RUNAWAY

47. AN OLD FRIEND

The motel James was staying at on Eighth Street was actually pretty nice, for a motel in Tulsa. James wasn't rich but he definitely wasn't poor either. He had his steady job at the coffee house in New York, along with some other side gigs he would pick up late at night. James was smart when it came to money. He always saved and only spent when he had to. For a trip from New York to Tulsa though, it must've taken a bit of a toll on his money situation, but nothing James couldn't handle.

After going to the main office at the motel and asking where I could find James, the manager working there informed me that his room would be the last one at the end of the second floor. I stood in front of the white door labeled '12.' The paint was cheap and slowly beginning to chip.

I had left Dally's room early this morning. He was still asleep so I soundlessly tiptoed my way out before going to my room and throwing on a random sweatshirt and a pair of jeans. I decided to leave my crutches at Buck's, so I could try walking on my own. There was a bit of pain in my chest, but nothing I couldn't ignore and push past. The party from last night was completely gone by now. The bar was a bit of a mess but it always. The regulars, who were always here drinking, were sat at the bar with Buck pouring them drinks. I had told my friend to tell Dallas about my whereabouts in case he asked.

After leaving Buck's bar, I found my legs moving slowly along the cold streets. I stopped at a diner for black coffee and then continued to walk to Eighth Street, when I finally found my destination.

Now, I stood before the door where my friend resided in. I wasn't really sure what I was going to say to him. I felt guilty because he had dropped everything in New York for me, and I was here to tell him that I wasn't going to leave with him. I knew that his decision wasn't really my fault, but I still felt bad about it.

I sighed and held my head high as I decided that it was time to have a talk with James.

Knock. Knock.

The door swung open after a few silent moments, revealing James who stood in the doorway. He took one look at me and smiled. "Hey James," I said. "I hope I didn't wake ya."

James shook his head, no. "I've been up for awhile," he told me. He had always been a morning person, especially because he had to wake up early for his job. "Come in." James stepped to the side of his door and allowed me to walk into his room. It was very clean and neat, completely different from Dally's messy room. James closed the front door and sat on his made bed, while I leaned against the wall across from him. "I'm glad you're here," James said.

"Yeah?" I asked. I was surprised he'd say that after I yelled at him before storming out of the hospital.

James nodded. "I was worried about you. I heard a lot of rumors when I got here. The last place I expected you to be was in a hospital."

"I've gotten myself into a lot of trouble," I said.

James chuckled softly. "Trouble has always followed you.. or maybe it's the other way around." I breathed a laugh and folded my arms together. James met my eyes. "It's different here. It's not like New York."