Drifting Away

Chapter 1

He was running as fast as he could. The wind was blowing his blonde, curly hair away from his cold, red face. The rain was hitting his face, with a pain that felt like a thousand needles were making their way through his skin. He ran faster. His blue eyes began to tear up. His backpack, with the bread and uncooked pasta, was hitting him in the back, like it was trying to make him run faster. He raised his speed and began to see the pier. Soon he would be on the boat, away from all of his problems. The boat got an emergency staff of water and food, so he didn't have to pack that much. Now he could see it. The red and black boat. It had a big sail, and a quertdeck with two cabins.
He was almost there. He began to slow down. As soon as he reached the boat, he quickly pulled of the hawser, and climbed on to the ship. The wind blew hard in the sail, and the boat started moving.

He was standing at the edge of the boat, looking out on the sea, while the boat was moving towards the emptiness. Behind him was the auto-pilot turned on, so he could walk around without having to worry about getting lost, even though he wasn't going anywhere. He turned around and walked over to a table.
He sat down and just looked at the ship. Soon came the tears. Fast. They rolled down his cheeks, without any chance of stopping them.
Then, out of nowhere, he heard a sound as if someone was walking around. He quickly turned around, but there was nothing to see.
The sound continued as he tried to follow it. It was coming from one of the cabins. He quickly opened the door, and let out a surprised squeak. "Who are you?! And what are you doing on my boat?" He said with his southern british accent, as he with a somehow both angry and surprised face looked at the girl in front of him.
The girl had a light brown skin color, with dark brown, curly hair framing her face.
"I'm sorry..." the girl started, but then interrupted herself, "are we sailing?"
"Yeah... ?"
"No, no, no, no, no, no!" The girl started "This is bad, this is really bad!"
"What is?"
"That we are sailing of course!" The girl yelled out.
"YOU are on MY boat, so why is it you are yelling at me? I should be yelling at you for being here without my permission! Who even are you?"
"I know, I'm sorry it's just... now I'm out on the sea all alone, with a stranger. I'm just a bit shocked." The girl looked down at her feet only giving him small glances.
"Don't you think I'm shocked too? There is a stranger on my boat! I'm out here for an escape and here you are, mad that I started the boat!" He stomped over to the kitchen. If you can even call it a kitchen.
"Hey!" The girl yelled at him. "Hey!" She tried again "Hey! I'm talking to you!"
"What!? What is it?! What is it you want?" She didn't know what to say. It's almost like she forgot. Paralyzed by his anger.
"So? Was there anything you wanted?" He looked at her, his eyes full of anger.
"Ehm... it's just. I heard you... earlier." She gave him a quick glance and then looked at the floor again.
"So...?" He could feel his eyes start to water up. No! Not now. Don't you dare start crying again!
"Well... you were crying, and I was won-" she didn't get to finish her sentence before he cut her off.
"Excuse me, but has your parents never taught you to look at people when you talk to them!?"
He didn't mean to yell at her, but he was just so full of rage. Not that it was rage caused by her, but his sadness mixed with the shock he just got, turned into anger.
"Yes, I was crying before, and no it is none of your business. I think I just need to be alone for some time, so please...?" He couldn't control his feelings, and the pain came rushing back. He looked up at her with tearful eyes.
"Please?" His voice began to tremble. "Yeah... okay."

• • •

"Hey... boy?" She opened the door as soundless as she could. Her eyes traveled from corner to corner until they landed on him. He was lying on the bed, with his back against the wall, so he was facing the door. As soon as the girl had left the cabin, he'd found some duvets and was now curled up under them, like he was in a small, soft cave. He had closed his eyes, and had fallen asleep. He didn't know how long he had been out, but when he woke up, he was just lying in his little cave, and was now looking straight at the girl.
His eyes caught hers and she gave him a little smile.
"Hey... how are you feeling?"
"Better. Thank you" he gave her a smile, and she quickly smiled back.
She went over to the bed, and sat next to him.
"Want to try again?"
"Huh?" He looked confused at her, but her only answer was a teasing smile.
"Hi. I'm Quinn." She reached out her hand for him to shake. He gave out a small chuckle and shook her hand.
"My name is Lucas."
"It's nice to meet you Lucas" Quinn let out a chuckle, given that Lucas was still shaking her hand.
"Yeah, you too." Lucas finally let go of her hand.

"So, why is it your on my boat?"
"Well let's just say that I don't have a place to sleep, so I've slept here a couple of times..." she looked at her shoes, refusing to make eye contact with him.
"So you're homeless?"
"Yeah, you can say that. My life isn't really something to brag about." She looked at him to see his reaction. When he didn't say anything she continued.
"By the way I'm not really homeless. I have a family and a room I just don't really want to be there"
"It's okay. I don't really have the perfect life either. I'm on a goddamn boat" Out of nowhere Quinn began to laugh.
"Hey! What are you laughing at?" He could nothing but chuckle at Quinn's uncontrollable laughter.
"It's just... you sound really funny when you say 'Goddamn'" she began to laugh again. She had the most beautiful laughter. At least if you asked Lucas.
"Excuse me! Are you making fun of me?" He asked with a smile on his face.
"No... of course not. I'm making fun of your accent" she tried to keep her face straight, but you could clearly see how she was holding back laughter.
"Well, while you finish laughing at my so called accent, I am going to go make some food 'cause I'm starving."
Does she know she has an accent as well? You can clearly tell that she isn't from New York, but where is she from then? Maine maybe?
Lucas rolled around in the blankets trying to get out of them. He huffed in annoyance as he rolled out of the bed and down on the floor.
"Need a little help there?" Quinn said grinning.
"No, I got it!" He rolled all the way across the floor, almost overturning Quinn like a bowling pin. Finally he untangled himself and got up on his feet. Lucas turned around without looking at Quinn, and walked into the kitchen like nothing happened.