Runaway by Delaney Knight (read more books .txt) 📖

voice fluttered with the frozen breeze. She took her time responding, and licked her lips before she spoke.

“One of those fancy cameras from the store. I love this one, but my dad cracked the viewfinder when he chucked it outside.” Her fingers trailed to the tiny broken screen. Clay’s anger was not chilled with the cold wind. He raised a hand to hit the tree behind him but wiped his mouth instead.

“He has no right to treat you like that.” His voice rippled, the growl in his throat threatening to erupt. Beth lowered her eyes to her shoes.

“He means well.”

“No he doesn’t. Your mom can’t go outside because she’s covered in bruises.  You have to hide in your room and listen to them fight because he got mad and smashed all of your CD’s. He has no right to treat you like that.” He repeated.

“He can do whatever he wants with me, and nobody will care because he’s my father.” Clay took a step towards her and her head raised to look at him. Pure determination rushed through his veins. 

 

“I don't care if he’s your father; you’re my best friend and you don’t deserve it!” His voice came in a verbal-vomit rush. Beth’s lower lip shivered and he had the sudden urge to kiss her, as she did him. However, they did not; neither had enlightened their flustered romanticism for one another. Instead, her tears drooped down her cheeks and he turned away, looking over with his anger - and his hormones - raging.  ”You’re my best friend Beth. I just don’t want to lose you. Especially not if it’s because he got mad and beat you like a boxing bag.”  He now was looking to her knees, for he could not bear to see the healing bruise that lined her cheekbone.

“Clay?” Clay glanced towards her. “Thank you. For being there.” And for the first time that day, she smiled.

July 4, 2002

"Clay, hurry up!"

"I am hurrying!" He grinned and followed Beth into the forest. Over her shoulder sat a broom and pile of blankets. Clay rushed ahead and arrived at the base of their tree house first. It was beginning to grow dark and their friends would be there any minute. Rolling logs out of the brush, they placed them in a circle around a circle of rocks that was soon to be a bonfire.

The rest of the preparations were finished quickly and a few of their friends poked out of the trees.

"Hi Beth!"

"Colette!" Beth stood to go hug her friend but paused when a few unfamiliar faces peeked out of the darkness. "Who are they?" A larger boy with short-cropped hair and a letterman's jacket, a mouse-like girl with choppy red hair and too much eyeliner and another large boy with longer hair stepped up behind Colette.

"Just some friends from Beverly High. This is Riley," She pointed towards the letterman's jacket, "This is Arika," She pointed to the choppy haired girl, "And this is Max." Her hand finally aimed at the boy in the skinny jeans. Beth's blush could be seen even is the musky lighting.

"Hello, I'm Beth and this is Clay. Max, will you give me a hand setting up the food?" The boy smiled, revealing a dimple. Clay's jealousy shined through his watching eyes that trailed the walking pair. Suddenly the realization of his solitude hit him. The rest of the people went off to find firewood. He sighed and plopped down on a log, his head in his hand. His emotions were so rickety and unstable; he was sure he'd burst if Beth didn't stop flirting with Max. His thoughts were interrupted when the trio of gatherers returned with firewood. Together they got a fire going and warmed themselves with the flames.

After a few more people arrived and a couple hours went by, along with a dinner of roasted hot dogs, the friends all sat around and told stories. A few couples had formed; however, Clay was left alone beside two other girls who had shown up. As a boy continued to tell a story of how his math teacher was crazed, Clay found himself completely dazed with the image of Beth and Max from across the fire, sharing giggles and a blanket. Clay's fists were clenched in his lap.

"Who's ready for marshmallows?!" Colette practically shouted. The murmurs rose into whoops of joy as Max and Beth rose from their seats and trudged into the darkness towards the tree house. Clay's jealousy turned to suspicion, but he was not so eager to run after them. Instead, he roasted a s'more for Arika, keeping the tree house in his peripheral vision. After twenty minutes, the group ran out of marshmallows. Seeing a perfect opportunity to spy, Clay opted into getting the extra bags. 

A laugh escaped the tiny fortress. Clay's distress became apparent as he barged in.

Beth's head turned in surprise. Clay stood awkwardly in the doorway, an empty bag of marshmallows in his hand. Her and Max had been talking in the dark, but they were rudely interrupted.

"Sorry...we're out...marshmallows..." The boy stumbled with his words and his feet as he searched for the extra bag. Max removed one hand from Beth's shoulder and tossed the bag that had been lying beside them. Clay caught it and left in quiet defeat. Lingering in the doorway, he turned to give Beth a good long look.

"Clay get out!" She growled. Her best friend was happy to oblige and he slammed the door behind him. "He's mad..." He heard her murmur, as his stomping grew faint.

July 12, 2002

"I think I love him Clay." Beth sighed dreamily as they set up the dinner table in Clay's cozy home. He merely glanced up at her skeptically and continued to dole out the plates.

"Beth, you've only known him for a week. Relax." His jealousy was now tinted with happiness by association. She was happy, so was he. At least for the moment, he was.

His disbelieving in her affection irritated her. "I do love him. He's the best thing that's ever happened to me!" Clay dropped the plate he was holding and it shattered on the floor. He glared at her, finding himself so hurt that he physically winced.

"What is going on in here?” Clay's mother stormed into the room. Neither of the teens even flinched. Both just stared miraculously at one another. As if nothing had happened, Clay grabbed the broom from the corner and began to sweep up the broken glass.

"I think you should leave." He gritted his teeth in an attempt to hide the sorrow in his voice, but failed. Beth could hear it; she knew. Clay's mother had become statuesque as she watched the drama unfold. Turning to the doorway, Beth stalked out. There were a few agonizing moments of silence before Clay's mother stepped away from the trembling boy.

"Are you okay?"

"No."

"I don't suppose you'd like to talk about it."

"She thinks she loves him."

"Oh Honey..."

"It's fine." Letting his bittersweet words settle on the floor like syrup, he shuffled up to his room in a depression fury.

July 17, 2002

Five days had passed and neither Beth nor Clay was willing to drop their pride and make up. Beth had resorted to spending all of her time with Max, who of course was thrilled.

"She's just as torn up as you are." Colette sighed as she stood a few feet away from the tree house door. Clay expelled a breathy noise as she ascended the steps. Peeking through the door crack, she noticed him hunched over something. The curiosity that lay within her stirred and she stepped in. He was scribbling on a piece of paper what looked to be a letter. Colette was silent as she watched in curiosity.

"Is that for her?" Her words rocked his rhythm and he halted. Dropping his angry act, he loosened his jaw.

"Have you ever written a letter to someone that you weren't meaning to send?"

"No."

"I do it a lot. I just write out my feelings in a letter and burn it. That way nobody knows."

"Isn't that kind of pointless?"

"No." Colette was once again silent. "I almost don't want to burn this one...but I'm going to." Colette thought for a moment.

"What if you bury it so nobody finds it?"

"But you'll know."

"It'll be our little secret."

"You'll tell Beth and she'll find it. I know you will." He coiled back in defense. She shook her head.

"I promise I won't. Seriously, I wouldn't do that to you." Her eyes were sincere. Clay was quiet for a second or two. The gentle wind hushed the teens as Clay eased his tensed muscles. The two left the small fortress and walked over to a smaller pine tree. Clay took two steps to the left and dug under the soft layer of leaves with his hands.

He'd never felt so fine with Colette's presence before.