How to Not Be a Runaway

In a Creative Writing course I took in Fall of 2021, we were ordered to write a short story. The idea of this was extremely daunting to me, and I didn't know where to start or what to write about. Lucky for me, a screenplay-worthy story already exists in a life not too far from mine. My grandparents eloped in the 60s, and because creating a premise from scratch scared the hell out of me, I rolled with what I already had. However, as I started to write. the story took on a life of its own, forming into one that was almost entirely crafted from fiction, with only bits and pieces referencing the story of my grandparents, but it is still very much an homage to them. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

SUMMARY: The story, How to Not Be A Runaway, takes place in the suburbs of Philadelphia in the 1980s, and follows the teenage couple, Danny and Rosie. We get a glimpse into Danny's mind while he tries to cope with the long-lasting effects of his past trauma that are bleeding into his troubled home life. The only person that brings Danny happiness and a feeling of escape is his girlfriend, Rosie. In order to gain a grasp on life, Danny proposes to Rosie and suggests they elope. The story portrays the obstacles and conflicted emotions of their relationship, along with the growing pains that come along with the journey of self-acceptance.