“Mom?” I manage to rasp, struggling to open my eyes.
“Hurry. Please. He’s ahhh—”
“What do you think you’re doing?” my father yells, knocking the phone from her hand as he grips her arm, and she cries out in pain.
“Mom!” I grunt, fighting to lift myself off the ground, pushing through the pain as I try to stand.
“What the fuck did you do, you stupid cunt?”
“Go, Chris!” she screams, tears streaming down her face as she stares at me. “Leave. Get the hell out of here.”
My father whirls around, gripping my elbow tightly. “He’s not going anywhere.”
I watch in shock as my mom picks up her favorite blue vase and swings it at his head.
His grip on my wrist loosens, and he crumples to the ground, knocked out cold.
“Go,” she repeats, holding the broken pieces of the vase in her hand. “Get out of here.”
I shake my head, my heart racing. “I’m not leaving you.”
Tears well up in her eyes as she shakes her head again. “I’ll be okay, Chris. The police are coming. Just go, honey.” The distant wail of sirens fills the air, and her expression softens with relief at the sound. “Go.”
I purse my lips, stealing a last glance at her. The sirens grow louder and louder. Finally, I turn and race out of the house.
I run and run and run, pushing myself until I reach the road sign indicating the airport two miles away.
Reaching into my pocket, I pull out my wallet, seeing my passport, card and some cash stuffed inside.
My eyebrows furrow as I see the picture of Gabi and me that we took earlier today in the photobooth at the carnival, tucked away in my wallet.
I run my fingers over the picture. I want to bring her with me. I want to run back, wake her up and take her with me to wherever I decide to go. I can’t stay here anymore. I can’t take this shit day after day. But I can’t do it without her.
My hand falls away from the picture, and I exhale heavily, closing my eyes.
I can’t.
She’s starting college in a few months. She’s already been accepted and found a dance studio nearby. She’s pursuing her dreams. She’s going to achieve incredible things and be amazing.
I’d only hold her back.
I place my wallet back in my pocket, and wipe my lip, glancing down at the blood on my finger. My chest aches as I look down at the red liquid on my thumb before I wipe it between my fingers.
I grab my phone, seeing it’s running out of battery, and I quickly call a cab before it dies.
The next thing I know, I’m at the airport, booking the first flight I see to get the fuck away from here.
London.
Chapter 29
First kiss. First time. First love
Some might call me a creep, but I say I’m just in love.
I’ve been awake for over an hour, just lying here watching Chris sleep.
His arms are spread wide, his head turned to the side. I just watch as his chest rises and falls with each breath he takes, my head resting on my hands against his chest. My eyes trace over his bare, muscular chest. He didn’t look like this in high school. He was skinnier, thinner. And now I have a clue as to why.
