Strawberry Blonde

Robin was awoken by his alarm on his phone going off. He groaned as he turned it off. He lifted his head from his pillow and sighed, realizing it was that time.

3:00 am

Robin then immediately got up and started getting ready quietly. He packed everything the night before so that he would be on time for his train ride. He had to make five stops before getting to his actual destination. He booked a hotel for his stay at the next stop.

Once he was ready, wearing a red T-shirt under a black zip-up, he grabbed his bag that he stashed away and opened the window.

He sighed and jumped out of the window. He landed on his feet luckily. He hissed in pain when his feet had contact with the ground. He looked back at his house and sighed.

“No going back now..”

He then adjusted his beanie and went off to the train station.

Since the train station was pretty close, he decided just to start walking.

After what felt like fifteen minutes, he found the station. He sat down on a bench, sighing softly. He clutched his bag close to his chest. He took a deep breath as he adjusted his beanie.

‘Mom’s definitely going to beat my ass once I come back home.’ Robin thought as he sighed softly, a small cloud puff coming out of his mouth. He shivered a bit, snuggling into his hoodie as he waited for the train.

Just then, Robin felt some sort of warmth next to him. He turned his head slowly and saw a female. She had an undercut Afro, which Robin thought was really cool. She had her hair a dirty blonde and a light pink at the tips. Her skin was a tanish color.

“You know it’s not polite to stare.” He heard a voice. Robin jumped a bit out of his thoughts and turned beet red.

“R-right! Sorry-!” Robin quickly said, turning around and facing the other direction.

Robin then heard a stifled laugh come from the female.

“Pffff-“ she started to laugh. “Dude chill! I was kidding, sorry!” She laughed.

Robin looked back at the female and smirked. “You know, it’s rude to tease others.” Robin said, taking his chance.

The female did finger guns at Robin. “Touché red head, Touché.” She nodded, smiling.

Robin smiled, laughing quietly.

”The name’s Rhys.” The female said, giving a hand to Robin to shake.

Robin smiled softly as he took the hand, shaking it. ”Robin, it's nice to meet you, Rhys.” The red-haired boy smiled. ”So, just a quick question so I don't get slapped in the face, what are your pronouns?”

Rhys was taken back, ”You-you want to know my pronouns..?” Rhys asked, almost surprised that the long-haired male asked him about pronouns.

Robin tilted his head, nodding. “Uh yea, I don’t want to make you uncomfortable, and I wouldn’t want to have a red hand mark on my face.”

Rhys nodded, smiling. “Well, I’m gender fluid, but I mostly go by they/them or she/her, but mostly they/them.” They replied, explaining. “What about yours?”

Robin nodded. “I go by he/him pronouns.” He smiled softly.

Rhys smiled and nodded. “So, where are you heading to?” They asked, tilting their head.

“Rochester, you?” Robin replied, sighing.

“Actually same, well, looks like we’re going to be stuck together for the next couple of days.” They laughed.

Robin laughed as well. “Which hotel are you staying at?”

They shrugged. “To be honest, I was just thinking about sleeping on the streets.”

Robin frowned. “Dude no way. You are not sleeping in the streets.” Robin replied.

“Then where should I go, Red-head?” Rhys asked, putting her hands on her hips.

Robin thought for a bit. “Well, we’ll talk about it on the train.” He replied, rubbing the back of his neck, sheepishly.

Rhys shrugged. “Alright then, I guess that’s better than the streets.”

Robin nodded. “Anything but the streets for you.”

They laughed softly. “Alright then, guess I won’t be needing this crap then.” They said, taking out a piece of cardboard from their bag.

Robin shook his head. “Not at all.” He laughed.

Rhys smiled softly. “So, Robin, why are you heading over to Rochester, sorry if this is way too far.” They said.

Robin shook his head. “No worries, I’m heading to Rochester because of some family issues.” He lied. Think about it, if you told someone you were going to Rochester because you keep getting dreams about people you don’t even know, would they believe you? Didn’t think so.

Rhys nodded. “Same here! I’m heading over there because my stupid parents keep telling me it’s just a phase.” They rolled their eyes. “It’s so stupid.” They sighed.

Robin felt sympathy for the one next to him. “Oh, I’m sorry man.” He replied, frowning a bit.

They shook their head. “No dude don’t be, seriously. It’s fine, I don’t need them, I’ll be fine on my own, plus, now I got you. So basically, this is a sign from the universe that I’ll be ok.” They smiled proudly.

Robin nodded, smiling softly. “I’m proud of you for coming this far, to be honest if I was in that place, I would be too scared to leave, I would just worry too much and then in the end walk back home.” He laughed.

Confusion spread across Rhys’ face. “I thought you said you had family problems?”

Robin cleared his throat. “Uh yea, I do. My grandfather..uh- he died last week, so I’m going to visit my grandmother.” He replied.

Rhys nodded. “Oh, alright then, I’m sorry for your loss.” They replied.

“Thanks..” Robin nodded, avoiding eye contact, too nervous to face Rhys. Robin doesn’t like lying to people.

They nodded. “Well, I guess we’re buddies now-? I mean, we’re going to the same place and you won’t let me sleep on the streets so-“ Rhys explained.

Robin nodded and smiled. “Oh yea definitely.” He smiled.

Rhys’ face lightened as they smiled. “Great! We’re not aloneee!” They laughed. “Thank you universe!”

Robin shook his head and laughed softly. “Indeed.” He smiled. “Well, I’m honored to be your friend the all mighty Rhys.” Robin joked.

Rhys laughed and played along. “I’m glad you feel that way, Sir Robin.” Rhys said in a voice.

The two then bursted out laughing.

“Yea, I can tell our friendship will be incredibly chaotic.” Robin said, smiling.

“Oh, you just realized this?” Rhys laughed.

Robin smiled. “Well, at least I have someone to be chaotic with, I’m glad I won’t be alone.” He laughed.

“I’m glad too.” Rhys smiled brightly.

Just then, the train pulled up to the station. The two looked at each other and exchanged a small smile. The two walked into the train.

Robin already sat in a seat, Rhys sitting next to him.

“So, this is what it will be like for the next couple of days?” Rhys asked, closing their eyes and already getting comfy.

“I suppose so, not complaining though.” Robin replied, smiling softly as he looked out the window.

“I can’t believe I’m actually leaving home.” Rhys smiled sadly. If they were being honest, this was the last thing they’d ever want to do, but if they’re family can’t accept that, then too bad for them.

Robin smiled softly and gave Rhys a pat on the back. “Well, I’ve only met you just a couple minutes ago, but you're doing great.” He reassured Rhys.

Rhys smiled and nodded. “Thanks, red head.” They replied, laughing softly.

Robin nodded and smiled softly, looking back at the window.

He hoped that his family was ok.

He hoped that his mom would be ok.

He hoped that his sister would be ok.

He hoped that his mom won’t beat him when he gets back.

He hoped that he would be ok.

He hoped that they would be ok.

He just hoped that everyone would be ok.

He hoped that he wouldn’t get into trouble.

He hoped that Rhys would be ok, even though he only met them a couple minutes ago.

All he could do was hope.

Just hope that everything will turn out just fine.

We don’t know what the future holds for us.

It may be good.

It may be bad.

But all he could do was hope.

But like always,

Hope can only get you so far.

The rest is up to you.