Run Away Child

“You’re such an embarrassment! You will not act like that while living under my roof!” “Then kick me out! If I am such an embarrassment then tell me to leave then I'll be gone by 4!” “Go! I know you aren’t going to leave! You have no one nor do you have anywhere you can go!” I stormed to my room then started packing my things. I put my clothes in book bags and my essentials on the bottom of those bags. I started packing the things I wanted to keep for memories. My art book, pictures, along with my camera. Some of my art then some of my make-up. 3:00 came around so my mom walked into my room. “Stop. We both know that you are acting like you are leaving. You are 16. No one is going to take you in.” “You would be surprised.” “Sophia, stop. You are over dramatic. We both know that you are going to come back in a few hours telling me that you are sorry, I will forgive you but you would be grounded.” “I would tell you that I'm sorry?! You are the one who stood in the living room telling me how much of an embarrassment I am!” “I shouldn’t have said that!” “Well you did! So now I am leaving!” “We both know you are coming back!” “No, I am not. You will only see me during football season. I will be coming to my brothers football games to support them. You will not follow me. You will not try to track me down. Plus you will not have the cops involved nor will you get other people involved. I want nothing to deal with you anymore.” I pushed past her into the bathroom to finish collecting my items. When I came out she was standing in the hall balling her eyes out. I cannot nor will not comfort her. She told me to leave so now I am. I had just changed into a different pair of clothes when my step dad walked in. “Sophia, come on. You know your mother didn’t mean what she said. She was just angry.” “Right. Her calling me an embarrassment and a disappointment was just because she was angry. I know I messed up but her threatening to kick me out every single time I make a mistake is not helping me. So I am just going to leave. No one is going to stop me.” “This is just an act of rebellion. Sophia, you know your mother loves you-” “Don’t. Don’t start with that. I am leaving and that is my final verdict. I made up my mind so no one is changing it.” “Okay.” I finished getting ready to leave then that's when I saw how truly upset my mother was. But I didn’t care anymore. We both said what we said and I was tired of the constant fighting. I put my book bag on and carried the rest of my bags. I walked out the side door so I didn’t have to deal with her trying to stop me at the front door.  I started walking through my yard when my neighbor saw me.  “Where are you going?” “I'm leaving. I'm going to stay with friends for a little bit, keep working, buy a car, then I'm leaving Illinois for good.” “Well would you like some help with the bags?” “I think I got it. Thank you though.” “Okay, well I wish you the best of luck.” “Thank you.” I opened the back gate then started walking down the alley. I turned and started walking on the main road to cross by that gas station. From there it is basically a straight shot to my best friend's house. Her mother told me that if I ever needed somewhere to stay, I am always welcome there. I was almost there before I was spotted by one of my aunts.  “Little girl, turn around, go home. You already know what is about to happen.” “She told me to leave so I did. I am tired of the fighting. So I am going to leave and I am not coming back.” “Come on. You know that your mother was just angry. She didn’t mean that.” “We all know that I am the one she hates the most out of me and my brothers. Andrew is her favorite, everyone knows that.” “But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t love you. You are her only daughter.” “If she loved me the way that all of you described then she would be following me trying to get me in the car. She wouldn’t have called me an embarrassment or a disappointment. Face it, she hates me so I am no longer going to be in her life. She is not my mother anymore.” “Okay, but call me if you need anything. Anything at all girl.” I put down a bag to give her a hug then got on my way. I kept walking until I got to my friends front door. I knocked a few times before she came down the stairs then saw me. “Sophia? What are you doing here?” “My mom kicked me out. Is it cool if I stay here for a little while?” “Yes. Of course!” She helped me carry my bags to her room. She called her mom then told her what had happened.  “My mom wants to talk to you.” “Okay.” She handed me the phone. “Sophia?” “Yes?” “You can stay with us for however long you need to. I want you to know that no matter what you have a place with me and Mirza.” “Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me.” “Sophia, you don’t have to tell me but why did your mom kick you out?” “She has been threatening me for the past two years that she was going to kick me out. So today I told her that I was going to be leaving and I wasn’t coming back.” “You are a very smart girl. You do not have to go back there. I promise you that as long as you do what I ask of you, which won’t be much, you are free to do whatever you like.” ‘’Thank you. I’ll hand the phone back to Mirza now.” “Okay sweetheart.” Mirza and I have been friends for a few years. It has been off and on for that time but this time we haven’t fought once, I like it. She is like the sister that I never had. Now, I can call her my sister. We started unpacking my things. When she opened one of my bags she started to laugh. “What?” “Your art book. You don’t go anywhere without this thing.” “It’s the only place that I can feel like myself without being judged.” “I know. Plus your photos. You have always been good at these things.” “Not always. It takes time and practice. Since I'm going to be here a while, I can teach you if you want.” “Seriously?” “Yeah. I'm also not planning on being here for a long time. I'm only going to be here until I can get on my feet. I'm going to keep working, save up some money, buy a car, then get out of here.” “Where do you plan on going?” “First I'm going to Greenville. Me and Jordan have plans there.” “Jordan Hernandez?” “That's the one.” “Wow. I didn’t expect that.” “What do you mean?” “I didn’t think that he would go for you since you and his older brother dated.” “It was for a week. That doesn’t count. Plus he doesn’t care either. We are happy so that’s all that truly matters.” “Awe. That’s honestly really sweet. But how does Nick feel about it?” “I don’t know, I don’t care.” “Well lets just hope he still doesn’t like you.” “It was a year ago. I doubt it.” “I don’t know Sophia. Whenever someone mentions favorite ex girlfriends he says that you are his favorite by a long shot.” “Welp, that's an issue because he was my least favorite.” Mirza started laughing. I couldn’t help but to chuckle with her. We finished unpacking my items but it didn’t take long. Mirza walked over to her side of the room then pulled out her vape. She handed it to me after taking a hit, I said thank you. We sat there vaping for a little bit before she started asking questions. “So what happened?” “We got into a fight because she found out about Jordan then she found out about the fact I smoke plus I get into fights. I got the cops called on me so she called me an embarrassment and a disappointment so I left.” “Awe, I'm sorry Sophia.” “It’s whatever. I'm just happy I left.” Mirza’s mom showed up around 5:30 after work. She walked into my new room then told me to stand up. She walked up to me, grabbed my face. “Sophia, you are an amazing young woman. You are kind, beautiful, strong, independant, courageous, and an amazing artist. You deserve so much better than what your mother treated you.” I couldn’t help but to tear up a little bit. No one has ever said those things to me before. She wrapped me up in a hug. Mirza walked up then joined us. We stood there for a little while before Nila walked away. She told us that we could go out with friends and hang out as long as we are back before midnight. I texted Jordan and told him that we wanted to hang out. He said that it was perfect timing since he was throwing a party. Jordan said he would be there soon to pick Mirza and I up so we waited outside for him. We sat there for about 5 minutes playing games on our phones. He pulled up to the house and we got into the car.  “Mirza.” “Jordan.” “You look good.” “Thank you.” “Sophia.” “Jordan.” He leaned over and gave me a kiss then smiled.  “PDA!” The three of us started dying of laughter. He started driving back to his house then Mirza started complaining about how quiet it was. Jordan handed her the AUX cord then put his hand on my thigh. “Do you want to talk about what happened or do you want to put it on hold for now?” “I’ll put it on hold. I want to have fun and not think about my screwed up family.” “Okay.” He put his car in park then told Mirza to head inside because he wanted to talk to me for a second. She got out and walked inside. “What’s-” He pulled me into a kiss. A deep, passionate, hungry kiss. We sat there like that for a few moments. He pulled away then grazed his hand over my cheek leaving a tingling feeling.  “God you are beautiful.” he whispered. I smiled and pulled him back into a kiss. Whenever I'm with him I have butterflies.  “Okay Mr. Host. We are going to be late to your party.” “Act like I care. I'm having more fun sitting here with you then I will during the whole party.” “Babe, come on.” He sighed then said, “Fine.” We got out of his car then walked inside. We walked around for a little bit before he walked away to get us some drinks. I saw a few of my friends in the living room sitting in a circle. “Sophia! Come play with us!” “What are you playing?” “Truth or dare!” “Okay.” We sat there for a little bit waiting for Jordan to come with our drinks to start.  “Okay since he's taking forever I'll start.” Katie said. “Sophia, truth or dare?” “Truth.” “Lame. Are you a virgin?” Everyone started laughing. “No. Josh, truth or dare?” “Dare.” “I dare you to run around in your boxers and make out with a random girl.” “You act like I don’t do that for fun!” He started stripping into his boxers and Katie cat called him. He struck a pose so we laughed at him then he ran around the whole house then outside. He came back inside and kissed the first random girl he saw.  “Okay my turn. Jordan! Now that you are finally here, truth or dare?” “Truth.” “Who do you like?” “That’s easy.” he looks at me. “Sophia.” He handed me my drink then kissed me. There was a mixture of “oohs” and “awes” from the group. We played for a little while longer before I saw someone that I had hoped would be out with his friends and not at the party. Nick. “Jordan. Your brother is here.” “Seriously?” “He just walked in.” He turned around then stood up. I did the same making awkward eye contact with Nick. Jordan walked over to Nick then told me to stay with the group. Jordan and Nick stood there arguing for a minute then Nick pushed past him and walked up to me.  “Come with me.” “What? Why?” “I'm not asking.” Nick grabbed my arm, dragging me outside then Jordan followed behind. “Are you trying to hurt me, Sophia?” “Nick, we dated for a week a year ago! Let it go!” “Let it go?! That was the best week of my life!” “Well it was the worst of mine. You were too possessive. You still act like that now!” We stood there in silence. He was utterly shocked and hurt by what I had said. “Nick, she obviously doesn’t want you anymore. Let it go.” “Shut up Jordan. You don’t know that.” I grabbed Jordans' arm before he did something he would regret. I looked him in his eyes and he knew what was going to happen so he took a few steps back. “Nick, Jordan and I are together now. We have been for almost a month now. We are happy. Nick, before we got together I did have feelings for you, yes. But they were only there because you were there when me and my father stopped talking and helped me through that. But when we got together I realized that I didn’t want to be with you, I just liked how you were there for me and you treated me better than any guy had ever treated me. But when we got together you were possessive and controlling. I don’t like being controlled. But with Jordan it’s not like that. You don’t know me anymore.” “Sophia, you were the best thing that has ever happened to me. I was so happy and I'm sorry that I acted like that. I just, I want you.” He reached for me but I pushed him. “No.” He looked at me and he looked like he was going to break down. I grabbed Jordans' arm then we walked back inside. I walked into the kitchen and grabbed another drink. I walked over to the group then started hanging out. Me and Jordan started dancing. Then we walked over to the side of the room and started kissing. I pulled away from him then looked at the stairs. He knew what I meant so he led the way up there.  We went up to his room then locked the door. I started laughing as he picked me up. I wrapped my legs around him and ran my fingers through the back of his hair. We started kissing and picking up the pace. He laid me on the bed on my back. “Only if you are ready.” he whispered in my ear. I nodded my head so he started undressing the both of us. He pulled out his wallet which had a condom in it. That made it all so much more real than I realized. We started slow then picked up the pace slowly. He started kissing my neck which caused me to moan. He started sucking on my neck to leave a hickey. I have never had one so open but now that I don’t have a controlling mother I can have these. We went at it for about 30 minutes before we both came. We hurried to put our clothes back on to get back to the party. We walked downstairs then the group started making jokes. “Well if Sophia was a virgin before tonight, she ain't no more!” Everyone started to join in on making jokes but it was a little funny. I looked at the time then pointed out that it was almost midnight.  “Hey, are you sober enough to drive or do I need to call an Uber?” “I'm a little tipsy but I should be fine.” “I'm calling an Uber. I want to make sure that it is safe.” “Okay.” I called for an Uber then collected Mirza. We walked outside waiting for the Uber to pick us up. “I can give you two a ride.” Nick said sitting in his car. “Thanks but no thanks.” “Please? At least this way we know you don’t get kidnapped.”  I sighed then canceled the Uber. I got Mirza in the backseat of the car and sat there with her. She fell asleep in my lap then started to snore. “So umm. How have you been?” “Seriously Nick?” “What? I'm trying to make conversation.” “Whatever. I’ve been better. You?” “Same. What’s going on? How’s Andrew?” “Andrew is doing good. Football season is coming up soon so he's excited for that.” “I bet. That boy has a talent for football.” “He does.” “What about your mom?” “She kicked me out. I'm living with Mirza now.” “Really? What happened? Are you okay?” “I'm fine. We got into a fight so she called me an embarrassment and a disappointment.” “Wow. Well she is wrong. Sophia, you are an amazing person.” “Yeah, thanks.” “Come on Sophia. I'm trying here, okay? I know I messed up but that doesn’t mean we can't be civil.” “Civil? You tried to make a move at me knowing that me and Jordan are together in front of him.” “I was drunk okay? I saw you and I lost control. I sobered up an hour ago so I went for a drive to clear my head. I started thinking about how stupid I was for that. I shouldn’t have said that or done that. That wasn’t my place and I am so so sorry.” He seemed genuinely sorry but he’s good at mind games. He loves to play with people. “It’s whatever.” “No no no. I taught you that. You cannot use that against me.” “What?” “‘It’s whatever.’ ‘I’ll be fine. ‘I’ll get over it’ I taught you that. To end a topic that you don’t want to get into so you don’t seem vulnerable to someone that you either love or don’t trust.” “Guess which one you are? Someone I don’t trust anymore.” “That isn’t fair.” “Do you want to know what isn’t fair? The fact that you cant let me be happy! The fact that you treat me like a piece of property that you own, well I am not! I am a woman that will not get treated like that! Even your brother-” “Don’t start with him.” “What?” “Everyone says the same thing. That my brother is better than me. That I am just a player that is controlling and possessive. That I will never be like him. That my younger brother should teach me how to act. That I should be like him because he is oh so great. So don’t. I don’t want to hear that from you.” In that moment I realized that we were more alike than I thought. Both living in our younger brothers shadow. He pulls up at Mirza's house then stops. “Would you like some help carrying her inside?” “I would like that. Thank you.” I got out of the car and started to pull her out of the backseat. Nick swooped in and threw her over his shoulder. I walked up to the door, unlocked it, he brought her to our room, I went to the kitchen, got her a glass of water, and some pain killers for her head. I turned around because Nick was standing in the kitchen. “As soon as I put her on her bed she fell asleep again.” “Good. Thank you.” “No problem. She’s my friend too.” We stood there for a moment in silence. “Well, I'm just going to head out now. Good night.” “Good night.” I followed him to the door then locked it. I texted Jordan telling him that we made it home safely but that I was just going to bed. He texted me back saying okay and good night. I went to the bathroom, took a shower, and changed into some pajamas. I crawled into my new bed then fell asleep almost immediately.  I woke up the next morning to the feeling that someone was watching me sleep. I opened my eyes to Mirza staring at me like I was an unknown creature.  “Why are you staring at me?” “I have no memory coming home.” “You were passed out.” “Who drove us?” “Nick. He didn’t want a stranger to drop us off and Jordan was drunk.” “Who carried me inside?” “Nick. He offered.” “How long was he here?” “Dropped us off, carried you inside, and left.” “Nothing else happened?” “Nope.” “Then why do you look like you’re glowing?” “I have no clue. Probably because me and Jordan had s*x at the party.” She looked at me then shook her head.  “I knew it. You have the ‘After- s*x glow’ right now.” “Your welcome.” “Yeah yeah whatever. But the important topic is that you and Jordan got freaky. Details.” “No way! Not a chance. I don’t kiss and tell.” “Well considering the fact that you have a huge hickey on the side of your neck says a lot about what happened.” My eyes got huge so I got up then looked in the mirror. There was a huge hickey on the side of my neck and it brought back memories of what happened. I bit my lip. “Please? Just tell me a little bit then I'll leave you alone about it.” “Fine. all I'm going to say is that Jordan is the best that I have had. It started as making out to full on shaking his bed. That’s it!” She looked at me completely shocked. “Sophia!” “What? You asked!” “I know but I didn’t expect that!” “Well I'm not fragile like you.” “That hurt you know.” I started to laugh. We walked into the kitchen and sat down. Her mom was already up making breakfast before she left for work. “Did you two- my word that is a big hickey! Looks like one of you got lucky last night.” I started choking on my coffee and Mirza’s face went blank.  “Well am I wrong?” “No. Not at all.” “Well alright then. So who’s the guy?” “His name is Jordan. We have been dating for about a month now.” “He sounds cute. What does he look like?” I pulled out my phone to show her my background. It was a picture of us on our first date. We had one of our friends take it because we both wanted to be in it since it was for us. “Awe you two are so adorable. I approve of him.” I smiled and nodded. “Well breakfast is done. Chores are on the fridge door. If you leave, text me to tell me where and what time you will be coming home. I love you two.” “I love you too mom.” She walked over to us to give each of us a kiss on the cheek then left. We ate breakfast then started cleaning. I was sweeping the floor when I got a call. “Hey babe.” “Hey.” “What’s up?” “Who dropped you off last night?” “Why?” “Because Nick is saying that something happened between you two last night.”