“People who read are less likely to be fooled. A nation of readers is less likely to be fooled. A reading child can reclaim her own life from all of those who want her to live their lives… Each of us is alone, but reading makes us less alone.” The teacher closed the book as she finished one of her favorite quotes.
Only one girl was still paying attention to the English teacher, who sighed heavily.
“Annabelle, could you tell me who said that?”
“Karol McMahan from ‘Don’t Be a Fool, Be a Reader’ in the West Austin News on August 10, 2000.” The blond haired, blue eyed girl replied almost instantly.
The gray haired teacher smiled and the smile was returned. “Good girl,” she praised her student.
The bell which made the kids instantly jump to their feet and leave the room as quickly as possible while the teacher called after them, “Don’t forget about your writing assignment that’s due Monday!”
Annabelle exited last. She went to her locker and gathered her things, ignoring all the kids that were shouting happily about it being Friday and that the school day was over. The high school students shoved past her, hissing curses when they bumped into her and saying that she should quit reading and writing all the time.
Pulling her car keys out of her pocket, she unlocked the cherry red ’67 Mustang that she drove. A few flashed her jealous looks as they gazed at her beautiful car then continued on their way. They were ignored as Annabelle tossed her bag in the passenger seat then started the car, relaxing as the engine roared to life. She backed out and left the parking lot of the school. She took the long way home which was a good idea considering most would be taking the shortest way home they could find.
“Annabelle McQuade!” The angry voice of her father carried from the front porch to the seventeen year old as she killed her car and stepped out, grabbing her school things. She quickly made her way to her father, knowing he wasn’t very happy.
“Yes, sir?” She asked softly.
“Why aren’t you ready to go yet?” He was scowling and his eyes blazed dangerously.
“I never said I was going.”
“You don’t have a choice!”
“And you don’t control my life!” She snapped and stormed inside, quickly climbing the stairs then slamming her bedroom door shut. She dropped her bag and collapsed on the bed.
Her parents tried everything they knew about their daughter (which was very little) to try and draw her out of her room but they couldn’t. Eventually, they left the house to go to their party with their snotty rich friends.
Annabelle waited a little bit after they left then grabbed the old gym bag in the bottom of her closet. She stuffed a few shirts, undergarments, jeans, a pair of shorts, PJs, socks, an extra pair of shoes, perfume, phone charger, Kindle, and anything else she would need in the bag. She went to her bathroom next and grabbed anything else. She zipped up the bag and set it on her bed and put her laptop in the bag that came with it. She made sure to grab the charger to her laptop then put her phone in her back pocket, grabbed both her bags, and headed downstairs.
She picked up a notepad lying on the counter and a pen then jotted down a quick note to her parents.
Mom and Dad,
I’m leaving and will never see you again
unless I decide to come back. I love you but
I don’t need you controlling my life and I want
to explore and be free. Remember, I love
you and I do have my cell if you need to
contact me.
-Annabelle
She stuck the note on the fridge where her parents would see it, grabbed her car keys, and went outside. As an after thought, she went back inside and to her father’s office. She easily opened the safe (having the combination memorized) and grabbed $2,000 then closed the safe and exited the house again. She put her things in the passenger seat then jumped in the driver’s seat and started the vehicle. She planned on returning someday but for now, she would travel the US and see the sights.
Annabelle McQuade left town as fast as she could without getting pulled over. She hit the highway and shifted gears, not even casting a second glance over her shoulder.
