Samson Rhodes

Justin Blake dug his hands deep into his jeans pockets and huddled at the bus stop. The temperatures dropped overnight, and light snow drifted steadily from the overcast sky. He stood apart from the other boys and girls who waited for the school bus.

Surreptitiously, the Gilmore twins eyed Justin. Then, with their heads together, they giggled. Justin shot them an angry glance and hunched further into his heavy parka. He disliked Delilah and Delaney Gilmore more than any of the others. Blue-eyed and blonde, the popular girls held sway over all the young men attending Hill-Valley high school...except Justin. He had no time for girls.

Tension at the bus stop grew to a crescendo. Justin realized he had caused the problem. For this reason, he kept away from the others. He should not have sent the rose to Marshall Higgins before the homecoming dance. It revealed too much about his innermost feelings. Now, everyone knew he desired the company of boys rather than girls.

Slowly, the school bus trundled up the steep incline. The gathering of teens nudged closer to the curb. Reluctantly, Justin joined the end of the line. The bus halted on the corner, and its double doors swung open. Chattering noisily, the young people clambered aboard. Justin trailed on last.

All the seats were full except for one—Justin's seat. He ambled down the long aisle, searching for the one vacant place. However, a new student now sat in his usual seat. Swallowing hard, Justin pushed aside his panic and edged onto the bench.

The bus unexpectedly lurched forward. The Gilmore twins simultaneously shrieked. Loudly, other passengers shouted at the driver. Justin gulped and grabbed the seat ahead of him. When he relaxed, he glanced toward his seatmate. A thin, pale boy sat beside him. Justin's mouth hung open. He had never seen a more gorgeous youth.

"Hello," Justin exclaimed jubilantly. His face adjusted into a smile for the first time in ages.

"You mean you can see me?" the young man whispered, disbelieving.

"Of course," Justin began.

"But...but...I'm dead," his companion responded helplessly.

"DEAD! NO WAY!" Justin shouted loudly.

In the seat ahead of him, the Gilmore twins swiveled to stare at him. Delilah twirled her finger around her ear, and Delaney nodded vigorously.

"Who are you talking to?" Delaney angrily demanded. "Who's dead?" Delilah questioned at the same time.

"This dude." Justin indicated the empty seat next to him.

"Crazy!" Delilah announced. Together, the two girls crossed their arms over their chests and, huffily, turned to face the forward.

Justin stared at his seat companion in disbelief.

"My name is Samson Rhodes," the pale young man stated. "Last year, this bus was in a roll-over accident. All the students on the bus survived except for me. Although the bus was totaled, it was repaired and resold. Fate destines me to ride on here forever. You're the only one who can see me."

Justin fainted.