Runaway

Rachel shifted in bed. She hugged the clothes she wore closer to her. They were so big. She had realised last night that she was short of a few things - like clothes -so Vic had borrowed her an old shirt and some jogging sweats. She got out of bed and walked across the hall to the bathroom. Rachel switched the shower on and stripped down. She got inside and let the hot water beat down onto her back.
When she was finished she changed into the denim dress Vic had washed for her last night. She slipped some shoes on and did her make-up before she dried her hair. She went downstairs and as she walked into the kitchen Vic looked up from his breakfast. He smiled at her and she joined him at the table. "Did you sleep okay?" Vic asked.
"Yeah, I did," Rachel nodded. "Thank you again for doing this,"
"Don't worry, it's nothing,"
"It is. You're like a saint. I won't be here for long, I have money saved up once I find somewhere," she explained.
"Before you leave you're getting some sort of income. By the way, what did you do wherever you came from?" Vic asked.
"I lived in LA and I worked as a hairdresser,”
“Oh, there’s loads of hairdressers around,”
“Yeah,” Rachel agreed awkwardly.
“Rachel, I know I don’t know you very well but do you mind if I ask you a question?” Vic asked lightly.
“Sure,” she shrugged.
“Why did you really leave your home? Is it an ex-boyfriend deal?”
“No, nothing like that,” Rachel said and sighed deeply. “I only had my brother and he wasn’t treating me very well. He got in with the wrong crowd and they rubbed off on him, changed him,”
“So you got away,” Vic muttered.
"It was either get away or be stuck there forever wondering why I didn’t,”
“I understand that,” he nodded. “Where were your parents?” Vic asked. Rachel stiffened and started to scratch her neck furiously.
"My mom lives in England. She moved out when I was ten,"
"And your dad?" Vic asked.
“You know I don’t want to talk about home anymore. I’m starting a fresh in this city,”
“Okay,” Vic replied, sensing her want for a change of subject.
“What about you?”
“What about me?”
“You’re in a band. Your life must be more interesting than mine from LA,”
“It’s pretty awesome. We write, record, tour and see fans. We get to go to cool parties but its not all great,” Vic shrugged.
“You sound a little ungrateful,” Rachel muttered.
“I am grateful. I just want you to see that most of the time I don’t get to see my family. As stoked as I am to go on tour that part of PTV kind of sucks,”
“I understand,” Rachel smiled warmly.
“Anyway, what were you planning on doing today?” he asked. Vic stood up and took his plate over to the sink. “Breakfast?” he offered.
“Just an apple,” she replied and took one out of the fruit bowl. “And I wanted to go to the mall. I need to buy some things and I want to look for some job openings,”
“I’ll take you,” he said easily.
“You don’t have to do that,” Rachel laughed.
“I want to. Why don’t you go and get your stuff?” he offered.
“Thank you,” Rachel said quietly. She walked back upstairs and into her room. She searched through her bag and took out her Visa card. She tucked it into her pocket and took a few twenties she had in her purse.
When she reached the kitchen Vic was waiting for her. He smiled and grabbed his car keys from a bowl on the kitchen counter. “Are you ready?” he asked. Rachel nodded once and he led her toward the front door. “Jaime can’t come because he’s spending his time with his girlfriend. But Mike and Tony are free,” he explained.
“Um . . . Vic?” Rachel asked once they were in the car.
“Yeah,”
“Does Tony have a girlfriend?” she asked anxiously.
“No, he doesn’t,” Vic smirked. Rachel let out a sigh of relief and Vic turned to face her. “He has a boyfriend though,”
“What?” she gasped.
“I’m kidding,” he laughed. Rachel looked across at him and glared.
They picked Mike and Tony up on their way to the mall. When Tony got into the car Rachel turned around and smiled. She felt her heart beat faster as she turned to look at him. Vic rolled his eyes and they heard Mike laugh.
Vic pulled into a parking space and Rachel got out of the car. Tony got out and stood next to her. She purposely brushed up against him. She started to walk and Tony fell into step with her, with Mike and Vic following. Her finger traced a line down the side of his hand, giving him shivers. He shook his head and Rachel bit her lip.
“Sorry,” she bit her lip.
“It’s fine,” Tony replied.
“Good,” she said awkwardly.
They got inside the mall and went up a few floors. She spotted two hairdressers directly opposite one another and walked quickly towards the one. She walked through the doors alone and made her way through a waiting area and to the desk.
“How can I help you?” the woman behind the desk asked.
“I’m looking for work and I was wondering if you had any openings?” Rachel asked eagerly.
“Not at the minute. But if you send us some details we’ll keep you in mind,” the woman shrugged.
“Sure, I’ll email you?” she offered.
“Brilliant,” the woman nodded and gave Rachel their card.
Rachel walked out of the salon with less energy. She looked up at Vic, Mike and Tony and shook her head. “There are loads more places,” Mike told her warmly.
“Thanks,” she smiled. Then she started to the salon opposite.
But after finishing her shopping and having gone into every salon they had passed she was feeling less optimistic. Vic smiled sadly at her and she shrugged. Her hand brushed Tony’s and she smiled a little. Rachel looked at him and he refused to meet her eye. She took his hand, entwining her fingers with his. He softly grasped her hand and squeezed it in comfort. He started to draw small circles into her hand with his thumb when they saw Vic and Mike smirking between themselves as they watched them. Rachel and Tony pulled their hands away at the same time. They each started to blush and Rachel turned to a salon.
“I’m going to . . .” she said awkwardly.
“Okay,” Tony replied. She did a little wave and walked into the salon.
“Hello,” Rachel breathed when she reached the desk. She looked around her, this salon was smaller but seemed edgier and played heavier music.
“Hey, how’re you?” the woman behind the desk asked. She was mixed raced with bright red lips.
“Fine, thanks. I was just wondering if you had any jobs at the minute?” she asked hopefully.
“Hmm . . .” she muttered. “There’s only my boss and I and she isn’t in today,”
“Please,” she tried.
“Our other girl, Becky is moving on in two weeks. So we’ll have room for one more if you can wait that long,”
“I’ll wait,” Rachel beamed.
“But what experience do you have?”
“I worked at Carter’s in LA for six years,”
“Carter’s!” she gasped. “Are you joking? I would kill to get in with Carter’s,”
“It’s not all its cracked up to be,” Rachel laughed and leaned forward. “But I learnt some really good skills there,” she added.
“I bet you did,” she grinned. “Okay, why don’t I book you in for a trial and a chat once Becky leaves,” she offered.
“Really? That would be fantastic,” Rachel grinned.
“Cool. What’s your name again?”
“Rachel Lancaster,”
“Okay Rach, you’re in for the 20th at nine,”
“Great, thanks,” she breathed. “See you?”
“Rissa,”
“See you, Rissa,” Rachel waved. She made her way slowly out of the shop and saw them waiting for her.
“Well?” Vic asked.
“Got a trial,” she grinned and hugged Vic. As she did though she saw Tony watching with something on his face. It looked like disappointment.

Notes

Hey! Sorry this is a little late! What did you think? Do you like it? Do you like Rissa? How will the trial go? What about Rachel's family? :)