Runaway

Lovino Vargas was different. In a good way or bad, he didn't know. All he knew was that it was hard being different.

His brother, however, was, what he called, a carbon clone. Feli was as happy and bubbly as all the other six year olds. Lovino, however, was a "grumpy" eight year old.

He never used to resent his brother. For the first four years of Feli's life, he adored his brother. Then his parents were killed in a car crash. His grandparents took them in and, apparently, decided Feli was more important.

The two years of "Why can't you be more like Feli?" were hell. As he grew older, Lovino learned to put up walls, to not let anybody get close for the fear of them meeting his brother and liking him more.

Lovino was this close to snapping.

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The final straw was his Nonna's dinner party. Lovino had worked hard all day to impress his grandparents, but as soon as he was done, Feli was praised for the smallest thing.

"Oh! Wow!" Nonna said. Lovino's chest puffed up in pride- "Romulus! Look what Feli did!" and deflated in hopelessness. He turned, running up the stairs and slamming his bedroom door.

Throwing himself on his bed, Lovino sobbed, letting go of all of his emotions. Hopelessness. Anger. Heartbreak.

He didn't care what his foolish brother had done. All he cared about was how his grandparents didn't seem to care. About what he had done. About how he cared. About him.

He gathered his clothes and put them in his travel backpack. He was done. Done caring. Done listening. Done with everything.

Sneaking past the dining room his fam- No. They weren't his family. A family was supposed to love you. A family was supposed to care.

Sneaking past them, he collected food and stole about $500 from the family chest. He would need it for a bus fare.

To where, he didn't know. But he had to get away.

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Later that night, at about twelve, Lovino tied his blankets together. Throwing them out the window, like one would a rope, he grabbed his backpack and proceeded to climb down. He was almost down when his bag caught a tree. Irritated, he shook it free, falling down in the process. He landed on his stomach, knocking the wind right out of him.

Annoyed, he shook it off and started the lonely walk to the bus stop.

Once, he got there he was miffed to discover that the next bus came at 8;30 the next morning. 'Oh, well.' He thought, 'Guess I can catch up on my sleep.'

He sat the only blanket he had brought with him on the bench next to the stop and laid down, trying to rest.

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Eight hours later, Lovino was awoken by a honk.

"Up and at 'em, kid! Hurry up if you're getting on!" As soon as he heard that, he scrambled up, hurriedly grabbing his stuff.

"Say, what's a kid like you doing traveling alone?" The nosy bus driver asked.

"None of your damn business!" He shouted, causing the other occupants to stare at him.

"Geez, I was just wondering! Don't be so touchy!" The idiot laughed. "What's your name, barnet?"

Lovino didn't know what barnet meant, but he didn't ask. "Lovino." He said, glaring.

"Well, I'm Matthias! Where you going?" Matthias questioned.

"Anywhere."

"Real specific." Matthias commented. "Come on, kid. I need to know."

Thinking quickly, Lovino remembered a cousin he had in Belgium. "As far as you can take me towards Belgium."

"Well, I can take you to Bern, Switzerland, but that's as far as I can go."

"How much?" He questioned, reaching towards his pocket.

"Five dollars."

"What?" He said in shock.

"Look, kid, I can tell when someone's desperate to escape somewhere, and you, you're definitely desperate." Matthias said, smiling.

"Oh. Well, thanks." He took out a five and handed it to him.

Lovino turned and walked down the aisle, choosing a seat in the back. Could he really do this? Could he possibly get away? 'Yes.' He decided, 'Yes, I can.'

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About eleven hours later, he was there. He walked down the aisle and did something that shocked even himself. He HUGGED Matthias. "Thank you." Then he turned and walked off the bus without another word. He waved as the bus drove off, turning once they were gone.

'Shit. How am I supposed to get to Belgium?'

He decided to hitch hike. Yes, he knew it was dangerous, but he needed to find his cousin.

It just so happens that at that moment a girl and her brother were on their way to the store. "Basch?" "Yes, Lili?"

"What's that boy doing?" She pointed to a boy on the side of the road holding out his thumb.

"Oh, he's hitchhiking." He said. "Can we help him? Please?" She gave him her best puppy eyes.

He tried to stay strong, but could not. He sighed. "Fine." He pulled up next to the kid. "Do you need a ride?" Basch said, trying to sound bored.

Lovino stared in surprise. "I-I-I… Y-Yes, I do." He stuttered. The girl opened the door and scooted over. "Hi!" She said, once he was in and buckled up. "I'm Lili. What's your name?"

"I-I'm Lovino."

"Where to?" Basch asked.

"Liége, Belgium." He said, warily.

"Alright."

The rest of the six hour car ride was spent in silence. Once they pulled into a gas station, Lovino got out. "Thank you." He said, shyly. "No problem!" Lili replied, cheerfully. "Bye!"

"Goodbye."

He turned and walked into the gas station. Lovino walked up to the counter and asked "Do you know a girl named Laura, by any chance?"

"Its gonna cost ya."

"How much?"

"Ten dollars."

"Fine." He begrudgingly pulled out a ten.

"She lives in Northwell Apartments on High Street. 51, I think."

He left, heading to High Street. He saw the apartment a block away. It was a tall white building with many windows.

He smiled, relieved. Running in, he stormed down the hall. Seeing apartment 51, he knocked. A girl with blonde hair and green eyes opened the door. She smiled when she saw Lovino.

"Lovi!" She hugged him. "Where's Nonna and Nonno? And your brother?"

"I… sort of came alone."

"YOU WHAT?!" She shouted, startled. "What happened?"

"It's a long story." He said.

"Well, come in and sit then!" She herded him inside.

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"Oh, Lovi, I'm so sorry!" She cooed. Lovino's eye twitched, him not liking being called Lovi.

"It's alright, Laura, I'm okay now." He sighed.

"If you want, you can stay with me. It'll be like old times. What do you say?"

"I'm sorry, Laura, but I can't. They'll check here and make me go back. Plus, I would only be a burden to you"

"Lovino Romano Vargas! Don't you dare say that!" She gripped his shoulders. "Hey, look at me." He obeyed. "You will never be a burden to me. I love you, Lovi."

"Love you too, Laura." He hugged her.

"I can at least help you get somewhere they'll never find you."

"Where?" He said, curiously.

"America."

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Two weeks later, he was at the airport, Laura hugging him goodbye.

"Do you have everything?"

"Yes, Laura."

"Your toothbrush?"

Yes, Laur-"

"Your new cellphone?"

"Yes."

"And the name and number of my friend?"

"It's Elizabeta Héderváry."

"Yes. I'm going to miss you, Lovi." She said, sadly. "It's going to be lonely without you."

"I'll miss you too. I'll call you once I get there."

"Flight 394 to America, now boarding." A voice over the intercom said.

"Goodbye, Laura!" He raced towards the gate, stopping at the entrance to turn around and wave.

"Goodbye, Lovi." She said with tears in her eyes.

He boarded with the rest of the passengers and chose a seat near the front. 'I'm getting away.' He thought with relief.'Goodbye, sadness.'