Runaway Sisters by Grainne Gogarty
My sister walks into her room and slams the door. I’d say she’s not herself but she’s always like this. She doesn’t really talk much. She just walks around with her headphones on, in her own sixteen year old world. I wake up to hear my name being quietly being called; “G..…G”. I open my eyes; having a feeling it was my sister, because when she does speak, she calls me “G”.
I check my ‘phone, “Ali, it’s 3am, what is it, I moan?” I rub my eyes and in Ali’s hand, I see her suitcase, mine too. “We’re leaving now, she says, in a stern yet quiet voice. “What…why…Ali, what is it?” I ask. “I need to get out of here, but I can’t leave without you, please!”, she cries. “Fine, but at least tell me why we’re leaving”, I say. “Later”, she mumbles. I get dressed and Ali and I go outside. Its dark, it’s cold. I already have a bad feeling about this. “Where are we going?”, I whisper so our dogs don’t bark. “Somewhere…I...I don’t care”, Ali says. We get into the car. She’s in the driver’s seat. “You do realise you can’t drive yet, right?” I say. She says nothing. She starts driving. I have to admit she’s not bad, but I’m still curious as to where we’re actually going. An hour later, we’re still in the car. My arm still leaning on the window, Ali still not talking. A few minutes later, we come to a car park. “Pull over”, I say. She does. “Tell me what this is about, Ali”, I say. She bursts into tears. “What was I thinking, packing bags and running away like this, she cries. “Why did you, come on Ali, I’m your sister”, I plead.
“I just needed some peace, it’s all go go go and exams and School and…”, she says. “Why don’t you ever talk about it to me..to any of us?”, I ask. “I dunno..I just..it’s just stressful”, she replies. “It’ll be ok, you just have to try your best in the exams, we’ll be proud of you no matter what Ali”, I say gently. “I know, thank you, I love you sis”, she says. “I love you too Ali”, I reply. “Now can we please go home, I kinda want Pizza”, I say with a laugh. “G, it’s 4am and you want Pizza, seriously?”, Ali says, and we both start laughing. “Let’s go home”, we say in unison.
About 20 minutes later, we arrive home. I was about to open the door when Ali says; “get ready for the lecture”, I totally forgot about Mam and Dad, they’re probably worried sick”. I opened the door. “Oh my God guys, where the heck have you been?”, mum says hugging us. “We’ve been worried sick about you”. “What are you doing leaving at 3am”, dad says. “It’s my fault, I told G to come”, Ali mumbles. “No, this isn’t Ali’s fault, she needed peace and quiet and to get away from all her exams”, I say crossly. “Ali, it’s not your fault”, I add. “Girls, it’s ok, it’s no one’s fault, we were just worried”, dad says. “Ali, if exams or anything is stressing you out, please talk to us”, mum adds. “I will, I’m sorry guys, I love you”, Ali says, wiping a tear from her face. “We love you too Ali”, we all say, as we join in for a family hug. We all walk into the living room and sit down on the couch. “So, how about that Pizza”, I say, looking at Ali and laughing. “What?” mum laughs. “At 4am!”, dad adds. We all burst out laughing and laughed ‘til our tummies ached. Running away wasn’t such a good idea, but Ali and I are closer than ever and I’m glad we did.
Gráinne Gogarty. 6th Class Mr. Hanrick