Bus Ride (ON-HOLD)

Two: Trapped

"What? Are you in love?"

"No! I am just..asking. Tell me quick!"

"Alright, fine. Hmm.. Love is, when you smile at the thought of that person. Your heart will race when you're near her..."

I picture the girl as James describes the feeling of being in love. The sun ray that shone on her face just now when she's standing in front of me. Her brown hair seems so soft and silky. The pair of mysterious brown eyes looking directly into mine. Her skin complexion is flawless. I didn't spot any flaw on her at all. Why does she have to be so perfect?

"Heyy Ellie!!"

I jump up upon hearing James' scream through the phone. My phone drops on the floor and I have to pick it up. Stupid James. When I hold my phone up, it shows that the call has ended. Wew! He will probably question me tomorrow, but who cares? For now, I will just try and finish my essay. I won't think about any other thing. I need to have a clear mind to write the essay. I wonder how will the girl look when she smiles... Argh! Ellie Carlson, you're not supposed to think about her!

My door fling open and my mother is standing there with her arms cross, "Ellie, James called to ask if you're alright. What happened to you?"

Damn that James. "Huh? Nothing happened. I dropped my phone just now. That's all. Don't worry much, mom. Now, I have to start on my essay. Can you please leave me alone? Thanks mom, love you!" I blow some kisses to my mother and she just shakes her head as she mumbles a few inaudible words.

She leaves the room and the door shuts close again. Here I am, alone in my room, thinking about the things I am not supposed to be thinking. Why? No. If this is love, then I don't want to be in love! This is wasting my time. I still have loads of work to be done. Man, I should really start doing now.

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The next morning, I wake up feeling drained. I have no idea why I am feeling so tired. I stayed up quite late last night to complete my essay but I still manage to get 7 hours of sleep. I look at my essay with satisfaction and put it in my bag. I wrote about 700+ words and it makes me feel accomplished.

After I get ready for school, I leave the house quickly as I do not want my mother to ask why I look so dead. She is very observant and claims that she always knows what I am up to when I just blink. Well, that's her.

I board the same bus every day. But 127. There isn't many commuters in the morning. Everyone is still in their dreamland except for us, students. Working adults do not have to report to their workplace as early as us. I find it unfair. Why can't we all get enough sleep and wake up at any time to go to school.

I am feeling grouchy as I find a place to seat. What a way to start my day. Someone sits beside me and he smells. What's worse is that he even yawns without covering his mouth. I tell myself to bear with it or change a seat, but he is so much bigger built and I can't possibly get out. Then, again, that's it. He turns to me and smiles with his ugly teeth. I roll my eyes and purse my lips as I stand up to move out. He looks at me in puzzlement but still makes way for me to get out.

Then I realize there are a lot of empty seats but he chose to sit beside me. That's sick. Anyway, I decide to sit further in as not many people would want to sit there. Yes, I am sensitive to strangers. I pull out my earphones and listen to music like I always do. After a few more stops, the bus starts to get more crowded. I try to squeeze my body in the seat to minimize any contact with anyone.

But someone chooses to sit beside me even when I have clearly shown that Please Do Not Sit Beside Me. I know my face will have unhappiness showing all over, but like I care? I really hate to interact with other people except my friends. They just don't understand me and will judge. I look over to my right and my heart almost leaps out.