"Mom, what do you have planned for tomorrow?" I asked, breaking the silence on our way back to my grandparents' house.

"Nothing really, your dad is supposed to call. So, I'm staying home. What do you want to do?"

"I want to take the whole day and hike in the mountains. I only get a few hours after school to run. There are some areas I'd like to explore in the daylight."

"I don't know if I feel comfortable with you up there by yourself. What if something happens?"

"I'll take a bag of essentials: cell phone, first aid kit, water, food, map, and chalk to mark the trees. I've hiked enough with Dad to know what precautions to take."

Mom sighed, "Let me think about it."

We were silent the rest of the way to my grandparents' house. When we pulled into the driveway, Mom turned to me. "Okay, you can go unless the weather is bad, but you have to call every few hours to check in. And you definitely have to be back before dark."

I grinned. "Thanks, Mom. I promise to call and I'll be back before dark."

I ran to my room, making sure to plug my phone in the charger and pack all the essentials in my bag. Mom came in and handed me a flashlight. "Take this just in case."

"Oh, thanks. I didn't think about a flashlight."

"Well, if you have it, you won't need it," she joked. "You better get some sleep if you want an early start. It's already past midnight."

"I'm almost finished. Good night. I'll see you in the morning."

"Good night, honey." She kissed me on the forehead.

* * *

To my amazement, I awoke to the sun shining in a clear blue sky. I threw my clothes on. With the unpredictable weather I wanted to be prepared, so I decided to wear my favorite yoga pants, a tank top, T-shirt, and hoodie just in case the weather took a dive.

With my backpack and iPod in hand I sprinted down the stairs, but stopped halfway to run back and get my cell phone. Don't want to forget this.

Mom sat at the kitchen table and smiled when I entered. She handed me a plastic bag with a sandwich, apple, banana and energy bars. She had another bag with three frozen waters.

"Mom, what would I do without you?"

"I don't want you to get hungry."

"I appreciate it." I gave her a quick hug.

"Just promise me you'll be careful."

"I promise. I've got everything I need, including a book and small blanket. I have my cell phone on vibrate. Call me anytime."

"Don't worry, I plan on it."

I ate a few pieces of toast and had a glass of milk before heading out the door. "I'll call in a few hours." I leaned down to kiss her. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"Oh, when Dad calls, tell him hello and I love him. I'll e-mail him when I get back tonight."

"Okay," she waved.

I'm free. I ran up the mountain hoping I could find that small, secluded meadow. I figured if I concentrated on that, it would keep my mind off the drama with Lucas.

A light breeze lifted my hair and I inhaled the fresh morning. Running to upbeat and energizing dance tunes seemed to get me up the mountain faster. The treetops swayed in the wind, dancing along with the music in my ears. The mountain beckoned to me, drawing me into its magic. Getting an early start had been a great idea. I was completely and blissfully alone.

I figured I would start at the overlook I'd found a few days earlier. It had the best view of the valley. Also, landmarks would be easier to find.

I made it to the overlook and retrieved my map and pen. I marked the tiny meadow on my map. My Dad had taught me how to read a map when I was ten. We'd lived in Colorado at the time and hiked during the summer.

Climbing on top of a boulder, I painstakingly mapped out my course. I marked every unique object: tall trees, discolored trees, curves on the road, sawmill in the distance. By the time I was done, my map looked like one you would see at a theme park or zoo. I even went so far as to write, "You Are Here," on it.

I took off my hoodie and wrapped it around my waist and started toward my goal. Initially, I wanted to run, but decided walking would be wiser. That way, I could count the many curves, bends, and twists in the road I'd marked on the map. The last thing I wanted was to bypass the area I thought would bring me closest to the meadow.

I stopped and looked at my directions when I rounded what I thought was the last bend. I was almost down the entire mountain. I knew the clearing was near the river, east of this curve.

Before I entered the wood line, I placed my map and iPod in my backpack, grabbed the neon pink chalk, and put my hoodie on. Glancing to make sure no one was around, I stepped off the road and into the forest.

One by one, I marked the trees with a two-inch bright pink 'X' at eye level. It was time consuming, but I heard my dad's voice in my ear; "Safety first."

Staying straight on course, I listened for the river. The occasional sound of a snapped branch would send echoes through the woods. Each time I turned to see if I was being followed. My imagination started to get the best of me and I began having second thoughts about searching for the meadow.

I looked at the sky to clear my mind. The sunshine peeking through the leaves comforted me and I continued my quest. Finally, an opening in the trees came into view. I'd made it through the forest. To my surprise, the tiny meadow was the size of a football field. The grass looked untouched. I'd assumed it would be tall, but it was barely past my ankles. I didn't see any 'no trespassing' signs, so I stepped into my own little bubble of solitude. I'd found my personal sanctuary.

Strolling to a spot in the middle of the field, I spread my blanket out, bunched up my hoodie for a pillow, and lay down. The sun warmed me. I closed my eyes and listened to—nothing—only peace and quiet.

I glanced at the time on my cell phone and realized it had been almost three hours since I'd left my grandparents' house. There was only one bar showing on the phone. I strolled around the field trying to get better reception. At the edge of the forest, near the river, I picked up three bars. I dialed Mom, hoping she wasn't worried.

"Eliana, I was starting to think you'd forgotten to check in."

"No, I waited for a good place to stop."

"So, how is it up there?"

I looked around the field. "It's beautiful and the trails lead to wonderful views."

"Well, call back in a few hours," she insisted.

"Don't worry, I'll call. Love ya."

"I love you, too. Bye."

Now, Mom was pacified and I had a few hours before my next call. I returned to my blanket, pulled out my sandwich and water and settled back to read Pride and Prejudice. I read until I got an itch to dance.

After stretching for a few minutes, I put my iPod on. Classical music seemed to fit the scenery. Selecting track three, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath waiting for the music to start. My movements flowed with the rhythm of the instruments. My leaps were high and I effortlessly landed on the ball of my foot, sending me into clean pirouettes. It felt like I'd never stopped dancing. I lost myself in the music and the freedom of the field. Whenever the song intensified, so did my movements. What a rush! The song slowed and so did I. Sweat poured and I inhaled trying to catch my breath. Every emotion came rushing at me all at once. I bent over and my tears flowed. I missed my dad and my friends back home. I missed my freedom to dance openly. I was afraid to let Casey and Lucas get to know the real me.

Then my sadness turned to anger. I couldn't understand why Sasha disliked me so much. I hated that I couldn't be myself without worrying how she would retaliate and I didn't know what to think of Lucas. What kind of guy asks a girl to hang out with him when he's on a date? The only word that came to mind was "player."

I turned on my hip-hop play list, selected my favorite track, and I pushed play. I stepped slowly forward until the tempo picked up. My movements matched the forcefulness of the tune. I made quick, controlled moves that would put a certain cheer squad's dance routine to shame. The fast pace let me work out my frustrations. A violent surge of discontent flowed through me. I spun and took off running, building enough speed to make three mid air back flips, landing with precision each time.

Looking at the sky, I wiped my wet cheeks with the back of my hands. "Oh, that's what I needed."

I ran back to the blanket and grabbed my cell phone to call Mom. I wanted to be a little early to make up for my late call.

"Hello?"

"Hey, just checking in."

"Okay, call back in a few hours."

"Okay, Mom. Bye for now."

"Bye, honey."

I sat on my blanket and ate my apple. The rest of the afternoon I distracted myself by listening to music and periodically dancing. Around four o'clock, I decided it was time to pack up. I had found my oasis, an outlet for my emotions. It would be my reward for enduring school and all the dreadful moments yet to come.

I turned off my iPod and followed my marked trees. I tried to plan when I could come back. I knew it would take me about an hour to get here from my grandparents' house. If I left right after school, I could enjoy my haven for a few hours.

When I reached the forest line, I listened for cars before stepping onto the road. I didn't want anyone seeing me. I took off running. What a perfect day.

* * *

"I didn't expect you to be home this early," Mom said, surprised. It looks like you got a little sun. Your cheeks are pink."

"Really, I didn't think I'd get burnt in April."

"The sun is closer because you're high in the mountains.

"Oh, I didn't think of that. Well, I'm going to take a shower to make sure no hitchhikers came back with me," I laughed.

When I looked in the mirror, I was shocked. I hadn't felt the burning because of the cooler temperature and the breeze. After my shower, I could feel heat radiating from my skin. "Ouch," I grumbled, while slathering on aloe vera.

Mental note: pack sunscreen next time.

I spent the rest of the night frequently applying lotion. I called my friend Kelly. There was no answer. I should have known better; it was Saturday night. My friends would be at Tremors, our favorite under-eighteen club.

I sent my dad an e-mail and kept it lighthearted. I told him about the nature hike and running in the mountains, leaving out the field I'd discovered. I told him about my date with Mom and the restaurant we'd gone to. I ended my e-mail by promising to take good care of Mom while he was gone. I told him I loved and missed him more than he could imagine.

What should I do now? I closed my laptop and put more lotion on. I looked at the clock. It was nine. This is pathetic. I plopped on my bed and counted specks of glitter on the ceiling. I hadn't stayed in on a Saturday night in a long, long time. It's funny how fast things can change.

The rest of the weekend was uneventful. Casey never called. I spent the day hiding from the sun and applying aloe vera every thirty minutes. The most exciting part of my day was watching television in the living room with Gramps—well, I watched, he slept.

After my breakdown in the meadow, I knew I'd found a way to survive the next two months of school. I decided the best way to get through was to be polite, but keep to myself. I wouldn't encourage anyone to befriend me, especially Lucas Andrews, a.k.a. 'The Player'. After that, I would have the freedom of summer.