Brewed to Perfection

Part 13

One week before Prom - January 2016

It was raining so much that I made the decision to get on the bus. Like usual, it wasn't something I necessarily wanted to do but if I walked in this downpour for 45 minutes, I'd probably catch pneumonia.

I only been on the bus a handful of times after the incident with Benjamin and his little group. Each time I went on, I made sure to stand right by the driver and keep looking ahead. I didnt turn or look at them.

I didn't even hear them. I thought that I must have subconsciously blocked them out, but chances are they genuinely weren't bothered with me anymore after my breakdown. They probably thought I was crazy.

Like usual, I scanned my bus pass and leaned against the poll by the front. But unlike usual, I felt a tap on my shoulder.

"Eh... Maeve?" The voice sounded sheepish but it was too distinct not to recognise. Klaus.

I didn't bother turning aroudn. Despite my heart beating ten times faster, and my legs trembling. I still pretended to be unbothered and kept looking straight ahead.

Another light tap on my shoulder.

"Maeve?" Klaus' voice was clearer now.

Oh God. i don't even have my headphones to pretend i can't hear him.

I felt a body squeeze through the small gap on the bus aisle. Pushing past my left shoulder.

This was it. He was going to John Cena my ass on the floor and -

"Hey Maeve, your backpack is unzipped. Your notebook fell out." Klaus was staring so deep into my eyes I almost felt sick. I didn't like looking at any of them even from a distance. Up close was a different kind of torture.

I looked down to his extended arm, where he was in fact holding my notebook.

I'm surprised he hadn't started riffling through it, to see if I had any embarrassing notes he could read to everyone on the bus.

I didn't really know what to do, but I knew I needed my notebook. So I snatched it from his hand.

Klaus chuckled before moving one of his dark curls away from his face. If he were anyone else, it would tell him to audition for some kind of modelling agency. But he was an ass, so I'd keep that to myself.

"Maeve, I'm sorry about..." he exhaled whilst leaning over me and zipping my backpack, "everything."

What the actual fuck was happening. I was frozen in my spot. My eyes must have been bugged out of the sockets.

"I know I've done some terrible things but I want to make it up to you." Klaus chewed on the inside of his cheek whilst holding his hand against his chest.

This felt like some alternate reality bullshit. Or a really bad drama production.

Kalus chuckled lightly. "Look, I get you thinking I'm a complete dick. And I know how shitty I've made you feel."

He changed his expression to almost guilty? This must be a joke.

"I'm not talking to any of them anymore" he gestured to the back of the bus.

"I was in a bad place and I'm sorry for taking all my shit out on you." Klaus stepped an inch or so closer. So close, his nose was almost touching mine.

I was screaming on the inside, begging for my body to move. Even if it was a little pathetic slap across his face, or even a stomp of my shoe on his foot. But It seemed my body was in shock.

"You think I'm talking bullshit, don't you?" Klaus teased, "well how about i find you at lunch and we can talk it out?" he suggested.

I opened my mouth slightly, urging my voice box to make one little syllable but it was pointless.

Klaus kept his intense stare on me, and I felt like we had been standing like this for hours, where in fact it was probably thirty seconds. Klaus smiled and started to move to the left, like he was going back to his seat.

When suddenly he stopped, reached towards my face and tucked a random strand of my hair behind my ear.

It felt cold and unnatural. I reacted a bit too slowly, with a jerk and pulled away from his alien touch.

Klaus winked before moving past me back to wherever he had come from.

Like a burn, the touch of his fingers set my skin on fire.