Things Are Gonna Get Better
Summary: "Ever since we were boys, things were bad." Kendall and Dustin help each other get through it. "For as long as we can remember." No Slash!
Kendall's POV
"Kendall! Dustin! Get your asses off to school!" Dad screamed from the foot of the stairs.
"Yes sir!" I rushed down the stairs, with Dustin close behind me. He slapped us both in the back of the head as we ran past him. "Bye." I stated as we ran out the door.
"God such a rude good morning… Uncle Kyle does know it's summer right?" Dustin scoffed and moved his hair from his eyes. "I need to get a trim before we leave…" He chuckled.
"Probably not…" I shook my head. Our sophomore year had ended a week ago. But Dad keeps kicking us out, thinking it's still the school year. So we just hang out at one of the guys' house. "Leaving…" I paused. "It's only been a dream till now, we leave tonight… I can't believe it…" I smiled and ran a hand over my own dark brown hair.
"My head still hurts…" Dustin groaned.
Since we had long hair, it was easier for dad to grab a hold of Dustin and I. He would yank us around by our hair. And after a while it really hurt. He had a vicious bout last night. Yanked us around and beat us for a full hour. But the only advantage we had was we were on the hockey team, we had high stamina, so we could run fast, and we were the same height as him. So he couldn't lift us off the ground like he used to.
"Mine too." I sighed. "So tonight, we'll pack and wait till dad goes to bed." I paused as James walked out of his house as we passed by.
"Hey guys!" He hurried over. "We headed to Carlos'?"
"Yeah, did you get the car from your brother?" I asked. James getting the car was the one thing that was a must!
"Yep. Now all Logan, Carlos, and I have to do is drive." He nodded as we walked across the street to Carlos' house. I sighed in relief. "Thank god. That's the only way we can leave." I smiled and climbed the stairs.
I knocked and we waited. The door opened and a small woman appeared.
"Hey boys." Mrs. Garcia smiled. "Carlos and Logan are upstairs."
"Thanks Mrs. Garcia." I smiled and we made our way down the hall.
James hurried past me and knocked on the closed door.
"Come in." Carlos' voice answered.
"Hey." The three of us waved.
"Oh James did you…" Logan paused.
"Got it." James lifted a set of keys and jingled them.
"Good." Logan smiled and held his hand out.
"Carlos did you get your money?" I asked and sat on the floor.
"Yep. Withdrew it last night." Carlos pulled a large envelope from between his mattress. "It's all my life savings."
"Here's ours." I handed him an envelope containing Dustins' money and mine.
"And here's mine." James handed him a wad of bills. We waited in silence as Carlos counted it all.
"We have a little over 3 thousand." Carlos finished.
"That's great!" James smiled.
"Dustin you okay?" I turned to my cousin. "You haven't said much."
"Yeah… I was just thinking…" He looked up from his lap. "Are we really gonna drive all the way to L.A.?" He asked.
"Yes" I stated. "I have a strong feeling that's where my mom and Katie ran off to."
"Really?" Logan asked.
"How old is Katie now?" James asked.
"She should be 11." I thought for a second. "Yeah. Because her birthday is in March." I nodded.
"Ready to see your mom and sister?" James asked.
"I want to so bad." I nodded. "I miss them both." I sighed.
"We'll drive all night and then we'll keep driving all day and then…" Logan paused.
"And then we should get there at roughly 5 a.m. Monday morning. That is if we leave right at 11. And hardly stop." Logan pointed on the large map he had across his lap.
"Okay." We all looked up as I spoke. "I'm sure as soon as our parents all wake up on Sunday morning and see us gone, there will be a police call." I stopped.
"No. They'll have to wait 48 hours before they can file a missing persons report." Logan stated.
"And 48 hours from now, we'll already be in L.A." I smiled. "Once we get there we'll have to change our looks." I looked at my four friends. All long haired. Logan's hair was a bit past his ears. Carlos' was almost past his shoulders. James' was touching his shoulders. Mine was grown past my ears, and Dustin's was to his ears. "Carlos, Logan… we're gonna buzz your guys' hair. James' is gonna get a trim. Dustin, we're gonna cut yours pretty short as well." I told them.
"What about you Kendall?" Carlos asked.
"I've got mine under control." I smiled. "You'll see."
"Okay. So Carlos, James, and I will switch between driving." Logan pointed to the map. "We'll start here, drive till we hit Des Moines. Then pass through the cities of Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, North Platte, Sterling, Denver, Grand Junction, St. George, Las Vegas, and then finally Los Angeles." Logan pointed to each of the cities.
"You've really got this mapped out." I laughed.
"Yeah." Logan nodded.
"Okay, it's 3 now… let's all go home and spend some time with our families…" I looked to Dustin. "Dad will be gone. We just have to go home and pack."
He nodded.
"Don't forget to write your goodbye letters, and leave your phones. That's key! That we leave every way they can connect to us, behind." Logan spoke up.
"Okay. Meet at the abandoned gas station down the street, a quarter till 11." We all stood.
"Tonight." I smiled and put my hand in the middle of the circle.
"Tonight." The others did the same.
We all made our way down the hall to the living room.
"One bag. That's it." I whispered to them as Logan, James, Dustin, and I walked out the door.
"See you later." Carlos waved.
"My parents are at work…" James looked across the street to his house.
"Mine to." Logan looked at the driveway next door to Carlos' house.
"Write the letters, place them on your beds. Put your phones on top of them." I told them before we parted directions.
Logan's Letter
I climbed my stairs and opened the door of my room for the last time. I grabbed my notebook and a pencil, and settled at my desk.
Dear Mom and Dad,
First off I wanted to tell you I love you both very much. You brought me up well and very smart. So it's hard for me to write this to you. I'm leaving. And I won't be coming back for a while. I'm leaving with Kendall, Dustin, James, and Carlos. It's a long story. In shortened context Kendall's dad has been beating Kendall and Dustin since we were 8. They are my best friends. And we have planned on leaving since James, Carlos, and I first found out about the beatings, back in grade school. Don't think I'm dumb or an idiot, because I'm not. I know my best friends need me. And I need them. I'm not sure what we'll do once we get to where we are going. But I do know that I'll still strive to become a doctor. I withdrew my entire life savings. Again,
I paused. It was getting hard to write through the tears. I sniffed, wiped my face and finished.
I just want you two to know I love you both so much. You're my parents and the best ones I could ask for.
Goodbye.
Love, Hortense Logan Phillip Mitchel.
I signed it, folded it into thirds and slid it into an envelope. Addressing it to "Mom and Dad"
I glanced at the clock. 5:30. I had to pack before my parents got home at 7, then I'd spend time with them before I excused myself to bed at 10. I grabbed my duffel bag from my closet, and started to fold clothes from my dresser. I brushed more tears away and hurried to my bathroom to grab my toiletries.
James' Letter
I rushed home and took the steps to my room two at a time. My parents were getting home at 5 so I had to hurry.
I grabbed a pen and some paper and started.
Mom and Dad,
I'm leaving. And I don't know when I'll see you next. But it's important for me to leave. I'm going with Carlos, Logan, Kendall, and Dustin. We have to leave. Kendall and Dustin have been getting beaten by Kendall's dad since we were 8 and Logan, Carlos, and I can't sit around and watch it happen to our best friends anymore. I can't tell you where we are going. But you have to know this one thing. I love you both more than ever. You raised me and raised me right. I know you must think I'm stupid for leaving, but I know in my heart and head that this is what I have to do.
I love you both so much!
Xoxo
James David Diamond.
I signed the letter and folded it in half then in half again. Placing it in an envelope I scribbled "To Mom and Dad" on the front and set in on my bedside table along with my phone.
"Now time to pack." I told myself and remembered what Kendall told us. One bag. So I grabbed my duffel and started to place clothes in it. I grabbed my comb and my toothbrush. I grabbed toothpaste since I didn't know if anyone was gonna bring any. I sighed sadly at all the stuff I had to leave behind. I zipped the bag and set in at the foot of my bed.
"James! We're home!" Mom yelled from the foot of the stairs.
"Coming." I yelled back, wiping any tears from my face.
Carlos' Letter
"Mom, I'm gonna go to my room for a little bit." I told my mom.
"Okay Mijo." She kissed my head and I ran down the hall to my room.
I grabbed a pencil and an old notebook of mine.
"Time to write this…" I sighed and set my pencil on the paper.
Mami and Papi,
En primer lugar, te amo mucho a los dos.* But I have to go. I'm leaving with James, Kendall, Dustin, and Logan. I can't tell you where we are headed but I assure you we'll be safe. Kendall and Dustin have been getting beaten since we were little. And I can't stand around while they suffer anymore. I know you'll think we are stupid, but we are very smart for a group of 15 and 16 year olds. And plus we have Logan with us. I'm not sure when I'll get to talk to you next, or when I'll even get to see you. But I hope it's soon. Nunca olvides que siempre estaré a tu hijo.* I love you both so much!
Despedida.*
Love Carlos Roberto Garcia.
I signed it, and placed it in the envelope. I had decided my fate was to help Kendall and Dustin. I kissed the letter and wrote "Mami and Papi" on the front and placed it under my pillow.
I plopped on my bed and sighed. I had to pack. I tossed random clothes in the duffel and grabbed my toothbrush and my brush. I knew that I really wouldn't need it once my hair was cut short. But I'd still bring it. I zipped it and looked over to my clock.
"6:45." I sighed. Papi would be getting off at 7 and then I'd be able to spend time with them.
Kendall's Letter
"Coming Dustin?" I asked as we made our way up the stairs.
"Nah. You go write your letter, I don't have anyone to write to…" He sighed.
"If you want you can write a hate letter to dad to. That's what I'm doing." I told him.
"Nah. I'm just gonna go pack." He smiled and hugged me before going off to the guestroom.
I grabbed paper and a pen.
Dad,
First off, I fucking hate you. You were the worst father in the history of fathers. No dad should ever beat his kid. So I'm leaving. Dustin and I are leaving with Logan, Carlos, and James. I'm not telling you where we are going, but we're getting as far away from you as possible. Don't look for me. I will kill you if you ever come near Dustin or I again.
Fuck you and goodbye forever,
Kendall Francis Knight
I signed and folded it in half and set in on my bed.
I grabbed my duffel and folded a couple weeks worth of clothes and grabbed my toiletries.
"You packed?" I carried my bag to Dustin's room.
"Yep." He smiled. "You finish the letter?"
"Yep." I nodded and set my bag down next to his.
"I just want to leave." He sighed and leaned his head on my shoulder.
"Me to Dustin." I laid my head on his. "But we have a few hours." I smiled.
Dustin and I kept ourselves occupied while the hours seemed to tick away slowly. Dad had gotten in around 9, but he was in a drunken coma in his room.
"Kendall… it's 10:30. We need to go." Dustin nudged me.
"Okay." I nodded, walked quickly and quietly to my room, set the letter and my phone on my pillow and met Dustin in the hall with our bags. "Thanks." I mouthed. He smiled and we swiftly walked down the stairs and out the door with virtually no noise made at all.
We ran down the dark street to the gas station. It was just turning 10:45 when we got there.
"We're the first ones…" Dustin whispered.
"There's James." I pointed when I saw James pull up with the car.
Logan's Goodbye
"Your father and I are heading to bed now." Mom kissed me. It was 9:45.
"Okay. Goodnight mom, goodnight dad." I kissed them both.
"Love you Hortense." Dad smiled.
"Dad…" I whined and rolled my eyes. I hated my name...
"Sorry Logan." He laughed and kissed my head.
"Love you to." I smiled and had to blink a few times to push back the tears. I went up to my room and set my phone and letter on my pillow. I grabbed my duffel bag and left my room at exactly 10:45. As I tiptoed past my parents closed door I stopped.
"I love you both." I sniffed softly as tears fell down my cheeks. "Goodbye." I whispered and tiptoed down the stairs and out the door. I hadn't seen the others until I saw Kendall, Dustin, and James loading the car. I took off running and hurried to them.
"Hey." Dustin smiled.
I looked up and Dustin smiled sadly.
"It's not goodbye forever." Kendall told me and hugged me tightly as I let more tears fall.
"I know." I smiled.
James' Goodbye
My parents fell asleep at 8:30. Mom and dad had to be at work early, so I knew that they would be the first parents to see their kid gone. I grabbed my duffel bag at 10:30, set my phone and letter on my bed, and hurried down stairs. I stopped and ran to the hall closet and grabbed my fathers' birthday present that he never opened and ran out to the car. I shoved the key into the engine and turned it. It roared to life and I prayed it didn't wake my parents.
"Goodbye, I love you both." I whispered and pulled out of the driveway and drove towards the gas station. As I approached the meeting place, I saw Kendall and Dustin already standing there.
I pulled in and turned the car off.
"Did you fill it?" Kendall asked.
"Yep. It's full." I told him and popped the trunk to put their duffel bags with mine. "I also grabbed this," I held up a small device. "A GPS. My dad never used it, so I figured we could."
"Sweet!" Dustin smiled.
Carlos' Goodbye
"Goodnight Mijo." Mom and dad both kissed me.
"Night." I smiled. It was 10:00. I felt worried. That if they hadn't been asleep long enough, that they would hear me leave. I hurried to my room and grabbed the letter, and hugged it close. Across the street I hear James start the car and then a few minutes later it drove away.
Right as the clock hit 10:45, I placed it and my phone on my pillow and grabbed my bag. I reached between my mattress and grabbed the large envelope of money. I hurried as fast and quietly as I could through my house and to the front door. "I love you. Goodbye Mami… Papi…" I whispered and rushed out the door. As I ran down the street to the gas station. I glanced at my watch it was close to 10:50.
"Sorry I'm late!" I huffed as I ran up to my friends.
"Why are you late?" Logan asked.
"My mom and dad didn't go to bed till 10. I didn't want to wake them." I told them.
Kendall's POV
"We have to go." I told them once all our bags were stuffed into the trunk. James tossed Logan the keys and Logan climbed in the front seat. I took the passenger seat and James, Carlos, and Dustin climbed in the back. I shoved the money envelope into the glove compartment and locked it.
"We all ready?" Logan asked and turned the car on.
"Yep." We all nodded and he slowly pulled out of the gas station parking lot.
We were on our way to freedom.
Okay... no one kill me... it wasn't the best chapter... bu hey, I liked it! :D
I love calling Logan Hortense! :D
*** Carlos talking in Spanish:
First, I love you both very much.
Never forget that I'll always be your son.
Goodbye.