Title: Chasing Dreams
Author: Kayarra Ali
e-mail: Kayarra00@yahoo.com
Category: Other
Summary: AU fic. Liz Parker, Maria DeLuca, Isabel Taylor, and Tessa Harding run away from a nightmare of a foster home and chase after their dreams. Based on the V.C Andrews novel "Runaways"
Disclaimer: You again. I don't own nuthin. The characters all belong to Melinda Metz and Jason Katims. The idea of the fic is from the talented Virginia C. Andrews.
AN: I don't plan on this being an all romance fic. I want it to be about friendship and how it prevails over obstacles. But don't worry, Liz WILL meet Max and fall in love.
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**Prologue**
They say California is where you can make all your dreams come true. For our sake, I hope to God that that is true. I hope that me, Maria, Isabel and Tessa can find happiness from the constant heartache put in us from our foster home, which Maria dubbed "The Hell House"
I'm the only one awake now. Everyone else is asleep, probably dreaming about tomorrow, and what’s to come for us runaways. Isabel is probably dreaming about winning the Nobel Peace Prize. After we get to California she's gonna enroll in either UCLA or USC. Isabel is very smart; she’s going to be somebody important, doctor or a scientist.
I know exactly what Maria is dreaming about. She's dreaming that she's performing at the Grammy's. That’s what she always dreaming about. I can't remember a morning that I haven't woken up to her singing in her sleep. Maria is gonna be famous one day. With her unique Latin fire she will make people love her. We already do.
Tessa is probably dreaming about being a dancer in the Nutcracker. At only 5' tall Tess dreams of dancing because people would respect her. Look up to her. Like all of us, Tess is 17, but she is often mistaken for a 12 year old. Tess is fragile, almost like a butterfly.
Me? I know exactly what I would be dreaming about. I would dream of a woman with pretty brown eyes and long dark hair. I would dream about my mother. When I get to California I want to find her. My chances are slim but I know she's there. I can feel her. I look at the sign in front of me.
"Welcome to Pittsburgh."
There’s no turning back now, we're running from New York, and chasing our dreams.
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**Part 1**
For the past three years I have woken up to the same sounds of Maria's beautiful singing. Her voice is harmonious like Mariah Carey. Maria and I share a room, as does Isabel and Tess.
I was the first one to enter the Hell House out of all of us. I remember being so scared because I was alone. The sounds of Grant Sorenson's big shoes and his wife, Courtney, chilling smiles haunted my dreams. They were a scary couple.
Grant pretended that he was a regular old family's man when the states people were here, but in truth, he was the devil reincarnated. When the states people left, he would become mean, striking any one who got in his way. He was always drunk as a bat, and not caring that he would hurt us. Just as long as he didn't leave a bruise. He left us to fend for ourselves in a world where dreams never became reality. Where loneliness and hate were the only emotions.
When Maria came I was intrigued and happy. She was so different from the rest of us with her long curly blond hair and her fiery personality. But not that different. Maria would sing and dance till Grant put a fist in her face threatening physical harm if she didn't shut up. But inside the bubbly exterior there was something that lay beneath. Something dark. We soon became close friends, confiding in each other. Sharing our hopes and dreams and counting the days, months, and year until our 18th birthdays.
Then Isabel came. She was so different from Maria and me that she instantly fit in our little group. Looks wise, she was the regular blond bombshell. She liked to cover it up though, with thick glasses and baggy clothes. Her head was constantly in a medical or science book aching for new knowledge. She's the one who usually puts our head on correctly and makes us see the world around us.
Tessa was the last of our group to come. She was so fragile and small. Never speaking in a voice higher than a whisper. For a while she didn't talk to any of us, even Iz, who was her roommate. She almost seemed scared of her own voice. We caught her dancing once to ballet music. She seemed as if she were in a trance, humming to herself while dancing on her tiptoes. When she turned and saw us she immediately clammed up. But we didn't let her this time; we gave her the family that she longed for. That we longed for.
"What are you thinking about Liz?" I turn to the sound of Maria's voice that was watching me question ally. I then realized how long I have been staring at the ceiling.
"Nothing much, just thinking about stuff. How was your date with Tommy?"
Maria was the dater of our group. Isabel and I date occasionally, but it seemed like Maria had a date every other day. Tess never dated. She couldn't hold a conversation with any boys because she was afraid. Every time a boy would approach her she would clam up and walk away.
"Not to well, Tommy tried to get to far with me, said he heard things about me and how I've slept with everybody on the football team."
I feel my anger rage up, for some reason Maria often had rumors spread about her. Very Untrue rumors.
"What happened next?" I asked in barely controlled anger. Maria smiled in satisfaction. "I kicked him in the balls and ran away to catch a taxi." I laughed at that.
Yup, defiantly a Latina.
I look up to Maria. She never lets anyone bring her down, and she’s always there for us. When ever Tess was teased because of her size and I wasn't there to beat the snot out of the offender Maria would tell the person what exactly she would stick up there ass.
As the four oprhenteers, we never let anyone hurt anyone of us. My sisters and I have always prevailed against our enemies. Always battling together.
"Okay Ria its time for us to get up or Grant would come in here and force us up." I hear Maria groan regretfully.
"Welcome to another charming day at hell house where Grant once again stomps at our souls, and Pam Troy tries to make our lives a living hell. Such fun." she said sarcastically.
"Do you ever want to leave?" Maria asked me out of nowhere. I answer the question without hesitation.
"Everyday when I wake up I wish that I wasn't waking up here. But leaving would mean leaving you guys. I don't want to do that"
"Even if you could be happy?"
"I wouldn't leave you all"
"Sometimes Liz, I want to run away and take you, Isabel, and Tess with me, far, far away and never look back."
"I wish that too Maria, but we can't"
"Why Liz? Why can't we be happy?"
Our talk was interrupted by Isabel's abrupt entrance. She looked scared and was wringing her hand in anxiety.
"Its Tessa.”
Without a second thought, Maria and I jumped out of our beds and ran to the next room.
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TBC
