What They Never Told Me

𝟭: 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗼𝗼𝗻

The chilly autumn air wrapped around Aurelia's skinny frame. She tugged her lavender cardigan tighter, shivering as the cold seeped through the fabric. Her cheeks, usually pale, were now flushed pink, and her lips felt dry and cracked. A sudden gust of wind picked up, snatching the elastic tie from her ash-blonde hair. She bent slowly, picking it up from the hard, dry cement, her head hung low. Her bangs, messy by the wind, eventually fell over her face.

When she reached the bus loop, she took a seat on the bench, waiting in silence as the adults shuffled around her, their footsteps echoing behind them. After what felt like ages, the bus finally arrived. Aurelia boarded slowly, her eyes catching on the worn sign reading, "Watch your step! " in bold, red letters.

An elderly woman in front of her fumbled with her pockets, then turned and extended a handful of crumpled bills to Aurelia. "Young lady," she said, "This is for you. Keep your ticket money, and buy yourself somethin' nice, or maybe something for someone special."

Aurelia's voice trembled. "It's okay... I don't want to take your money." She held it back with a small, quivering smile, but the woman insisted.

"I insist, take it doll. Your mama and papa would be pleased to see you bring back somethin' sweet," the woman said, her hand resting on Aurelia's shoulder for just a moment before she moved ahead.

Aurelia made a faint smile, but she felt glum. It had been almost 5 years since her mother had passed, and her father had vanished not long after. She missed them both, and the reminder only deepened the sad feeling. She made her way to the back of the bus, watching the others as they settled in—some nodding off, others staring blankly ahead. She took off her cardigan, and her backpack; as it was warm in the bus. She pressed her cheek against the cold window as the bus began to roll.

Outside, the world whirred in a haze of colors, the leaves tumbling along the roadside. As she stared, her eyelids grew heavy. Aurelia was just starting to drift off when the bus jolted to a sudden stop, waking her up. Blinking, she looked out the window, watching the last of the autumn leaves flutter down. In the distance, she spotted a small family of crows perched on a tree branch, and she wondered for a moment, why her life couldn't be as simple and perfect as theirs.

The bus ride went on, eventually slowing down again as they approached a familiar path. Aurelia recognized the bumpy gravel road leading to the stop near her home. She gathered her belongings, her water bottle, cardigan, and backpack. As she stood up, she noticed the elderly woman again, making her way down the aisle.

Once the bus came to a complete stop, Aurelia saw the elderly woman again, getting off the bus as well. 

"Thank you," Aurelia's dainty voice rang, this time with a real smile, and the woman gave her a nod.

She stepped off the bus, her feet crunching on the gravel, and took a deep breath. The sweet scent of wildflowers mixed with the faint smell of peaches hung in the air. She turned down the narrow dirt road leading to the farm, past the fence lined with blackberry bushes. Her Aunt Cora's blue apron fluttered from the clothesline as she came closer.

Cora glanced up as she approached, her face softening. "Hi Aurelia," she called. "Get yourself inside and wash up. Dinner will be ready soon."

Aurelia nodded and started to head towards the house, but just as she reached the door, she heard her uncle's voice. Her Uncle Nicholas was waiting on the porch.

"Where have you been all day?" he asked.

"I... I just took the bus," Aurelia uttered.

He sighed. "Don't take the bus again. It's a waste of time, Aurelia."