Chapter 73

Alex shows up half an hour later.

It gives me just enough time to throw the essentials in a bag. My mind is going so fast that I keep forgetting what I've grabbed. Do I have enough shirts? Shorts? Underwear? How much is enough? I stuff more and more clothes in, and then run back and forth across my room, thinking of anything else that I might need. Deodorant. Shampoo. Hair ties. Everything. I need everything, but I can't bring it all. I'm running away, here. I have to go on only the essentials.

Mom hasn't checked on me once. She probably knows better, knows there's nothing I want to say to her. Not for the rest of the night, which is perfect, because now I can sneak out without her knowing. Still, I lock my bedroom door. Just in case.