Beside You

Drop Outs

Two weeks have passed and Ella has become the sister I've always wanted; an angel that has taken me under her wing. God, she's helped me so much with adjusting to my new school, keeping me busy, losing my tourist status...she's been my escape, for a while.

My dad's been struggling to find a job--whilst working two part-timers--that could support us both without heavily relying on his parents; so, he's never home. The apartment is quiet, only reminding me of the mom I'm missing--the mom that hasn't bothered to call, once; and my old friends.

My phone vibrates. The one and only.

Dad: You're leaving for school, now, right?

I exhale. Ella said she's on sick leave for the week. I'm going to be sitting alone at lunch, today. But, at least there's noise. I grab my bag, running out of this, god forsaken, depressing place my dad calls home.

Kath: Yea :/

...

You got me thinking that we could run away
You want I'll take you there,
You tell me when and where,
Oh oh oh oh

The bus driver changes the radio station. Hey. I liked that song--wait. My thoughts come to a halt as I whip my head around to catch a glimpse of that flaming red color pulled from my subconscious. I accidently screamed, "IT'S HIM!"

Oops..?

My body lurches forward and is thrown up against the seat. The bus driver turns in his seat, "WHAT THE HELL, KID?! Do you want to get thrown off the bus! If you don't follow the bus protocol-" I must've hit my head because the bus wasn't moving and it felt like opportunity was knocking.

I stumble to my feet and fly down the bus' isle onto the streets, my ears numb to whatever the driver was yelling. "Yeah, sorry--thank you. I forgot something..." I let my voice trail off. I was already half way down the block.

...

What am I doing?! WHY--what did I just do?! I've never, actually, skipped school before, in my life! Why am I doing it now?! My mind turns to the boy with the red hair, whom I seem to have lost, again. When my dad finds out I skipped school to try and hang out with another rebel, he will kill me. I'm dead. I am a literal dead man. I'm ALREADY DEAD. Really, how could I put my dad under more stress? Fuck. I turn around. The bus is long gone by now. "I'M SO STUPID!"

"Woah, you okay?" My eyes widen, as I freeze, mid-panic attack, handfuls of hair in my fists, to see a stranger in my presence. He chuckled, and tucked a curl behind his ear. His atmosphere felt familiar; I couldn't put my finger on it. "Are you lost, babe?"

"Oh my god." I gasp. "I-I got myself into a mess and--please, I don't want to call my dad. I just need to get to school. Are there any cabs here?" I blurred out. He looked older, his mouth was slightly open and his eyes were locked with mine. I wanted to look away, but I couldn't. He made like he was about to say something, but something over my shoulder piqued his interest.

"ASH! You're right, I don't want to eat at that restaurant ever again--oh, hello!" The red-haired boy burst out of the convenience store, teeth pulling sleeve over hand like there was a chill in the air. My cheeks color. Ash giggles. Michael squints his eyes, "What's your name? (Ash, who's this?)" Ash shrugs and tilts his head in my direction.

"Kathleen," I stammered. "Sorry, to bother..." He has an eyebrow piercing.

Ash connects the dots, "Looks like, Kathleen--am I right?--missed the bus and needs a ride to school before she gets in trouble..."

"I skipped school, but it was a stupid mistake." How was it that his hair matched the same shade of his lips?

The red-haired boy butts in, "We have a rebel in our midst! How does it feel?"

"Wait, aren't you rebels yourselves? Aren't you guys skipping school? How old are you?" His eyes crinkle when he smiles.

"Well, Ashton, here, is old enough to be your great-grandfather," he smirks and dodges a shove from Ashton, "so, he doesn't need to go to school, but I'm probably a little older than you-let me guess, you're 16?"

"18." His laugh is so contagious.

"Oh, well-fuck, I'm 19. Yeah, my schooling days are--have been over. My boys and I dropped out to start our band," he gave a toothy grin and slung his arm around Ashton's shoulder, "What. You don't know of us--took you guys long enough!" His attention shift to two other boys exiting the shop; one of them the blonde boy I saw weeks ago. The red-head murmured for a second amongst them, then, "Yeah, this girl, doesn't know who we are."

The dark haired boy faked a cough, "Someone needs to get out from under their rock. Ha! Just kidding. Michael, says you need a lift to school. I've got the cab number. Hold up." He fumbles for his phone, whilst juggling his groceries. "Dude, help a brother, here."

"Gotcha, bro," The blonde takes the bags. "I don't know, we should at least stay with her here, until the cab comes. It's pretty dangerous for a girl to be alone on the streets..."

The dark haired interjects, "In broad daylight? Luke, this is home, not the projects," he mocks the New York accent, "but, yeah, good idea." He taps the screen multiple times, then holds the phone to his ear. "Hiyah, could we get a cab to _________ street? Yep. Thanks. My name's Calum." He exchanges phone for my hand and gives a half-smile.

"Hiiiiii, I'm Luke."

"Michael and Ashton?" I point to each. Ashton nods. Michael is, practically, beaming. "Nice to meet you all, and thanks, so much, for all your help! Really, it means a lot."

"Don't skip school, next time! Goodness, wouldn't your parents be worried?" Ashton directs us towards a bench to wait.

"Um--well, my dad's barely home...and my mom's not in the picture right now, but, yeah--I guess..." I awkwardly laugh.

Ashton gives a knowing, sympathetic nod, "WELL, then we have two options: one, there is a cab on its way (in an hour or so) that will take you to school, but in the process, waste half the day; or, two--call me crazy (please, don't let your dad get a hold of me)--but, you're already out here and you can waste half the day with us, but have 100 times more fun." He winks and throws up a rock sign. Michael leaps at the idea.

"She's going to think we're serial killers-kidnappers," Calum glances at me.

"Really?! You all seem like cool lads--"

"Says every white girl at the beginning of every CSI show." Calum's sass made me laugh.

I shot back, "Well, it's a good thing Officer Calum will be with us to protect us from danger. His intuitive is bright for a drop out," I bumped his shoulder, giggling, "I'm sorry, I saw the opportunity and I seized it."

Michael grins and loops his arm around mine, "I LIKE HER! You're coming with us." A black SUV pulls up and Michael reaches for the door, gesturing to me, he exclaims, "So, did I tell you we are in a band?"