An Illusion of Will

Chapter 7: Meeting a stranger in a bus

As Al entered the bus, his mother's words continued to echo in his head, "Please send letters, Al. I know you won't have access to the internet, and you can't take phones. But please stay in contact with your mom, my little man."

However, his thoughts were interrupted by the boisterous welcome from everyone on the bus, their voices blending in a chorus of greetings. "Hello and welcome, brother Alexander!" they exclaimed.

Al looked around, his smile awkward yet enthusiastic, "Hello, everyone! Thank you for having me!" he replied.

The bus filled with cheers, but amidst the excitement, Al couldn't help but notice a tall, slender boy sitting alone in the back. The enigmatic boy rolled his eyes at him.

Al smiled strangely and approached the seat next to the boy. As Al got close, he noticed the boy looking increasingly disgruntled.

With clenched teeth, the boy resentfully picked up his bag from the seat next to him and turned away.

Al sat quietly beside him, observing the boy's obvious disinterest in the trip. "He clearly doesn't want to be here. He might be the best choice for my plan," Al thought to himself, his shameless smile widening.

He turned his face towards the boy and softly said, "How does brother do?"

The boy refused to face Al and continued to gaze grudgingly out the window.

"I'm not your fucking brother, so don't call me that!" the boy retorted with hostility. Al was taken aback by the strong reaction, but inside, he couldn't help but be amused. He responded quietly, "Woah, easy there, so what should I call you then, tough guy?"

The boy's face twisted with anger at Al before a fat, balding man called out. "Please, Cesar, I don't want to keep reminding you the whole trip not to curse. Please be mindful."

Cesar reluctantly calmed down and continued to avert his gaze. However, Al was becoming more convinced that this boy, Cesar, would be the best person for his plan.

Trying to mend the situation, Al said, "Hey, look, I'm sorry. It was a bad introduction on my part. Let's forget about it. So, your name is Ceasar, like the Roman Emperor?"

Cesar frowned and was about to correct him when Al added, "My name is Alexander Adamos i'm Greek on my dad's side."

Cesar looked at him smugly and replied slowly, "It's Ceh-Sar, dumba... uh, duh dummy. You know, after the civil rights activist Cesar Chavez. I'm two-quarters Mexican from my dad's side."

Al stared at him silently, ignoring the word "dad." All he focused on was the term "two quarters." He reflexively responded, "You mean half-Mexican?"

Cesar looked at him as if Al was mentally slow. "No! I mean 2 quarters because that's all he's worth. He couldn't just talk things out; he had to send me away on a trip with a bunch of losers." Cesar spitefully said.

"Also, why am I even talking to you?" Cesar said before adding, "I just want to be left alone for this whole trip. I don't even believe in this stuff,". The fat man glared at Cesar but chose not to say anything.

Al lowered his voice, making sure others couldn't hear him. "Don't worry. I don't believe in this stuff either." He looked around and continued, "Anyway, you're the only other person around my age here. I am 18. Everyone else here is at least over 30."

Cesar scoffed at what he was hearing. "I'm here only because my parents sent me off while I was still 17. You don't believe in this stuff, yet you're here? You're definitely some freak. Get the hell away from me before I get that fat man over there involved." Cesar whispered, his voice filled with disdain, as he looked at Al in disgust.