Fan Fiction ❯ Run away ❯ Leaving Paradise ( Chapter 4 )

~~Chapter 4: Leaving Paradise…~~

Andy woke with a start and hoped that the events of the past twenty four hours were just a dream, and then her cheek stung from the two hard smacks she had received, Nope, not a dream she rubbed her cheek and got up and ready for school. School that day was a horrible experience. Every time she tried to talk things over with Michelle, she was avoided, by both Michelle and Johnny. She felt utterly alone the entire day and was nearly in tears when she got home and realized she had to listen to her father's screams for hours on end.

At three fifteen her father walked in, as usual he was grumpy and angry at her. "You're not done with your homework yet?" he gave her a nasty look as she shook her head and walked into the kitchen. She got up and followed.

"Dad?" she said timidly.

"What?" he snapped so fiercely she jumped back.

"I wanted to know if I could borrow some money to buy some new jeans, my old ones are getting a little to small and they're getting frayed at the edges…" she was cut off by his loud voice.

"You can't do your chores right, or keep a decent paying job. And you want to borrow money from me? God Andy, I don't believe your nerve!"

"God Dad, I never do any thing right anymore! Tell me how I can change to do things right!" she begged, very tired of hearing him yell at her or about her faults. She wished he could be the way he was before high school.

"I dunno Andy, all I know is I need a break from your constant half-hearted jobs and lazy attitude. Not to mention your constant bitching!!" Her mouth fell open at the immense hurt that filled her heart and body.

"But dad, I keep good grades in school, I clean and take care of the house while you're at work, and I also worked part time in Johnny's restaurant. I'm only fifteen, what more can I do?"

"I dunno, but you make me feel like shit you know! Always asking for money, and things like I don't provide for you! Why don't you go live with your mother and see what your life would be like? You know, it's like, at least I have a job!"

"Dad, all I asked for was twenty dollars for some extra school clothes! I never ask you for anything, I usually use my own money, but I can't right now because I'm saving to buy a car next year!"

"That's a lie! You know full well, that I buy you lots of things! Who supports you? Who puts you through your extra curricular activities? Huh? ME! With out me you wouldn't have a single thing you see here."

"Fine dad, calm down! I'll borrow the money from someone, don't worry about it!"

"NO Way!! And have them think I can't afford to support my daughter? Only when Hell freezes over! Here take your lousy twenty. But next time, don't even think about asking me for cash. With your attitude you're lucky I'm even giving you that!" and with that he threw the bill at her and walked out the front door slamming it shut as he went. The tears that were threatening to come finally burst from her eyes as she heard his car speed away. She bent and grabbed the twenty and straightened with a new determination in her eyes. She bolted to her room and pulled out her only duffle bag and stuffed as many important belongings inside. She looked around one last time for anything else she might need, and she spotted a small picture for her wallet of her and her father no more then a year ago, sitting face up on her dresser. She snatched it up and pushed it into her picture pocket of her wallet. She heard her father coming in the front door. She opened her window and tossed her bag out then climbed out herself. She heard him calling her name looking for her through out the house angrily. She ran as far as she could before she collapsed on herself and began weeping. After a few seconds she straightened herself and looked down at her clothes. Long sleeve blue knit sweater and white mini skirt with board shoes, not exactly the best outfit to run away in. She grimaced realizing she stuffed her bag only with things she could sell if she needed, and only one pair of jeans, not another shred of clothing. So she wandered the dark back alleys of the bad part of town until it was dark outside. She found a small abandoned place to stay for the night and set her bag down, I'll come up with a plan tomorrow. Right now I need to rest; it's been a long day. She closed her eyes and fell into a light sleep, fully prepared to wake and run away should someone come close enough.