Alison

 I got to the air port and went to go find a place to go, it was almost twelve in the morning and I didn’t exactly look eighteen. I walked up to the ticket counter I saw a flight that was leaving in thirty minutes to Bolux, Maine. “One ticket to Bolux, Maine.” I said the woman looked at me.

“Debit or credit?” the woman said.

“Credit.” I said and handed her my mother’s American express card; she gave it to me in case of emergencies and as far as I was concerned this was.

“Ma’am?” the woman said snapping me out of my thoughts.

“I’m sorry what?”

“I.D. please.” She said. I took out my fake I.D. that had my picture; my mother’s name and my birthday with the exception of the year, the year said I was twenty-one. The woman looked at it for a minute before charging the ticket and handing me my boarding pass. I smiled and took back my I.D. and credit card; I took my bag as a carry on instead of checking it. I went thought security and over to the gate by the time I got there people were starting to board. I got on and waited for the plane to take off; this was going to be different. I had lived in a world where ever thing was taken care of for me and now I was on my own and I loved every minute of it.

The plane took off after the flight attendants did that safety thing about where the exits are and if the cabin was to lose pressure. One of the attendants came by asking if I wanted something to drink. “Yes, a glass of champagne.” I said she gave me that look that they all do, that looks that says you’re not twenty-one and I’m not stupid. I pulled out my fake I.D. that says I’m Twenty-one she was hesitant but eventual gave it back to me with a smile.

“Of course ma’am right away.” She said and walked off to get my drink.

 About six hours later the plane finally landed it was 6:46 in the morning and I had probably had about two glasses of champagne, three bourbons, and a screwdriver which was totally enough to get me drunk. I got off the plane and could barely walk straight; I somehow managed to make it to the help desk.

“Can I help you ma’am?” the man at the desk asked I’m guessing he was in his late teens or around that age maybe in his early twenties.

“Yes, I…uh…need a taxi…to hotel…nice one.” I said.

“You want a taxi to take you to a hotel, a nice one?” the man asked.

“Y-yes.” I said realizing how drunk I really was I couldn’t even make a clear sentence out. The man nodded I think he asked me for my I.D. and I gave it to him he looked at for a few seconds then handed it back to me.

 “A taxi will be here in a few minutes why don’t you have a seat while you wait.” He said. I nodded and started walking to what I think are seats I stumbled and then a pair of hands wrapped around me helping me walk. I sat down and leaned my head against the strangers shoulder.

 “So how old are you really, not old enough to drink obviously” it was the same voice as the man at that was at the desk.

“Sixteen, but shhh don’t tell anyone I have a fake I.D.” I said then giggled.

“Hmm, you’re lucky I’m a seventeen year old who has a fake I.D. of his own.” The guy said.

 “You’re seventeen?” I asked.

 “Yeah, this is just a job to pay for my car.” The guy said.

“oh.” I said realizing how prefect my life was this kid was working to pay for a car while I had gotten a brand new 2013 mustang for my fifteen birthday and then got a 2014 for my sweet sixteen. “

Your taxi’s here.” He said I was about to say something when instead I threw up all over him. I never could hold down my liquor.

“Oh…I’m so sorry.” I said.

“It’s fine…kind of.” He said then helped me into the back seat of a taxi. The last thing I heard before I passed out was him saying “Take her to the four seasons, get her a suite and make sure she gets inside the hotel.” Then the door shut and I was out like a light.

The next thing I remember was the doorman helping me out of the taxi and into the hotel. I stumble over to the front desk “I want a suite please.” I said.

“Alright Mrs.…” the woman said.

“Cartwright.” I said. I handed her the credit card and she handed me a room key room 1728 I got into the elevator and got to room somehow I opened the door and went straight to the bed and fell asleep.

Later that day I woke up and looked at the clock it said 12:07 pm I went to go brush my teeth I had a horrible taste in my mouth. I got a shower and just as I was getting out I remembered the events of earlier that day I had gotten drunk on a plane then threw up all over some poor guy who was just helping me. I went over to my duffle bag and put on a pair of jean shorts, a tank top and a cropped tee.

I went over to the desk in the room and got on my lap top to see what there was to do around here if there was anything. I saw there was a recreational center about 10 minutes away in Montville with gymnastic equipment. I packed up my bag and left the room; I checked out of the hotel and got some cash out of an ATM, got into a taxi and headed toward the recreational center.

I know most runaways wouldn’t constantly use they mothers credit card since that’s a link to where I am but I’ll be gone from this town before they can get people here, that is if my mother even realizes I’m gone. When I got there I went in and found the locker room’s I changed into more comfortable shorts and kept on the tank top, I walk to gymnastic equipment and went to the balance beam I did a side somi and an aerial. I then went to the uneven bars and did a Sole Circle.

 I loved gymnastic I was elite gymnast until four years ago when my father was offered a job in Edenton, Virginia. My father insisted that he go by himself and come back home to Nebraska when he could; but when my mother found out she could just be a beautiful house wife instead of a gym mom she had other plans.

***

Four years earlier

            “I got offered a job as the head doctor.” my father said as we all set at the dinner table I had just gotten a shower after practicing all day.

“That’s great!” I said.

“So which hospital is it? NorthCrest or Falcon?” my mother asked.

“Actually it’s not here; it’s in Virginia, Edenton to be exact. I’m going to stay there and come home when I can.” My father said.

“Sweetie, I don’t want you to commute that far!” my mother said. “Let me look into some stuff okay?”She continued

“Alright fine but I have to tell them my decision in three days.” My father said. My mother nodded and we continued eating.

            The next night we all were sitting at the dinner table, it was Sunday the only day I didn’t go to the gym and practice, my father brought up the topic of him going to Virginia.

“Victoria, have you looked into Edenton? I did some small research myself it sound’s and looks like a wonderful place.” He said.

“I did, it sounds like the perfect place for a family, their school’s are in top ten privative schools in America.” She said. “I think we should all move there, I even saw a beautiful home, seven bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a den, living room, deck, porch, an in ground swimming pool a huge kitchen and dining room and a home theater. No to mention there’s a country club nearby.” She continued. I was shocked…she was ready to get up and move and let my dream of competing in the Olympics die.

“But, mom, I’m a gymnast! I’ve worked so hard to just give it all up! I gave up being a normal child and having a normal childhood so I can be in the Olympics and you’re just going to move and let that dream die!” I yelled.

“Sweetie, there’s a gym near Edenton you could practice at, I know you like this gym but you’ll like the one in Edenton even more! I promise!” she said.

That was that we moved a week and half later; the day after we got there I was helping my mother unpack things for the den.

“Mom?” I said.

“Yes sweetheart?” she replied.

“Can we go sign me up for that gym here later today?” I asked.

“Why?” she asked. I was confused had she hit her head and forget that I’m a gymnast?

“Gymnastic. You said there was a gym here that I could train at.”

“What are you talking about sweetie? I never said that, there isn’t a gym like that with in at least two-hundred miles of here.” She said never even looking up from the box she was unpacking. I thought I had miss heard her, she wasn’t serious was she?! I had given up my childhood to be a gymnast and now I can’t be one?!

            “What do you mean there’ isn’t a gym here! You said there was! I have been working my butt off to be a gymnast! I was planning on going to the Olympics! Why would you lie to me?!” I yelled at her.

“First of all, I didn’t lie I said there was a gym near Edenton I never said in Edenton. Second of all, do you really think you were going to go to the Olympics? Think about it sweetie you wouldn’t be sixteen in time for the Olympic in 2012 therefore you wouldn’t be going in 2012 you would have to try for the Olympics in 2016 and by then you would be the oldest and not be able to make it into the small amount of girls that do go to the Olympics. It was a waste of a dream and besides, look around you have everything in life you beautiful and smart and rich. Act like it.” She said.

I couldn’t breathe I ran upstairs to my bedroom and cried. While I was upstairs in my room I realized something, my mother had looked into this place, she had seen what life she could have that why we moved. She saw that instead of being a gym mom she could be just a house wife that went to the country club every day and drank margaritas with her new found friends. That’s when my relationship with my mother went to almost nothing I rarely spoke to her and when I did we were usually yelling at one another. But, be honest how many off you would still have a good relationship with either of your parents if they did that?

***

            I was shaken out of my thoughts by someone talking to me I had been doing tricks on the floor the whole time the flash back was in my head. “You’re really good. Have you ever thought about training in a real gym?” a guy asked.

“I did once upon a time but it doesn’t matter now it’s been four years.” I said.

“So you’re telling me you haven’t trained or learned any new moves in four years?” the man asked I nodded.

“I haven’t seen girls older than you do trick like that.” He said.

 “Your point being?” I said annoyed.

“You could be an amazing gymnast.” He said.

“Really? Tell that to my mother. Now if you don’t mind.” I said, got up went into the locker rooms. I went over to the showers and got in. Was I in over my head? Should I just go back to my family? I’ve been gone for more than twelve hours and no one has noticed considering I haven’t gotten calls or text asking where I am.

My mother probably thinks that I had gotten up early and gone to school, which I never do and have never done before. My mother doesn’t care what happens to me anymore, she would be happy if I left she would just tell the neighbors that I was at some fancy boarding school in England and wouldn’t be back for a while. To be honest my mother might even keep putting money into the credit card just so I would stay gone longer.

Well then if that’s the way it works out then we’ll both get our happy ending, now wont we. As I finished my shower I started to think where I was going next. I could go to any city in the world I decided that I would go to Los Angeles, with a fake I.D. and unlimited credit card you could have a lot of fun.

            I got out of the shower which was connected to a private changing room where my duffle bag was. I changed into dark blue jean shorts that looked like they had been ripped, my converses and a light blue t-shirt that has a plate with and cooked egg and bacon, with a cute pig and baby chick looking at it that says horror movie. I brushed my hair and pulled it into a tight ponytail.

As I walked out of the locker room and headed for the front door that same guy form the gymnastic room was there and started talking.

“I know who you are.” He said.

“I’m sure you do.” I said and continued walking.

“You’re Alison Cartwright, one of the best gymnasts in the world, at one time, that is. When you where eleven you just up and disappeared never trained or competed again.” He said.

 “Good for you. You know how to use the internet. Now If you could please stop being a stalker and leave me alone.” I said, I was really getting annoyed with this guy.

“You were famous in the gymnastics world it’s not stalking it’s…interviewing.”

“Whatever, just stop following me.” I said and walked out the doors of the recreational center, the guy still followed me. I turn around and stared him straight in the eye.

“What the hell is you damn problem?! What part of stop following me and leave me alone don’t you understand?!” I yelled at him some of the few people that were on the street turned their heads.

“You know you we’re different back then, nicer, less of a stuck up, high maintenance bitch.” The guy said.

“You don’t me, you know nothing about me!” I said annoyed but calmly.

“Really? So I don’t know that your middle name is Sage. That you have three older brother and that you moved to Edenton Virginia with the promise of you being able to train at a gym there?” he replied. I froze was this guy really a stalker? I only told one person about the gym my mother said was in Edenton, my best friend Mason he was an elite gymnast I didn’t keep in contact with him.

When I was eleven, nine year olds didn’t have cell phone, in fact you were lucky if you were sixteen and were giving a phone, obviously that has changed. In that moment I realized who he was, I hugged him tightly.

“Mason! I’ve missed you so much! You are Mason right? Cause if not then I’m hugging a stalker.” I said.

“Yeah, it’s me. What are doing here in Maine?” he said.

“Long story short, I ran away.” I said.

“You ran away?! Are you insane Ali?! That’s dangerous why would you do something like that?” he said he was staring me in the eyes.

“Ever since my mother lied to me and moved us all the way to Virginia we haven’t gotten along she just made me so mad, I ran.” I said. He nodded.

“What are you doing here and how did you know it was me?” I asked.

“We moved as well but I train at this gym about twenty minutes away.” He said. I smiled at him. “And because I don’t know anyone who can do those tricks, not even the advanced gymnast.” He said. I think I was falling in love with him. He had short blonde hair, bright blues eyes and had the most amazing muscles and not those muscles that you can see all the veins in and that are really huge those creep my out! “Ali?” he said and snapped me out of my thoughts.

“Huh?” I replied not sure of what he had just asked.

“I said ‘there’s a really good diner near here and it’s about 5:30 want to go get some dinner?’” he said. I smiled and nodded.

“Sure sound like fun.” I said. He caught us a cab and we got in heading toward this diner.

We finally arrived about twenty to twenty-five minutes later. It was this small diner that look like it was in the fifties even the waiters and waitresses were dressed in fifties outfits.

“OMG! This is so cute!” I said and he smiled at me. We went inside and got a booth.

“So I’m guessing you’re still in gymnastic?” I said.

“Yeah, I’m hoping to be going to the Olympics this summer. I’m actually going to be going to camp to train for the Olympics.” He said.

 “Oh my gosh! I’m so happy for you!” I said. The waitress came up to us and we placed our orders.

“So where are you going?” Mason asked me.

 “L.A. I’m going to the bus station later tonight.” I replied he nodded we got our food and ate.

“So what do you do for fun around here?” I asked.

“Well, there’s a lobster festival as weird as that sounds it has a bunch of small carnival rides, bands, pageants, and small booths of stores in the county selling stuff.” He said. “It’s only about fifteen minutes away from here and five minutes from the bus station it’ll be fun.” he continued.

 “You’re right it does sound like a lot of fun! Let’s go!” I said.

We got in a cab and headed toward the carnival me and Mason were talking and laughing on the old memories. We got to the carnival; it was in a small town, who would have thought you could cram so many people in to one little space.  We saw a booth for homemade ice cream and I turned to Mason.

 “We should get some! The last time I had homemade ice cream was…well never, but still!” I said.

 “Okay we’ll get some ice cream.” He said.

“Yay!” I cheered like a little kid. “

You are so insane sometimes, you know that?” he said.

 “Oh I know, I don’t always take my meds.” I said normally. He stopped a stared at me.

“Kidding.”I said and smiled at him. He rolled his eyes and chuckled a little. We got to the booth and I was looking at the different flavors of ice cream.

“What can I get for you today?” the woman in the booth said.

“Hmm…chocolate ice cream” I said and sounded like a little kid in a candy store.

“Alright and for you sir?” she said.

“None thank you.” He said she nodded and got me the ice cream. We walked off and continued to talk.

“You have to try this ice cream Mason and I am not taking no for an answer.” I said. He smiled and took a bite of the ice cream.

“You’re right this is really good ice cream.” He said.

“Told you so! Now what are we going to do? Let’s go on a ride but which one the Rainbow or the Cliffhangers?” I said.

 “The Rainbow.” He replied. We got wrist bands so we can go on all the rides all night until they close down the rides. We went on every ride at least six times, it was the most fun I had in a while, I didn’t have to care about what I was doing an more, I didn’t have to worry about having good grades, or appearing to be a good child when all I wanted was to do was have some fun.

We got off the ride and walk to the side and started to decide which one we wanted to go on next. A few rides later and it was about eight the sun was setting and the band was about to start playing.

“Let’s go listen to the band.” I said he nodded I was running though the crowds when I ran into this girl and knocked her down, I fell as well. “Oh, I’m so sorry really I am.” I said and helped the girl up; she was wearing a dark green tank top that crosses in the back, black shorts that have splats of white on them, and ratty white sneakers. Her dirty blonde hair had neon green highlights in it and had it in a bun on top of her head, and she had some thick black eyeliner.  “I’m Ali by the way and you are?” I asked.

 “Fire.” She said. I smiled at her.

“Cool name. I hope your okay I didn’t mean to run into you.” I said.

“It’s cool.” Fire said. I looked at the guy behind her he looked really familiar.

 “Do I…do I know you?” I said to the guy. He looked like he was thinking for a little bit.

“Yeah, you were the drunken girl from earlier this morning.” He said. My eyes widen,

“Oh, my gosh, you’re the guy who works at the airport! I am so, so sorry I didn’t mean to throw up on you.” I said. Fire looked between the two of us, her eyes finally stopping on Zach, like you didn’t tell me this. She then looked at me like I was some kind of girl who had tried alcohol for the first time and couldn’t hold it down which wasn’t true at all.

“It’s alright, I’m Zach by the way.” He said.

“Oh, well it’s to meet you when I’m not completely drunk. Zach this is my friend Mason” I said they shook hands then there was an awkward silence.

 “We, better get going it was nice meet you Fire and seeing you again Zach.” I said and we walked off.

We went over to the band they were playing ‘Marvin’s Room’ by Drake. Jason kept staring at me like I was some insane chick flashing a crowd.

 “You threw up on someone and you were drunk? That doesn’t sound like the Ali I knew.” He said.

 “That’s because that Ali doesn’t exist anymore she’s gone. She has been since she moved. I’m different person now Mace” I replied.

“Obviously, the Ali I knew wouldn’t have a fake I.D. she wouldn’t have ran away from home and she definitely wouldn’t have gotten drunk!” he replied and he sounded angry.

“Well I’m not that girl anymore Mason! My mother killed my dream! She knew that I wouldn’t be able to train if we moved but she moved us anyway! My dream was killed by her! I will never forget that and I will never forgive her! She’s the reason I changed, she’s the reason I got drunk for the first time when I was thirteen! She was the reason I got high for the first time this year! She caused me to do these things because she is a horrible, psychotic bitch!” I yelled. I had snapped, I was broken; I had never told anyone this, no one needed to know, so I kept it all bottled up inside.

Mason was just looking at me with this sorry look on his face. A tear ran down my check I felt like I couldn’t move anymore I leaned against Mason’s chest and wrapped my arms around him. He wrapped his arms around me pulling me into a hug. Even thought my breakdown was over, the tears started pouring out of my eyes.

“Shh, don’t cry Ali.” He said in a calming voice.

“I didn’t mean to yell at you like that Mace, I just broke down.” I said.

“It’s alright I’m sorry I yelled at you, you didn’t deserve that, I’m not the same person I was four years ago either everyone changes,” he replied I nodded and hugged him tighter.

“It’s okay, now that my breakdown’s over what do you want to do?” I asked.

“Well there’s about to be a fire work show we could go find a go spot to watch them.” He suggested.

 “Yeah! That sound like a good idea.” I said.

We walked off form the music the song was ‘We are young’ by Fun. We walked to this space between the back of the Town Center, the police station and beside the fire station we saw people setting up for the fireworks.

We watch as they shot the fireworks up into the air and they exploded into beautiful colors. “This is cool! I’ve never gotten to see where they shoot the fireworks up into the sky.” I said.

“Yeah me either I guess this was just a lucky guess.” He said. I smiled and we watched at the rest of the fireworks went off. After the fireworks I convinced him that we should go on one more ride.

“How about the Zipper?” I said.

 “Alright.” He said we went to the Zipper, it so named because it looks like a giant zipper, it was one of those free fall rides, that even though gave me a rush of adrenaline, I wasn’t always to fond about, but I figured why not? We got off and went to the main street to call a cab. Mason called a cab; we stood on the side walk for a few minutes until the cab showed up.

 We got in and headed for the bus station we where almost there.

Then it happened, it was fast it was all a blur I didn’t even realized what had happened until I heard the sirens.

 I realized that we had been in car crash. I looked over at Mason he seemed to be okay I had a cut on my head and some on my arms from the glass. I heard the sirens coming and freaked out.

They would take me to the hospital, where they would have to call my parents, who would realize I was gone, and my running away would come to an end.

 I couldn’t let that happen there was no way that was going to happen I wouldn’t let it.

I grabbed my duffle bag opened the door and started walking off away from the scene no one was hurt too badly every one that was in the crash were getting out of the cars to see the damage. “Alison! What are you doing?! You need to wait for the ambulance! You might have a concussion!” he said.

“I can’t Mason You know why I can’t! I have to go!” I said and ran off toward the bus station.

 I finally got there and went to the counter to buy a ticket. “Can I help you ma’am?” the woman asked.

“Yes I would like a ticket on the next bus to L.A.” I told the women.

“Alright there’s one leaving in five minutes and there’s only one seat left.” the woman said. I handed her the credit card and she gave me the ticket.

I quickly went to the convent store there bought a Band-Aid, a can of Red bull and a small bottle of Benadryl so I could fall asleep on the bus ride. Okay so I realize the two are completely redundant but still. I put on the band-aid and let my hair down from the ponytail it was in. I quickly ran to the bus that was leaving in one minute.

 I got there just in time I walked on the bus there all the seats looked full. I finally found one near the back when I finally got to it I saw who was sitting there.

“Mind if I take a seat?” I said with a smirk.