I had to run away. There was no other way I could have gotten through this part of my life without doing it. My parents--God, my parents--they just put too much pressure on me. I was their only child, there was no one to compare to. They wanted to build me into the perfect little 16 year old girl for them, but there was no way they could do that. Not with a stubborn brown-haired teenager.

I swear to God--all day long it was all "Do your homework, Krista!" and "Coming home 10 at night smelling like smoke is UNACCEPTABLE!!" and "You WILL do as I say young lady!". It was so annoying! I tried my best, I really did. I did my homework very night, and finished before 9. When I came home at 10 smelling like smoke, it was because there are so many people at our school that smoke that the scent clings on me. Coming home at 10 was just because I had to pick up something for my friend! And doing as they say? PLEASE! I do everything they say and they STILL aren't satisfied! When will my life be NORMAL? Why is it that my life has to SUCK?

In the end I decided to run away. I packed up all my clothes, books, treasured things, and practically everything--into my two bags. I slung the bags across my shoulder and waltzed out the door.

Okay, sure, you probably think my overprotective parents would stop me. Well, they weren't there that day. I chose the day when they had a special dinner that only adults could go to. They wouldn't be home until 10. I didn't tell anyone that I left, not even my friends. I left at about 7:00 PM, after dinner of course. It was a Saturday.

Through the streets of Seattle downtown, I walked around aimlessly until I stopped at an alley that wasn't too dark, but looked deserted. I walked between the two buildings and looked around. I thought, 'Would I stay here tonight?' That's when I saw a big blood stain on the side of the building. This totally grossed me out so I got out of there real quick and looked for a different place to stay.

Eventually I found a nice comfy spot behind the food mart of a gas station. It was clean, there was a bathroom nearby, and nobody could see me. It was like my own little corner.

Sitting in that little corner I thought about what I'd done. It never occurred to me until then that I had actually completed the task of running away. I felt that I'd always been sort of a goody-two-shoes, what with my parents uptight about my grades and everything about me.

I mean, sure, I've thought about running away. In fact, I've thought about doing this quite a few times, but I never got the perfect chance, or the actual guts to do it. And now here I am, sitting here behind this Chevron food stand, thinking about how I actually ran away. I mean, I really did it!

Am I actually supposed to be happy about this? Um, no. But...maybe if I just got away from all the yelling...all the pressure...maybe when things cool down at home, then I'll go back. I have my cell phone, but if they call me I so will not pick up.

That night as I laid my head on one of the bags and half laid down on the concrete floor, I listened to the cars speeding through the freeway. I checked my watch and it was about 10 or so. By now, my parents probably found out that I'm not home. They're probably calling the police...even though they aren't supposed to until I'm gone for 48 hours. Well too bad for them because they aren't going to find me. I'll be on the run. And you know why? Because I, Krista Shermann, ran away.

That has got to be improvement from all that academic stuff at home. Whew.

So I just kind of sat there staring up at the starry sky. Since it was spring, all these stars were out, glittering and winking at me. Innocent little stars...and there's this guilty girl staring up at them. How pathetic of me.

I looked away and played with my fingers. I know that seems weird, but that's what I do when I get nervous, or just bored. But usually nervous.

I didn't feel like sleeping, because I was afraid if I slept, I'd wake up and I'd still be at home in my room with pink painted walls, and my mom screaming for me to wake up. I was also afraid that someone might snatch me away at night. I know, I know...I'm sixteen and I shouldn't be scared of kidnapping. But come on. I ran away. It's a big deal.

Suddenly my stomach started growling really noisily. That's when I remembered I hadn't had food since...well, dinner. But all I had for dinner was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. As I thought about food, I suddenly realized how stupid I was. I didn't bring any food. I slapped my forehead and swore loudly. Then I remembered I had about 200 dollars from my grandma in my wallet and about 100 from my parents from my birthday. Three hundred dollars...for food. I wouldn't last long, since I ate a lot. Of course, I'd have to start eating 99 cent burgers at McDonalds from now on. I sighed at the thought. How sad of me. Eating McDonalds every night.

My stomach growled again, calling for food. At last, I decided to go into the food mart and get something to eat. I mean, it was open 24 hours right? I waltzed right in there and went through an aisle of junk food. Looking at all that made me hungry all over again. So I went over to the refrigerated side. There, I took a bottle of Snapple. Then I decided to go back to the junk food aisle and get myself some chips to last me a couple days.

I walked up to the counter and placed my stuff there. The cashier didn't look too old--he was probably in his twenties. Poor kid, working at a food mart. I noticed his name tag said "Ryan" on it. This "Ryan" had dark brown hair that was really messy. His eyes were a startling bright green, like mine. I pulled out my wallet as he scanned the items.

"Isn't it a little late for a kid like you to be wandering around downtown?" he asked.

I stared at him. Little? Not much younger than you, kiddo. Except, out loud I said, "Um...I don't think so?"

"Seven thirty four. What are you doing out here by yourself then huh?" he said. I gave him the money and he pressed a few buttons on the cashier and stuck the money into the machine.

"Um...none of your business," I said. Then I added hastily, "Not to be rude or anything."

"Alright then," he said. "Thank you." He gave me change and a receipt. That's when I noticed a big slash on his arm, as if from a knife. I gasped quietly, not knowing if he heard me or not. I took the money and receipt and stuck it in my wallet. I shook my head as if to clear the image from my head and grabbed my stuff. As I turned, Ryan called me back.

"It's not what you think," he said.

I turned to face toward him.

"What?"

"This--" he pointed at his cut "--It's not what you think."

"Um..."

"I tripped coming here. Fell in a pile of glass."

"Oh..uh..I'm sorry..." I said.

"It's fine. It's just, your reaction..I just thought I might clear it up," he replied.

"Mmm..alright..um, see you," I said, starting to face the other way.

"What's your name?" he asked me suddenly.

I turned back toward him and squinted. "Why?"

"Because I want to be your friend. Not to sound scary or anything. It's just...there aren't many people around here, during the day or at night or any time, really..." he said. "I just thought I could be your friend. You were my first customer."

"Oh...umm...I'm Krista. You?"

"Ryan." Heh..I was right. Go Krista.

"Alright, well, um, I'll see you Ryan," I said.

"Yeah, bye," he said.

I walked out of the food mart. I lay in my "bed" after eating a bit. I thought about some stuff. My first night away from my family and I became friends with a stranger. I did feel like I trusted him though. It didn't seem like he was dangerous or anything. As I thought about this, I dozed off into a long night's sleep.

A/N: Do you like it? I thought it was kinda weird. But yeah. Anyway...I hope it's not too short...lol. Please R&R, I appreciate it!

shadowgirl618