Jillian Linares

Dear Mom and Dad,  

I’m on my way to Byron Bay. It’s in the center of Australia’s eastern cape. Way different than New York… and Connecticut. Byron is a surfer town. I’ve heard many people call it, Surfer’s Paradise. I’m thinking of staying here for a little while. I want to take some time to figure out why I felt the need to run away across the world to escape my problems. If anything, that decision has made everything worse. I’m regretting coming to Australia in the first place.

I’ve never been on my own before, but I guess I should get use to it. I couldn’t be any further away from everything I’ve ever known. I’m also regretting the decision to leave my phone behind, but it’s too late now. Everything is too late now. Regrets are just piling up. I’m just going to focus on what’s ahead and try not to look backwards. Does that make me selfish?

Maybe I’ll try surfing. Or maybe I’ll drown and die and not have to worry about any of it anymore. Just kidding… sort of.

Love,  

Lucas

Dedicated to my parents

Pamela & Cesar

for giving me the world,

enabling me to explore it,

and supporting my mission

Besides the night before,

I had never seen so many stars

in my life.

Before Skye,

I never gave more

than a second thought about

the stars.

Sure, I speculated with friends

about space and aliens

or if we’d ever get the opportunity

to travel to the moon,

but I never

leaned back at night

and enjoyed them.

With Skye though,

everything was different.

Stars shined brighter.

Smiles grew wider.

Laughs lasted longer.

With her

it felt like there was

a universe of possibilities.

The following is a glimpse from my book “I Ran Away to Find Myself,” now available digitally and in paperback on Amazon.

I looked at her in the eye.

The sun was high in the sky, shining in a way

that made her golden brown hair sparkle.

She looked back at me,

but neither of us said a word.

We just stared, arms slightly touching,

lips speaking no words, but saying so much.

I wanted to kiss her and in that moment

I'd like to think she wanted to kiss me too,

but the moment was too flawless

to be disturbed.

I remember what she said back in the cave:

I like you Lucas,

but everything I stand for hates you.

I didn't want Skye to resent me in any way.

I was enjoying my time with her and I didn't want to ruin it.

Although her adventures often made me uneasy and pushed my limits,

they made my heart race in a way

that reminded me what it‘s like to feel alive.

Follow the link to check out my book on Amazon.com