Square One

2

Melissa took a window seat in the back of the bus. Carmen took his seat besides her, dropped his huge suitcase, and turned to her.

"Here are the rules," He said. "We talk about our pasts as little as possible. Just little facts. Fresh start, right?"

She nodded. "Ok."

They were both silent.

"Are there any more rules?" Melissa asked.

"Uh. I guess not."

"Ok. I'll start."

Melissa sat up a little straighter, and pulled her hood off her head, setting her long blond curls free.

"I'm Melissa Lauren. I'm 19." She stopped. "Um, I can't think of anything else that doens't involve my past, or whatever."

"Just tell me things about yourself. What do you like to do?"

"Oh, I'm an artist." She smiled, clearly proud of herself. "I paint. Watercolors mostly. I like to do portraits." She stopped, and looked down. "I left all of my paintings though..."

"What do you think you'll do once we get to Jersey City?"

"Um..." Melissa tugged at the fingers of her gloves. "I really haven't planned that much."

"Don't worry, me neither."

"We'll figure this out when we get there, right?" Melissa looked up at Carmen hopefully.

"Yeah. We'll get everything in order." Carmen smiled back.

Melissa giggled. "Ok, tell me a bit about you."

"Uh," Carmen paused. "Ok. I'm Carmen Kilroy. I'm turning 20 next month. I like... music."

"Do you play any instruments?"

"I used to play guitar. I stopped when I was 16."

"Maybe you can save up for a new guitar. After we get back on our feet."

Carmen smiled. "That would be nice."

"Do you play any other instruments?"

"I like to sing, but I don't think I'm any good at it."

Melissa laughed. "Me neither."

Carmen liked Melissa's smile. Her face was dark, and warm, with chubby cheeks that almost touched her ears when she smiled. 

"So," Melissa said. "Do you have any idea what you'll do once we get there?"

"No more than you."

Melissa sighed. "We aren't in the best position, now are we."

"Nope."

Melissa looked over at Carmen's suitcase. "What did you pack?"

"Just some clothes, and my laptop. Oh, and a couple thousand bucks."

"I have no idea how much is in my bank account. I'll withdraw it all once we get there- Then people won't be able to track my credit card or anything."

"Good idea."

"That'll last us a couple weeks, right?"

"Hopefully." Carmen gestured to Melissa's bag. "What did you pack?"

Melissa looked down at her suitcase. It was an old one, made of leather, with metal snaps that clicked together on top of it.

"Clothes. And some of my books."

"What books?"

Melissa pushed her hair out of her face sheepishly. She pulled her suitcase into her lap, and opened it, the top snapping back at her.

"Woah," Carmen said.

It was just rows of books, some with the shiny brand new look, others seeming to come out of the 1920s. They were stacked precisely, the covers looking up at them.

Carmen grabbed one of the books, to reveal another row underneath. "Did you pack any clothes at all?"

"There are a few shirts and a pair of jeans at the bottom." Melissa blushed. "These are just some of my favorites... I couldn't just leave them."

"I don't I've read these many books in my entire life."

Melissa grinned. "I'm a big of a bookworm."

"You think?"

Melissa snatched her book back, and closed the suitcase. "I'll find a place for them somewhere."

"I don't think our apartment will have enough room for all of those."

Melissa looked up at Carmen, surprised. "Does that mean... that we will be living together?"

"I think you're the best chance I'm gonna get."

Melissa's face broke out in one of the biggest smiles Carmen had ever seen. She pounced on Carmen, like a cat attacking a bird. It took him a moment to realize she was hugging him.

"Uh, ok," He said. He sat motionless, waiting to be released.

Melissa sat back. "Sorry," she said, seeing the look on his face.

"No problem." Carmen smiled a crooked smile. "Guess I'm gonna have to get used to that."

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