This is an idea I came up with randomly, as usual.
I zip up my backpack and sling it over my shoulders. Everything I'll need for the time being is packed inside. I'm not coming back here, so what would be the point in not bringing the essentials?
I'm actually doing this. I'm running away from home!
Maybe I should explain, though, before my story truly starts.
My name is Michelle Heartfilia. I'm eighteen years old and the younger daughter of rich businessman Jude Heartfilia and the late Layla Heartfilia. Ever since my mother passed away thirteen years ago, I've lived under my father's iron fist, controlled in every aspect of my life—what I wear, what I eat, when I sleep, who I can have as friends, even where I can and can't go in the house! It's suffocating and I need to escape. That's why I'm running away from home; I'm legally an adult and finished with high school, so Daddy can't drag me back here—at least not legally.
Believe it or not, I actually have a goal in running away.
Since I don't have that much money or a job, I need someplace to live. I need somebody to help me. I need family.
The only family member I have left is my older sister, Lucy, who ran away from home when she was eighteen. I was only thirteen when it happened, but it left a mark. I knew that I'd leave home if Daddy ever became too much for me, just like she did.
So now, I'm setting out on my own for the first time.
I hope Lucy's not too far away…
It's been two weeks since I left home. Two weeks of wandering and sleeping where I can. I remember how Lucy taught me to do laundry back when she lived at home, which is pretty helpful when I need to wash my clothes. Unfortunately, I'm almost out of money.
Thunder cracks above my head. Almost instantly, rain pours down from the sky, sending people running for cover. Most of them probably knew it was going to rain today, judging by the fact that a lot of them have rain gear with them. I didn't know. I don't even have rain gear with me.
It only takes a matter of minutes before I'm completely soaked. A feeling of helplessness washes over me and I can feel the tears pricking behind my eyes. Nobody will notice them but me. I'm already dripping wet. I sit down in a doorway in an alley that's not covered at all and lean against the railing, letting my tears flow freely.
"I'm not crying! I'm a big girl now, Lulu! Big girls don't cry!"
"Oh, Mimi. Just because you're a big girl now doesn't mean you can't cry. Big girls cry."
"Even you?"
"Even me. Sometimes, crying just makes you feel better."
She was right.
After she left, I cried a lot. Every time I did, I felt better. Not for long, though, because something else would happen to make me feel awful.
I miss her so much!
"Where are you, Lulu?" I whisper, feeling my eyelids getting heavy. I surrender to sleep.
The next thing I know, someone's shaking me. I open my eyes and see a silhouette since my vision is bleary from the rain (it's still pouring) and sleep. It's a girl with long hair carrying an umbrella. I sit up straight.
"Oh, thank God you aren't dead!" she sighs in relief. My eyes adjust and I can see she's very pretty. Her long hair is dark blue and her eyes are the same honey-brown as Lulu's were. Or are. She extends a hand to me. "I'm Wendy."
"Michelle," I reply, taking her hand. She helps me to my feet and I grab my backpack.
"Do you need a place to stay?" she inquires.
"Yes."
"Come on." She leads me down the street. "I know a place we can eat before we go to my apartment."
I follow her over the hill and see a building in the distance: Fairy Tail. We're heading straight for it.
I can't explain it, but it feels like Fairy Tail will be very important to me…
Oh my God. This is the shortest chapter I've written in a long time, but it needed to be its own thing in order to set up the rest of the story. Please leave all questions in the comments.
So long and thanks for all the fish.