The wind was blowing hard against my face. It was kind of cold for fall. That’s something you should expect in Chicago. Even though it’s freezing cold, it’s not going to bring me down. But I do wish I brought a warmer jacket. I took out the house keys and opened the door. It was much warmer inside. I took off my jacket and put down my book bag.
“Mom, I’m here,” I yelled.
“Eliza can you come to the living room,” shouted Mom.
A lot of thoughts crossed my mind while I walked to the living room. I saw my parents sitting on the couch. Which I accepted, but then I saw this lady with a girl who is probably 3 to 4 years old. When I walked in I could tell by the way they looked at me, that something was wrong.

“Who’s this?” I asked referring to the lady sitting in our living room.

“I’m Alicia,” the lady answered.

“Nice to meet you,” I greeted her trying to be polite but I still didn’t understand why my mom called me down here.

“Eliza, we need to talk,” my mom said.

“Okay,” I said. I was kind of confused and I was still wondering why this lady or Alicia was doing here.

“You see this little girl,” interrogated my mom.

“Yeah?”

“She’s your sister”

“I don’t have a sister, I’m an only child,” I said a little louder than I meant to.

“You know I’m not your real mom and Alicia here is” said mom.

“What?!” I exclaimed.

“I’m your real mother, Eliza,” contributed Alicia.

“No, you’re not, she’s my mom,” I said while pointing at my mom. Her hair was up on a neat ponytail. She had on her suit; she must have just come from work.

“We raised you but we aren’t your real parents,” my mom explained. I was angry, this just ruined my day.

“But you’re like a mom to me, not this lady who abandoned me when I needed her the most,” I bawled. I could see how hurt Alicia was and for a second I regretted saying that. Then I remembered how she brought me here. I was 3 years old, after my dad died. She abandoned me.

I felt dizzy all of sudden. I still remember that day and I might never forget it. I ran up the stairs, I just couldn’t take it. I felt tears rolling down my face. I knew they weren’t my parents but why did she come back, why now?
I got to my room and I slammed the door. I locked it too. I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I wiped away the tears but it didn’t help; more tears kept rolling down my face. I don’t hear any footsteps coming upstairs. My parents haven’t come up yet. They must not care. I wipe away my tears one last time. I have to leave this house. I need some time to think. I opened my closet door and took out an oversized blue bag. I put as much clothes that I could put in the bag. I wasn’t planning to come back anytime soon. I opened the window and threw the bag out. I heard crunching sounds when the bag hit the ground. I climbed out carefully even if my room wasn’t high off the ground. I was on the ground picking up my bag and brushed off the little pieces of leaves. I had no idea where to go. I walked a couple of houses down and decided to call, Kaitlin, my best friend. She would understand why I couldn’t be in that house. I took out my cell phone and dialed her number. She picked up on the second ring.

“Hello?”

“Kaitlin, I need a favor.”

“Okay what is it?”

I explained everything to her and why I left the house. I asked her if I could stay in her house for a couple of days until I thought things through.

“I don’t know, your parents will find out you ran away and this is the first place they will look for you.”

“I’ll hide in your closet; I mean you have a big closet.” “Just let me stay in your house for awhile,” I begged.

She sighs. “Okay, you don’t have to hide in my closet, but don’t let my mom see you.”

“I’ll be there in 5 minutes,” I hung up before she could answer me. I didn’t want her to change her mind.

It was getting dark. I wanted to get to her house before it got dark. So, I ran.

I finally got to her house. I was out of breath from the entire time running. I ran all the way to her house. I went through the backyard and started throwing little pebbles at her window. Kaitlin opened her window and I accidentally hit her with a pebble I threw.

“I’m sorry”

She rubbed her face.

“That hurt”

“I’m said sorry, anyway how am I going to get up to your room.”

“I am going to open the back door, my parents aren’t here but my brother is, so be careful.”

I nodded and waited for her to come back from opening the door.

“Go now.”
I went to the back door and opened it. When I was inside I closed the door carefully. I tiptoed all the way upstairs. I opened her door. I saw her sitting on her bed waiting for me.

“This isn’t going to work, just talk to your parents,” Kaitlin said.

“I can’t and I already explained to you why” I replied.

“Can I sleep, I’m tired,” I said.

She sighs. “I’ll wake you up if I hear my mom coming upstairs and you need to hide.”

“Yeah, sure.” I said as I drifted to sleep.
I opened my eyes. It was morning. I looked at Kaitlin who was still sleeping. I sat up and tucked my hair behind my ear.
I’ve done the same thing Alicia had done. We both ran away from our problems. She was going through a lot of pain, but so was I. I am conflicted. I don’t know what to do. Should I give her a chance? Or should I hate her for the rest of my life? If I go home will my parents forgive me for running away? I need to go home! Alicia must have to think things through too. She came back a little too late, but I’m willing to give her a chance. Like I hope my parents will too.
I shake Kaitlin to wake her up. She waves me off, as to tell me to leave her alone. I take a few steps back.

“Kaitlin!” I yelled. She fell out of the bed. Making a loud thud.

“What?!” She exclaimed.

“I need to go home,” I said. Kaitlin stood up and brushed herself off.

“Okay, bye.” Kaitlin chirped. I glowered at her.

“Kidding,” Kaitlin responded to my glare.

“You’re no help,” I hissed. I ran down the stairs and to the front door. Kaitlin followed.

“Where are you going?” she interrogated.

“I’m going home,” I replied.

“My mom can drive you,” Kaitlin persisted.

“I don’t want to get you in trouble,” I said to her. Kaitlin stopped in her tracks, so did I.

“If I really didn’t want to get in trouble I wouldn’t have let you come here.” She said.

“What are friends for,” she added.
I couldn’t help but smile. Kaitlin really was a great friend.

“I’ll walk you home,” she decided. I know I couldn’t change her mind. We left her house and walked to mine.

I open the door with my keys that I have taken with me. My parents ran to me as soon as I walked in. They hugged me tightly that I couldn’t breathe, but I didn’t say anything. They pulled away from the hug and saw Kaitlin right behind me.

“Thanks, for bringing her back,” said my mom.
When I turned back to Kaitlin I saw Alicia walking to the door.

“Wait, Alicia.” I said. Alicia stopped.

“You can stay,” I continued. I smiled to assure her that I wanted her to stay.

She stayed. We talked the whole day until she had to leave. She promised to come tomorrow. I was glad I decided to give her a chance.