Run as fast as you can.

[Aiden Cardle]

All of those years of track and cross country finally paid off. Aiden ran as fast as his skinny legs could go. One foot in front of the other, he just kept going. He hated being home
or what he was forced to call home. It wasn't home. It wasn't a good place to be, especially after everything was all blamed on him. So he grabbed his phone and wallet, and took off after one of his father's 'episodes'. He lived in northern California, and eventually saw a sign that read Welcome to Kingswood! He paused to examine it and catch his breath as he walked around the neighborhood he was in. He stopped at the corner of one of the streets, and tried to figure out somewhere to stay for the night. He reached in his back pocket only to find his phone, and not his wallet. He couldn't pay for a hotel, he was stuck. "Crap." He mumbled outloud, sitting down on the curb. What else could he do now?

[Charlie Hudson]

Charlie was going on a run. She was really stressed out with her grandparents, and she needed out. Running helped clear her mind. As she was running she saw an unfamiliar face on the side of the street. He was just sitting there on the curb. Charlie second guessed talking to him, but it looked like something was wrong. "Hi.." she said. "Are you okay?" She asked. He looked upset.

[Aiden Cardle]

Aiden jumped as he looked through his phone for somewhere to stay. "Not exactly." He spat out, not intending to sound mean. "You can keep running along now." He said, expecting her to leave just like everyone else in his life. He didn't want her to go, he wanted her to help.

[Charlie Hudson]

Charlie was sort of taken back with his attitude. "Look, i didn't mean to bother you. You just looked like something was wrong..." She explained. " Or am i just imagining this?" she asked, trying to sound just as snarky as he did.

[Aiden Cardle]

"Nothings right." Aiden admitted, putting emphasis on the second word.

[Charlie Hudson]

"Okay, what's not right ?" She asked him.

[Aiden Cardle]

"I can't tell you!" He shouted in frustration. He slammed his phone down on the pavement, most likely cracking the screen. "I don't have my wallet, I'm hours away from home, and I can't go back!" He didn't exactly explain anything, but it was all the truth.

[Charlie Hudson]

Charlie flinched a bit when he yelled. This guy was so rude. She was surprised when she found out he didn't live here. "Oh gosh, I'm sorry." was all she could manage to say, at first. "How come you can't go back?" she asked. She was going to offer to drive him, but that idea was obviously shot.

[Aiden Cardle]

"I..." Aiden paused, and inhaled deeply. "Can't tell you." He shut his eyes tight. and ran his hand through his hair. "I need to be somewhere other than there...and I'm staying in this town." He mumbled. "Or on this curb." He frowned.

[Charlie Hudson]

Charlie was very confused by this guy. "Okay...well you're definitely not staying on the curb. we'll figure something out." she explained. "Where did you come from?" she asked.

[Aiden Cardle]

"San Francisco. It's only a few hours from here." He buried his face in his hands. A few hours wasn't enough to get away from his father.

[Charlie Hudson]

"Well, I mean I could get you back there. But you don't sound like you want to.." she bit her lip trying to figure out what to do. He couldn't just live on the streets.

[Aiden Cardle]

"No!" Aiden's eyes grew wide. "Just...I can't. Things aren't good there. I just...can I borrow your phone?" He asked, picking his up. The screen was cracked, and it was dying from not being charged in days. "I just need to make a quick call."

[Charlie Hudson]

"I-i don't have a phone." She sighed, feeling really lame. "But my house isn't far from here. I'm sure my grandparents will let you use it." she explained.

[Aiden Cardle]

Aiden frowned slightly, sliding his back in his pocket. "If you don't mind, I'd be so so so thankful." He said, looking up at her. "I'm Aiden, and sorry for acting like...an ass." He said, standing up.