Chapter 2:
RUNNING
His British accent was hard to miss, yet it seemed to be blending into an American accent.
I took his hand,
" uh Hi, I’m Saphire. Everyone calls me Sam though"
Noah seem puzzled,
"That's odd, Saphire is such an interesting name? I'll call you saphire"
I couldn't help but to return a smile to his.
"What are you doing here?"
He seemed to have forgotten he had randomly showed up at my doorstep.
"Oh! You see I saw you walking with several bags and I wanted to offer my help"
I stared at him, confused.
"Well thanks? I don't think you realize I’m already inside and am no longer carrying anything..."
"Right! I uhm stopped to tie my shoe, you're a very fast walker"
I giggled a little at that. How odd.
"Well then-
He cut me off.
"Well now that I'm here would you like to come by for some soda? I doubt you really have any plans for the day. I'm right next door."
Suddenly everything made sense. This boy is living in the cabin of punishment as well, but on the boy's side. Well I'm sure socializing isn't approved by the counselors, but no one is around to notice. Plus I haven't had soda in forever since it's prohibited in camp grounds.
"Why not." I said as I closed the door behind me and followed this captivating stranger.
Noah led me through the paths that lead to the boys’ side of Camp sunshine. He seemed all too worry free, while I watched every corner to see if anyone was watching. When we reached his cabin, he politely opened the door for me.
"Thank you." I said.
This cabin was way too good-looking to be any sort of punishment. The bed was off to the side instead of the center, and roughly twice as big. In the middle were a round wooden table and a small refrigerator sitting next to it. This must have been a counselor’s office before.
"So let me guess, you got suspended for fighting with someone?" he chuckled
I looked at him suspiciously until I realized my cheek must still be a shade of red. I curled my fingers around my face,
"Uhm yeah... and you?"
He took out two canned sodas from the fridge and set them on the table, while pushing out a chair and motioning me to sit.
"I got caught with cigarettes... But they weren't mine I swear! This jerk decided it was funny to hide them in my bag right before the counselors started the weekly check."
I saw sincerity in his eyes, and believed him. Now I felt bad for not telling him MY whole story.
"Where did you get these sodas?" I said as I took a sip of the fizzy goodness I so dearly missed.
"I know a guy" he smiled.
Again I caught myself subconsciously smiling back at him. I guess contagious smiles do exist.
The bell for the next class rang.
"So tell me about yourself Saphire."
What exactly can I tell him? The truth? That might scare him off. But if I lie he'll be sure to catch it, I'm a horrible liar.
"Why don't you tell me about yourself first? You sound British, yet your choice of words sound American?"
He nodded as if he got this often.
"Erm well my parents are both from the UK, but I was born here. So I guess I get my words from my friends & when it comes to how I sound I take after the folks."
I nodded. This guy seems to have a pretty good life. I'd hate to spoil the mood with my sad story.
"My adoptive parents both have slight Russian accents, but I never seem to have caught it." I say.
"So why are you at camp rich kids? You seem pretty down to earth?"
I don’t want to lie. I won't lie. He'll just have to take it.
"My parents... My parents decided they needed to get rid of me for a few months, they don't seem to like me that much. I don't mind being away from them though, I’m much better off by myself."
"Same here. I swear every second I'm with my father he can't do anything but bring me down. 'Noah you can't do anything right' 'Noah why can't you be like your older brother' 'Noah you're nothing but a shame to this family'"
His sad expression made my heart feel like play dough.
"I know exactly how you feel. My mother is disappointed I'm not some gold digging slut like her, and my father treats me like the annoying pet they just can't seem to get rid of."
Noah looked straight into my eyes which caused me to look the other way.
"I hate my father." he whispered.
I nodded
"I hate my parents. With a passion. They're like the villains in movies who you never want to end up like."
Noah's facial expression seemed to grow frustrated.
"My dad thinks I'm a no good son and is hoping I never come back. I'm sure of it, and my mom, well she's insane." He said matter of factly.
"Aren't all moms?" I said trying to subtly cheer up the mood.
"Oh, not like mine. She's uhm, she's clinically insane. She's been locked up in a crazy house since I was 14, ever since grandma died in a house fire."
I was shocked at how much he seemed to trust me; I looked at my hands unable to meet his eyes. Why is he telling me this?
"So, are you? Are you going back I mean, home?" I asked quietly.
"I turn 18 in about a week; I don't think I have a choice. I have a credit card and a car license , I'm sure I'll survive."
"I wish I could do that. I don't wanna go back home. At all" I attempted a small chuckle that came out sounding nervous and gloomy.
"Let's run away together." he said.
I smiled at his joke; running away with him seemed like heaven at the moment.
"Yeah and let's stop by Atlantis while we're at it." I said sarcastically.
"Wherever you want! Saphire it's perfect! You hate this place, I hate this place, I hate my family, and you hate your family. It's the perfect Plan!"
"I appreciate your optimism but you can't be serious."
I say, finally looking at his green eyes that seemed much too excited.
"Listen. I know we don't know each other, but isn't that an even better reason to do it? Think about all the people that dream of a chance like this Saphire"
