Route 49 -cth-

-II-

The next day, I went through my morning routine of putting on my school uniform and pretending to eat breakfast as I was being watched by my aunts eagle eye this morning.

I left the house and headed for the bus stop. The bus pulled up and I hopped on and to my surprise the boy from yesterday was sitting in the same seat he'd been sitting in yesterday and again he was sitting alone.

I thought about sitting beside him but want sure. There was a seat behind him too so if he didn't acknowledge me then I would sit behind him. Admittedly my feelings would be a little hurt if I didn't even get a hello from the boy who's name I didn't even know.
"Don't you have a school to go to?" He asked lifting his head slightly, I was finding it difficult to sense the sarcasm in his tone so I went to take the seat behind him. He held onto the end of my coat "I was kidding" He laughed lightly motioning for me to take the empty seat beside him which I did gladly.

"Don't you though?" He asked

"What?"

"Don't you have a school to go to?"

"Don't you?" I retorted "Nah, I'm your stereotypical high school drop out" He said.

"Oh, I didn't exactly, dropout. I just don't go anymore" I told him.

"Sounds like a dropout to me" He said.

"Why do you wear the uniform then? If you don't go?" He questioned "To keep up the act" I told him "I'm very good at that"

"Oh yeah? I bet I'm better than you" He challenged I rolled my eyes "I am a pro. I wouldn't bother challenging me if I were you, you'll only embarrass yourself" I said he laughed loudly not caring about the looks from the people around him, I liked that.

"What are we listening to today?" He asked watching as I untangled my earphones "Well, I am listening to some Ed Sheeran I don't know what you're listening to. Maybe ask the driver to put on your favourite station" I tried hard to keep a straight face and not show that I was joking but he kept watching me intensely and I burst out laughing before handing him an earphone.

I enjoyed the calm silence between us as we listened to the music on my iPod but for a change I found myself wanting to talk instead of distracting myself with music.

"What's your name? I hate to keep calling you guy from the bus" I asked putting the iPod back into my pocket.

"Calum, my name is Calum. What's yours?"

"Lexie"

-
"15?! No way" Calum shouted I tried to shush him and my cheeks burnt from embarrassment "Yes. I had my first and only kiss when I was 15. Big deal"

"Big deal? Yes it is a big deal Lexie how can you not be bothered? What do you mean first and only?" He asked catching on to what I had just said "I mean exactly what I said" I told him getting slightly annoyed by his teasing.

"I'm sorry to keep on but I'm just shocked"

"Why?" I asked him I didn't see why it was such a problem. I just wasn't all that bothered about it.

"Because, look at you!" He said leaning back to gesture to me I narrowed my eyes at him "You're a beautiful girl, Lexie. I just thought boys would be climbing over each other just dying to date you, that's all" He said shyly.

"Well they're not. Really Calum, you're more bothered about this than I've ever been" I said shaking my head at him.

"Lieeees! The more un-bothered you act the more bothered you actually are" He said pointing his finger at me "That's a dumb theory, Calum. I've just had bigger things to worry about than running around kissing boys" I said. I hope that Calum wouldn't take notice of what I'd said and ask questions on it but he did.

"Like what?" He asked quickly.

"Nothing" I replied quickly.

"Lexie" He began reaching out to touch my shoulder I jumped away from his touch.

The bus came to a stop and I headed for the open doors "I have to go" I shouted back yo Calum "But this isn't even your stop" He shouted "It is now"

-

As the bus drove away I instantly regretted getting off.

One because I had no idea how I would get home and no idea where I was and two I regretted leaving Calum like that because although I'd only met him yesterday I didn't want to leave him just yet.

"Lexie?" I froze in place.

"Lexie what are you doing here?" She caught my arm before I could run away.

"You're in big trouble."