My Own Private Paradise
Author: hell's lil angel13
Summary:Before and after the journey to find Ray Brower, there was another one there. After their journey, what happens next? How did they change, how did they stay the same?
Disclaimer: see chapter one
A/N: Hey, its done, I'm finished wth the story! No, this is not the last chappie, but I finished typing the story on my computer, so updates will be quick now. This one is short, though, sorry, but it has everything it needs, just short. Oh, and happy 4ht of july to all the americans out there! Since its the birth of our country, and my friend Joe would've been sixteen today, so I'd like to update this and make an extra dedication to him.
Special Dedication: Happy sixteenth birthday Joe! May you rest in peace!
Chicken Soup Syndrome
Have I ever mentioned before how I hate school? I haven't...well, maybe that's 'cause I never really minded it before. Aside from girls'-only gym, it was alright. I slacked off and just barely got by and I got to see Chris and Gordie all the time, then hang out with them after school. But here?
First off, I have to wear a uniform! Yeah, uniforms at a public school. I never thought that would be legal, but I guess it is. I have to wear a plaid dress, a white blouse, and some sort of weird tie thing that Mama ties for me. Then, I have to wear dress shoes and two ribbons in my hair. I hate it! That's the understatement of the century.
I got in trouble on the first day for my hair dye. And for other things, too. I wasn't allowed to wear my hair in a ponytail, it had to be in pigtails or braids. I was late for some classes, the nuns (yeah, not teachers, nuns!) were as strict as can be and yelled at me for talking too much or answering a question wrong. They kinda scared me, so I just shut up throughout all my classes.
I had to share a locker with a girl with a tattoo and a nose ring. I always wondered...if someone has a nose ring and needs to blow their nose, do they need to cover that hole, too? I didn't ask her, though...I kinda enjoy living with all my limbs in tact.
Sorry, that was random. Anyway, at lunch, I didn't know anyone and I ended up eating alone for the first week. I haven't made any friends, its just too weird around here, I feel so outta place. Chris wishes he could go someplace where nobody knows him, and I can see why, but this is very lonely.
I got so many detentions, after school during lunch, before school, and on Saturdays. I got suspended twice for fighting and got sent to the principal countless times. They knew I was skipping school half the time. They promised me that if I skipped or did anything bad one more time, I'd be expelled.
So, on Thursday for that week, I skived off school, for the day. I had been going to Brooklyn schools for six months, man, and I needed out, now! I went to the train station again and walked in. It was busy, but not packed. I found a seat in the corner and sat down, putting my bag down under my chair.
"That's a nice jacket," a voice said to me and I jumped. I looked up to see a boy around my age standing in front of me. His hair was greasy and his jeans and t-shirt were ripped and dirty. But, he was smiling at me and looked nice enough.
"Thanks," I said, unconsciously hugging it to me. It was Chris' jean jacket, of course.
"But that hat, could get you in a lot of trouble around here," he said and sat down in the empty seat next to me. "A Red Sox hat in Brooklyn, you're not from around here, are you?"
"No, I'm just visiting for a while."
"So, you're going somewhere now?" he asked me, but the way he asked me...it was almost as if he was telling me and not asking me. I looked at him with a confused look on my face. He laughed and said, "You can't be older than thirteen and it's a school day. You're wearing a jacket that's too warm for the weather outside, and you have a bag with you."
"What's your point?"
"You have to be going somewhere. And running away at that. Trust me, this is the best way to go if you're running away," he said bluntly, as if he were an expert at it. "What's your name?"
"Shawn, Shawn Collins," I said, still looking at him from what he said about running away from home.
"Well Shawn, I'm Toby Wilson. So where you heading?" he asked me as he reached out his hand, which I shook.
"Nowhere really," I answered truthfully. "You from around here?"
"No, not really. I'm from everywhere," he said vaguely and I gave him a strange look again. He noticed and added, "I travel around a lot. I'm from upstate Connecticut, though."
"Is there any reason why you move around a lot?" I asked, but he just tapped his nose twice and looked away. I rolled my eyes. "So where are you heading?"
"Ohio, to see some friends," he said, which made me think of Castle Rock and Gordie and Chris. "Lana!" Toby suddenly yelled and a girl came walking over to us. She looked around my age, too.
"Train leaves in ten, we need—" she said and then noticed me. She looked me over a little and then said, "Is he harassing you?"
"No, we're just talking."
"Where you running to?" she asked me and I felt a little funny. Did I really look like I was running away? I wish I was running away, but I'm really not.
"Nowhere, just staying here for a while, visiting relatives," I said and she nodded, although she looked like she didn't believe me.
"What's the matter, got the chicken soup syndrome or something?" she asked me. The what? What the fuck is Chicken Soup Syndrome?
"Huh?" was all I could say and Lana and Toby both laughed heartily. Man did I feel stupid right there.
"Chicken Soup Syndrome. What every kid has once in a while. It means they wanna leave, but then try and think differently. Its perfectly normal, some people just learn to ignore it and don't get it anymore. This your first time?" Lana asked me and I nodded.
"Don't worry, it'll go away," Toby said, patting me on the back. I looked around and then at the big sign that had all the train times. None today were going anywhere near Castle Rock, but there was one going to Portland in two days. If I caught that one...
"What you looking at?" Lana pulled me out of my thoughts by asking me.
"Train to Portland on Saturday," I said to her.
"That where you wanna go?"
"I live near there," I said and got up, picking up my bag. "Good luck wherever you're going, I gotta go."
"Hey!" Toby yelled after me and I turned around to look at him. "If you ever get stuck, just remember that running and chasing works wonders." He winked at me and I turned and left. I knew exactly what he meant, but I just hoped I wouldn't have to use it.
For the next few days that I stayed with Mama and Amberlee, I acted completely normal, they never suspected a thing. So, early Saturday morning, before anyone else woke up, I got up and packed as much things as I could in my bag and stole out the window.
I made it to the train station and sat in the corner again. I didn't write anything even close to this to Chris or Gordie, so they have no idea I'm coming home three months early.
Soon, they called the ride to Portland and I got up and started walking, but made it look like I was going for a milkshake. I didn't have enough money for a ticket, so I'd have to hop on the train.
I looked for the train conductors, and they were surrounding the train. Shit, that means I'd have to hop the boxcars, the very thing I was afraid of. But, I'd have to unless I wanted to be expelled from school.
I waited, my heart pounding in my throat and sweat forming around my nose and neck. Yeah, I was nervous. But, I let the fact that I would be home again soon stay in the front of my mind and it helped a little.
The conductors left their posts and the train started to move. I started to race after it from behind so no one would see me who shouldn't. There was a boxcar, I needed to get to it. But, the train was gaining speed every second and I still couldn't reach.
I threw off my bag and got it into the boxcar. Less weight on my back meant I could run a little faster, but the train was still gaining speed. I was afraid I wasn't gonna make it, but just then, I was able to grab onto the metal bar and swing myself into the empty boxcar. It was a thrill man, a real thrill to hop a freight. And now all I needed to do was enjoy the ride. I kinda wished I had some music or something to listen to, but all in all, it was good.