Page 17 of Run Away Home: Tempered

“How do you know he’s an addict, Peter? You just met him.”

I roll my eyes. “First of all, have you seen that tattoo? That’s it. That’s all I needed to see, and my mind went straight to ‘he’s a drug addict.’”

“His tattoo is not that bad!”

“It’s fucking Bowser beating the shit out of Yogi, Hayley!”

“That green thing’s name is Yoshi, Peter, and it’s from a game calledSuper Smash Brothers!” She rolls her eyes and shakes her head, like she’s a video game expert.

“I don’t know, you need someone more like...”

“Like you?”

“Not like me. Maybe just like...someone smart, and thoughtful, responsible...and blond...Scottish...maybe a man bun.”

She laughs again. “Not into man buns.”

“I’ll cut it off,” I respond eagerly. Probably way too eagerly.

“No, you won’t. Also, I’m looking for someone who’s a little, uh...taller.”

“That’s not fair!” I reply.

“It doesn’t have to be fair. Get your ass in the shower. You need to go to work.” She walks back toward the living room.

“All right.”

“HAYLEY, CAN YOU BRING ME A DRINK?” he calls out.

“Sure!”

“Wait. You’re going to bring him a drink? You never bring me anything!”

“Stop it, Peter.” She doesn’t turn to face me and walks out of sight.

I enter the bathroom and close the door, leaning against it while taking a deep breath. I stare into the mirror. I take my hair out of the bun and let it fall on my shoulders. What would I look like with short hair? I might like it. I stand on my tippy toes.

Danny

“HOW ARE YOU TODAY,Danny?”

I look up from my notes and see Mrs. Roland standing by my desk. The bell hasn’t rung yet. What does she want?

“I’m good,” I respond and return to my notes. Maybe if I don’t look at her, she’ll walk away.

“Will you be staying for extra help today?”

“Yep.”

“I spoke with your dad.”

I sigh. “No, you didn’t.”

Really? She honestly thinks a dude with a Scottish accent is my dad?

“I promise you I did. He called me.”

“I don’t have a dad.”

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