I just woke up and today was my 16th birthday. The smell of smoke hit my face as I sat up and saw my mom standing in the doorway.

"Hey, Mo-" I shut my mouth as I saw the cruel smile on her face.

"It's time for you, to get out of my house." She threw a suitcase and my backpack on mybed and spoke again. "Get out of this house my 12:00. No later, understand!?"

I swallowed hard and slowly nodded. Mom walked out on my room and I finally got out of bed.

About an hour later, I finished packing. I slumped back on my bed and traced my fingers over the many scars on my arms. I stared at my razor blade in my bag. 'Not now' I thought. I slowly picked up the bladeandplaced it in my backpack
with mylaptop. 'Just incase' I thought again. I slowly pulled my sweatshirt over my head as my phone buzzed in my back pocket. I sighed and pulled it out. I had a text from my friend, Zach.

"Happy birthday!" It read with several emojis after it.

"Thanks," I replied, "The day isn't great so far."

"Why is that?"

"My mom just kicked meout of the house." I looked to the clock, which read 11:30. I quickly typed, "Pick me up at 12:00, please." I quickly shut off my phone and closed the suitcase. I rushed out of the door and out of the house. I saw Zach's car sittingin
the street and smiled. I slowly approached the car and knocked on the window. He rolled down the window and I saw his beautiful, hazel eyes. I didn't notice how long I was staring.

"What are you staring at?" He asked me which caused meto enter back into reality.

"O-Oh.. I was just looking at y-your car. Yeah, your car." I was starting to blush and he could see it, too. He slowly exited the car and opened the trunk. I picked up my suitcase and backpack but he took them from my arms andput themin the
/trunk. I walked over the the passenger's seat, opened the door, and sat down. Zach slide into the driver's seat and stared at me. He quickly turned to the road and started to drive.

"Thanks for coming at such short notice." I broke the silence and smiled at him.

"Well, your like a sister to me. I'll always be here for you."

I stared out at the road. "Um.. Where are we going?"

"Oh please, like you don't know. We're going to your favorite place!" I felt a smile creep into my face. This man knew me too well.

We sat in silence for a minute inside the Chick-Ful-A. It was really hot outside but I refused to take off my sweatshirt, he couldn't see my scars. Zach finally broke the silence.

"Your Mom's pretty rough, isn't she?" I nodded but didn't talk, I just stared at Zach. His hazel eyes, his brown hair, slightly pale skin, he was just perfect. I,on the other hand,had dirty bold hair, grayish blue eyes, was superpale,andnot
perfect at all. As I stared at him, he was staring back. Zach broke the silence again.

"You should take off that sweatshirt, it's getting really hot."

"I-I'm good.." He couldn't know just yet, he had a wait a little longer.

"Are you sure?" He asked as he stared slightly concerned at me.

"Yep, yep, all good.." I nodded as I talked. I knew he was suspicious but he couldn't know yet.

We walked outside after we ate. He walked to his car and I walked and sat on the curb. Soon, he walked over and sat next to me.

"I have nowhere to go." I said before he had time to ask. My head dropped and I stared at the pavement.

"That's not true!" He raised my head with his fingers. "You can stay with me." Even though Zack was only 17, his parents were rich and he had his ownhouse. A huge house

I jumped up slightly and hugged Zach as tight as I could. I felt tears start to roll down my cheeks. "T-thank you so much.."