Running Away!

“Phoebe. Phoebe. Wake up.” Emma whispered as she gently shook Phoebe, who was sound asleep on the bed. "Phebs, get up."

Phoebe groaned as she pulled her head away from the pillow. “Who is it?” She moaned sluggishly. As soon as her eyes popped open, she noticed Emma standing in front of her. “Emma?”

“Yes, Emma.” Emma grabbed Phoebe's hand and made her sit up.

"Oh, my goodness, where have you been? Last night, I searched for you, but I couldn't find you, and…” She paused. “Wait a minute, did you end up meeting Scott?”

Emma rolled her eyes. Her hands were placed on her hips. “How on earth do you expect me to meet Scott when I've never even seen him? You're the one who's supposed to take me to him, Phoebe.” With frustration, she ruffled her hair.

"I didn't see you and I thought you'd gone, so I had a few more drinks with Max and he drove me home." She widened her eyes to see clearly and started staring at Emma again. “Where did you go last night?” She sighed and blinked once more. “What time is it?” Phoebe swiveled her head to look at the clock, which was lying on the table next to the lamp next to their beds. Her gaze once more shifted to Emma. "It is seven o'clock in the morning. It is too early for you to wake me up on a Saturday morning.”

“Well…” Emma sat down on her own bed and turned to face her friend. She sighed, and Phoebe became suspicious.

“Oh my God, Emma. I know that look. What did you do this time?”

“Oh, Phoebe.” Emma breathed in and paused. attempting to gather her thoughts. “They're coming for me, Phoebe, and I'm going to jail.” She began to panic.

“What? Jail? Did you murder someone at the party last night?”

Emma shook her head and groaned slowly. “No.” Her hand again ruffled her hair, and she continued. "It's even worse.” She looked up at Phoebe, who looked at her with questionable eyes. “I stole something, and I think he will come for me,” she added.

Having questions in her head, Phoebe's eyes widened. “Stole? Who did you meet last night?”

“I accidentally bumped into a man, and we shared drinks, and we…” Emma swallowed.

“And you what?” Phoebe waited for Emma’s response, then she scoffed. “You slept with him?” Emma swallowed, and Phoebe got the response she was looking for. “Oh, wow. Who would have thought the Virgin Mary would lose her virginity to a stranger?”

“Come on, Phoebe. I didn't expect this to happen.”

"Yes, you did. Em, I know you. Whatever you set your mind to, you always do it. Now, tell me, from whom did you steal?” She got out of bed and walked over to the cabinet. Opening it, Phoebe took out a fresh pack of cigarettes. She pulled one out, placed it on her lips, and lit it with the lighter. “Want one?” With a puff leaving her mouth, she made an offer, but Emma shook her head in response. Phoebe drew a chair closer and sat in front of Emma. “Talk.”

Emma inhaled deeply. "He didn't appear wealthy to me when I first met him last night. He wore those casual dresses.”

“Yuck! I know men like that. To prevent girls from approaching them, they pretend to be poor.” She blew out another puff, releasing the cigarette from her lips. “Is he handsome?”

“Phoebe, that is not the point.”

“Well, believe me, it is.”

“Look, Phoebe, I just don’t want to go to jail.”

“Then, Em, you ought to have considered that before you stole. You ought to have considered the repercussions. How much did you steal to cause you to feel this way? If he is wealthy, I bet he won't even notice anything is gone.”

"Oh, my God.” Emma inhaled deeply before taking a slow breath out. “He will. Although I didn't have a chance to count the money, it was a lot. I mean he put them in his wallet and they were opened and I got tempted and…”

“Stop!” Phoebe cut her off. "You talk way too much. Show me the money.” Emma complied with Phoebe’s order and reached for her bag. She pulled out the money and gave it to Phoebe. The money was wrapped together, and Phoebe’s eyes widened as she collected it. She examined it. "Oh, my buddy. You are going to jail.”

“I know.” Emma reached into her bag and pulled the car key out. “I also stole his car.”

Phoebe's rage immediately flared up. “What? Are you mad?” Then Phoebe burst out in laughter. “Oh, you are so going to jail, Emma!” With a straight face, she said.

“Shh. You are yelling. And will you stop saying that? You are scaring me.”

“Oh, you should be scared. You should be so scared that you begin to poop your pants.” While looking at her friend, Phoebe disposed of the cigarette's remains in the ashtray. “Why did you even do it? You like money, yes, but you don’t steal.”

"Last night, before I left the dorm, I gave everything some thought. I was so excited when you said you would take me to meet Scott. I was relieved that all of my issues would be resolved.” She sighed. “By tomorrow, we will be asked to pack our things out of here. I can’t go back to live with my mother. You know how small that house is. I can't even afford a small apartment with the money I have in my bank account. You should understand my situation more than anyone else.”

Slowly, Phoebe nodded. “I do understand, but this is extreme. What are your plans for the car? Sell it?”

“Yes.” Emma spoke up without thinking. "The car is worth millions, and the money will keep me alive for a year." She got out of bed and went over to the window. “Come and see it.” She said to Phoebe.

Phoebe got to her feet and moved toward the window. She peered her head out, and Emma pointed. “Wow. That is worth millions, Em.” She gave Emma a glance. “Are you certain you want to proceed with this?”

“I've already made up my mind.”

“What if he comes after you?”

"I gave that some thought, too. You mentioned leaving Hidden Towel after graduation to spend some time with your aunt, correct?” Phoebe nodded. "How about if I accompany you? I can make myself at home there for a while. Outside of New York City, and perhaps return after a few months.”

Taking a breath, Phoebe folded her arms. "I don't know when I'll be returning. Mom says she wants to stay and comfort Aunt Tiffy while she grieves for Brian. I might as well move there and establish a new life with my family.”

"I'll travel with you. It doesn't matter how long it takes you to return. In the meantime, I might as well start a new life there as well.”

“What about your family, then? Will you merely leave them here and depart?” Phoebe continued while Emma remained silent. “Em. You can't come with me and leave your family behind. I can’t allow that.”

"They got by without seeing me at home for four years. Four more will not harm them. Besides, I will be sending money over to mom so she can take care of the family. Phoebe, you are the only person I have and the only person who can assist me. Please let me come with you.”

Phoebe found it hard to believe what was happening. She took a breath and went back to bed. As she sat down, she took a look at Emma, who was still standing by the window. "I'll speak to Max when it's bright enough, and after we sell the car, you should start parking because we'll be gone by Sunday,"

…

“This is everything you asked for. The money is complete in the bag.” As soon as Max handed Phoebe the bag of cash, he started to wonder. “Why do you need this money so bad? You seem to be in a bit of a hurry. Are you going somewhere?”

“Yes, Max. I am.”

Phoebe told him where the car came from when she met Max that afternoon. She had made up the story that Emma got the car after spending the night with a wealthy gigolo.

Max chuckled apprehensively and started to itch his head. "You gave me no information,"

“It is an emergency. I'll return the following month. You can wait until then, I'm sure.” She leaned out and gave him a kiss. “Thank you for this. I love you.” She gave him another kiss before turning to leave.

Phoebe hesitated to inform him that it would be their last farewell. She has no idea how her life would pan out, but she does know how deeply she loved Max. She has always loved Max.

Since her parents were divorced, she could have chosen to stay with her father instead of traveling with her mother, but her best friend needed this holiday. She will leave with Emma and give up Max for the time being because Emma needs this more than anyone else. She can do that much for her best friend.

She saw Emma packing as she flung open the door to the dorm. “Hello there.” Phoebe closed the door behind her.

"How did it go?" The bag Phoebe was holding caught Emma's attention. "I'm going to assume that was a success."

“Max is the real deal. “ She went up to Emma. “Are you certain that you want to proceed?”

Emma gave a nod. “Yes. I'm certain.” She collected the bag from Phoebe and hugged her. "I appreciate you doing this. I'm grateful.”

“What are friends for?” Phoebe stood up and gave Emma one last glance before averting her gaze. "I'll assist with this," She assisted with some loads that Emma hadn't yet packed. She would certainly miss Hidden Towel. She would miss everywhere. They were already packed before the time struck 10pm. They’d slept on the same bed because of how tight the room was.

The alarm was what woke them up the next morning. Phoebe had set the alarm for the ticket purchase. "I suppose the time is now." She forced Emma out of bed.

After getting dressed and ready for the day, Phoebe went to get the ticket and they both left Hidden Towel with her family.