[Elspode]

A couple of points...first, taking care of yourself, especially if this is your first relationship, is not a bad precedent to set. It means you are being cautious, which tends to help prevent bad things like codependency or staying in abusive relationships down the road. It sounds to me as though you have trepidation over being with the guy, but you're afraid that you'd be doing something harmful *to him* by not hanging in there.

If he had the same dedication or concern for you and your well-being, would he *be* in jail? Would you have felt the need to reach out here on The Cellar and bring up the subject? Clearly, you seek some support, so it would seem to follow that the boyfriend is causing some disharmony in your mind.

Now...as to "running away"...are we talking just striking out as a self-sufficient individual, or are you very young and finding yourself in the position of having trashed things at home over the guy, and have seen no alternative but to split? If this was your first relationship, it would be logical to assume that you are probably rather young, and so that begs the question of your current circumstances. Place to live? Job? Are you safe?

All in all, it sounds to me as though you are trying to look out for yourself, and that isn't a bad thing as long as you aren't using others badly to do that.