Sunflower Treehouse | DreamnotFound

Bus Stop

-2nd Chapter start-

March 27 2009. 

The next day, George was awoken by a series of loud thuds that was coming from his open, swinging bedroom window. He covered his eyes with his arm from the sun rays that reflected off the glass. A semi warm breeze came in the room after a loud thud that woke him up from his sleepy haze. The wall clock showed '7:58 am' meaning it was time to fix himself up and get ready for school. He went to the bathroom and looked at the mirror, which showed the dark bags that have formed under his eyes making him look paler than usual. 

'I stayed up very late last night..' 

He lifted his bangs up as he opened the faucet and washed his face to fully clear himself from drowsiness. He turned the shower handle on as it let out a big squeak that sent a weird shiver down his spine. He has always hated that thing.
After his shower, he neatly picked his outfit for the day. 

'This should do it' 

He picked out the usual: light blue sweatshirt and dark blue pants. He fixed his hair on the mirror near his closet, then smiling faintly back to his reflection. Finally, he grabbed his bag and went outside to the dining table. His parents were already there having breakfast in a civil and quiet but tense atmosphere. 

"Good morning.." he said sheepishly, looking down at the wooden floor avoiding any eye contact from both of his parents. A stern 'Mhm' came from his father which just made him rethink why he greeted them in the first place. His mother was smiling at him from across the table. 

"Here.." she stood up and went around to assist George with his breakfast, she gave him the toast and the spread neatly arranged on the plate. Without uttering a single word, she pointed at the cheese spread and the strawberry jam, indirectly asking George which one he liked. He pointed at the jam. His mother happily spread it on his toast with a warm smile. 

"You can't keep babying him like that" Said his father as he flipped the page on the newspaper. 

"It's ok.. he'll be my baby forever.." she said, as she handed him the toast and planted a kiss on his forehead. His father shook his head with a faint smile. George felt better after seeing their exchange which made him smile faintly while he ate the toast. 

"Hmm.. what is up honey?" His mother asked, he immediately shook his head as he continued eating. 

"Your bus will be here soon" his father said. He was a type of man who was strictly on schedule and George knew better not to get on his bad side. George nodded and went to the bathroom to brush his teeth. When he got out, his mother was there handing him the backpack. She crouched down and gave him a hug, then fixed his messy hair with her comforting touch. 

"Perfect" she smiled at him. He went over to his father who was still reading the newspaper. His father looked at him and ruffled his hair as he pointed at the door. 

"Have a nice day.." her mother said with a soft voice. 

"I will.." he said. He walked on the path beside his lawn and looked over at the treehouse. The sun was shining, it was a nice day and he figured when he arrives home after school he would hangout a bit in the treehouse as he hadn't done that for a long time since the weather hasn't been the best these past few weeks. 

He walked to the school bus stop just right at the corner but he stopped at the sight of the group of students in it waiting. He hesitated for a bit, looked back at his house and back to the stop again. He needed to go otherwise he'll never hear the end of it from his father. 

'I was gone one day. They should've forgotten already..' The young boy hoped as he walked slowly to the stop.
He stopped a few meters away not wanting to interact with the other students. Some kids already gave him a nasty look just by standing nearby while a few girls laughed as they looked at him. 

'Just the usual' he thought to himself. A tap on his shoulder made him jump slightly. He was too nervous to even look behind him, he was frozen in place. 

"Um.. Hello.. Is this the line?" A voice said in an american accent that made the noisy bus stop quiet. Everyone turned to look behind George which just made him even more nervous. In the meantime, the bus came and the students went in. Another tap came on his shoulder, making him flinch. 

"Sir.. Wait up.. We're also getting in" A slight tug on George's blue sleeve made him instantly feel at ease, making him follow the tug on his sleeve to the bus onto a free seat at the back. George finally looked up slightly, trying to catch a glimpse on who pulled him inside the bus. Black ripped jeans, brownish yellow hoodie and bright blonde hair. (Protan sight) His eyes widened, it was the boy from yesterday. 

"Are you okay?" said the boy beside him. George immediately averted his gaze, looking out the window. 

"Yes, I'm fine.." 

The school ride was rather quiet, George didn't know if it was his imagination or the overwhelming presence emitted by the boy that immediately silenced the usually noisy crowd. Small chatters and side looks were aimed at the two boys at the duration of the bus ride. 

"I'm Clay.." he raised his left hand off his thigh as he gave him a warm smile. George took his left hand and shook it. 

"George" 

"Hmm George.." The other boy repeated. As the bus arrived at the school, all of the students got out and continued their usual chatter away from the strange atmosphere that surrounded the bus. Clay went out of the bus and George followed close behind, now realizing their height difference. He wasn't very tall nor big for the amount of presence he gave off, in fact they were about the same height. Clay turned around and raised his hand to his head saluting the other with two fingers as he headed off. 

"My class is this way.. I guess I'll see you around" once again, the smile. George waved his hand as the other walked away, he found himself influenced by that boy's smile. 

'How could he do that..?' 

His strange trance was soon broken by another student accidentally bumping against him. 

"Oh I'm sorry.." 

"It's fine" 

He refocused himself. With a deep breath he entered, what could go wrong?

-2nd Chapter end-

Word Count : 1,130