10 years later*

I packed all of my things at my mothers house. It was about time I leave here anyways. She is always complaining and I pay most of the damn bills. So what the hell does she complain about? I honestly don't know. I've been tuning her out since I turned 18. How come I haven't left sooner? Good question. I stayed because I met a guy. Ooh so typical right? We were happy though, for years. Until I met his lovely fiancee. Fucking douche bag I swear. My mother didn't help though because she introduced me to her. So we got into a huge fight and I told her that's it I'm leaving. I've searched for apartments everywhere but I needed to get out of this stupid state. I needed to go home. I needed to go to Huntington Beach. At this point I don't really care if I have a place to stay or not. I can live in my car, find a job and then work my way up. I'd live with my father but right now I have had it up to here with parents. Besides, I'm an adult and I can do this without them.

I went through what I could actually fit into my car, threw it in my trunk and backseat then went to tell my mother to just save my stuff till I found a place.

"You're going homeless because of some guy Darla?" My mother said.

"I'm not doing anything because of anyone, I'm leaving because I never wanted to come out here to begin with. You ripped me away from my home. Why? Because you are selfish and didn't bother to ask me what I wanted. No more mom. I'm going on my own and you are not going to stop me. I'll let you know when I find a place so you can send the rest of my stuff to me." I told her.

I put sunglasses on and then hopped in my car. Goodbye Colorado! I began my long journey back to my hometown. The first place I'm hitting is the beach, hoping it still gives me that comfort I so dearly miss. If anything I can be a beach bum. I wouldn't mind that at all really. Live proud and free. I pulled out my pack of cigarettes from my purse, lit one up and cruised down the highway. Of course to accompany me was my iPod with all of my favorite bands. I've always wanted to interview bands and such. That was a dream of mine. Hopefully when I'm in Cali, I have a better chance of that. I turned my radio up and all of drama down.

It started getting dark but I was to eager to get home. Well I'm technically in my home but by the beach was more preferable. Though my eagerness was strong, my sleep needs were stronger. I pulled off the highway into a canyon road and found a place to park and sleep. I have money but I wasn't going to waste it on a motel for a few hours of sleep. I can get that in my car and be ready to go n the morning. See already being responsible for myself and conservative on my money.

Colorado. That place was a joke. My mom found no job. We lived at my aunt's half the time we've been there and then when we did move out we had a tiny ass 1 bedroom apartment. An apartment I paid for yet had to sleep in the living room on the couch. I got used to it but it was fucking ridiculous. I felt the need to smoke another cigarette again from the thoughts. I pulled them out and lit one up. This was such a bad habit of mine but I blame my stress for it. It was either I smoke cigarettes or take a bunch of pills to get me through my stress. I chose cigarettes. I can quit them whenever I want too. I just don't want to. After my cigarette was done, I laid my seat back and knocked out. I have a long day ahead of me. I planned to drive all day and hopefully make it there by night time.

I woke up the next morning to a park ranger tapping on my window. Great, I thought in my head sarcastically.

"Ma'am, did you know you need a pass to be parked here over night?" He asked me.

"Sorry sir. I was just passing through and started to get sleepy." I said.

"That's fine. I'll let you off with a warning but if I see you here again I better see that parking pass. Have a good day." He said then walked away to his little park ranger vehicle.

Geeze, have all men always been this fucking asshole-ish? Without delay I started up my car and set out on my journey again hoping to reach a city and refill on some gas and some cigs. The closest store was about 10 miles away from me. Hopefully my car makes it there.

Thankfully I reached the city to refill on needs. Only 2 more hours to go and I'll be in Vegas. Maybe I'll stop off and see if I can win anything out there. I pulled into the nearest gas station and went inside to go pay.

"Can I get 5 packs of Marlboro Reds and the rest on pump 4?" I asked the man working the counter.

"Can I see some ID miss?" The guy said. I hated when that happened. I mean I'm 25 almost 26 for crying out loud. I guess it was a good thing though. I pulled my ID out of my wallet and handed it to the guy. He looked it over and handed it back while giving me my cigarettes. I gave him the money then went to pump my gas.

It seemed like it took forever, but then it finally stopped and I was able to head down to Vegas. Two hours driving there went by quickly. I could see the strip and everything. So I pulled off and went to find a motel to get ready at. I ended up just getting one right on the strip at Treasure Island. The room was nice but I just wanted to get ready and go out. I showered then threw my hair in a braid to give it a wave look. My hair was just too long to curl. I pulled out a nice little dress and threw it on along with a pair of heels I always kept in my trunk. I felt and looked good. I have freedom. I walked downstairs and into the casino trying to figure out what I think I could be best at. Then I saw the black jack table. I used to play this game with my ex all the time. Of course I won most of the time, so I decided to join the game.

At the table there was two guys and a girl. The girl was kind of short looking with brown hair and she seemed to be holding onto one of the guys. The guy she was hold was tall, really skinny with glasses on and gloves with the fingertips cut off. The guy closest to me had an average looking height. He had spiky hair and brown eyes. He was dressed kind of casual in my opinion. Only wearing a white V-Neck and some black jeans. He had a shit ton of tattoos though. When I sat down he smiled at me. I couldn't help but smile back. He was good looking, and I was a free bird.

"What's a gorgeous girl like you doing here alone?" The guy said to me.

"Its a free country." I replied. Oh yeah, smooth move Darla. You probably lost his interest in you. I thought to myself.

"True." He said.

"I'm sorry that was rude of me. What I meant is why can't I be alone?" I laughed quietly.

"Oh no reason. I just don't see why any guy would leave you by yourself." He smiled.

It made me feel all sorts of mushy inside. Too soon Darla, too soon. Just tell him your name.

"I'm Darla." I smiled offering out my hand to him to shake his.

"I'm Brian." He smiled in return.

Something about him gives me good feeling about the night.

Notes