Tricia's Return (my first ICL assignment for 13-17 year olds)

I stormed down the hall and slammed the door. I’d had enough! Dumping my books out of my backpack, I began shoving in clothes – anything I could grab. I dug through the junk on the floor of my closet and found my stash – my life’s savings. I shoved it on top of my clothes. In the midst of this frenzy, I heard a soft knock on my door.
"Tricia?" It was my mom.
“What now?” I couldn’t keep the anger out of my voice. She was just going to launch into another tirade. Her list of my shortcomings was endless, and I didn’t want to hear them anymore. I didn’t open the door; I climbed out my window, backpack in tow, grabbed my bike and took off for the bus station.
Jeremy didn’t know I was coming. He’d be so surprised. I couldn’t wait to see him! We’ve been together for a year; but since his family moved to St. Louis four months ago, we haven’t seen each other. We haven’t even been able to talk much He'd made the varsity soccer team; and with all the games and practices, he hadn’t had much time for the phone; but if I was there in person, we’d see each other every day. I could even go to his games and practices!
“Where to?” the lady behind the counter asked me.
“St. Louis” I answered.
“Downtown or metro area?”
“Uh….downtown?” I had no idea what she was talking about
"Are you asking me or telling me?”
“I’m…ah…I’m telling you. I want a ticket for a bus ride to downtown St. Louis” She gave me a skeptical look, but I held my ground and her stare.
The bus ride seemed to last forever. When we finally pulled into the St. Louis station, I was ready to be on solid ground. I stepped off the bus and got my first glimpse of a big city.
“Move it, Girlie!”
“What? Oh. Oh, sorry.” I’d stopped in the bus’ doorway. I moved out of the way. This place was big and dirty and crowded. Did I really want to do this? Yes! Absolutely. I couldn’t live with my parents any more. I needed Jeremy. I found spot away from the noise and dug out my cell phone. I turned it on and called Jeremy
“Hi Trish.” Was that exasperation in his voice?
“Hey, Jer! Guess where I am.” I was getting excited now. I’d see him in just a "Trish, hey, I’d love to talk, but I’ve got practice. I’m heading out the door. I’ll call you later.” Even as he finished his sentence, his voice began to sound distant. He was hanging up
“No! Jer! Don’t hang up! I’m here. Here in St. Louis! I’m at the bus station downtown. I need you to come get me!” It was quiet on his end of the line.
Finally he said, “Uh…you’re here? In St. Louis? What are you doing here? Why didn’t you call? What’s going on?” I thought he’d be happy, but he sounded angry. My heart began to sink. Some thing was very wrong.
“Can you come get me? I’ll tell you everything then.”
"Geez, Trish. I’ve got practice – coach says it’s excusable only by death. Can you wait there for a couple of hours?” It sounded like it would be a chore to pick me up
“Yeah. I’ll be here.” We hung up. This wasn’t the reception I’d anticipated. As I sat for those two hours, I did a lot of thinking. What was wrong with me? What was I doing 300 miles from home? Why had I thought that Jeremy would be excited to see me? He didn’t even want to talk to me on the phone any more! It all became so clear. He didn’t want me in his life. He was in the big city and had big city friends with big city things to do. We’d broken up, and I hadn’t even known it. He’d been avoiding me instead of being a man and telling me. I was angry all over again but this time it was with Jeremy, not my parents. What was it that I had thought was so awful about them? What had they said or done or made me do that was so horrible? I couldn’t remember. They loved me. Obviously, Jeremy didn’t.It just took me 300 miles and seven hours on a hot smelly bus to realize it. Before Jeremy could make it to the station, I bought another ticket. I got my cell phone out again and dialed. My call was picked up by a familiar voice, “Mom,” I said, “I’m coming home. Can you pick me up at the bus station?”