Mine (A Connor Ball Love Story)

On My Way

         A couple minutes after I sat down on the other side of the bus, James and Connor joined me, both of them sitting across from me.

        "So, are you excited to travel across America and Britain?" James was smiling widely at me. Man, did he have a fantastic smile. It was always so genuine and sweet. Wait, did he say Britain? We're going out of country?

        "Yes, but does my mom know we're going to Britain too?"

        "Tris filled her in on every detail."

        "Ok, good. Ohh, I've always wanted to go to Europe!!!

         Now it was Connor who was talking. "Why?"

        "Well, I mean, mostly because of you guys, honestly," I mumbled, but still loud enough for them to hear. They both laughed then I continued, "but also because of the experience. It's not just London. I want to travel to Paris and Italy and, well, just everywhere!" I was wrapped up in my own entire world until Connor waved his hand in front of my face. It smelled like heaven fresh out of the oven. What the hell, Trixie? What was that? I just played it cool and looked back at the boys.

         "Sorry, I was lost for a minute there." I tried to hide my blush, failing, of course.

         We sat in an awkward silence for a minute until Brad and Tristan came over to sit with us. 

         "Hey, Trixie. Mind if I sit with you?"

          "No way, Brad! I'm sitting with her!" They playfully fought over who sits next to me and Tristan won. He took his prize and sat down with me while Brad went and sat on the other side, pouting. Now Tristan was on one side of me and the window was on the other. I could feel my breathing turn short and my body tense up. I tried to hide my discomfort from the boys, but Connor still noticed. My face must have turned red or something.

          "Hey, is something wrong?" The other boys turned to look at me.

          "Well, I'm kind of claustrophobic, that's all." My voice sounded like more of a raspy whisper. That's when I realized that I had been holding my breath. I let out short bursts of air while Tristan jumped out of the seat to let me out. I stood up and immediately my muscles relaxed and my breathing went back to normal.

           "Thanks, Tristan. Sorry about that. You probably think I'm a freak now, don't you?" My face was burning with embarrassment.

          "No, of course not. It's not your fault that you have a phobia." Brad was looking at me sweetly, but still with worry in his eyes.

          "Thanks. As long as I'm sitting on the outside of the booth, I'm ok." Tristan sat back down in the booth, this time taking the seat by the window, then I took a seat next to him. We carried on a conversation about who knows what, but I could feel them giving me worried glances from time to time.

         "Guys, I'm okay, really." I made sure that I still sounded nice.

         "We know, we just don't want you to feel uncomfortable," said Tristan.

         "Don't worry. I wouldn't miss this opportunity for the world, anyway." I checked my phone. It was midnight. Somehow, knowing it was that late, I immediately felt tired.

         "Hey, guys, it's pretty late. I'm gonna go to sleep." They all checked their phones and decided that they would too.

         "Where am I gonna sleep?"

         "There's an extra bunk, but will you be ok in there?" Connor is so sweet.

         "As long as the curtain is open, I'll be fine." I went to the bathroom to change into my pajamas. When I was sure that everyone was in their pajamas, I walked out of the bathroom. I still can't believe I'm actually here!!