Run Away With Me

Chapter 7 (Katherine's POV)

So much joy. And laughter. And happiness. Eyes full of wonder and amazement. All the bad just seemed to wash away when we arrived. He looks so beautiful right now . . .

I mean it! IT looks so beautiful, haha! New York City, so much joy and happiness. I really had you going there, didn't I? Thought I was talking about Jack, didn't you? Haha, no, no, I, uh, no. No. Ha. Ha. 

So, New York. Pretty amazing. Lots of buildings. Lots of people. And, uh, lots of, cars? 

"Oh look, we're here!" I say, with a nervous laugh that I didn't mean to make. Jack must've heard it, because he looks at me with one cocked eyebrow. His eyes are so . . . DULL and boring, ha ha, I never noticed. Oh gosh, help.

 I unbuckle my seat belt and get out. My legs feel like jelly underneath me, and it takes a moment for me to find my footing. I take a deep breath. The air is different here. It's more . . . wet. Probably because we're right next to the ocean. I take a look at the building. It's bland, white paint chipping off in places. It's rated pretty highly online. Maybe it's nicer inside. But hey, it's home. I walk around to the back of the car. Albert and Jack are already unpacking stuff. I grab a couple of my bags and start - 

"SPOTTY!" Race yells. He drops the bags in his hands and runs over. Race wraps Spot in a warm embrace and kisses him hard. Spot tries to pull away. 

"Not now, Race," Spot says firmly. But I see him smile as Race takes his hand and they walk up to the apartment, leaving us to take the bags. But that's okay. I'm sure they've really missed each other the last few months. Month. I can't believe it's only been a month. And it's only been a day since we left. Not even. I wonder what my dad is doing right now. Is he looking for me? He probably thinks I'm spending the night at Sarah's. How wrong he is. 

There's 6 of us, and 12 bags. Davey and Jack took 2, and Spot didn't take all of his stuff when he came out here. Logically, we should all take two. But Crutchie can't really carry two, though he insists on taking one. We all try to take the third bag, but none of us can. 

"I'll come back for it in a bit," I say. 

"You sure?" Davey asks. 

"Ya. It's my bag after all," I point out. He nods, and we all head to our apartment. As we walk in to the lobby, I see my presumption was right. It does have a nice interior. I mean, it's not fancy, but it's nice. Tile flooring, and some small chandeliers. We're part of several apartment buildings that form a sort of circle around an outdoor courtyard of sorts. Davey heads up to the desk. A stern looking lady with her auburn hair in a tight bun looks down at us as we walk up. 

"Hi, um, do you know which building room 219 is in?" 

She scoffs. "Building 4." 

"Uh, thanks," Davey says. We head out the door. The building next to the lobby has a big 1 on it, so we head in that direction. It turns out we are directly opposite the lobby, and there is a whole other parking lot on this side. Jack hits the up button on the elevator. 

"No fair, I wanted to press the button!" Jojo pouts. 

"You can press the one on the inside." Jack says.

"But I want to press the one on the inside!" Albert whines. 

"Ugh! Fine, how about you press it together?" They nod, but still seem unhappy with the compromise. We all pile into the elevator. Jojo and Albert press the 2 button, together. It slowly moves upward, with a loud creaking noise. Davey's eyes grow wide, and he firmly grasps the railing.

"You okay?" I ask loudly over the grinding of the gears. 

"Ya, of course. Except, you know, we're going to die in here. Other than that? I'm fine." I shake my head and chuckle. The elevator dings, and the doors open to a carpeted hallway. The walls are painted a rust orange that clashes violently with the wine coloured carpet. Davey pushes past everyone and heads to our room. We're at the very end of the hallway on the left. There's a large window where the back wall would be. I look out of it, and quickly think better of it, because we are very high up. We head into the apartment. 

On my left, is a small kitchen with a bar. Well, medium. Past that is a small living room. It contains a couch, two chairs, and a television. Past the living room is a sliding glass door that leads out to the balcony. Two hallways branch of either side of the living room, each leading to a bedroom and a bathroom. 

"Wow Spot, this place looks great!" Crutchie exclaims. 

"Yeah! Where did all the furniture come from though?" Davey asks. 

"Um, I actually got the place last week," Spot says, scratching his head. "I spent the last week getting some furniture to give it a more homey look."

"Aww, Spot!" Race leans over and gives him a kiss on the cheek, making him blush the shade of the carpet in the hallway. I smile, and head out to get the other luggage. The elevator doors are beginning to close when I hear someone call my name. I put my hand between the doors, and stick my head out just in time to see Jack hop in the elevator. 

"What are you doing?" I try to ask, but the elevator drowns me out. 

"What?" he asks. I hold up a finger, and when the elevator stops I ask again. 

"Oh. I brought the keys. I thought someone should move the car to the other parking lot." Jack says. 

"Oh. Smart." 

"Yeah, it was Davey's idea." We head outside. The sun's dipped behind the horizon, with the darkness slowly filling its place. I shiver. 

"You cold?" Jack asks. 

"A little. It's a lot warmer in Kansas." He laughs. What a nice laugh I think. Wait, uh no. Nope, not right now. I shake my head and shiver again. Jack looks at me. 

"I'm fine. It's just a little chilly," I assure him. He nods, and then takes off running towards the car. Not kidding. I start to run after him, but I'm wearing flip-flops. Eventually, I reach the car. He's already in the drivers seat, and I get in the passenger side. 

"What was that for?" I demand. 

"I was warming up the car for you," he says. "Sorry, I guess I kind of left you back there." I just let out a small hmph. But it is nice and toasty in the car. He puts the car in reverse and starts pulling out. Too soon, we have to go back into the cold. Jack opens the trunk and grabs my luggage. I decide to sit in the car until I have to get out. He opens my door, and hands me a jacket. 

"Come on," he says. "Let's get you inside." He places the jacket on my shoulders and wraps his arms around me. I try to convince myself that it's just a friendly gesture. But a infinitesimal part of me longs for something more.