Fred Meyer sat on the couch with his arms crossed, his face twisted in a familiar sulk. He'd just finished arguing with his cousin, Rose Stuart.
Across from him, Rose leaned against the wall, her arms folded tightly across her chest.
"We've already gone out the past two days," she said, voice sharp. "Why can't we just stay in today? Watch a movie, play something... I don't know—do something normal."
Fred scoffed, but before he could say anything, Rose's twin sister, Ruby, sitting on the carpet, scrolling through her phone—cut in.
"Can't you two just agree for once?" she sighed. "Honestly, I said I wouldn't play peacemaker again between two immature high schoolers."
Rose spun toward her. "You're a high schooler too, Ruby!" she shouted.
Ruby looked up, unfazed. "Don't yell."
Their younger brother, Nick, perched on the armrest like a cat, watched the chaos unfold with the same amused detachment he always had.
"I'm leaving," Rose declared suddenly.
That snapped everyone's attention toward her.
Fred narrowed his eyes. "What?"
A flicker of something—stubbornness or maybe recklessness—passed through her eyes. An idea, stupid or daring, had clearly just planted itself in her mind.
Fred stood, already bracing for another argument. "You can't be serious. You're leaving? Over this? Fine—whatever. You win. We'll stay in today. Happy now?"
He slumped back onto the couch, waving his hand dismissively.
But Rose wasn't backing down. A small, satisfied smile curled her lips.
"Thanks, cousin. But now I want to leave even more."
Fred blinked. "Seriously?"
"Yes. And it's not about you, Fred. I promise."
Fred scowled. "This is stupid, Rose."
Ruby stood now too, her tone shifting from annoyed to genuinely worried. "You're being dramatic. You can't just go to Oakland alone. Mom and Dad are out with Aunt. They'll lose it."
Rose knew it was stupid. She knew it was impulsive. She didn't even have enough money for a flight. But that was exactly why she wanted to go. She wanted to be reckless—irresponsible, even.
She looked at them both, eyes blazing.
"Do. Not. Follow me, Ruby Stuart."
And then she turned and walked upstairs.
Fred's jaw dropped. "She's not serious…"
Moments later, Rose came back down, dragging a small suitcase behind her.
Fred leapt off the couch. "You're actually doing this? You can't just go!"
"I can," Rose said calmly, stepping into her sneakers. "And I will."
Fred moved to block the door. "Rose, please. I'm sorry, alright? Just stay. Don't do this."
She gave him a sweet, almost gentle smile.
"Relax, Fred. Like I said—it's not about you. I just... really want to be stupid right now."
Ruby was silent for a long second, then finally spoke.
"Call me when you get there," she said. "I'll handle our parents."
Fred turned to her in disbelief. "What?!"
Nick, still perched in his spot, finally looked confused. "Wait… is she really going?"
Fred glared at Ruby. "Why are you okay with this?! Stop her! You are the older one, aren't ya!"
Ruby's eyes followed her sister as she zipped up her hoodie.
"I wasn't okay with it at first of course. But she's different right now. And I can't stop someone who already feels caged. Let her go. She needs this."
She turned to her brothers with a small smile.
"So... should we go out?"
***
Rose clutched her backpack and looked down at the ticket in her hand. Thankfully, she'd managed to snag a spot on the next bus. The ride would be long, but the bus looked clean and comfortable enough.
She boarded and walked down the aisle until she found her seat. Someone was already sitting there—a boy in a brown T-shirt, black surgical mask covering half his face.
He was staring out the window, lost in thought.
"Excuse me?" she said, not making eye contact.
He turned quickly. "Oh—yeah, sorry. I was just looking outside." He stood and let her pass.
"Thanks," she mumbled, sliding into the seat beside him.
She pulled out her phone and quickly typed a message to her parents: "Sorry. I just need some space. Don't come back for me—enjoy the rest of your vacation. I'll be okay. If you can, send some money. I'll meet up with Kira. Don't worry. I'm sorry."
She hit send.
The bus pulled away moments later. Her phone began to buzz—nonstop calls and texts. She flipped it to silent.
The boy beside her didn't glance once. He was quietly reading a few printed pages, giving her a respectful amount of space.
After a few minutes of non-stop notifications, he spoke.
"Running away?"
Rose turned her head sharply. "Excuse me?"
He held up his hands. "Just a guess. You look like someone who's escaping something."
She looked away. "I'm not running. Just heading home. Escaping a... caging vacation."
"Alone? Without your family?"
She nodded. "They're still in San Diego."
The boy tilted his head. "Wow. You seem like a high schooler."
"Soon-to-be senior," she replied flatly. "Just finished my junior year. You think I'm immature, don't you?"
"Actually, no," he said. "Free spirit is important."
Rose gave a soft hum, neither agreeing nor denying.
"So you are no more than sixteen or seventeen. And you are already on your own now. That's cool!" he said after a beat.
"Sixteen years and seven months to be exact," she said.
He nodded thoughtfully, then turned back to his papers.
A man came down the aisle checking tickets.
"Rose Stuart?" the supervisor asked.
She raised her hand. "Here."
Her phone lit up again—Kira was calling. Of course. Her mom must've already spilled everything.
***
They didn't talk again until the bus made its first rest stop. Passengers got off, stretching their legs, buying coffee. Rose stayed seated, arms crossed, clearly not intending to move.
The boy returned, holding snacks and a bottle of water. He offered them to her.
She blinked and hesitated for a moment. "Why are you buying me food?"
The boy's brows furrowed for a moment, then he took out his wallet, pulled out an ID card, and showed it to her.
"Here's my ID. You can take a look."
Rose shrugged, not even glancing at it. "Don't worry. I don't think you're a creep. Still—why the food?" she asked.
He gave a small shrug. "Maybe I just feel bad for a high schooler running away from a vacation."
She rolled her eyes, but hunger won. She tried to open the chip bag, fumbling with the seal.
The boy reached over gently. "Here," he said, taking it and tearing it open. "Eat."
He uncapped the water bottle, twisted it shut again, and placed it in the holder in front of her seat.
"You can drink from that."
"Thanks… I guess." She paused. "Are you in college?"
"Yeah. Haas. Freshman year. Global Management Program."
Her eyes lit up. "Seriously? That's my dream school. I'm hoping to get into GMP. Can I ask you something?"
"Sure." Their eyes met for a second.
She turned, curious now. "It's August, so… you're going to London, right?"
He nodded. "Next week. Four months abroad."
"That's why I want GMP. The international exposure, the diversity… I've researched everything."
"Well then, see you there someday," he said, almost teasingly.
She smiled, almost despite herself. "It's weird talking to a stranger who's living my exact goal."
He chuckled softly. "You're not that much of a stranger anymore."
There was a beat of silence before she asked, "Thanks for the food. But... why the mask? Isn't it hot?"
"Caught a cold," he replied. "Didn't want to pass it on."
He turned back to his papers. She began munching quietly.
"Is college hard?" she asked between bites.
He didn't look up. "Do you want the lie or the truth?"
"I want both."
"It's hard. But fun. Even if you don't get the best grades—if you enjoy it, it's worth it. College is what you make of it."
Rose glanced out the window. "You think I can make it?"
He shrugged. "You've got guts. That's more than half the battle."
"Guts? You mean running away?"
"Theoretically, yes. That's what I meant," he replied with a soft smile and turned back to his papers.
She fell asleep soon after, head leaning against the window as the bus rolled deeper into the night.
***
By the time they reached Oakland, it was past 9 p.m. The stop was dimly lit and quiet.
Rose stepped off, tugging her bag behind her. She stood at the curb, waiting for a cab. The boy stood beside her, hands in his pockets.
She smiled when she noticed him.
"Well... that's it, I guess," she said softly.
A yellow cab pulled up. As she moved forward, he stepped up too, grabbing her suitcase and placing it gently in the trunk.
She turned. "Thanks."
He closed the door for her. Then paused.
"Are you sure you'll be okay?"
Rose gave a faint smile. "Don't be concerned. We just met."
He hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah. Right. Well… maybe I'll see you in the future."
"See you," she said quietly. "Hopefully."