My First Bus Ride

I walked out of the bathroom slowly, dreading for the day. It was my first day back to school in a whole week. If I could, I would’ve stayed home longer, but Ate Katie said I wasn’t allowed to. She said I needed to socialize and see other people other than her and Austin. But I didn’t want to.

“Oh hey, you’re up already..thought you would have slept in,” Austin coughed.

I glared at him for his comment. He smiled awkwardly and rubbed his arm.

“It’s time for breakfast…”

I turned away and walked back into my room, “I’m not hungry.”

“Oh c’mon, mum will get mad at me if I don’t bring you to eat…”

“Too bad.”

I slammed my door and sighed leaning against it. I shut my eyes and took a few deep breaths.

You can do this Emy..Mom’s counting on you.

I opened my eyes quickly and changed into a hoodie and leggings. I stuck in my black earrings and shoes mum gave me for Christmas.

I pulled the draw of my jewelry box open that Katie gave me, and pulled out a silver ring.

Mum gave me this ring a few days after we left dad and Archer, it was our promise ring, to never leave each other.

She still left…

“Emila? Sweetie come on down stairs, you need to eat something, it’s not healthy if you don’t,” Ate Katie knocked.

“I’m not hungry,” I replied.

The door opened and I saw Ate Katie with her arms on the hips showing attitude.

“I will not allow you to continue to sit in your room all day and starve yourself!”

I stare back at her as she walks closer angrily.

Katie grabs my arm and pulls me with her.

“Hey let go! This is abuse! Stop it!!” I yelled struggling.

“I don’t care, you need to eat!”

She placed me in the chair closest to her and sat beside me. I frowned back up at her.

“Hey,” Austin gently placed his hand on mine, “Just eat, then we can go on the bus and get this over with.”

I glanced at my plate full of pancakes and bacon, I gagged at the thought of food. I only liked mum’s cooking, we never ate out because it was the only thing I ate. Without her, the food isn’t the same, nothing is.

“This looks gross Ate, just let me go get ready.”

She ignored me and handed me a fork, then started to eat her own pancakes.

I stared at my hands laid in my lap and waited for Austin to finish eating.

God Austin, eat faster!

I looked up at him patiently but froze. He was leaning over the table holding out a fork with a piece of pancake on it in my face, he looked very stern.

“Eat,” he ordered harshly.

I focused on the pancake right in front of me and tried to make myself want to eat it, but I couldn’t, I felt sick.

“Will you leave me alone if I eat this?” I asked tapping the fork.

He nodded once, I sighed and grabbed the fork trying to hold down my stomach.

I shoved it in my mouth and quickly swallowed it trying not to taste the sweet syrup.

I put the fork down and stood, “Happy? I’m leaving.”

“The bus doesn't get here for another 15 minutes Emila,” Austin reminded me.

I shrugged and picked up my bag leaving the room.

I can’t be in this house anymore, I need to get out of here…

Once I shut the door I ran down the driveway and turned the corner.

When I saw the bus stop sign I ran even faster trying to get there as soon as I could.

I bent over and huffed trying to catch my breath.

God, why did I run?

I pulled my hood over my head and sniffled before crossing the street.

I sat down on the bench right next to the sign and pulled out my phone. I dialled mum’s phone number and called it after a moment.

I dazed out as my phone continue to ring, hoping she’d answer.

I closed my eyes and tried to hold in the tears once her voice came, saying she was too busy with me and would back later.

Why haven’t you called me back though mum? You said you would…

I rubbed my eyes trying to push away the tears rubbed my ring.

“I miss you…”

I checked the time, only 10 more minutes until the bus came.

I sighed and pulled my arms out of my sleeves and hugged myself.

“You new to school? I’ve never seen you before, what's your name?”

I peeked up to my right to see a boy, about the same age as me.

I ignored him and pulled out my phone dialing mums’ phone number again.

“Damnit,” I grunted as the call went straight to voicemail once again.

Please call me back mum, I miss you so much…

“Did your boyfriend not pick up the phone? Such a shame, now you only have me to talk to,” the guy teased.

“Go away.”

“Where? The bus will be here soon, and I’m not planning on skipping soooo.”

He swung his leg forward with his hands in his pockets looking at me.

“What do you want?” I asked.

“Gee why so mean? I’m just trying to be nice.”

I turned away and stared at the road waiting for the bus to come.

“Now you’re giving me the silent treatment? Seriously? You’re so childish.”

I stood up and gripped his shirt pulling him close.

“Listen to me carefully, I don’t want you to speak to me ever again, got it?”

“Or else what?” the boy laughed.

I pulled him closer so our foreheads were touching, I glared at him, “I will hurt you.”

I let go of him and sat back down as if nothing happened and ignored his existence.

“Woman these days,” the guy mumbled fixing his shirt.

I glared at him and he jumped back whistling.

Asshole.

I slid my arms back through my sleeves and pulled my hair back behind my ears.

“Emila! Why didn’t you at least wait for me??” Austin yelled while crossing the street.

“You took too long.”

He shook his head, “There are perverts everywhere these days, what if someone snatched you up and raped you??”

“I can take care of myself, I don’t need your help.”

Austin sighed, “You couldn’t even run from them, your laces aren’t tied.”

Austin got on his knees and lifted my shoes onto his stomach tying my laces.

“Whatever,” I sighed giving up.

Austin stood before me proudly, then turned to the guy standing behind him.

“Oh hey Jacob,” Austin waved.

“Hey, you know here?” he asked.

“Yeah uh, she’s a good friend.”

“Her??” Jacob pointed me confused, “She literally just lifted me up and threatened me. How is she a good friend??”

I locked eyes with Austin, his eyes full of disappointment, but I was unphased.

“I’m really sorry, she’s just…” Austin started.

“There is no excuse for my actions,” I spoke up leaning in, “I admit to them happily.”

The guy named Jacob looked at me like I was crazy them whispered something to Austin.

I sighed and pulled my phone out to check the time, 6 more minutes until the bus is here.

I peeked down the road waiting for the bis to drive up to us.

“Is she sitting with us?” Jacob asked Austin.

He turned to me and shrugged. Jacob sighed in response.

I blinked slowly, he doesn’t like me already. I mean, I can’t blame him, I just threatened him. But it still kind of hurts, another name added to the list of people who hate me.

“Hey Austin, how was the weekend?” a girl giggled.

I watched the girl with blonde hair lean closer to Austin waiting for his answer.

“Pretty good, and yours?”

“Oh it was okay, but I’m glad it’s monday again, I missed you guys.”

The girl pulled Austin and jacob together for a big hug.

“Heh,” I mumbled.

Austin looked at me before pushing away the blonde girl and introduced her.

“This is Emily.”

I searched her up and down, she had a nice figure and wasn’t afraid to show it off, but she still held some dignity. Her light blonde hair was curled bouncing it up to her shoulders. Her blue eyes staring at me sweetly.

“Hey, what’s your name?” she smiled.

I crossed my arms and tilted my head.

Emily leaned closer to Austin awkwardly, “Does she understand me?”

“Yes she’s just and asshole,” Jacob blurted.

I stood and glared at him, “Wanna say that again?”

He shook his head hesitantly and bit his lip.

A few more people gathered by the stop sign while we were waiting. I sat on the bench quietly while Austin, Emily and Jacob continued to talk.

I glanced down the road one more time, and saw the bus.

I jumped up getting everyone’s attention and walked to the curb waiting for the bus to pull up to us.

When the doors opened, I was the first to get on the bus, I made my way to the back and sat down. Moving closer to the window to look less awkward.

Austin sat in the seat across from me and smiled, I turned away and gazed at the trees.

Emily plopped down next to Austin leaving Jacob, who sat next to me awkwardly.