The only one

Chapter 23

How was he like me at all?

The urge to continue chatting with him was unbearable, but he told me he had to go, and I had to respect that.

So instead of replying, I snuggled up under the covers and close my eyes to go to sleep. I try to distract myself with imaginary thoughts that I used to think about when I was a child but slowly I grew older and realize that life isn't all about happiness, and that there are some deadly things in this world that I had to learn to overcome.

...

My body shot up hearing the alarm clock indicating for me to wake up. I lazily take my pajamas off and throw on black tights and a teal half sleeved shirt with a sweater over it. I pile my hair at the top of my head and tie it creating a messy bun. I slip on my white converse and bolted grabbing a cereal bar on the way out of the kitchen, sprinting outside hoping I would be able to catch the bus. Once I step out, the crisp, cool wind smashed into my face.

Evidently, the bus had not yet arrived, there on my bus stop stood around five students who attend my school. I've never really had to stand on the bus stop for a long time. I usually get there right when the bus arrives, and occasionally, I'm forced to chase the bus a couple of blocks until the driver finally sees me and stomps on the breaks. I stare down at the pavement as I fiddle with my fingers. The other students made small talk to fill the silence. I like to leave the steadiness of the air. Sometimes it's better to just stay speechless. I hear the roar of an engine approaching us. Immediately I step forward, ready to step onto the bus. But a white garbage truck passes us, as the man in the neon yellow shirt waves at us.

The bus is still nowhere to be seen.

My mind jumps to last night. Marcus. He is like me.

What does that even mean? I wonder ugh maybe he was just being an idiot. Yup that's what boys do I confirm.

But I can't stop thinking about it. What if he wasn't being stupid? What if he actually meant something? I sigh not knowing what to believe.

Crystal white snow flakes began to appear. I follow one with my eyes, watching it journey as it drifts down and lands on the sidewalk and melts into oblivion. I make sure none of the people on the bus stop see me, then I turn away from them, close my eyes and stick my tongue out and feel the cool flakes land, and instantly dissolve.
I pretend like I am five again, not a care in the world, it was so much easier back then.

Everything is different now.

After a while I get tired. We have been standing in the cold for around forty five minutes! I could no longer feel my fingers or my toes and I continuously shivered.

The students on the bus stop being to sit on the side walk, not caring about the dampness left by the snow.

I stood close to a few others who were standing, noticing that they were chilly as well, I could tell by the color of their Rosie red cheeks and there noses, which were shades darker than Rudolf's.

Finally I have up. I sat down beside a girl who looked a few grades younger than me. I glanced over at her and she looked up at me. She gave me an adorable smile, warming up my heart. I grinned back at her.

I can't believe I'm thinking this, but I want to go back to school.

I push my finger against the home button on my phone. I looked at the time. My phone read 8:15, homeroom just ended. I debates with myself whether or not I should go home. I decided not to, because what if it comes, and I'm not there?

I look back at my phone- 8:16. But this time, I have a message notification. My heart skips a beat when I read Marcus' name across my screen. I attempt to suppress my smile so no one notices. I unlock my phone to view the entire text.

Marcus: I hate you. So don't you dare ever text me again.

I stare at the screen, waiting for him to text back, saying he was just kidding. But the gray bubble never came up.

I felt a hot tear roll down my cheek. I wiped it quickly, and rubbed my eyes before the water freezes and sticks to my face, as a permanent sign of my depression.

The snow begins to fall down fast. There were flakes in my hair and eyelashes.

Finally the silence is interrupted but the steady hum of an engine. We all sprint to the bus and try to get on as soon as possible.

I step onto the bus and get a seat towards the front, most of the seats are empty, many students may have gotten rides with their parents. I relax in the heat of the vehicle. Then I realize what just happened, Marcus no longer likes me.

I feel a pang of pain in my chest. But it only last for a second.

Then I feel nothing.

I feel empty.

Nothing is going to be the same. But this time I know I'm not dreaming, because the way I feel cannot be imitated. In no world could I feel this way in a dream, the feeling is just too strong.

I look at the road, the amount of vehicles on the road are impossible to count. We weren't even moving. There seems to be a blizzard that is coming as the sky darkens. I predict that this ride will taking longer than usual.

The entire time I feel very nauseous and dizzy. I just stare into the gray seat in facing me.

We get to school at nine thirty, an hour and a half later. But once we get in, we are escorted by the principle to the big gym, which is where my grade meets for an emergency. I notice that all of the lights are shut. We find the entire school sitting in the three gyms. Everyone looks pretty comfortable, they are talking and basically just hanging out.

The principal explains how the electricity went out and that we will stay in the gym until the roads clear up and the snow slows down. Then they will get some buses to take us back home.

I'm somewhat annoyed that I didn't go home at the bus stop, but at least I don't have to deal with any classes, I would rather go home and stay in bed than go to school any day.

We sit for only a couple of minutes until the buses arrive, and they take us back home.

...

I open the front door of my house, run up to my room and get under the covers. I turn on my television and watch Netflix all day until hours pass and I fall asleep.

...

I wake up hearing a voicemail from the school saying that school is cancelled.
I check my phone hoping Marcus may have texted me again. But I only had one message notification, from my mother saying that the roads are all blocked and that she wouldn't be home for a while.

I get out of bed, not bothering to change or even look at the mirror, and head downstairs. I grab some cereal and milk and begin to make my way towards my room. But before I could get upstairs, I hear vigorous knocking on the door.

I put my hand on the door, then hesitate, remembering that I'm in my pajamas and have a blanket at hand. But surely it won't be anyone important, maybe just the mailman or something.

I pull the door open.

My eyes widen in shock.

Marcus stood there obviously freezing.

He shivers.

"I really need to talk to you" he mumbles.

I don't know if what I did was stupid, but I did it anyway.

I let him come in.