Maddie quickly grabs her school backpack and dumps everything out. Quickly and quietly, she grabs everything that’s necessary to live on the streets.

I hate that the only way to be free is by running.

It pains her, but she just couldn’t bear it anymore.  “Just too much…” She whispers.

Her home had become a place of constant war, with every day feeling like a new battle she couldn't win. Her mother's constant scrutiny and harsh words left her feeling trapped, as if there was no room for her own thoughts and dreams. Maddie felt suffocated, and running away seemed like the only way to reclaim her sense of self and find a life where she could finally breathe freely.

Footsteps are heard going up the stairs, and an argument is coming up along with it. Maddie cracks the door to see what the commotion is all about. There in the halls, her parents stood. It was rare to see them argue; they usually just sat in silence at dinner, and did all their arguing in their heads. She stares at her parents- well, more at her father, who has a disappointed look plastered on his face. One she’d really rather not see.

“I just can’t believe you. You’re better than this, Maya!"

Maddie gulps, closely eyeing her parents' conversation.

“Another call, another call!? Rafael, this can’t be happening! Her acts-”

“Those acts are a call for help! She needs medical help!” Rafael yells, his rage that seemed to be bottled up just pops.

“MY daughter isn’t sick, she’s not like those-those psycho’s!” Maya cried back.

Rafael sighs, shaking his head in disappointment, covering his face with one hand. “I-I don’t understand how you can think of our daughter like that. You’ve been treating her like she’s bothersome.” Rafael replies. Maya lowers her head, her face darkening, and shoots a glare at him. Her lips part but before she could even say a word, Rafael put up a hand and made another statement. And it just kept going.

Her parents kept yelling, leaving Maddie to cry alone.

Since I’m such a bother, they’ll be very happy when I leave for good.

She adds a few more things to the bag and throws it over one shoulder, stepping towards the window.

I’m done being in a cage.

Train tracks rattle loudly as the next train comes. The station is surprisingly bright, though that doesn't change the disturbing ambient light, homeless people begging or sleeping on benches, failed musicians playing terrible music, and people who seem to hate life for being here. Maddie is one of them.

She sighs loudly, stressed out about this plan. Will it even work?

Art teacher…Ha! What a poor excuse of a title, she can't paint for Shit! She could have minded her own damn business, but nooo... she didn't, and now I'm here! Maddie thinks while unwrapping a piece of chocolate and eating it angrily. Her only choice now is to wait for the train.

Slumming back against dirty station walls, looking at the train clock intensely, 2:30, it's coming at 2:30…Maddie repeats to herself. She taps her foot nervously.

The ticking clock intensifies Maddie's nerves.

What if they catch me! What if I can't get on the train, ugh…Stop it! Stop it,

Stop it.

Stop it.

Maddie hits her head repeatedly, shaming herself for doubting her plan. “I can do it…” Maddie whispered to herself, not so confident in her words.

“Bruh, no way!” A loud voice cuts her train of thought; she hears a familiar voice from behind her. Maddie knows that voice, that bright, annoying voice. She turns around, looking for its source.

Sunny?!

Amidst the trashy train station, Sunny stood bright, his long blonde hair lying loose, some strands hanging over his shoulders. His bright blue eyes shine while he talks to whoever on the phone, and he is surely keeping warm in his orange-brown jacket with fur on the hood.

“I never thought he would-” Sunny cuts off. His jaw drops. Their gazes meet. It’s over, and Maddie knows it,

NOOOOO!!

Maddie screams inside. This is the last thing she hopes. Meeting anyone who knew her and would report her.

“Look, I’ll call you back later,” Sunny quickly hangs up—putting a stop on he’s intersting converstation—he puts his phone in his back pocket and gives Maddie a small smile. He walks over to her with a hand in the air to hold her in place, which bothers her. “Hey, long time no see, Maddie, it’s been a while since…” Sunny cringes at the thoughts of the past. “Anyways, how have you been! It's a bit late for- well, I can’t say anything since I'm out too.” Sunny continues casually.

“Oh, uh-”

“Are your parents around?” He peers around the station before looking back at Maddie.

Bakavas…

"Oh...yeah...they’re just … in the bathroom! Yeah, the bathroom."

Sunny’s brow furrows at Maddie's sentence and at the Hindi curse. Maddie suddenly hopes he doesn’t know it, but if he does, he doesn't make any indication of it.

"Oh, cool,” he responds coolly, taking a strand of hair from his shoulder and pulling it behind his ear. “So… your parents are cool? I mean, they have to be, if you're going out this late,” Sunny questions.

Maddie looks away, clearly telling him off, but he doesn’t get the hint. “Why are you asking? After all, we ain't close, and it’s none of your business.” Maddie snarls, backing away from this conversation.

Sunny puts his hands up innocently. “Sorry, just curious, that’s all.”

Maddie frowns. “It was nice meeting ya, Sunny, but I think I heard my parents calling for me.” She turns away, taking a few steps towards the bathrooms, until she hears Sunny’s voice call out for her. She sighs. However annoying, his persistent words force their way into her ears.

“You know… It’s okay to ask for help. I mean, I know back then Sarah was… a lot, and I didn’t help much at the moment. So, let me make it up for ya. I was gonna wait for a friend, but he canceled on me at the last minute, so…wanna hitch a ride with me?” Sunny offers. His smile is filled with pity (at least to her eyes), and shame fills Maddie's body. Is it that obvious that she’s trying to hide? She hesitates and thinks for a moment, would he do something? I mean… He was with that kutiya, Sarah. Can I trust him? But then there's a bigger kutiya, my mom. Maybe I should take a chance on this offer. After all, I did run away from home.

Sunny cocks his head, a tad impatient with her indecisiveness. “Well?”

Her head turns away, she thinks for a little while, then she slowly nods to his request.