a Runaway's Journal

December 4th - Texaco gas station in the middle of nowhere1

This year I decided to follow the birds' idea of 'going south for the winter.' Dont get me wrong, I love the beautiful season of winter, but this morning I had a calling. I am not exactly why yet, but I have a notion it was caused by a mountain of things from home.2

On my way late to school this morning, I received a text message from my best friend. 'Pop quiz!', she warned me. 'Oh great'...I thought to myself. I knew right away which class she was talking about; Spanish three. Spanish was my hardest subject and we happen to recieve pop quizzes often in that class. I should have taken the quiz like any other good student. I should have studied ahead of time like any other high school nerd, but did I apply myself? Do I ever? 3

Last night as I was slipping into sleep, I heard a crash from the kitchen. I figured it was my younger siblings rummaging for midnight snacks (a horrible trait they learned from me, of course.) However, the boisterous voices that rumbled through the house told me it wasn't my siblings, but rather my parents. They were fighting again over a subject matter I'd rather not discuss in my new travel journal, let alone any journal.4

Let us just say, I do not fit well into my 'perfect little small-town family' like everyone sees us. Well, sees the rest of my family anyway. They see me and immediately see the ugly duckling who doesn't belong.5

After reading my pop quiz warning, I evaluated all that was happening recently and thought quickly at a stoplight. Left took me to school and right took me southbound to anywhere. I watched through the windshield as the frozen rainfell. Each delicate flake counted the seconds as I sorted through the pros and cons of my choices. One, two, three; I inched closer to the white painted line. Four, five, six; my hand gently stroked the turn signal stick. Seven, eight, nine...I took a quick prayer (which I have started to do more often) and signaled right. 6

I ran away, and am currently sitting in a quiet gas station with friendly employees handing me coffee and donuts. I told the kind, pregnant woman at the register why I wasn't in school, like the other children were. She liked my little story and offered me a this free travel journal. 'Just don't end up like me.' She motioned to her unborn baby. 'Get yourself a job, finish school, and then settle down once the time is right. Just because you feel free now, doesn't mean you can get away with just anything.' She lectured me. I thanked her for her words of inspiration, and literally took them to heart.7

I don't regret running away, considering I might go back one day (mostly to retrieve my brothers' Xbox and MY games which they claimed their own.) I was lucky to have my checkbook with me and would allow only myself to access it when I got the chance. 8

This morning at six thirty a.m. I thought I was a normal girl with normal problems in a normal town yada, yada. I will have to be honest with you, travel journal, making that right-handed turn was the smartest decision I've made for myself. Listening to the tinkling of my keys synchronize with the low hum of the radio as I rolled down the country roads felt normal. I believe I have many adventures in store for myself down the road. Haha, listen to me, I sound like Davey Crockett or Annie Oakley!9

Oops, going to go now, need to grab another coffee and gas-up the car before I go! Ta-ta for now!10