Running From Life

Chapter 1 ♡

It was the night before Christmas and I was at the Sungrove Mall, a few miles away from my house. I was working a night shift at Barnes & Noble, selling to all of the last-minute shoppers. I checked my watch and found the time to be only 7:34. I groaned, realizing I had two hours to go.
"Lighten up! It's Christmas Eve." joked my friend Tory, hanging a string of lights around my neck.
"I'm starving, cold, and want to go home." I threw back, shrugging off the fluorescent lights.
"Piper, you feel too bad for yourself." she said, a smirk forming at the corners of her peach-tinted lips.
"Ha-ha, you think you're soo funny." I tossed back, giving her a mediocre death glare.
She smiled and we got back to work. I cashed out customers and she pre-wrapped presents for the people who didn't want to do it themselves. It was tiring work and the money we earned earned after each and every week wasn't as amazing as you'd want it to be. Although luckily before I knew it, my shift was over and I could go home. Since it was a Friday (and Friday is when I get my pay) I collected my check and headed out. I was about to leave the mall, when I noticed the SALE sign at Starbucks. All of their drinks were 25% off. Of course, I couldn't turn that offer down, so I got a small Cinnamon Dolce Latte with a shot of caramel and extra whipped cream. Cliché? Yes. Heaven in a cup though, if you ask me. I headed out the push doors, the cold surrounding me, my teeth chattering and my hand clinging to the warmth coming from my hot beverage. I got into my car, started the engine, and immediately turned on the heat. I rubbed my palms back and forth until I started to warm up. I pulled out of the smooth parking lot that had just been redone and headed home.
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I locked the door and swiftly headed up my spiral staircase. I plopped onto my lilac, soft bed. I rubbed my temples and closed my eyes, slowly drifting to sleep...
"Knock, knock!"
My eyes popped out of my head and slowly sat up. I creeped my way downstairs and opened the curtain, overlooking the driveway. My heart skipped a beat when I saw a black Maserati. I started shaking and my eyes started to tear up when I heard the loud "knock" again. I dragged myself toward the door and slowly gripped my hand on the knob. I turned it slowly and swiftly opened the door. I put on a brave face and tried to present my best smile. There was a tall, slender man awaiting at my door. He had on khakis and thick work boots, with a bright blue t-shirt that read Smith's Bikes and Wheelers. I opened my mouth to speak when the man gave me a puzzled look.
"Is this some game or something?" he interrogated.
"E-excuse me?" I asked back.
"Five minutes ago you're blonde, now you're a brunette. Do you have a twin or..."
"What are you even talking about? I have never seen you before in my life." I couldn't figure out what he was talking about.
"Look, I don't really care what color your hair is. I just want my money."
I just stared into his eyes, not able to get any words out.
"I'm not waiting all day. I earned that money." he said to me in a stern voice.
Being the impulsive person I am, I slammed the door right in his face and locked it immediately. I ran up the stairs, hearing the muffled "Hey!"'s coming from the man outside. It had been a long night and I really didn't know whether or not I was dreaming. I climbed under my cozy covers and started to drift off to sleep, without brushing my teeth.