All I ever wanted was to be free. It’s not like I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere or do anything, I just feel trapped. Trapped in this cycle of my own life. My parents don’t understand what I’m going through. Them not allowing me to date is the worst thing that ever happened to me. I love Joe. I’m not going to stop myself from being with him just because they don’t want me to. I need a break. I need to clear my head.
I called Joe with desperation in my voice I said, “I’m leaving town tonight. I can’t lose you. You mean the world to me, but I can’t stand another minute of this. My parents are acting like I don’t exist. Will you come with me?”
Joe didn’t speak. We both stayed silent for what felt like hours. He was absorbing all of what I just had said. He tried to speak but just mumbled on his words.
“You’re leaving town?” He seemed concerned. I knew it was something he probably should be concerned about, but he was the only person in my life that ever let me do what I wanted, and he would always support me no matter what. It was one of the things I’d loved most about him.
“Yes. It doesn’t feel right to stay in a house where I am not welcome anymore.”
He stayed silent again. Longer this time. I needed to leave. Tonight. As I was waiting for Joe’s answer, I put my phone against my shoulder and tilted my head to keep it stable. I grabbed my bag and started shoving clothes into it. Joe still hadn’t answered. I placed my favourite sweater, some shorts, couple of tops, pants, socks, etc. I checked my phone to see if the call was still going, because I hadn’t heard a single sound other than when I was stuffing my bag full of clothes. He hung up.
I guess I was heading out on my own. All the things I had done for him and then he blows me off. I was leaving because of HIM. My parents hate me because of HIM. I stumbled my way down the stairs, my shoulders aching from the pain of the backpack.
I pushed the door open. I was finally free. No distractions. Just purely the silence of the night.
It was about 2am when I called Joe. He lives a couple of streets down from me. I checked my phone to see the time. 2:16am. Everything was quiet. My thoughts. The road that is usually busy during the day. My parents yelling. Everything had stopped.
Until I heard loud panting. I went to check it out. IT WAS JOE! He too had packed all his things, and he said to me “Are you ready for this?”
I gave him a kiss on the cheek as we set off on our new life together. We walked for hours. It was 5:53am at this time and we came across a mountain. We climbed up it with ease. There were walking paths which were very helpful. We flopped down to the ground. We made it to the top. There was nothing other than fog, other smaller mountains, and the crack of sunrise. Joe and I talked for hours. We stayed up to wait for the sunrise. Once the sun rose, that is when I finally felt free.
I wasn’t thinking about my parents, school, my worries, my home. I was just thinking about my life. My new life. With Joe. I was the happiest that I had ever been. I couldn’t wait to see what the futures holds.