The Night I Ran Away

Lexa POV:

Six years ago:

Madi and I headed back to our room with snacks in our pockets. How was I supposed to tell her I was leaving?

"Shh!" I shushed her as she laughed. We closed the door quietly as we sat in the middle of the room.

"You got me a Twix!" Madi smiled as I held out the candy towards her. "Thanks, Lexi."

"You're welcome." I smiled.

"So, this weekend there's a carnival. Mary Ann's taking the younger kids and said we could also go." Madi explained, biting into the candy.

"Cool. Exciting." I nodded.

"We could even go on the Ferris Wheel." Madi looked out the window and at the stars. I stared at her.

Tell her. Tell her.

"Yeah." I lied, knowing I wasn't gonna be here when she woke up.

"You okay?" Madi looked at me with a curious expression.

"Yeah, just tired." I sighed.

"We can continue this tomorrow then." Madi stood and I did too. Before she could walk over to her bed I hugged her. "Aw, Lexi. What's wrong?"

"Nothing...I just...you're a really good friend." I squeezed her tighter.

"You're a really good friend too." Madi replied.

"Goodnight, Madi." I told her.

"Goodnight, Lexi." She smiled at me before we both laid in our beds.

I waited two hours until I was sure she was asleep. I slowly got up and pulled my already packed suitcase out of the closet. My eyes drifted to the painting she made me. A sunflower and a hibiscus. I grabbed it before taking one final look at my best friend...the girl I've fallen in love with.

I mean, is it possible to be in love at such a young age? Yeah, it is.

"Goodbye, Madi." I whispered before slowly leaving the room and heading downstairs.

Mary Ann sat at the table.

"Alexis, I'm not sure this is a good idea." Mary Ann sighed.

"Wendy said she'll meet me at the train station." I put my hand on my hip. Yeah, Mary Ann doesn't know I created a fake person to take care of me. I almost felt bad that Mary Ann trusted me so much that she believed me. I even had a fake phone call with her. Don't ask me how it worked.

Overall, I told Mary Ann I met 'Wendy' at school. I made up fake stories and told Mary Ann she lived in Virginia. Mary Ann wouldn't let me go without talking to her. So, I set up a fake phone call and Mary Ann was happy I found a home.

"I have to go." I added.

"You're right. Wendy is expecting you." Mary Ann had tears in her eyes. "Did you tell Madison?"

"No. I-I can't." My voice cracked. I pushed away the tears that threatened to leave my eyes.

"I'll tell her you were adopted." Mary Ann nodded.

"No! It'll...hurt her feelings. Just say..." I tried to think of something. "...tell her I ran away." It'll be easier for her to hate me.

Mary Ann sighed. "If that's what you want." She hugged me. "Goodbye, Alexis. Call me so I know you arrived safely."

"I will." I nodded. "Thank you, Mary Ann, for everything. Make sure Madi is okay too."

"I will." Mary Ann agreed. "The taxi is here."

"Goodbye, Mary Ann." I waved, getting into the taxi and going to the train station.

The train ride to Virginia was relaxing. I got there in about four hours and took a taxi to my new apartment. I was thankful to have found one online. Mary Ann did give me a gracious amount of money but as a twelve year old, it'll be hard to find jobs.

So I might need to turn to something a little more...illegal.

Present:

I stared at the picture Madi gave me for my tenth birthday. Would things have been different if I hadn't run away?

Of course they would be, dumbass.

The more time that flies by, the harder it is to confess who I am to Madi.

Everything that has happened these past four months will go down the drain. Everything would've been for nothing.

But...maybe these months will make Madi realize just how much she missed me.

That didn't even make sense.

I'm scared of losing her.

If I lose her...then I'll truly have nothing and no one.