hope come on."my aunt said, reaching for my hand. I looked around at all the people trying to board 107. Then, I ran. I don't really remember what happened. It was just like a blur. People passing me as I was shoving to get away. I didn't want to live in a foster home!! I want my mother! Why did she have to go to stupid Idaho!? (I'll tell the story later).

Wait, one second. Be right back.

There. Now where was I?

Oh yeah.

I was rushing through the crowd of people, going the opposite direction of my aunt. Then, someone caught my wrist. Tight. Very tight, actually. I looked up from the blur of people passing in front of me. It was a man. He looked so weird! Almost like he was homeless.. "Let go of me!" I screamed. I tried to draw attention so aunt Beth would hear and people would try to help me. I screamed again. "Let go you crazy man!!" I tugged and kicked and punched. I used all my might to get away from him. But he had a strong grip. "Where is your mother? Or your father?" He said in a deep voice. "My mom is dead! I don't have a father!" I yelled, still trying to get away. "Then who is-" then I saw aunt Beth shove through the crowd. She took my other wrist (very tightly also) as the man let go of my other wrist. "I'm her aunt." Aunt Beth said as she tightened her grip and looked at the man. "Thank you, sir." "No problem." He said. Ugh! She's thanking him for hurting my wrist?! I squinted at her as she pulled me to the ticket booth and handed the man the tickets. "What in the wide universe were you thinking, Hope?!?!" She said as we got on board. I kept silent. She wouldn't understand, I know. I just stared at my feet as she pulled me to the window seat. I sighed. "Alright everyone, we will be moving in about 30 minutes." The overhead speaker on the airplane said. I put my backpack on the ground and stared out the window at the other airplanes. After the 30 minutes (which actually took about an HOUR), we set off. I looked at my book & journal again. I set my journal on the mini table that slides out on the back of the seat (which the captain told us not to do yet, but I never listen) and read my new book. After about an hour, Aunt Beth finally fell asleep. We were almost there. I put my book down and grabbed my journal. I searched for my pencil in my backpack and started to write. And that's what I'm doing right now. Well, as Aunt Beth told me, I'm going to have to write a lot of adventures in here.