Artemisia

Scabbard

Of course, I had to put on the basic look for winter time in every single good YA novel. In other words, I put on ripped jeans, a black t-shirt, a black hoodie and red flannel over it. And of course this came paired with a gray scarf and beanie to match.

As soon as I got dressed and grabbed my backpack, I bolted downstairs, kissed my parents goodbye, put my shoes on and left the house.

Although I was not familiar with the town, getting lost was something that I took joy in. Not to mention the internet has kept me from getting lost for too long.

Thankfully, my parents didn't pick a house that was in the middle of nowhere. In fact, we were located near the town square which was very convenient for me. Even if we were located near the town square that meant a twenty minute bus ride down. What should I expect from a small town anyway? The transit times would be every hour. I guess that isn't so bad considering the population of the town. However, I would expect there to be more stops and more frequencies when school starts again considering that everyone who is studying abroad would come back and want a place to hang out outside of campus.

Luckily for me, the bus arrived in a timely manner, right on time and at 9 AM no less. I greeted the bus driver and paid fare before moving my way to the back of the bus. It wasn't one of those London tour buses that one would think about, but a regular city bus a local would take with all the ads on the inside of random things in the town. The bus was pretty empty minus the bus driver and one other person who was sitting next to the window in the back. It was a boy who looked to be about my age. When the doors closed, the boy looked from the window toward me. Instantly I was met with intense sea green eyes that complimented his raven black hair. The boy gave me serious Percy Jackson vibes. If anyone was the book definition of him it would be the boy in front of me. Although, I would say if that were the case, I am far from being Annabeth because let's face it, she's too cool. There's no way I would pull it off. Regardless, I'm not looking for romance, I'm just looking to start and finish this school year. I'm only hoping to make friends because I can't keep social interactions limited to my parents anymore. I don't even know how to talk to anyone my age and online isn't exactly the safest place to interact with people.

I sat on the other side of this person and tried not to make eye contact. I plugged in my earbuds to make myself feel a little less awkward, but I felt his gaze on me for a little longer until it shifted to the window once more.

~

That was a bus ride filled with the most awkward tension. As soon as the bus stopped and the doors opened, I bolted out and screamed thank you to the bus driver as I sprinted past the bus. I don't know why I was running so fast. Maybe it was the awkward tension? I also don't know where the hell I was gonna go. I've never been in town before nor have I ever been here.

Why am I running?

I stopped in my tracks as I asked this again. I had no reason to run so why should I keep doing so?

I began to walk at a normal pace and look at the shops that were around me. There wasn't much really. There were stores, some restaurants and a few cafes. However, I do think that there was a single one that everyone hangs out at like in shows and YA novels. I mean there was probably one that I would like to claim for myself that no one went to, but that was unlikely because everyone in school loves coffee for some reason. Whether it be the Gen Zers who liked Starbucks as if they couldn't live without it, or the people who liked hipster coffee claiming they liked the 'taste of earth' I don't think I'd find a place where I would be able to read quietly. Regardless, it doesn't hurt to try looking for a place.

First things first, find a library or a bookstore. Okay, I will admit that I am a little bit of a bookworm. I have a library card from every single city that I have lived in because all I could do in my spare time was read and do homework considering I don't really have a life. I didn't grow up with friends so it made sense how I would be spending my time alone. And no it wasn't like I was antisocial and had the aura of 'don't approach me or I will stab you.' It was more like everyone already had their friend groups and for the people that I did befriend for the time being they knew it wasn't going to last. No one really got to know anything about me before I had to leave again. I mean, I didn't like being alone. It just so happened that was the norm most of the time.