Part 16
'Dad? what are you doing here?'
"Chris? Chris wake up" I heard a voice calling me. It was Paul. I opened my eyes and let my vision adjust. I was in Paul's shed laying on a mattress. Paul was sitting up next to me looking at me.
"Paul?"
"You were dreaming"
Thank god it was only a dream. My Dad would have killed me if he came in a found me here.
"Paul... i... i cant stay here"
"Are you going home?"
"No... im going to leave all together... ill go find work somewhere"
I was determined to get out of the area and soon.
"But Chris... you shouldnt run away just because you got in trouble for ... well you shouldnt run away. You've got it pretty good you know... and who is going to employ a 13 year old runnaway?"
He was right... but stupidly enough i didnt listen to him. I was too scared.
"I dont care Paul.. I have to get away from here. Ill do it alone if i have to."
I began to pack up my stuff and i felt his hand on my arm.
"You wont have to do it alone. Ill come with you. Just let me get some stuff and write my mum a note."
"You dont have to come with me... you've got no reason to run away"
"My reason is making sure your safe.. now shut up and lets get ready to go"
I wasnt going to argue with him. We packed our stuff left quickly so not to be seen as the sun was rising. We headed out towards the highway. We were only walking for 5 mintues, but because we were walking in silence... it seemed like hours. Me and Paul began to talk about the future, how we'd manage to get money. He would sell his paintings on the streets and i would try to get a job waiting tables.
Hours Passed as we walked down the road. We didnt pay any attention to the cars driving by, until one began to honk at us. As it drew closer we noticed that it was a police car, we had no where to run, so we stopped and let it come to meet us.
"We've been looking for you 2 for hours" stated the police officer in a worried tone. I wasnt going to feel sympathetic.
"You shoudlnt have worried... dont you realize that if someone runs away... they dont WANT to be found!"
"Yes dear... but unfortunatly it doesnt work that way"
"Lets just go back" Said Paul and i knew there was no point in arguing so we got into the police car and sat in silence as we drove back.
When we pulled into my drive way, Pauls mum took him home and my father stood waiting for me. I knew this wasnt going to be pretty. He said nothing too me as i passed him and went into my room. After about half an hour i heard heavy footsteps come towards my door. I knew that it was time to face the music.
The door opened and my father and mother walked in and stood over me.
"Chris, your mother and i have talked about this from all angles. Since you met that boy, you have been in nothing but trouble. We have found this decision very difficult, but we feel it best for your future."
I didnt know what he was talking about until he handed me a pamphlet.
"BOARDING SCHOOL!!!!!!!"
part 17