Something Wild

Growing up is never easy, especially when you're the weird kid. I know at the age of eleven I'm too old to believe in things like dragons, but I did and for that I didn't fit in. I liked to think there was more to the world, something wild, adventure out there waiting to be found.
I spent my spare time drawing out maps and plans for these adventures that I was positive one day I'd find some sort of light in this world. Even at a young age I know that what's considered the norm is wrong for me. I'll draw out my own way.
A day came when Bora, the fourth grade bully snatched one of my drawings from me. It was of a dragon I hoped to find one day. He was laughing at me and almost ripped the drawing before a blond girl took it from his hands. She didn't say anything, actually I hadn't heard her speak before in our entire year in class together. She just gave him a look that was scarier than a mom and a teacher at the same time. Bora ran off and she handed the drawing to me with a smile. I let her keep the drawing for I had plenty, and was grateful that someone was being kind towards me.
That day on the play ground we talked about adventures and maps and the possibility of what the world held. We spent everyday after that running around the play ground planning out the adventures we'd one day take.

Three years pass and Lucy is still my best friend. We still talk of adventure except now Lucy talks more of escaping. I never understood why until I caught her crying one day. She was walking towards our middle school and didn't hear me calling her name by the time I reached her she was sobbing. Lucy being one of the strongest girls I know didn't cry easily. I could tell for a while now something was wrong in Lucy's life, but knew she'd come to me when she was ready. She knows I'll always be here for her.
She hugged me after I asked her what was wrong and finally broke down.
"It's my dad." she started voice broken "ever since my mom died he isn't himself. He yells a lot and I honestly don't think he wants me around anymore. He never leaves his office, I brought him breakfast this morning and he literally threw it back at me for entering the room without knocking." She showed me the cut the plate left on her shoulder in embarrassment.
I noticed other cuts and bruises along her arm as well and knew this wasn't a first time occurrence. I didn't know what to say, I was angry that someone would harm such a big hearted girl. I hugged her tighter and told her we could always run away.
She laughed at me and smiled a bright smile.
"If you've taught me anything it's that the world is a bright place. I wouldn't have gotten this far without that mindset, we'll have our adventure one day." she reminded me of our plans to find a dragon we made during recess years back. I smiled at her in amazement no matter how scared Lucy is, she's still stronger than any fourteen year old I've ever met.

Another three years passed and Lucy and I were still attached at the hip. We had been each other's hand to hold through many hardships, a constant reminder that things would be okay. She's often haunted with her mother's death and the more recent passing of her father. They never truly made amends for his cruelty towards her the last few years of his life, but his death still effected her harshly. Having lost my own parents during childhood I knew how lonely she felt. While my foster dad was amazing it didn't take away the pain of losing your actual family.
Lucy lived alone, her father had her emancipated before his death. He was ill for about six months prier and didn't want her going into foster care with just one year left until she turned eighteen. While Jude was at the top of my hate list I did respect him for his change of heart towards Lucy, even if it was on his death bed. The only problem was Lucy hated being alone. She'd often told me she felt like she was drowning in the huge house by herself. It held bad memories, but we were sure to fill it with good ones. I was there as often as possible being her hand to hold to keep her from sinking into a negative mindset.

After three more years I realized that Lucy was more to me than my strong willed best friend. She was the adventure I always wanted. She was wild, and big hearted. I never knew what to expect from her. Some days she cried over her troublesome past until I was able to comfort her, then suddenly she was suggesting running away to hunt for dragons like when we were kids.
Lucy in a way was like the dragon I always looked for. No she wasn't covered in scales and massive, she was the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen, but she was mystical. She was a light all her own and no matter where life took me good or bad she'd always be what I went home too. Like a beacon to a ship she called me home.

I'm sure in another three years Lucy will still be by my side. We don't try to hide how we feel our relationship is an adventure in its self. She's the only person that could make not knowing what comes next comforting, and I can't wait to see where our life takes us.
Because while we're both covered in battle scars we're both stronger than we look, we'll never give up on making the best of our lives. We will never slow down or stop chasing the thrill that is life. Hell at twenty-three we will probably still be chasing dragons or attempting to see if we have magic. No matter what wild thing life throws our way though we will always find each other and face it together.
Because home isn't a house, it isn't walls and a ceiling, it's what makes you feel safe when you should be frozen in fear and that's what Lucy and I are to each other.

So here is drabble number two as requested by A Lady of Dragons! I hope everyone reading enjoyed it! This was definitely fun to write.