I don't even know where to start. Out of all the thoughts that file through my head, there's one that keeps coming back.

Miles. Our plan.

Trying to concentrate on the words that spill out of Braes mouth as she tells me about her night, I find myself staring at her lips. They're moving, yes. But I can't hear anything.

A sharp pain spirals into my shin when Brae jabs me with her foot under the table. "Hey. Are you listening to me?"

I've already replayed the scene a good hundred times in my head. His lips. Red, full, curious. And so, so soft. I can't believe I did that.  Did it really even happen? How do I tell Brae?

"HEY, Saige."

Snapping out of it, our eyes meet. "Yes, yes I'm listening. I'm just-- I dunno-- thinking. Continue." I nod my head, encouraging Brae to tell me more about her drunken adventure. I can feel her eyes looking me over slowly as she tries to read my expression. A smirk creeps on to her face, causing me to do the same.

"You kissed him, didn't you?"

Well, that was easy.

"Maybe." I say, trying to play it cool.

"No way." Studying  me with her big, brown curious eyes, Brae stairs at me.

"Stop looking at me like that," I brush a piece of hair out of my eye. "It was just a kiss." I lie. Just a kiss. A kiss that sealed a deal.

"Oh, please. You've been waiting for this moment since the second you saw me. Go ahead, spill. I want to know every detail."

"I don't even know where to start." I honestly say. How much do I tell her?

"From the beginning.  After we got to the party, you took off. Where to? With who?"

"Oh right, the party. I didn't stay long.  You went off with Tony, and I got bored of holding back Marissa's hair while she was busy getting sick," cringing at the memory, I pull a face. "I left around 12:30, and on my way out I ran into Miles. He was leaving too."

"And? Where did you go?" Bursting at the seams, Brae seems more excited than I am.

"For a drive. We went to the top of Wood Mountain and watched the city lights for a bit. We talked. We laughed. We kissed."

"Damn, you go girl. How was it?"

I can feel a faint pink creep across my face. "It was better than I could have imagined." And that's not a lie. Because it truly was a good kiss.  A kiss that secured the words spoken before hand, a kiss that declared what was to come.

"What happen next?" Brae raises her eyebrows and gives me a look.

"Nothing," I smirk. "He drove me home."  I lie. There's only so much I can tell Brae, as much as I'd love for her to know every last detail and every word that was spoken, I can't. She'd only get involved, and both Miles and I agreed it needs to stay a secret between the two of us.

After all, soon enough, everyone will know.

"That's cute. I'm happy for you, Saige. I know you really like him."

Just then, Braes phone goes off.

"I gotta run. I have to babysit my brother tonight. See you tomorrow?  Don't forget we have our French test in the morning." Swiftly, Brae collects her things spread across the table and starts for the door.

My stomach wraps into a knot just hearing the word; tomorrow. 

"Wait, Brae." I get up and pull her into a tight hug.  Just then, I have an urge to tell her the truth. Tell her I'm leaving. Tell her she probably won't see me again for who knows how long.  Tell her I'm sorry, for not bringing her with me. I make a mental note to leave her a letter. Yes, that's what I'll do.  A letter.

"Sorry for being late." I say as pull away from our hug, biting my tongue. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Don't worry about it. See you." Brae assures me.

I watch as she leaves. Clueless, she has no idea.
________..._________

Walking home, I think hard about the decision I'm about to make.

I think about Miles. With his soft, short, thick brown hair, piercing green eyes; he's every girls dream. My best friend. Considering what happen last night, maybe even my boyfriend.

We've known each other for 8 years now. I'm 18, he's 18. Our birthdays are days part. We grew up down the street from each other. We've always been friends, but I'll never forget the night we became more than so.

It's been over 2 years since the first time I've snuck out. 16 and ambitious, I wanted to have fun. After a fight with my parents over the fact that I got a B in English instead of an A, something changed in me. The dream daughter image never faded; I've maintained my grades, I've applied to colleges my parents could only dream of me attending. But on the inside, I'm no longer the same person I used to be.

It was the first rebellious move I had ever made; sneaking out. It was 11:30 pm and my parents had just gone to bed, I climbed out my window and went for a walk. Simple and harmless, a walk around the block. The reason I did it simply revolved around the thought that I've never done anything bad. I've always been good. I wanted something that I know my parents wouldn't approve of me doing, to hold against them. On my way home, I saw Miles. He too was alone, and out for a walk. With strict parents we both burst into laughter when our eyes met; we knew we both weren't supposed to be out. After that moment, things changed between us. We started talking more, which lead to sneaking out more. And 2 years later; here we are. Running away from everything we know.

I've been planning. Planning with Miles.

And tomorrow, all this planning is about to pay off.

Because we're leaving.

________..._________