Alli Bhandari. I searched my brain. Then it clicked. Alli Bhandari, my mother's old friend from high school. She sent me a birthday card every year until turned ten. She and my mom used to spend hours on the phone but eventually the calls came less and less until they finally stopped. She was married to some guy named Johnny and I had no clue whether or not she had kids.

"You were my mom's best friend in high school…" I muttered.

"Yes. I was, but that's not the point. I want to help you out here Sophie."

"I am not going home so you can save your breath." I said sharply.

"I'm not going to make you go home, although that probably is the best idea."

"Then what do you want?" I didn't want to sound so sharp but I was already too tired to take this. And I really didn't want to see the reality of what I was doing.

Alli sighed. "This is going to be harder than I thought. You are exactly like your mother."

I flinched at her words. I hated hearing that even more now.

Alli saw my reaction but didn't comment instead she moved on with her story.

"Anyway when I was a sophomore I decided to run away. I felt like my parents hated me and I thought running away was the only option. I thought I knew what I was doing, but in truth I had no clue what I was getting into. My friend took me in." She smiled when she mentioned this friend. I actually wondered if it was my mother. "But then things with him fell through. And I ended up alone on the streets. I got robbed and lost everything I had. I was just a high school kid; I couldn't live on my own so finally I decided to go home. When I finally did go home, things with my parents got better. They were so worried about me… I didn't realize how much running away could hurt my parents." Alli sighed.

Then I thought about what I was doing. The reality of my situation crashed right down on me like a wave that had been building and building and had finally crashed on the shore. I thought of my dad's worried expression. I thought of my mother wringing her hands thinking that this was all her fault. Blaming herself, hating herself, wishing things had happened differently. It was then I realized that no matter what my mother had done she was still my mom and I loved her. Then I thought about Tyson and our night together, and our whole relationship in general, and how he probably hated me now.

I felt tears burn my eyes, and I quickly pushed all these thoughts away.

"Well if you're finished… can I go now?" I said trying to make that sharpness return to my voice, but instead I sounded like a stupid little girl.

Alli looked at me for a while. "Sure Sophie, you can go. But I just want to make sure you know what you are doing."

"Of course I do. I mean… I think I… Yes I know what I'm doing." I stammered.

Alli gave me a knowing look. I ignored it and stood up.

"Thanks for the help." I said putting my sunglasses back on and grabbing my coffee.

I walked out the door without another look back. Then I walked.
I walked aimlessly, with no destination. It was dark and I was still walking. I didn't realize where I was until I saw a familiar house. The lights inside were all on and I could see that the TV was on in the living room. This was Tyson Guthrie's house. I stopped in front of it for a minute, wanting to go in but then moved on. Tyson was the last thing I needed to think about right now.

A few blocks later I decided to turn my phone back on and check up on Scarlett.

"Hey." Scarlett whispered after a couple rings.

"Hey. What's going on? Can I come back now?"

I heard Scarlett shifting, pausing to think of a way to explain what happened after I left.

"Now, yes, but only for two nights. Your mom called mine and well she's coming back early, on the next flight."

It was quiet for a bit.

"Well it's better than nothing. I'll be there in ten."

As promised I stayed at Scarlett's for two nights. I decided to get a train ticket to where ever was the cheapest. Scarlett had even given me a couple extra hundred dollars that I swore to pay her back, and packed me some extra food to get me by.

Scar let me stay until the last possible moment. But when her mom pulled up, it was my cue to run out the back. That was the beginning of the worst couple days of my life.

On the walk to nowhere from Scarlett's I passed Tyson's house again. And because of my wonderful luck, Tyson was outside shooting hoops.

I put my head down and tried to walk quickly but sadly I think that's what gave me away. I was tired and not thinking clearly.

"Sophie?" I heard him call.

I kept walking, pushing my sunglasses closer to my face.

"Sophie Goldsworthy. I know that it's you. Stop and talk to me." Tyson yelled and I could hear anger in his voice.

I froze and turned around to see Tyson standing right behind me.

"Look I know you're mad and you probably really want to yell at me but I have a train to catch, thanks." I muttered and turned to walk away but Tyson was faster than me. He moved in front of me blocking my out.

"Sophie… I am really mad at you. Running away was a really stupid thing to do. I mean you put your mom and dad through hell. They're going insane looking for you and you're just wandering around. I'm surprised no one's turned you in yet. But you can still go home."

I took my sunglasses off and stared at him. "I can't go home. Not now, not ever."

"Why not?" Tyson asked.

"It's my parents. They hate each other and I just can't take it anymore. They're getting divorced officially now, and my mom wants me to move in with her. I just can't do it." I answered, surprised that no tears came.

"Soph, you don't think I get that? I've been through that too. I'm living that. It gets better I promise." Tyson said taking a step towards me.

I stepped back quickly. "No you don't get it. You're parents broke up when you were like two years old. You never knew what it was like to watch two people fall out of love."

Tyson looked at me for a couple minutes. "Your right I don't. But you can get through this Sophie and I'll be there for you through everything. I promise."

"I can't. I'm sorry." I said and then brushed past him.

I had taken no more than two steps when Tyson grabbed my arm and pulled me backward.
He wasn't trying to be rough; he was just trying to make me listen. I knew it then too, but I still whipped around and reflexively put my hand to his face.

Oh my god. I just slapped Tyson Guthrie.

Tyson stared at me in disbelief. Then it sunk in.

"Do whatever you want Sophie. We're done forever." Tyson said stepping back.

I slipped my sunglasses back on my face. "Fine."

Then we both turned and I knew that was the last time I would see Tyson Guthrie. I loved him so much but we would've broken up in the end anyway. If I had learned anything it was that love, no matter how strong, never lasts.

The next couple days went by in a blur. I knew I needed to jet it to the train station but I just couldn't. I'll admit it, I was scared. I knew that if I got on a train I would be on my own. Right now I could just go home and get punished forever but still know everything was alright. But no, I couldn't go home, not to face my parents hating each other. I couldn't take that anymore.

So what was I still doing hanging around the streets of Toronto? I couldn't tell you.

I had almost run out of food, and was getting tired of sleeping in random places I found fit. I never, ever slept in alleys. Nope, that's like asking to get murdered. I went to the suburbs, found fields with high grass, and small patches of forest. It was all I had. I was lucky that it had warmed up; doing this in the winter would be insane. Of course doing this at all was pretty insane.

I finally got the courage to go to the train station one night when I couldn't sleep at all. I decided I had to do it now or I would never do it and end up getting caught.

So I headed for the city. I should have anticipated what came next.

It was dark and the streets were pretty much empty. A few drug dealers here and there, but no one seemed too threatening.

After a long walk I made it to the train station. It was closed, all locked up and dark. I should've known. I knew by morning I would lose my nerve.

"Damn it." I muttered, curing myself for being so stupid. There was no way I could do this. Why had I been so stupid?

I pushed my back against the wall and sighed. Then the tears came and I let them silently roll down my cheeks.

"Hey little lady you need some help?" I looked up to see a tall man standing in front of me. He looked dirty and mean. I have to admit I was a bit scared.

"No. I'm fine." I answered wiping the tears off my face and pulling my bag closer to me.

"You sure?" He persisted.

I nodded.

"Ok, ok. So what's a pretty little girl like you doing out here alone at this time of night?" He asked me.

"Just taking a walk I guess." I could hear my voice shaking.

"You know it's pretty dangerous to be taking a walk on these streets alone. Someone might take advantage of you." The man said taking a step closer to me.

I stepped back. "I should probably get home then. My parents are probably worried." I tried to push past him but he stopped me.

"Not so fast baby girl. What's in the bag?" He asked eyeing my small bag.

"Oh this thing?" I said looking down at the bag clenched in my hand. "Nothing…"

"Let me see it then."

"I really need to get home." I said trying to push past him again.

"Give me the bag." He said getting closer to me.

I pushed him back and started to run. He caught up with me fast. Before I knew what was going on he grabbed the bag out of my hands and my head was making contact with the pavement. I honestly saw stars. A few minutes later I was able to get up, but the man was long gone and so was my chance to get out of here. Everything I had left was in that bag, my IPod, clothes, and most importantly my money. I had nothing, and now I was hurt.

I managed to drag myself into an alley a couple feet away. I put my head back against the wall. I was going to die here.

I had given up all hope when I realized something. There was one thing that hadn't been in my bag, my cell.

I reached into my pocket and pulled it out. I couldn't do this anymore. I had to get help. I had to go home. I just needed to talk to someone. I needed to call someone who understood me.

I turned my phone on and dialed the number.

"Sophie?" My dad sounded tired. The sound of his voice made me start to sob.

My dad waited silently on the other end until I could talk.

"Daddy, I'm so sorry. Can you please come get me?" I finally managed to say.

My dad was quiet for a moment. "It's ok baby. Where are you?"

"In an alley next to the train station." I whispered.

"I'll be right there Sophie. Everything is going to be ok."

My dad was there in minutes. He carried me to the car and we drove home in silence. Finally I could go home.

When we got home my mother was waiting for us at the door.

She ran towards me as soon as I was in the house and pulled me into a tight hug.

"Oh Sophie Rose! I am so sorry. I am so so sorry." She cried into my shoulder.

"It's ok mom, its fine. If anyone should be sorry it should be me."

My mom pulled away from me and held my hands.

"Go on upstairs and get a shower and then get into bed. We can talk about everything in the morning. Ok sweetie?"

I nodded and headed for the steps.

"Sophie." My dad called at me.

I stopped and turned towards him.

"Welcome home."

I smiled and went upstairs.

AN: Thanks for reading! I am really sorry it's been taking me so long to update I keep getting really bad writers block. I hope you liked this chapter! More to come.