The Unwanted Runaway

Anna’s POV The fluorescent lights of forever, 21 the retail store in Los Angeles had been my home for a Few Years now since right after high school. It wasn't exactly my dream job, but it kept me afloa. Tonight, as my colleagues eagerly prepared for a night of partying, I was drained. Exhaustion seeped into my bones, and I couldn't fathom the thought of going out . It had been a long day my mom and stepdad were fighting again apparently because she wants to move her Mom who needs a live-in nurse into the house. With both her mom and a nurse moving in that means there’s been no room for me and my dad did not want me on the street but whatever my my stepmom wants she gets and right now luckily for me her mom will be in recovery for a couple of months at a therapeutic recovery center so that definitely will give me time to find a place hopefully. So I told Blanca I’m too tired to go out tonight. When I mentioned this to my coworker,, Bianca, she gave me a scornful look and scoffed, "You're always so dull. When are you going to live a little?" Bianca Wasn’t just my coworker. She was my best friend. she grew up in the foster care system, very much neglected by those who took her in and learn to defend herself. To where I grew up in a broken home, was passed around between my mother and my father, living with my mother for a little while than my father and stepmother. I Have an older brother Darren, Who chose life in the military, as a marine . he has a life and family of his own stationed over seas. we talk occasionally at least 2 to 3 times a week. Bianca just got engaged to her boyfriend John of seven years. Yeah that’s right seven years they’ve been together and he finally proposed. Technically they got engaged. Went to Vegas came back home and now they’re celebrating tonight with a group from work. as well as John’s coworkers. John’s business is right next-door he it’s a nice little tattoo parlor called , Tatties Tats.. I’m 23 and I still have yet to really date anyone I usually scare boys away with my curvy figure and my dirty dark sense of humor. And perhaps I just have trust issues because I’m still a virgin. I’m afraid to love because because of my vulnerability . I know it’s a lame excuse, but it is what it is Bianca apparently made me a dating profile and connected it with some of my social media accounts wasn’t happy when she told me she did that but she said it’s spelt time I find my own happiness little did I know that when things would change. Brushing off her comment, I headed home, craving a quiet night in. But as soon as I walked through the door, I felt the tension in the air. My stepmom was lounging on the couch, glaring at me. "Why are you home so early? Can't you even have one night out?" she sneered. I really don’t feel like hearing you play your music all night long. Ignoring her, I headed straight to my room, hoping to avoid any confrontation. However, she followed me, hurling cruel words in my direction. Frustrated and desperate for an escape, I locked myself in my room and turned to my computer. Scrolling through my social media accounts and playing online games were my go-to stress relievers. As I checked my messages, I noticed a DM from a stranger named Joey. He was incredibly attractive and seemed genuine. Despite my initial hesitation, I took a chance and agreed to meet him that night. To my surprise, we hit it off immediately and ended up spending the whole night talking and laughing. We exchanged numbers and began dating. It was a whirlwind romance, and for the first time, I felt like someone truly appreciated me. Joey was tall, with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. His charm and attentiveness made me feel special, and he constantly reassured me that I was beautiful just the way I was. At 5 foot 8 and a little curvy with brown hair, brown eyes, and a light sun-kissed tan, I had always been self-conscious about my appearance, but he made me feel confident. However, as our relationship progressed, I started to notice some concerning behavior from Joey. He always seemed to have an abundance of free time and was often home when I returned from work. I didn't think much of it at first, but then I noticed different people constantly coming in and out of the house. When the neighbor stopped by, I brushed it off, but when I saw another woman staying for an extended period of time, I couldn't help but feel suspicious. I also noticed that Joey would become agitated whenever his family, including his mother, ex-wife, and three-year-old son, came to visit. I respected his boundaries and gave him space, but it bothered me that I wasn't allowed to be a part of his life when he had company. Despite these red flags, I was blinded by my love for him. One day, I mustered the courage to ask Joey why I hadn't met his family yet, especially after he had proposed to me. But whenever I brought up my concerns, he would become argumentative and, at times, even physically aggressive. I promised myself that I would do better to avoid his wrath, so I pushed myself harder at work. I knew the company was planning to lay off employees, and I did everything in my power to ensure I wouldn't be one of them. However, when I came home early from work one day, I caught Joey in the act with another woman. Only to learn it was my best friend or so-called friend, Bianca, Heartbroken and betrayed, I confronted him, but he turned the tables on me, accusing me of not trusting him and that’s what led him to the arms of Bianca. I also found out that John was so devastated by the acts of what Bianca did after seven years of being together, and only a month of marriage. He ended up divorcing Bianca, and taking everything they owned with him and moved to Florida . Carter also revealed that he had lost his job months ago and had been relying on my income to pay our bills. He was furious when I got laid off, and he didn't hesitate to kick me out, packing my bags as I cried and begged him to stop. It was then that I realized Joey had never truly loved me. He had just used me for his own gain. I was shattered, left to pick up the pieces of my life and start all over again. The next day, I was utterly heartbroken and couldn't comprehend why Joey would do such a thing to me. I felt like I was worthless and didn't deserve anyone or anything. In my desperation, I turned to my father and stepmother for solace. But instead of offering me a place to stay, my stepmother handed me a plane ticket to Missouri to stay with my relatives for a while. It was clear she didn't want me back in her and my father's home. As I sat in the taxi on my way to the airport, I made a sudden decision to cash in my plane ticket and exchange it for a bus ticket. The thought of starting a new life in Heston, Wyoming crossed my mind when I overheard someone talking about it at the bus station. It was a small town with only 500 residents, nestled among beautiful mountains and national parks. It was a completely random decision. It was a reckless move, especially since I had no intention of telling my family where I was going or what I was going to do. But at 23 years old, I, Anna Deekson, needed to escape from all the drama. Without a second thought, I hopped on the greyhound bus, leaving everything and everyone behind. Looking back, it may have been a foolish decision, but at the time, it felt like the only way I could break free from the suffocating weight of my past. Little did I know, my journey to Heston would be the start of a new chapter in my life. The Road was an unbearably long and grueling journey from Los Angeles to Heston. It felt like an endless ride, with multiple rest stops along the way, dragging on for a torturous 3 1/2 days. In that time the bus was never full of travelers. It was nice to see the beautiful countryside . there’s so many different types of group of unique individuals of people . However, no one really talked to anyone we were all quiet unless it was people traveling together. As I sat window set towards the back of the bus, my mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts and emotions. How could I have been so blind and foolish, falling for Joey's facade of love? I deluded myself into thinking he was the one, blinded by his fleeting attention. Oh, what a fool I was. How could I have been so foolish and oblivious when it came to Joey? I tried to justify it by convincing myself that he was the first man to ever give me attention. But now I see that I was a complete fool for ever believing he was the one. As I was clutching my backpack, I decided to go through it . I unzipped it stuck my hand in and I reach for the little USB thumb drive. With all the commotion when I left Joey, I grabbed this little thing for some reason I know it was important to him. And I want to find out why . he would always tell me he’s working from home and I’d see I never seen him plug it in. Just always pull USB Drive out when I was around. .I looked down at my engagement ring thinking I should’ve just thrown this in his face. The part of me thought I could just pawn it when I need to looking down at my little old, flip phone I saw the time I was getting more and more anxious as I was getting closer to my final destination. So this is my life now getting off the greyhound bus in what looks like to be the middle of nowhere As I stepped off, the bus took my surroundings really wasn’t much except for this nice country looking diner with big red bulk letters on top of it said Duke’s Bar & Grill. I put my green duffel bag over my right shoulder. One strap from my pink checkered backpack over my other shoulder . Pulling by the handle my black hard shell suitcase. As I walked on the dirt parking lot towards Dukes . Thinking to myself, here’s to new life and to a, fresh start, and my in the small town of Heston, Wyoming.