Runaway

Chapter 8

My legs were extremely exhausted, I was tired, and worst of all my stomach was still hurting. Max and I have been walking for two days straight, he didn't seem to have a problem but I certainly did. We would only get small portions of food everyday which sucked. I haven't told Max about my stomach aches and head aches and I'm beginning to feel dehydrated.

"Anytime time now, we should end up in a city not to far from L.A. I'm guessing." Max stated with a raspy voice. He scratched the back of his head. "You okay?"

"Ye- yeah." I said quickly, trying not to make him suspicious of anything. I wiped the sweat off of my forehead and turned my head to face him as we quietly walked on. Once in a while our hands would accidentally swipe, making things more awkward then it really had to be. "Do you have anything to eat or uh.. drink?" I asked weakly and hopefully.

"Here," he mumbled, while reaching behind him into his backpack that seemed to be hurting his back. He handed me a red apple, it wasn't exactly fresh but it was food. I bit into it right as my stomach grumbled strongly. I stopped walking and clenched my stomach while looking down at it. I hadn't noticed my rib cage starting to show through my shirt. I took a deep breathe then looked at Max, a few feet ahead of me. "Are you sure your okay?" He asked quickly.

"Yeah I'm sure, I'm just hungry," I stated waving my apple up, " you don't have to worry about it" I smiled, covering my nervousness.

"Mmkay," Max replied quietly, turning around and beginning to walk again. "Hey, look!" He said suddenly, pointing up to some city lights up ahead. "This is Santa Clarita, I can tell by that hill over there!" Max pointed to a large hill sitting straight ahead from us. "I bet I can get my friend, Dylan Jacobs, to help us out, he lives near the north side of Santa Clarita, which is close to us. He has a huge party tonight, I was planning on going but I guess everything with Austin trying to get me to get..."

"You don't have to say it" I interrupted, "Do you think I could contact Josh from here?" I asked with hope, while staring at the lights of the large city extending to the horizon.

"No, Austin probably dragged him off somewhere else," Max's voice faded as he said the last couple words with annoyance, he hung his head and scratched the back of his neck, which I notice he does when he's nervous.

"Wow thanks for the support," I said sarcastically facing away from Max. Our breathes filled the warm and peaceful air.

"I'm sorry," Max whispered, " I shouldn't have said that. I'm just mad that you still have the capability to love him after what he did to you. Alexa, he's part of Austin's side now, he was just with you to hurt you." Max said emotionlessly and simply.

"We both have different thoughts about it," I stated. "You can't force me to not love someone."

"I'm not trying to do that at all. I'm just saying guys can be very.....unpredictable sometimes." Max lectured me, while staring into my eyes.

"You can't just judge me by what you've seen and by what you think you know Max" I replied while nodding my head and kicking sticks as I walked.

"I don't think what I know, I simply know. Just be careful Alexa, you might not know who he really is." Max said, grabbing the straps of his backpack on his shoulder and staring at the dry ground.

"I know Josh as much as I need to, and WE don't need someone to lecture or come between OUR relationship." I stated clearly. Max clenched his jaw slightly as he walked staring at his feet. I let out a "humph" and fast walked ahead.

"He's just a jerk and your stupid for loving him." Max called to me. I stopped dead in my tracks. I bit down on my lip not daring to turn around to look at Max. I took a deep breathe and continued walking towards the city.

. . .

My head was hurting as I continued to fast walk toward the large buildings up ahead. I could see billboards and vehicle headlights running throughout the area. The sun was just setting, casting an orange glow throughout the land. I turned my head to see if Max was still somewhere off behind me. I could see his small figure at a distance. My throat was dry and I could hardly swallow because of the pain.

I still don't know what I'm going to do about Max, when I get into the city. I really am not in the mood to talk to him and I'm sure he's still pissed to. Maybe, I should give him some time to cool off and go rest somewhere. I just hope it's to dark for anyone to recognize me.

Honestly, I feel terrible right now, I want to just sleep. My whole body is in pain, my head, my arms, my legs... everything. I missed my mom so much right now and I'm really worried for where my sister is but she is 16 so she can take care of herself while I try to reach her.

Up ahead I could see a road leading into the city, I began to walk towards it. Max was still trailing behind me, I really do enjoy being with Max but then there is Josh and technically we are still together. I guess I could play sort of a 'hard-to-get' thing for now because I don't want to loose Max as a friend.

I didn't notice but I was now speed walking. I really want to eat a million hot dogs right now, I'm starved...literally.

I walked on down the paved road, houses lined the sides. I turned down a few streets and I was now in an area with a few buildings and houses. Max was somewhere behind me but I don't where he went. A few stars now scattered throughout the sky but there was still light. I brought my hood over my head and hung my head down in case anyone can see me.

Up ahead I spotted a small café and began to make my way there. The small sign outside read, "Lemon Pound Cake 50 cents! One day only! That's affordable for me. I pushed the door and ended up hitting it. "Ugh! Every time." I mumbled.

"Need some help?" Someone behind me asked as I rubbed my forehead. I jumped a little, then brought my head up just enough so I could see.

"Yeah that would be nice." I laughed, turning around to find a girl with long dark blonde hair and blue eyes. She pulled the door open and we both stepped into the small café.

"I'm Amber, nice to meet you." She said, giving me a kind smile.

"Alexa," I smiled reaching my hand out to hers and shaking it.

"I take it you have a problem with the door often?" She grinned glancing at the door.

"Ya, they should really make the little 'pull' and 'push' stickers bigger so that people can actually see them." I laughed.

"Do you want to sit together?" Amber asked pulling a chair and sitting down at a small round table near a large window facing the street.

"Sure! Thanks." I replied pulling a chair myself and sitting my body in the brown wooden chair.

I could here the coffee machines creating a high pitched sound and I spotted a lady cleaning the counter. "So, where are you from?" Amber asked cluelessly.

"Oh... L.A." I replied giving her a light grin. She pushed a lock of blonde hair behind her ear then looked back up.

"That's nice, do you wanna grab something to eat?" She questioned.

"Uh... Well.. I think I forgot my wallet" I lied, patting my pockets to make it look more realistic.

"Don't worry, I'll cover it! What would you like?" Amber glanced at her phone then back at me.

"I'll just have a small sand which with a hot chocolate if it's not to much." I smiled.

"Sure, I'll be right back." She said and walked off with her black converse skidding on the wood floor. I really hope she doesn't recognize me. People my age don't even bother to check the news so I don't think I have to worry to much.