We all need that person who can be true.

Jacqueline's POV*

It's been almost 2 months since my departure from home. To me, it's a miracle we're getting by.
To Bryce, it's destiny.

Don't get me wrong, my heart will always belong to Jimmy. Sometimes Bryce makes advances towards me. I always let him down gently and he always backs away respectively.

"I'll win you over one day." He'd jest.

I smiled at the thought.

I've been healing very well. My lung is completely healed, just in time since my inhaler was emptied. My ribs are fairly well with the occasional sharp pain. The best I can do is just lay back and wait for it to subside. My cast is covered in a layer of dirt and grime, and my skull is fully healed.

Yes, I know I've thrown away all my chances of graduating high school. And I know I'm officially homeless.

To be honest, it's not all that bad. Me and Bryce are slowly getting by. We get water from abandoned water bottles or half empty drinks on the street. And as disgusting as it sounds, we get food from the dumpsters. I do still bathe, I use the showers by the beach late at night. Of course I don't get naked, I just bathe in my bra and underwear.

We've tried homeless camps, but it's just not our forte. You'd be surprised how many homeless youth there are out here. You'd be surprised how many of them were thrown out just for their sexual identity.

Since I've seen Brian and Erin, I've been on high alert. If I ever need something Bryce is the one to get it, his deadbeat dad never reported him missing. I've only thought once of going back. But around 2 days after, I saw Jimmy walking down the sidewalk with Leana at his side. Fingers entwined.

My heart will forever be his, but his is for someone else. At least he's finally happy.

"Hey kiddo, how do you feel?" I heard from over my shoulder.

I shrugged and looked back at Bryce. "I've seen better days."

Bryce opened up a small cardboard box, pulling out a cigarette and placing it between his lips. I stuck my arm out and he placed one in my palm along with a dirty matchbook he found on the ground a week back.

"Want a kiss?" He joked, blowing smoke out of the corner of his mouth.

"Bite me."

"I can do that too."

I looked at him and rolled my eyes, failing to hide my grin.

"I'd do anything for a smile." He said quietly and stared into the darkness.

I studied his features in the light of our fire. He was a big guy, and had a little pudge, but was quickly slimming from the lack of food. He was also mostly muscle. Sometimes, I'd catch him jogging in place or doing burpees in the early morning. His jawline and cheekbones protruded slightly from his face, despite the previously mentioned pudge.

He reminded me of my brother. Sweet and protective, but slightly pervy. Not to mention that he resembled him in some ways.

Bryce's story was a sad one, to say the very least. His mom died two years ago to a drunk driver. She was hit while crossing the street and left to die in the middle of the road. The guy didn't even bother to look back over his shoulder, and kept driving. Ever since, his father went into a downward spiral. Drinking and doing some hardcore drugs, he took out all of his anger on Bryce. He did have the build to fight back, but never did. What's the use of beating an already dead man?

"Yeah." I mumbled. "I need sleep."

I put out my cigarette against the ground and stood up on wobbly feet. I wandered into the dark in the direction of our hideout. I climbed into the makeshift tent and into my green sleeping bag. For some reason, Bryce insists on sleeping outside of the tent at the entrance. Maybe to stop any sort of predator from reaching me. I find it kinda funny the way he treats me. He babies me it feels like. Before drifting into a dreamless sleep, I think about Erin. I hope she's happy. I hope Brian treats her right. I hope she stopped looking.

~

I woke up in a haze. I was tangled in my sleeping bag and a dirty old blanket. Bryce must've put it on me in my sleep. I crawled out of the tent and stood up, stretching my arms out.

"Hey, bug." Bryce said and handed me a water bottle that was a quarter full. "For the record, you look adorable when you sleep. Sometimes I'll watch for you a minute or so, nothing makes me happier."

I snorted and punched his arm playfully.

"Oh, shut it."

He stopped and stared at me. "I'm serious."

I looked over at him and he took a step closer to me, putting his hand on the side of my face.

"You're beautiful." He mumbled and looked deep into my eyes.

"Bryce..no.." I trailed off.

He smiled slightly and stepped away. I could see the sadness and pain in his eyes. I looked down at my feet and sighed.

"One day you'll realize. You'll understand what I mean." Bryce rambled on. "And finally you'll be treated like a queen. What you deserve."

I was at a loss. Every time I've shot him down he'd just get quiet for a little then go look for food or water. He's never reacted like this.

"I won't be a Danny. I won't be a Jimmy. I'd never yell at you the way he did. I'd appreciate you. I'd cherish you for the angel you are. I'd love you unconditionally. I wouldn't lay an unloving finger on you."

"I.."

"It's okay. I crossed a line and I'm sorry. No means no." He said apologetically.

I couldn't help but feel horrible. I walked over to him and slowly kissed him on the cheek then hugged him. I felt his warm breath on the top of my head. He kissed my noticeably brown roots.

"You are going to be the death of me." He chuckled.

Maybe I don't miss home as much as I thought.

Notes

Hello lovelies!
Finally I've posted a chapter after a 2 year long hiatus.
I'm sorry for the huge delay, and I'd like to thank everyone who's been so incredibly patient with me.
Anywho, as for the runaways, things are getting complicated!
Will Jacqueline ever go home?
Will Bryce finally win her heart?
Are Jimmy and Leana back together?
There's only one way to find out..
Stay tuned and find out!
With love,
a7x_deathbats6661 <3