Hey, everyone! I'm back with another story. Hopefully, ya'll like it as much as the other one I wrote.
1.
You're mindlessly walking, not really sure where, but you know that anywhere is better than here. Because home is no longer here. You have no clue where home is anymore but you're certain this isn't it. So with twenty dollars in your pocket and a sketch pad and pencil in your backpack, you set out to walk until your legs can no longer hold you up. You're not going anywhere really, you just know you want to see new scenery. You don't even know what time it is but you could care less. Your mind is just set on walking and sketching. That is all.
You sit down to rest on a nearby bench and realize you've accomplished what you wanted as you look around, not recognizing your surroundings and it dawns on you that you really didn't think this one through. Because isn't it funny how one minute you want to escape and you scream and curse at the top of your lungs at the universe for setting you up in situations like this, even though you're the one who makes all of the decisions? You chose to live the life that you now carry. You chose to scream at Riley and tell her to fuck off and wish you had never met her or her family. And so you did what you do best, run away. Without a trace, without a warning. You purposely forgot your cellphone and all of your important belongings and you're lucky she wasn't home when you impulsively decided to leave. You didn't want her to track you down. You just wanted time to yourself, to think or, not think. This is all your fault, Maya. The signs were there, so just suck it up and keep walking.
You turn on a dark corner that only has one streetlight and notice a diner. You walk in, set your bag in a booth and sit down. The place feels warm and inviting, a deep contrast from the outside world where it's dark and cold.
"Hey, my name's Zay, I'll be your waiter." A dark skinned boy with a faint texan accent announces handing you a menu.
"Thanks." You reply dryly, not meeting his gaze.
"I don't mean to be intrusive," the boy begins. "But are you alright? You look like you haven't slept in days. Where are you from?"
"Nowhere, really." You respond.
He gives you a puzzled look and you can't help but give out a dry laugh as you replay what you just said, in your mind and notice how depressing you sounded.
"Alright, so what can I get you?"
Can you get me something to help me forget?
"I don't know, surprise me." You reply instead.
And just like that, moments later, he brings back a plate of chicken and waffles and a raspberry milkshake.
Just then, a couple walks in, hand in hand and you can't help but cringe as you see them smiling at each other. You want to stab yourself in the eye. The point of this whole thing was to try to forget about everything but instead, watching the pair before you, everything comes back, like a bucket of ice cold water that slaps you in the face and you feel nauseous.
You get a few dollar bills out of your pocket and hear someone scream something, probably that Zay guy but you don't care, the only thing you care about is getting out of there. The only thing you want to do is forget that you saw them together. That you saw the way he held her and kissed her because that's the way he would hold you and kiss you. Forget that he said you were his muse and that you shined with the light from the sun.
So you run and block out all the negative thoughts that are dancing in your mind. You ignore the flashing lights and the honks and screams from nearby street viewers and busy traffic and suddenly, you feel a sharp pain and your vision is blurry. You're on the floor, a heavy ringing in your ears. Someone steps out of a car and is by your side in an instant. He's holding you and his fingertips feel warm against your skin.
"Hey, look at me!" He yells, cupping your face.
You can't seem to focus but you like the way his voice sounds, soft and warm and fierce all at the same time.
"I'm sorry, you came out of nowhere, I didn't see you."
You don't answer, you can't, because you give in. You feel tired and heavy and you're legs don't seem to be cooperating and suddenly, you're surrounded by darkness.