I'm going to make this a few chapters…please review and let me know what you think!

Out of all the fights Natalie had with her parents – this was the worst. Her father had called her selfish and stubborn before but..the things that he said tonight. Just, shouldn't ever be said – anybody. And her Mom – her Mom just cried and yelled about Gabe, while Dan tried to quiet her. She admitted to liking him better and favoring him. Natalie didn't know whether she should be boiling with anger, or drowning in her tears of sadness – so she ran to her room, slammed the door, and did both.

"I just…need to go away." Natalie whispered through her tears into the phone.

"Why don't I come pick you up, we can see a movie." Henry offered.

"No! I mean like…leave. This town, my parents….Gabe…I…I can't stay here, Henry."

"Well, Nat you're only 17. There's a whole other year you have to wait for before then…."

"No, I can leave now if I want to! And I do! I want to, and I need to."

"What do you mean, like? Like…run away?" Henry asked cautiously.

"Yeah." Natalie smiled, proud of herself for thinking of it. She held the phone between her neck and shoulder and got out her suitcase – and began filling it with all of the clothes and shoes and toiletries she would need.

"Natalie, slow down. Just take a minute to think. Trust me – I understand you're upset. No one should have to listen to that, or go through that. But running away isn't the answer."

"Then what is, Henry?" Natalie asked – putting her laptop in between her clothes to keep it safe. She tossed in her ipod, headphones, and all of her chargers. She put in her hair stuff and makeup, her winter jacket, hat and gloves, 3 bathing suits. She added her things from the bathroom, and put in a backpack a few books and other things to keep her entertained.

"I…I don't know Nat. But just leaving isn't going to solve anything. I mean – you're still in school…"

"Not anymore, I'm not." Natalie walked over to the top of her closet. She pulled down the plastic ATM machine she'd gotten for Christmas when she was 5. Some people called it stupid - but since that day every ounce of cash or change she got went in the bank. She knew she would need it someday – and she was right. She pushed the "on" button and watched it calculate how much money it held - $13,300. Between work, and Christmas, and birthdays, and lemonade stands – and bribes her father gave her to keep her quiet in the hospital waiting room for Diana as a kid – she'd done pretty well.

"Natalie…" Henry warned. "It's not safe – for you to, what? Bounce from hotel to hotel?"

"I guess."

"And what about college, and your career, and your future! And your family? They might make mistakes, and sometimes forget about things that are important to you – but do they really deserve this?"

"What – so as always everything revolves around THEM! No – for once this is about me. This is a decision I'm making for me, that involves me. And I got full rides to tons of schools, Henry. Not Ivy Leagues, or my first choices – but good schools. I just have to pay for books and shit, and wherever I go I can get loans, and clip coupons, and get a job and…."

"Look, Nat. It's not that simple."

"How would you know?" Natalie spat. "You don't. You don't know what it's like being me – living in this house with them- and you don't know what it will be like for me when I do this. So just stay out of it."

"Stay out of it? Really, Nat? I won't stay out of it. I shouldn't – I'm your boyfriend and I care about you and what happens to you. This isn't a good idea, Natalie. And…well…what's going to happen to us?"

Natalie paused from zipping up her suitcase. She had added a flashlight, and pepper spray to her backpack. You know..for emergencies. She hadn't thought….about that. Natalie closed her eyes and whispered, hopefully,

"Come with me."

Henry spit out the Gatorade he was drinking.

"Wh..what!"

"Run away with me." Natalie whispered.

"Oh God, Natalie…"

"You don't want things to get ruined between us! Neither do I! I want us to stay together! I'll be better off with you with me. I don't want to leave you behind." Natalie begged.

"Neither do I – but, Natalie..no…I mean you doing it is unrealistic, not to mention unsafe…"

"I'll be safe with you." She replied. Henry closed his eyes and shook his head.

"Natalie, I can't. I'm sorry. I won't throw everything I have away, and I don't want you to do that either."

"Well I am. Whether you support me or not." Natalie said sourly. Henry sighed.

"When are you leaving? And where are you going?"

"I'm leaving now. And I'm going to New York. I'm going to notify Marymount Manhattan that I've accepted their 4 year long music scholarship." Henry smiled – she'd been offered scholarships at schools for a few different things, and he'd been pushing her to take one of the music ones. He quickly snapped back to reality.

"Now? What do you mean, now?"

"Like I'm going to the train station and waiting for the next train to New York City."

"Natalie! No, at least sleep on this."

"Right – sleeping! Thank you I forgot to pack pajamas." Natalie went over to her dresser and pulled out a few different pairs.

"You're already packed! Nat, give yourself some time to think about this…"

"I've thought about it. I'm sorry Henry. But I'm doing this."

"I'll be right over." Henry said and hung up the phone. Natalie sighed and rolled her eyes, and tossed her phone into her backpack. She put on a sweatshirt and sneakers, and put her hair up into a ponytail. She heard the doorbell ring and heard her Dad let Henry inside. She sat on her bed and waited for him.

He ran into her room and shut the door.

"I can't believe you're actually doing this." He murmured, gazing at her bags. "I can't believe you're just going to give up and…leave me."

"It's about time someone gave up. She's not getting better. No treatment or meds will help. And we're not some perfect little sitcom family – and we never will be. It's time my family gave up on both of those goals." Henry sat down beside his girlfriend and put his arm around her.

"I just want you to think hard. About whether this is the best decision."

"It is." Henry sighed.

"Don't leave me. Please graduation is in just 3 and a half months."

"That's too long – I'm leaving tonight. Once they're asleep."

"You're not saying goodbye to them?"

"I'll leave a note."

"Natalie think about it – what if you were a parent, and you found a note from your kid? How would you feel? I don't think that's fair."

"They won't even care that I'm gone Henry!"

"Of course they will."

"They won't."

"Well I will! Natalie….we both deserve so much more than what a long distance relationship can give to us."

"It doesn't have to be long distance." Natalie told him. She took his hand.

"If you came with me." She whispered. "I want you to. Please. I don't want to do this alone, but if I have to I will." Henry kissed her forehead.

"I'm sorry."

"Henry? Please come with me. I need you. You know that, that I need you. More than anything and that I love you, more than anything. I can't do this without you."

"So don't. Don't do this."

"Please, come with me."

"I'll make you a deal." Henry said. "I'm going to come." Natalie grinned. "We stay for a few days – one week absolute maximum. And by then, you'll see what a bad choice it is." Natalie rolled her eyes but smiled and hugged him.

"You're wrong…but thank you!" She cried. She kissed him hard. Henry kissed back, but after a minute or so he pulled away.

"I'm going to go pack….I'll be back at midnight. I'll wait outside. You wait for my car and then come down, okay?" Natalie nodded, eagerly. "Okay, I love you." Henry said.

"Love you too." They kissed once more and then Henry left.

Thoughts? I know that some of the timing/ages doesn't really match up, but…whatever, haha. Please give me feedback!

Thanks y'all! (In a Kyle Dean voice of course)

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