Page 137 of Run Away Home: Tempered

“You’re really pissing me off too.”

“Me three!” the dumbass calls from behind the curtain. I hear Peter’s stupid fucking raspy-ass laugh. Now my head is pounding.

“If LUCKY THE LEPRECHAUN would leave the room, then I’d shut the fuck up—ASSHOLE!” I yell at my roommate. We’re off to a great start.

“Oh, yeah. I forgot I’m the cereal leprechaun now. That’s a new one. I like it. Was it Tristian or you who decided that?”

“Both,” I respond quietly.

“Great. Thanks. Well, Danny is in the waiting room because, you know, he had to suffer through this too.”

“I don’t care.”

“I know you don’t. That’s the problem.”

I flip him the bird without turning around.

“You’re welcome,” he says.

“For what?”

“Eh, for saving your life, and for being here. Funny... I don’t see Tristian anywhere.”

I flip him the bird again, closing my eyes. I listen as his footsteps grow farther and farther away.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Somebody

I’M WAITING IN FRONTof Glas’ bakery. According to my watch, I’m a wee bit early. I have my back against the storefront. It feels as if someone’s watching me.

When I turn toward the shop, I catch Mr. Glas staring straight at me. I can see his bald head and big bloodshot brown eyes from here, but I pretend I can’t. I face front again and close my eyes. The bell rings as the door opens.

“What are you doing out here?” he asks.

“Me?”

“Is there anyone else out here, lad?”

“I’m waiting for someone.”

“Who?”

“A friend.”

“Shouldn’t you be home? Your mother will be cross.”

“Then let her be!” I pull a cigarette and a matchbook from my pocket, lighting up.

“If she comes around here, I’m going to have to tell her I seen you.”

“Go ahead. I’ll be long gone.”

“Is this new attitude because your father died?”

I laugh and take a drag of my cigarette. “First of all, it’s not new. You don’t know me. Also, it’s quite the opposite. I wish my father had died. He’s still alive, apparently. He’s me, I’m him, and...and I wish I were dead.”

“Don’t say that!”

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