Runaway

Chapter 6: Mia

I'm not even sure why I agreed to go with Sienna tonight. I only know her and apparently Jake will be there also. But I hate parties, well not just parties but being around people I don't know when I'm expected to interact. My anxiety always takes over and I never end up enjoying myself.

This all stems from my past, I was never "allowed" to socialize when I was out, that's when I was actually allowed out, otherwise there would be consequences. I've never gotten over what he'd do to me if I talk to another person especially if it was that person was male.

I can feel my breath getting shallower and faster and I'm still standing in my bedroom, I haven't even left the house yet. I close my eyes and try to calm myself down, remind myself he's not here, he won't find me, he can't hurt me anymore.

I step out of my room and see Ella on the couch watching tv. She's the one who convinced me to go out and enjoy myself. She reminded me I need to live my life and not be haunted by the past.

"You look great. Now go and have fun but not too much fun" she giggles as she's literally pushing me towards the door. She helped me pick my outfit, well actually borrow her clothes. I make my way to my car and start the drive to the address Sienna gave me.

I find a car park and step out of my car. I look around and can see this is an upmarket area, tall apartment buildings with security on the doors. I know I don't belong to her, and it just makes me remember him, the one person I'm trying to forget.

I text Sienna as I'm not sure if the security would let me in. She greets me with a smile on her face and a hug. She's always so welcoming, friendly and happy, something that use to be me too. We make our way into the elevator and she hit floor 15, the top floor.

"Who lives here?" I ask curiously. Sienna hadn't actually told me who would be here other than herself

"Jake, Alex and Ethan" she just rattles off like I should know who they are. Other than Jake I have no idea who the other 2 are, just as the elevator stops are the floor we are getting off at.

Sienna walks into the apartment first and I follow close behind, reminding myself to breath and just relax. I look up as I walk through the door and the view took my breath away, you could see the city lights through the floor to ceiling windows. I wasn't sure how college students could afford to live in a place like this. It all just reminded me of the man I didn't want to remember.

We make our way into the kitchen and it's like all eyes are on me. I notice Jake sitting on the couch with a few others. The one that caught my eye, his light brown hair was messy like he'd just gotten out of bed and his piecing blue eye, I've never seen anything like them before.

Sienna offered me a drink and I just took a water. I don't like social situations as it is so drinking is out of the question. I stay with Sienna as Jake comes and joins up in the kitchen. I offer a small smile but can feel myself getting hot and I need to calm myself down.

But I didn't get a chance, Sienna starts to pull me over to the couches with Jake following behind. She pulls me down next to her after she flops into the empty couch.

"Hey everybody, this is Mia. She's just started working at the bar" Sienna giggles and I can tell she's probably been drinking for a while "This is Alex, my boyfriend, Ethan, his best friend, Raya my BFF and you already know Jake."

I offer a smile and a wave and say hi to everybody and again notice all eyes on me, especially those crystal blue ones sitting opposite me, who I now know as Ethan. Raya is the first to ask a question. "So Mia, where abouts did you move from?"

That question made me nervous; I don't like talking about my past. I don't want people to know my past. I keep my eyes on my hands that are starting to feel sweaty, my fingers fiddling with each other, hoping nobody notices. I try and answer with confidence, but I know my voice is shaky.