"I'm trying to find my mom,"

The words hurt, as they were a lie. But that didn't mean I didn't wish I knew where she was. I never cared for my father, he was an abusive asshole, and when my mother wouldn't leave him I decided I'd leave them. I was only twelve when I made that decision and here I was doing the same thing at seventeen.

"That is the same reason I ran away, I was in the foster system, when I found my mother she was so hopped up on heroin I didn't even recognize her. She tried robbing me, stealing all of the money I had saved up to try and see her, I wish I would have never met her, so be careful what you do. It may not be the best thing to meet her," The girl seemed like she was full of pain, full of stories. I watched her perfectly manicured nails tap against the steering wheel as she thumbed them to her thoughts.

"How long did it take you to find her?" I questioned, the more I could keep the conversation on her the better. The less questions she would ask me. I shook my head reaching for the necklace that was supposed to be around my neck only to realize I still didn't have one. It wasn't the most ideal situation but it would have to do, if I didn't leave today I would have never left. The more time I spent with Damien the more I fell in love with him.

My heart skipped a beat in my chest at the thought of Damien.

"It took me a few years to find her, everytime I would think I was close, I would realize I had no idea who she really was. I knew she had a drug problem, but not as bag as it actually was. I found her through her criminal record. She had gotten arrested but they didn't have enough to charge her a sentence. So I was able to go to the town that they had caught her, she was on the side of the road, living like I had for so many years searching for her. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, but I eventually made it here, to the good state of Washington and though the homeless population was higher, I felt like it was easier to get out of it. I lived in a shelter for a little while before I got a job and was able to get an apartment of my own. It didn't take long for me to excel in what I was doing. Soon my entire life had changed. So if I could give you some advice that would be to survive, keep going, keep swimming, whatever cheesy phrase you want to say. Don't give up, even if the things you are looking for keep disappointing you," the thoughts flew right out of my head as she spoke. My heart felt for her and If I was able to I'd console her, but my own life had become so messed up there was nothing I could do to help.

"Well here we are," She smiled, sucking in a large breath of air before unlocking the doors. "Good luck sweetie, keep your head up and go find your mother," I nodded my head, she hit the same button opening the trunk of her car. I opened the car door leaning back in to thank her. She smiled, and I closed the door before grabbing my bag and closing the trunk.

I waved to her as the car pulled forward. She quickly turned around heading in the direction we had just come from. I thanked the lord for allowing me to get picked up by her, the pieces falling back into place. Maybe I would be able to run away afterall.

I walked up to the bus stop sign, checking the time for the next bus. The blonde in the car was right, if she hurried, we would get here just in time for the next bus. I glanced at the clock on my phone. I only needed to wait five minutes. Hopefully this time the bus would actually show up.

A couple other people were waiting as well, a few sitting on the bench as they read either their phone or the paper. An older man leaned against the post, his hands in the pockets of his long tan jacket. He looked like a fisherman. I scrunched up my nose smelling the slight stench of fish. He had nearly white hair, his face weathered from the years on the water.

When he looked up and noticed I was staring at him, he smiled. His eyes scrunched from the skin around them. I smiled back turning to watch the road. A wave of embarrassment washing over me. I hadn't meant to get caught.

The bus came right on time. The brakes chirping as it came to a stop in front of us. The old man was the first to get on, placing his cash in the bucket. I did the same, making sure to give a little bit extra. There was no reason to it beside the fact that I felt like I needed to pay the favor forward.

If it weren't for the blonde, I wouldn't be here now, I'd be walking on the side of the street, trying my best to make it to the next town without getting killed or lost.

I took my seat closer to the back of the bus. Choosing a seat where I could watch everyone carefully. I pulled the hood over my head, my white hair flowing out the bottom of it as I leaned against the window, mentally saying goodbye to the school that had taught me so much.

My mind drifting back to the boy I had left behind.

I glanced at my phone, looking at the time for what felt like the hundredth time. School would be starting in an hour and a half, which mean Damien would be up soon. My heart broke when I thought of the note and how he would feel reading it.

Hopefully he would understand.