Feathers Of A Bird

Chapter : Ten (Part Two)

(Listen to the music while reading for a better experience!)

The entrance of the bus was pretty crowded. It seemed like all 50 students of our class gathered at the entrance which resulted the gate getting blocked. As Julie and I went up on the bus, we both agreed that it would take us an eternity if Mr Batman wasn't here. He pretty much controlled the students on the bus and made some space for us, who were left to get inside.

When we almost reached the seats, someone appeared out of nowhere and pushed me. I wasn't prepared for it and didn't have control, so I fell down.

"What happened? What happened?"
I heard Mr Batman's voice.
Everyone stepped aside and I saw him peeking at me.

"I just fell, Mr Batman. Nothing else."
I said as I got up.

"Nope!"
Julie unexpectedly asserted.
"Maya pushed her on purpose, uncle."

A buzz arose inside the bus.

"What makes you say that?!"
I heard Maya's voice.

"The truth made me say tha-"

I stopped Julie,
"No, Julie! It was an accident. She was just-"

Julie didn't let me finish and whispered in my ears.
"If you don't stand up for yourself, Kathy, they will keep doing these to you!"

She continued,
"You have to learn this!"

"Alright, alright! Let's forget it and get to your seats all of you."
Mr Batman said.

Everyone started wandering again.

Julie looked at me and sighed.
"I'll get going. And next time, I won't be there when someone else pushes you. See you later."
She walked to her friends.

No matter how close Julie seemed to me, she would leave at one point when her other friends arrived. So she left and sat beside someone else. And as always, I was left alone in one of the seats at the back of the bus.

"Make no chaos, children and sit quietly."
After a while, Miss Bailey announced on the microphone.

"Everyone be seated. Have you found your seats? Anyone left, hmm?"
She asked.

No one replied. Everyone randomly sat where they wanted. I looked around, hoping to see someone who would like to sit here beside me.

"Why do you always stay alone, Kathy?"

I suddenly heard a voice. Maya. It was Maya, that kind of girl who everyone was pretty much attracted to, the exact opposite of me; stylish and confident, which I wasn't.

"I like being alone."
I lied as I took my sight away from her.

She gawked at me as if I said something unacceptable.
"Pathetic, being alone is. And-"

I closed my eyes. I wished I could tell her the reason I'm alone but she wasn't that kind person who would listen to me. Instead, she was more likely to make fun of me.

"Thanks for taking my side!"
She winked at me.

"Where's your problem, Maya?"
I unexpectedly heard a voice, that deep beautiful voice. When I peeked at the person beside her, I saw Ryan.

He continued as he pointed at me.
"It's not like she was disturbing you by staying alone. When she was just minding her own business, you're the one who appeared out of the blue."

He stopped for a second and glanced at her, giving her his death glare.
"Why are you bugging her? It's her choice to stay alone, leave her. It's not like your presence is helping her so much. She was way too good before you came."
Ryan said in one breath.

Maya made an annoyed face and stared at Ryan.
"I don't understand you people..."
She said as she walked to the front seats.

I feasted my eyes on Ryan; he looked back at me and gave me that usual precious smile of him. As I smiled back, I said,
"Thank you, Ryan!"
I looked away from his eyes,
"Means...a lot!"

Ryan chuckled,
"You're always welcome!"

I laughed.

He continued,
"If she- or anyone annoys you, just yell my name. I'll arrive like Superman!"

I kept laughing.
"Got it, Mr Superman!"

"Good girl! Now can I sit beside you? Or you would like to sit alone?"
He asked.

I quickly replied,
"No, no! I said that just to give her an answer! And you can obviously sit here! I- I will be glad if you do!"

He smiled at me again.
"Okay, kitty-cat! And that girl! Make sure to call me if she sickens again."

"I will! And how many names are you going to call me by?"
I chuckled.

"92."
He said as he sat beside me.

"Why 92?"
I asked with curiosity in my voice.

He looked at me and said,
"92 is an important number for me! And Kathy?"

"Hmm?"

"Did you get hurt when you knocked over earlier?"
He asked.

The fact that he asked me whether I was okay or not, made me feel like the most loved girl in te world.

I shook my head rapidly.
"I'm totally good!"

He smiled.

"Ryan? Ryan Anderson. Come here for a second."
All of a sudden, Miss Bailey called him.

"Hold on."
Ryan put his bag beside the seat and went to Miss Bailey.

I looked outside, the sun had already risen and birds were flying in flocks.
I was so used to being said that I should step up for myself. All the time, people were annoyed when I couldn't say anything against the unfair things that happened to me. But this time, it was different. Ryan was the first person who didn't accuse me, instead he wished to help. Moreover, he was even worried that I was hurt. I couldn't understand what impression was being created in my heart; all I could think of was happiness.

"Can I sit here?"

Unexpectedly, I heard a voice. Who's that? I looked back at the person and saw someone I didn't expect at all. Andrew.

"Can I sit here, Kathy?"
He repeated.

"Umm..."
I hesitated.

Andrew didn't seem like waiting for my answer; he settled beside me.
"We never talked much, so it'll be a good opportunity to get to know each other well!"
He said.

I said,
"Actually, my friend is sitting here. And ma'am called him-"

He didn't let me talk.
"And also what happened earlier! Maya shouldn't have done it. Plus, you should've said something about it, Kathy!"

"I get it. But Andrew-"

"All of you, the bus is about to start the journey. Sit tight!"
Mr Batman said again.

That's when I saw Ryan, coming towards us. As our eyes met, I opened my mouth to say something. But gave me his beautiful smile and said as he pointed at the seat in front of ours.
"I'm here!"

I sighed.

"I'm sorry, Ryan...for not being able to speak up."
I said in my mind.

"So, what do you think about being popular in..."
Andrew kept talking.

I just stared at him with a blank sight, his words passed my ears.