Run Away

When I woke up the next day, the words Liam said were still in my head. 'Don't forget where you belong'. What the heck was that supposed to mean? I don’t even know him for god’s sake! I hope this doesn’t bug me for the rest of the trip. I was taken out of my thoughts when my stomach growled and caused me to almost wince in pain. I hope there's anywhere to eat at this motel. I got out of the bed and went to change. I don't trust the shower here, someone probably died in it judging from the smell and look of this place. I put my hair in a bun and grabbed my keys and phone, then headed to my car because I left my wallet in there.
When I got to my car I unlocked it and went to my bag. I grabbed my wallet and sprayed myself with some perfume. I’m sure I stink and I know Avery will call me out on it as soon as I see him. He’s such a neat freak, but I’ve got to love him, he is my brother after all. When I closed my door and locked the car I saw a piece of paper on my windshield. Please don’t be a ticket, please don’t be a ticket, I prayed and picked it up. I unfolded it and at the very top was written:

Don't forget where you belong- Liam

What? Why did he put this here? I crumbled it up and started walking back to the lobby. I threw the paper in the trash and walked up to the same girl as last night.
"Hi can you tell me if there's anywhere to eat around here?" I asked politely
"There's a gas station up the road where some food is so you can go there," She answered quietly.
"Thank you," I payed for the room and left.
I hopped in to my car and started my journey to the gas station. Turns out it wasn't down the road, it was about an hour away.

* * * * *

I was finished eating and got gas and was now on my way to go see my brother. When I saw a sign say 75 more miles to Doncaster, the words came into my head and they circled in my head. Ugh stop he was probably just trying to scare me like the punk he seemed to be. Well it worked, My subconscious told me. “No it didn’t,” I said aloud. Yes it did just admit it. “No it didn’t!” I exclaimed. What the hell, now I’m talking to myself?

I stared boredly out at the road and watched as more and more trees were passed. The occasional car showed up every now and then, but soon they turned off onto different roads.

Don't forget where you belong
Don't forget where you belong
Don't forget where you belong

Screw that Liam guy. I’m never going to see him again, so what was the point of him telling me this crap? If I tell Avery, maybe he’ll explain to me. He was quite resistant at the idea of me moving to Doncaster at first. I really hope it’s not dangerous because if it is, I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t want to die like my parents, I want to live and get married and be happy. I just want a normal life, but children with crazy families don’t get that. I glanced over at a sign next to the road and saw that I was very close to Doncaster. Finally, I would be there and I would be able to hug Avery. That’s the only thing that’s held me over this whole car ride. Soon, I’ll be safe because I know that he’ll protect me from Shannon and Amanda, and even anyone else. I saw a sign and it said ‘Welcome to Doncaster’, and my heart skipped a beat. It had been years since I saw my brother, this was unreal. It was so perfect.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Avery’s number so he could guide me to his flat. “Please pick up Ave, please pick up.” I said into the phone as it rang.

“‘Ello?” I heard Avery say, his thick accent combined with his sleepy voice was funny and made me laugh.

“Avery! It’s Lexi and I’m in Doncaster!” I replied.

“Lexi! I forgot, oh my goodness. I just woke up, hold on.” He said, flustered.

“Avery, goshdarnit! I’m on the side of the road looking like an idiot and there are people looking at me.” I told him and caught eye contact with a boy from across the street. I quickly looked away and locked my car. This place sure had changed, just like what Liam said.

“Hey I found the directions, I can’t wait to see you, sis.”

* * * * *

I pulled into the parking lot of a big brick building. I got out of the car and grabbed my things from the passenger seat, putting them into my purse. I then closed the door and turned around, only to be engulfed in a hug by Avery.

“I missed you so much Alexis.” He said and squeezed me even more.

“Do not call me Alexis.” I managed to say.

“Sorry Lexi.” he said and released me.

“I missed you so much! Thank god I’m away from Satan in woman form. Help me get my bag out of the car?” I asked and opened the trunk. He came by my side and lifted the huge bag out of the car and he put it on his shoulder to help him balance and carry it. I slammed the trunk shut and locked the car, then followed behind him to help him get to his flat with ease.

When we finally got to his floor, he handed me his keys and I unlocked it and saw the cleanest apartment ever owned by a 21 year old man. He walked further into the place and led me to a room at the very end of the hall. “This,” he said and opened the door, “is your room.”

“I have my own room? I thought I was going to be on the couch!” I said and jumped up and down. Once he placed my bag on the floor, I jumped up and hugged him. “Thank you so much Ave, you’re the best.”

“No problem Lex. How about you start unpacking and I’ll make dinner?” he suggested.

“Sure!” I told him and smiled a big smile. He left me alone in the room and I decided to look around in it. It was definitely bigger than my room at home, but that wasn’t saying much. The walls were brown but well kept, and the floor was carpeted. My closet was fairly large, and right next to it was my bathroom. There was a clean shower and a nice sink, plus a separate room for the toilet! This was amazing. I walked out of the bathroom and realized that on the side of my bed, there was a wooden panel nailed up. What’s up with that? Whatever, I can ask Avery later. I dragged my bag onto my bed-- or should I say mattress-- and unzipped it. I unloaded all of my clothes into my closet and then I placed all of my toiletries in the bathroom. Lastly, I had the few special mementos from when I was happy and my parents were alive. One was a picture of my parents when they were getting married. My mother’s dress was elegant and white lace, just like how I wanted mine to be. There was also a small book of pictures of me and my brother together when we were younger. I took the book and picture and placed them on my bedside table. I also took out my box of jewelry and a brown box full of other important things.

I opened the brown box and took out the contents, almost all of which were posters and pictures. I never noticed how many pictures I had until now. I unrolled all of the posters and laid them in a stack on my mattress. I put the other pictures next to the photo book and then closed the empty box.

Before I could start hanging anything up, Avery called me from the kitchen, “Lexi! Come into the kitchen, some friends are here and they want to meet you!” he yelled.

“Okay! One second!” I said back and walked into the bathroom to make sure I looked alright. I took my hair out of the bun and put a headband on and fixed my clothes so that I was presentable. I then left my room and entered the living room, where two guys and a girl were sitting on the couch, talking to my brother who was walking over to me.

“You guys, this is Lexi, my little sister,” Avery said. “Lexi, these are my friends: Zayn, Perrie, and Harry.” I looked at them and waved, taking in their appearances. Perrie and Zayn must be in some sort of relationship because they were holding hands. Zayn had tan skin and dark hair compared to Perrie’s bright hair and pale complexion. Next to them, Harry sat. His curly brown hair was framing his face just right and he had a smile on that could make you melt. He was really cute.

“You’re gorgeous,” Perrie said, interrupting my thoughts and making me blush.

“Oh wow, thanks, you are too!” I told her and smiled. I liked Perrie already. I sat down in the empty chair near Harry and us four chatted while Avery went back into the kitchen.

“I’ve known Avery for about two years now and we’ve been friends the whole time.” Harry said.

“Yeah, me and Ave go way back. In fact, he introduced me to Zayn.” Perrie told me.

“Who knew Avery could be a matchmaker? He can’t even get himself a girlfriend!” I said and everyone laughed.

“Hey there, that’s enough embarrassing me for now! Dinner is ready!”

* * * * *

After eating, Harry, Zayn, and Perrie left, leaving me and Avery to finally catch up. “You know how much I missed you right?” he asked.

“Of course. I’m glad that I’m finally reunited with you. Amanda was killing me with her complaints and shit. Also, school was awful because everyone knew me as ‘that public school girl’ and--” I said but Avery interrupted me.

“Shit shit shit! I forgot about a school for you! You’re only halfway through senior year and there aren’t any safe-- I mean cheap schools around here.” he said and ran his fingers through his shaggy hair.

“It’s okay. How about I just don’t go to school?” I suggested.

“You’re hilarious Lex, but c’mon we need to figure this out.” he said.

“I wasn’t joking.” I told him and he opened his mouth, but closed it again right away. He sat there thinking and all that was on my mind was when he started to say there were no safe schools. What’s that supposed to mean? I know that Doncaster isn’t the safest place in the world, but I mean come on. Although, Liam did say that it was different here. But, I barely know Liam. Oh my god I need to stop arguing with myself.

“Fine, you don’t have to go to school,” He said and I jumped up in excitement. “But, that means you won’t be able to go out much until you’re 18, which is only a few months, but it’s going to be hard.” Bummer.

“Why won’t I be allowed out?”

“Lately, the police have been on everyone’s tails about getting their education, due to the, err, lack of common sense here.” he informed me and I groaned.

“I guess being here is better than going to school, so deal.” I told him and then the realization hit me. No school, ever! Unless I go to college, but that’s a totally different story.

“Well, great! Problem solved! It’s getting late so I’m going to get ready for bed because I have work tomorrow. Feel free to stay out here and watch TV if you want. Love you lots and I’m so glad you’re here.” he said and came over to kiss the top of my head. “Sweet dreams, little sis.”

“Nighty night, Ave.” I said and with that, he walked out. I turned on the TV and zoned out on the screen that was showing “Friends”. After a few minutes of watching the show, I drifted off.

* * * * *

I heard a door shut and opened my eyes. I looked around the room and realized that there was a note on the coffee table in front of me from Avery.

At work, be home around 5 ish. -Avery

Well now what do I do? I stretched my arms above my head and then I got off of the uncomfortable chair. My room wasn’t ready yet, maybe I should go finish it. I trudged into the room and slowly started hanging my decorations.

Finally, after about two hours of decorating, I was done and I had put the sheets and comforter on my bed, along with the pillows. I let out a long breath and closed my eyes, all that travelling and unpacking had me exhausted.

* * * * *

I woke up and looked on my phone for the time; 4:30 already. Dang that’s late. Avery isn’t home yet, so maybe I can get some exploring done in this new home, starting with that wood nailed to my wall. I crawled up on my bed and went to the head of it, where the wall met the mattress. I stood on my knees and started to pry the wood off, but it was nailed on. Quickly, I got up and went to the utility closet that Avery had shown me in the tour. I looked and found a hammer on a shelf right above me, so I grabbed it and then walked back into my room. First, I went for the top corner of the wood and started removing the nail, I had nearly gotten it off when someone walked into my room. I turned my head and saw Avery there with his arms crossed. He looked mad.

“What the hell are you doing?” He asked and stepped towards me taking the hammer from my grasp.

Well shit, I’m screwed and I don’t even know what I did.

Notes

Sorry for the wait! School is killing us!

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p.s.:
I picture Avery as Austin Butler