Rise of the Runaways

I marked off yet another day on my Calendar. Only two more weeks until Hannah and Oli should finally be home. I decided that I would go on my nightly walk to clear my mind. When my parents aren't home, it always makes me feel unwanted again. It was already 11 or so here in Sheffield. I threw on a pair of Converse and walked outside, heading down the sidewalk on the same path I always walked on at times like this, already deep in thought.
Why doesn't anybody want me?
Why do I go throught this every day?
Why am I not numb to this pain yet?
Why am I always so alone?
Why didn't I bring a jacket..?
I could finally feel the brisk, cold air hit my skin as my senses came back to reality. I was shivering; it was a lot colder tonight than I thought it would be. I began wishing I had gotten a jacket.
As I tried to rub some heat into my goosebumps, I noticed a man walking hastily towards me out of the corner of my eye. I began to get scared as I realized he was coming straight in my direction, anticipating what he might do to me. Do I run home? What if that angers him? What if he follows me and finds out where I live?
I froze, too cold to move and too scared to try. He closed the distance as my anxiety built.
“Can I have some change for food?” he asked, looking at me lightly. His eyes were deep as I stared back at him. I could feel my expression shift as we exchanged looks. He seemed younger than I had first believed and a bit taller than me, but he looked like he had been poor for quite some time. His ragged shirt and pants plus the dirt and grime were there to show for it. He at least had a nice coat on, casual yet stylish, but he was still shaking anyways. "I think I can do something for you, stay right here," without hesitation I began walking towards the nearest McDonalds, contemplating if this was safe to be doing.
As I returned with the food I found him sitting on a bench nearby. “You look so much older from a distance,” I laugh.
“I’m only 19,” he says, scarfing down his food.
“Why are you out here? Where’s your family?”
“I ran away, been on the run for 5 years, just recently ran out of money. I came all the way from Sydney.” My eyes opened wide. I didn’t know what to say, I’ve never met someone like that… I mean yeah...I was adopted, but I was never homeless…
“What’s your name, mystery girl?” He asks. “I’m Josephine, but everyone calls me Jos. What’s yours?”
“Calum. You can call me Cal, either works. Let’s play 20 questions yeah?” He questions and I nod.
Him: Favourite colour?
Me: Purple. Favourite food?
Him: Pizza. Favourite place you’ve been?
Me: Paris. What’s your favourite colour?
Him: Baby blue. Your favourite food?
Me: Chinese food, from China Town in London. Favorite place you’ve been?
Him: I’d have to say here. Childhood hobby?
Me: Ballet. I stopped at 15, when I was adopted. I was on pointe. Yours?
Him: Football, I stopped when I ran away, obviously.
“I suck at this game. I quit.” I laughed as we sat down under a weeping willow tree.
“It’s nice here. You can see all the lights.” I pointed over across the river. “One of those lights over there is my home” I smiled proudly.
He stared in that direction, and I remembered that he didn't have a home.
“So you said you were adopted. Tell me about it.” He said.
“Well, uh…" he caught me off guard, "I was put into the adoption center when I was 5, because my mom was found snorting coke in our house and no one else in the family wanted me. And every once in a while the adoption place would do like, give-aways almost. We’d have a festival in the park for people to come by and adopt us, and no one wanted me, ever. I was in there for 10 years before Hannah and Oli walked by. They weren’t even looking to be parents. I was listening to one of Oli’s bands songs at the time, and I knew who he was and I flipped shit. And Hannah...she was my idol, my god she’s beautiful, and when I flipped shit, they, well, here I am. They adopted me that day. They said they saw potential in me.”
We talked until the sun came up. I’d never had such a meaningful conversation with someone. By this time, I had already forgotten he was homeless. It felt like he was someone I've known for awhile. His story was so heartbreaking, it made me want to just kill someone. He had to steal just to survive, and he's always been running from something. I didn't want him to have to run anymore. As the sunlight began to shine over the city just a bit, I checked my phone. I really need to go home.
I gave him a sad look and I could see the worry washed over him.
"What's wrong Josephine?"
"I really need to get home, but I don't want to leave you. I'll...miss you"
I began to break down in front of him. I barely knew him, but he was already taking away my loneliness and I didn't want it to come back.
"Hey," he waited for me to look into his eyes, "it'll be okay. I've had a great night, and I'm so thankful for what you've done for me." He wrapped his jacket around me as I began to tear up, and I wiped my eyes. Why am I so weak? Why do I cry over the stupidest things? He probably thinks I'm crazy.
I had to go. I couldn't let him see me that way. I began to walk away, ignoring everything I could to forget about the way I was acting. As I turned the corner at the end of the street I stopped.
Does anybody want him?
Does he go through this every day?
Is he numb to it?
Has he always been alone?
Why did he have a nice jacket..?
HIS JACKET
I turned around and ran back towards the tree where I left him alone, but he was already gone. How could I be so selfish? I began a slow walk home, sulking in all of my thoughts.

Notes