Mister. Help

Chapter 7- Almost Like a Hospital

 Reuben’s P.O.V

 I slung my backpack over my shoulder, before hastily running out the door. I couldn’t be late for the bus again. It had happened way too many times.

I ran down the street hoping to get there a few minutes before the bus. I dodged an old woman, who was pulling a trolley along behind her. I heard her angry shouts but I had no time to waste.

After a good few minutes of running, I made it to the bus stop. Glancing down at my watch, I realised I still had two minutes till the bus came.

I glanced around the bus stop, to see if the bus was maybe early. I didn’t see the bus but what I did see was more interesting.

“Keaton!” I yelled from the corner of the bus stop.

His head snapped to face me, a smile blooming on his face. “Hey Reuben,”

His brown hair was neatly styled as always. His curly front was styled into its usual quiff. His lips stretched into a smile as he made his way over to me.

“How are you?” He asked politely.

“I’m good thank- you.” He nodded in acknowledgement. “I know this is late notice, but my mum wanted to see who I had been ‘hanging’ around lately. She’s not really good at using slang.” I confirmed before I looked weird. “So do you want to come round tonight for dinner,” I asked, hopeful.

Keaton stood there, seeming to think it over. After a few brief seconds, he nodded. The strong smell of petrol alerted me that my bus was here.

“I’ll see you later.” I said, running onto the bus.

“Bye.” He replied, waving.

I flashed my bus pass to the balding bus driver. I searched the bus for my friends. “Reuben! Over here.”

I found the source of the voice and sat down next to her. “Morning Peyton,” I greeted cheerfully.

She smiled, “To you too.” She looked me up and down, “Who were you talking to?” She asked, staring me in the eyes.

She knew that this intimated me a tenfold. I dropped my gaze, not really liking her criticizing gaze. I looked behind me. “No Marlon or Evalene?” I asked, trying to change the subject.

She shook her head. “Marlon texted and said he’s ill and Evalene’s at a University interview.” She reminded me.

It was always easy to distract her- which was great for me. “Oh yeah, Evalene did remind me on Friday.”

She pushed her blonde hair behind her ears and turned to look out the window. “I thought I might mention that I didn’t get into that University.” She said dejectedly.

I smacked my forehead. What was wrong with my memory? I was turning into an old man already. How could I forget to see if my friend had gotten into her dream University?

Easily, obviously. I had been more distracted with a certain person lately.

“Peyton, don’t worry there are Uni’s that would be overjoyed to have someone like you attending there.”

“But…I really wanted to go there. It looked perfect.” She mumbled.

I turned sideways in my seat and pulled her into a hug. “We can go to the library at lunch and get more University perspectives if you want.” I said. She nodded into my chest.

“Thank- you Reuben.” She said, sniffling.

~