The bell rang for reading class. We walked into class, feeling the feeling that you get when you eat too much. My stomach twisted like a person would do in a game of twister. Mrs. Novak was sitting on her desktop.

"Hello class," She said.

"Ma'am," The class replied just like she was instructed to.

"I don't wanna go to school!" Cassidy whined.

"Detention for you!" Mrs. Novak yelled in her normal voice.

I had a smirk on my face.

Ellie asked, "Alli, what's going on?"

"Why that smirk?" Susan asked.

I shrugged.

"Alli, I'm doing it too." Joe said from behind me.

The bell rang.

All the rest of the classes zipped by. I ran out of the school. Joe followed me.

"Alli!" Joe yelled.

"Yes?" I asked.

"Wanna take a walk?" Joe asked.

I nodded. The fact that Joe is here makes me nervous.

......

"Allison," Mom cooed inside my head.

"Yes?" I replied, asking while I was taking a bite of my soup.

"How do you feel?" Mom asked.

"Fine." I replied.

"Good." Mom said, "You don't let anyone control you."

......

"Alli?" Joe asked, "Did you go to Egypt in your brain?"

"Maybe." I lied.

Joe looked up for a second.

"Joe, what's wrong?" I asked.

"Having to keep a secret for years." He replied.

There is some hope. I might be able to tell him. No, Alli. Don't.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I'm a runaway." He replied.

"Are you serious?" I asked.

"Yes." He replied.

I put my arms around him.

"It's okay." I said with a comforting tone of voice.

"Thanks, Alli. It sounds weird to spill a secret like that." He replied.

"I would offer you a place to stay, but I..." I said.

I ran off.

"Alli!" Joe yelled as I ran home.