I'm Not Broken - TH

•4•

I drive to the school to meet with Tom. I need to see him one more time before I go who knows where. He deserves an explanation and a goodbye, he's the only one I can trust with this.
As I pull into the parking lot, I see his car already there, and him standing outside leaning against it. I park my car, and step out.
The street lights illuminate the space, and his face falls when he sees me, knowing exactly what happened.
"Chloe.." he sighs, pulling me into him quickly. I feel like crying, but I physically can't anymore. At this point I'm just numb.
"I'm not going back there Tom." I state. "I got the car and the money, I packed a suitcase."
He looks at me, surprised by my statement.
"Where are you going?" He asks.
"I don't know.. I just know I need to get as far away from here as possible." I explain.
"You can't just leave." He says firmly.
"I have to. I'm sorry. I just wanted to say goodbye to you before I go."
He groans in frustration, his hands running through his hair. I know he doesn't want this, but this is what I need.
"Hold on." He says.
He walks over to the trunk of his car, opening it. I wait patiently in my spot to see what he's doing. He walks back over, a few things in his hands.
"Okay first of all, a burner phone. You can't be tracked on this." He says, handing me the black cell. "And a fake license plate. You need to swap that one out because he will report you and the car missing."
I look up to him with confusion.
"You just have burner phones and fake license plates lying around?" I ask.
"Don't ask questions." He says. He pulls out his wallet, and flips through the cards. "Here."
He hands me a card and I take it hesitantly.
"What is this?" I ask.
"Whatever you need, no matter the price, put on there." He says.
I quickly jut the card back to him, shaking my head no.
"I'm not taking your money Tom." I exclaim.
"Chloe will you please just take it and not ask questions." He groans.
"What are you rich or something?" I ask.
"Something like that." He mutters. "Don't tell anyone I gave you this. Okay? Call me as soon as you stop. You are going to stay in contact with me and I will figure something out."
I pull Tom into a tight hug. He's quite literally the most amazing friend I've ever had. I don't want to leave him, but I have to. When this is all figured out I'll get to see him again and that's good enough for me.
"Okay. Be careful, and if anything goes wrong or anything happens, you call me. Okay?" He says.
"Okay." I nod. "I love you."
"I love you too. Be safe."
I walk back to the car, and wave goodbye once more before getting in and driving off.
__________
I drove through the night, and arrived in Scotland. I don't think I've ever felt this tired. Toms right, my dad is going to file a missing persons report. I'm going to need to stay out of sight and make sure I'm not found. I pull into a drugstore parking lot, slipping on the hoodie Tom had given me a few nights ago, and step out of the car. It's early enough that no ones really out, so I have nothing to worry about.
I go inside, and grab a few things that I need, and get to the hair dye section. I can't be recognizable just in case my photo gets splayed everywhere. Grabbing the dark brown dye, I walk up to the register. The man looks less than interested to be working right now, which is fine with me because I'm not in the mood for small talk. I pull out the card Tom gave me, and put it in the card reader. It goes through instantly, and makes me wonder where he gets all his money. I knew he had money, but I didn't know he had enough to just hand over a card so easily.
I take the things out to my car, and hear a ringing sound. I grab the burner phone off of the passengers seat, and answer the call.
"Hello?" I answer quietly.
"Hi darling, how are you?" Toms voice sounds through the phone, bringing me peace.
"I'm in Scotland." I say.
"You drove through the night?!" He exclaims. "Chloe go get a hotel now. You need sleep."
"I am.. Tom? What am I gonna do?" I ask quietly.
"I'm working on it. Trust me." He assures me.
"What exactly are you working on?" I ask and he goes silent. He's hiding something. I know it.
"Just.. you've gotta trust me. Can you trust me?"
"I trust you Tom." I say.
"Good. I'll call you later with some more details. Hang in there Darlin."
The call ends and I set the phone down. I start the car, and search for a hotel. I need sleep. Desperately. I come across a decent one, and pull up to the front. I walk inside to the front desk and see a nice looking red head lady at the front desk.
"Good morning, how can I help you?" She smiles.
"Do you have any single rooms available?" I ask.
"Let me check." She says, typing into the computer. I can't imagine how my mum left with little to no money, she had to of used most of it on a plane ticket. Where could she possibly have gone?
"We have a room available. Will you be paying cash or card?" She asks.
"Cash." I say. I'm not using Toms card for an expensive hotel room.
I pay for the room and get the key. Getting my stuff out of my car, I walk down the hallway to my room and go inside. Instantly I fall down onto the bed, exhausted from what I've been through.
I have no clue what Tom is going to do, but I hope he does it quick. I'm not made to be alone, and I already miss him more than words can describe. I'm only 18, I shouldn't have to be on my own. I will do this now for my safety, but as soon as Tom figures out a way for me to come back safely without my dad knowing, I'm going to.
I close my eyes, trying to clear my brain and calm my body. The feeling of knowing that I can go to sleep right now and be safe is so calming. I hug my pillow tightly, and fall asleep.