Chapter Twenty Five: A Flight Into the Night
Haru was good on her word, and slept deeply until well-after midnight. Naoko had wanted to speak to her about collapsing in school, especially since Aaron had carried her part of the way home, but was content with Haru's promise to straighten out her life.
When the fair brunette finally woke up, it was good and dark both outside and inside. She smiled warmly, and slipped out of her bed. After closing her drapes, she turned on the light, and dressed in some black sweats to protect her from the night chill. Some sifting around her closet produced a large tote bag, which Haru hoped would suit her needs, despite the pastel flower print.
Into the bag, she carefully loaded the manuscript, padded between spare clothes. She threw in a good fistful of pens, as well as a few personals. With a heavy heart, she dumped out her life's savings from the plain wooden box she usually hid under her bed, so that she could count it out.
Yes, that should be enough, if she used it wisely. She put a portion of it in her pants pocket, and the rest of it deep in the tote.
Shouldering the tote, she looked around the room, wondering when she would see it again. On an impulse, she grabbed the sketchbook, and slipped it into the bag as well.
Certain that she now had everything she needed, Haru wrote a short and slightly bittersweet note for her mother, and left it on her pillow. She walked out of her room, and shut off the light so that her mother wouldn't notice anything. On light and steady footsteps, the slim brunette carefully made her way down the staircase, and into the kitchen. She filled three water bottles, and helped herself to a box of granola bars.
Her heart began to beat faster, thinking about what she was about to do. There was a good chance that she would never be forgiven for it, and that it would take the rest of her life to earn back the trust she was planning to break.
But there was something far more important than a play, a high school diploma, or even a wonderful boyfriend. And she had been distracted from that for far too long.
With a heavy heart, the brunette, unlocked the front door, and slipped out of it, locking it behind her, so she wouldn't arouse suspicion.
Readjusting the straps on her shoulder, the girl began at a brisk walk, and then a run. But she was on hyper-alert, in case night people were lurking around. Her heart seemed to pound louder and louder in her ears, screaming at her to go back, back to her warm bed, and to her safe little life.
But she had come this far, and there was no turning back now. There! A gas station that was still open! She ran in, and grabbed a few boxes of energy bars, and peanuts. She paid for her purchases, and walked out the door… directly into a tall man. She bumped against his chest, and looked up to apologize. She gasped.
Aaron was glaring at her.
She gulped.
One of his feet started tapping on the concrete.
"Well?" he asked softly, but sternly. "An explanation, perhaps?"
Haru bit her lip nervously.
"I couldn't sleep, and needed some fresh air."
He hummed at her, pointedly staring at the huge bag slung over one shoulder.
"And I suppose this is added weight so that it can be more of a workout?"
"Yeah, exactly. So, uh, I'll be going now-"
"Nonsense." He opened the door so she could get out, but ran at her side as she tried to lose him. "If you wanted a midnight run, you should have someone around to ward off the riffraff. I'm insulted that you didn't invite me to come."
She cringed at his tone.
"How did you know-"
"I couldn't sleep either. But your midnight flight was a bit more interesting than polishing wood floors to pass the time."
She slowed down a bit, and looked down at her feet, feeling ashamed.
"You want a real explanation, don't you?"
"I figured you'd come around, before I escorted you home."
She looked over at him, feeling her temper start to rise.
"I'm not going home, at least not tonight. Or tomorrow night."
Aaron's glowing green eyes narrowed at her.
"You're running away?"
"I plan on coming back," she protested. "As soon as my task is complete."
"That book?"
"Yes."
He looked at her, his eyes sad.
"I see. You know, running from your problems won't make them go away."
"I know. That's why I'm taking care of my biggest one before the others," she retorted firmly.
He suddenly grabbed her hand, a bit fiercer than he usually did.
"I'm afraid I can't let you pursue this line of action, Haru. This will hurt far more than help."
"From your point of view, that's probably what it looks like," Haru said, pinching his hand, to try to make him let go. "I know if I was anyone else, that's what it would look like to me."
Aaron looked at her, and smiled grimly.
"All right, Haru. Tell me your point of view. What's so special about the book that you're willing to choose it over your life?"
The girl stared at him, forgetting her attempts to break free.
"You're the first person to ask that," she whispered. "At least about this."
Aaron blinked, but then smiled.
"Then humor me. What's so important about the book?"
Her heart began to speed up. Should she tell? Was it her secret to share? She bit her lip nervously.
"First, I want you to answer a few questions."
The blonde smiled at her, and then firmly linked their arms so they could start walking.
"Fire away."
She took a deep breath.
"Do you believe in magic?"
He quirked an eyebrow at her, but thought about it.
"I know that sometimes things happen without explanation, and science alone can't explain them. I believe that words have more power than most people are willing to give credit for, and that there are such things as miracles. Does that count?"
Haru nodded, feeling a bit braver.
"It's something to work with. Now, be as honest as you know how to. Why do you spend so much time with me?"
"Because I like you," he said without hesitation.
"But why, Aaron? Give me specifics."
He looked deep into those chocolate pools, wondering what she wanted him to say. He had to give some thought on the subject. At last, he had an answer.
"When I first saw you, you were giving Hiromi a piggy back ride. You seemed very relaxed, and content. You were courteous to everyone you spoke to, even when they started fighting with each other. You have this aura, Haru, that just draws me in. You're sweet, smart, and you know what you want out of life. Even when you were struggling with your duties, you were still trying to make things work, when other people would have melted long before you eventually did. When your eyes fade out, I want to know what you see. I want to know… everything I can about you." He just prayed that he was being honest enough for her.
Her eyes… there was so much conflict in them. She wanted to share something with him, he could tell, but she was scared to do it. At last, the battle within herself subsided, and she smiled at him.
"In that case, I'm going to tell you some things about me that no one knows, not even my mother. But you have to promise that you will listen to the entire story, and to not tell anyone about it."
He nodded eagerly, wrapping one arm around her shoulder to ward off the night chill.
"Tell me everything."
She sighed.
"All right. To start off with, I wasn't always confident…"