5 Chapter five

I yawn in the morning and hug Stevein knowing I have a raise today I shower and get ready. At the raise, I see Sara and Kathie in the crowd, of cause. I groan and get ready. I wait and wait, the sweat drips down my head and the gun fires I run full speed passing every running.

Some look mad others look...proud. I keep running until I hit the finish line I smile and look up into the crowd. There's a little girl with light brown hair two women are standing behind her, one with pink hair, the other with blue. Tears fill my eyes and a smile creeps onto my face. I walk over and untie my lucky scarf.

"Here, I want you to have this," I say kneeling and handing the scarf to the young girl. The young girl looks at me then at her mothers, or at least I think there her mothers. She puts her hand out to give it back.

"I can't take this from you," The small girl says in a soft and kind voice. I push her hand back with the scarf in it I pat her head.

"I insist" I stand and look at the two women.

"Is this your child?" I ask smiling.

"Yes this is Nikki I'm Kim and this is Amy" The blue-haired girl says. I kneel again looking Nikki in the eyes.

"Nikki, don't ever give up okay." I place my hand on her cheek and get yank away and hugged. Kathie and Sara cry on me hugging me so tight I can't even get a full breath.

"Guys!" I yell trying to wiggle out of the hug.

"Wait...Sara, Kathie?" Kim asks looking at them. Sara turns around.

"Kim? It that you love?" Sara asks her eyes sparkling.

"How long has it been!" Kim says hugging Sara. Kathie and Amy smile at each other then hug. Me and Nikki stand there.

"Mamá, quiero irme a casa ahora" I say crossing my arms Nikki runs over to me and jumps up and down.

"WHAT LANGUAGE WAS THAT!" she yells loud enough I think the whole world could hear.

"Spanish," I say softly.

After they all talk and introduce me they decide to invite them to dinner, they graciously accept. I walk to the car having my fill of social interaction for one day. After they exchange numbers they come to the car and we drive home and begin cleaning. I put my headphones on so I don't get lectured about running away.

After we clean the kitchen and living room I go up to my room and clean it up a bit. I get in the shower and wash my hair and body off. I think about what to wear just to make Sara mad. I chuckle to myself then get out and change into my black crop-top that says 'Perra mala' I grab my shorts and put them on too. I go downstairs and Kathie burst out laughing.

"What?" Sara asks then looks at me she crosses her arms.

"Really Arisa, they have a 12-year-old," Sara says walking over and tieing my hair back. I hate when she does this but I figure we shouldn't be in a fight tonight.

"Sorry momma but I'm not changing."

The doorbell rings and I walk over and open in Kim, Amy, and Nikki stand there with a basket of rolls. I tell them to come in and Sara shows them around. Me and Kathie set out the food. I have my own food since I hate everything else on the table.

We all sit down and I put my headphones on. I start to eat when Sara catches my eye. I look up at her and she gestures for me to take off my headphones.

"Why" I mumble, Sara's face fills with rage I sigh and take off my headphones.

"So Arisa, your pretty fast," Amy says breaking the silence.

"Yep, I run a lot." I take another bite of food and look over to Nikki, she stares at my shirt then whispers something to Kim who is sitting next to her.

"Oh Arisa, Nikki would like to know what your shirt says." Kim says putting her arm around Nikki. A smirk creeps across my face.

"Oh Perra mala" I say looking at Sara who shakes her head.

"Yes, what does that mean in English?" Amy asks. Kathie looks at me with a 'done ruin this' look. I go quiet then stand and go to my room.

I hear them continue to talk about me I open my door so I can hear them.

"Sorry about her, she's been having a bit of trouble lately," Sara says softly.

"Yeah... she's ran away three times this month," Kathie says with a soft sigh.

"Well, have you considered..talking to her? Asking her why?" Kim insisted. There silence for a moment.

"I try, but she only listens to Kathie," Sara says her tone is stern.

"Even then she doesn't seem to open up to me," Kathie says sighing.

"Can I try" Kim asks in a soft voice my eyes widen I walk and grab my hoodie slipping it on and pulling the hood up.

"Knock yourself out," Kathie says I sit by my bed and curl up. I don't want to talk to anyone...I just want to...well...maybe I do. The door creeks I turn and look at Kim. I turn away and she sits by me. She says nothing but she wraps her arms around me and holds me like Stevein does when I'm crying. I feel safe with her I hug her tightly.

"I'm sorry" I mutter under my breath.

"For what dear," Kim asks.

"I..I don't know.." I hug her tighter.

"I don't belong here.." I whisper she rubs my back.

"I want to be with Stevein but they took him away from me no wonder I'm running away they took the one person who love's me.." I say sniffing she runs her hand through my hair untieing it.

"Well why did they do that?" Kim asks, I think for a minute.

"Because we had a drink of wine" I say wiping tears from my cheeks.

"Well, I think they should let you be with him, if he makes you so happy why would they stop you." Kim says then slowly let's go of me. I smile and her and wipe my eyes.

"Thank you Kim." Me and kim go downstairs. I sit and eat and we are all quiet for a while. Then Kim and Sara talk about a guy named Jackson. After Nikki starts to fall asleep they thank us and leave. I close the door behind them and try to run upstairs but Kathie grabs my arm. I turn and look at her fast.

"Why don't you talk to us Arisa," Kathie asks

"I.." I look up to my door then to the front door.

"Please don't go again.." Sara says softly.

"I won't just let me go." I say softly and Kathie lets go. I run to my room and lock the door. I walk to my bed and flop onto it exhausted I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow. I wake up and get ready for school. I hate school but I guess I can't skip every day. I walk out of my room and get dizzy. I clean to the railing and hold my head. Kathie and Sara are never up for at least a few hours. I call Stevein and have him come get me not telling him I'm dizzy.

"What is it?" Stevein asks looking at me.

"What, oh nothing I'm fine" I say quickly

"Well um...we're early wanna go to the bar?" Stevein asks a smirk creeping onto his face.

"Always one for the drink huh Stevein, yeah sure." I say chuckling

We drive to the bar and go inside I sit at the bar and order some beers. I look at Stevein and see him eyeing a girl. He hold me close then kisses my head.

"I'll be back baby I have to go to the bathroom." Stevein leaves and I'm stuck there, alone, again. The scent of smoke enters the bar I turn and see the guy who was holding Kathie's hands behind her back. He sees me and a smirk creeps onto his face. My heart pounds but I look as cool as a cucumber on the outside. He walks over other than a little limp he walks fine.

"Shouldn't you be in jail?" I say in a made tone. He sits and grins.

"Shouldn't you?" His voice is raspy and sharp.

"What do you want."

"Well, I'm Jackson, you have questions and I have answers." I turn and look at him.

"Fine, you've got my attention. Who's Steve." I ask setting the empty beer mug down.

"Ah good old Steve, he dated Sara for a while then cheated on her and now is out for her throat," Jackson says leaning on the counter.

"Then what do you have to do with her?" I ask now interested in what he as to say.

"Well I was her first boyfriend, we used to sneak to bars and take bottles and robe stores you know normal stuff 15-year-old do," Jackson says looking into my eyes.

"Normal? She got mad at me because I had a bottle of wine." I say madly.

"Well if I were you-" Jackson gets cut off my Stevein.

"Who's this baby? Is he bothering you?" Stevein asks his hair messed up and his shirt half unbuttoned.

"No in fact we are leaving." I get up and walk to the door the dizziness is now ten times worse I get to the car and put my wheat on it.

"You good?" Stevein asks getting in. I open the door and get in.

"Yeah, just uh...a few too many drinks," I say grinning at him. He smiles and we go to school. I get through the first two classes but by my third period my eyes are blurry and I can barely speak. I get up to get some water I take a few steps and just like that, I'm out cold.