The Runaway

Bella

My mom is going out tomorrow so she won't even notice I'm gone. She wouldn't even notice if I left while she was in the house. I already packed a bag full of things I'm going to need and Im going to write her a note to tell her I'm not d e a d and I explain everything to her. Why I'm leaving. What I'm doing. And when I will see her again. I have one friend from school, but she's in and out of foster care. I decided I should visit her before I left. I wouldn't want to leave and never see her again for a few year without saying goodbye.

The walk from her house to mine isn't that far so I will manage to make it there in 15 minutes. Her name is Bella. She lives in a nicer side of the neighborhood than I do. I'm not complaining. It's more... relaxed here. No high expectations. You have to be a little bit careful sometimes. There are some people who can become dangerous. Anybody who lives here can still be lovely when they aren't drunk and stuff like that.

"Bella, are you home" I asked while knocking the door.

"Riley? Hi!! Come in. How are you?"

"I'm doing good enough. How have you been?"

"Great! I've been gardening a lot."

"I have to go tomorrow. I'm going to live somewhere else for a while until I have my own house and a good job. I can't live with my mom anymore. I'm sorry."

"Hey, it's okay. I'll come. My parents haven't been around much anymore anyways" she said sympathetically.

"You can't. It too dangerous and I don't want you to be hurt. You're my best friend."

"Riley. I'm coming. At least for a bit. I'm not letting you go out and live all on your own. There are so many bad people and animals- I need to... protect you."

"Bella I-"

"No. I'll pack my bags tonight. What time are you leaving?"

"I- uh- 2 am?"

"Okay. Meet me at the park in the tunnel then."

"O-okay. I- uh- I got to go. Love you."

"Okay bye! I love ya!"

I walked home stunned. She's adorable. I hope that she's going to be okay. I can't believe shes coming. I'm going to go to sleep. It's only 6:30 but I don't know if I'm going to get much sleep once I leave. I'm so scared. I need to do this but I'm scared. I just hope nothing bad happens tomorrow.

As soon as I got home, I knew my mom was there. Her car was there and all the garbage cans on the street were knocked down. She was supposed to be out of town tonight. Why was she home?

"Mom?"

"Where've you been!! I need dinner you a**hole! You know I can't cook."

"Love you too. I was at a friends. Where'd you go tonight?"

"Bar. Please must make me dinner. I don't have enough money to feed you tonight so you can have an apple. I want steak."

"Okay."

"Looks like you gained a few pounds anyways. All of my friends call you fat behind your back. Lose a few pounds and stop embarrassing me."

"Okay."

........................................................................................
"Dinners ready."

"Thanks. Go to bed."

"Love you mom."

"Yeah. Love you too." I

knew there was part of her that meant it, but I heard a bit of sarcasm in that. I loved her. I just couldn't stand it anymore. I'm honestly not that hungry.

"It'll be over, someday be better, someday be nice. My mother will love me and visit me in my house once a week or so. I'll be happy, living with the love of my life and maybe kids. I'll be safe and happy again" I whisper to myself, falling asleep.