My Seat Buddy

{Caramel & Sugar}

{Caramel & Sugar}

Ever since middle school I have had a secret crush on a guy from my bus, even though I never talked to him or sat with him. It was just a one-sided crush that took place from the back seat; he sat on the seat in front of me.

            And every day I would always watch as he looked out the window, his brown hair turning a molten gold and his brown eyes glowing a deep amber from the sunlight that poured in. He was really handsome and quiet along the drive, always doing the same thing as the day before.

            Sometimes I could occasionally hear him sing lowly in a melodic voice as the time passed, his voice was deep and soft. It was like a song artist you just couldn’t stop listening to, and when my stop came I would regret standing up.

            I know this may sound weird but I couldn’t help the pull he gave off, he just had that aurora that made you want to get closer. But I was too shy and quiet that I didn’t have the courage to go and talk to him.

            But one day it happened, it was the first time we had ever talked. Sure it might have been a few exchanges of words, but I was just too giddy. He was sweet and even though he annoyed me when he teased me, it was a start.

            It had all started one windy afternoon, and I was in a hurry to go home. The bus was just about to close its doors, and I picked up my speed. I managed to slide in between the two automatic doors and apologized to the driver; once I paid I went to find a seat.

            There were barely any people so I took a seat near the window, and rested my forehead against the cool glass surface. I checked my watch and let out a relieved sigh, it seemed that I wasn’t going to be late for dinner.

            The bus took another stop and I watched as a few more people entered the bus, gradually it began to fill up. Soon almost all the seats were occupied, except for mine.

            “Excuse me, do you mind if I sit here?”

            I glanced at the owner of the deep voice and met a pair of dark brown eyes set on a handsome face. I blinked several times trying to see if this guy was really asking me to sit with him. “Uh, sure,” I said as I made some space for him to sit on.

            “Thanks,” he said as he sat down beside me, he put his duffel bag on his lap and let out a heavy sigh. His hand came up to rake over his brown dark hair; I don’t know why I kept on staring. Maybe it was because he was just so striking and handsome, or maybe because I was just curious.

            He tilted his head to face me, and smirked. “Can I ask what song you are listening to?” He asked me as he pointed to the earphone plugged into my right ear. “It sounds familiar,” he said.

            “Oh, it’s Demons by Imagine Dragons,” I answered feeling my cheeks blush in embarrassment when I realized I had the volume on high.

            “Cool, I like the lyrics,” he commented giving me a boyish smile that brightened up his whole face. I found myself smiling along with him; there was something that made me join him.

            “Can I ask what’s up with the hairdo?” He nodded toward my hair that was currently in a mess from all the running I did to get to the bus stop, once again I was blushing in madness. How embarrassing to have my hair up without knowing!

            “Um, I was in a hurry,” I explained as I reached my hands up to my head and began to untangle my brown hair. It was in a mass of tangles that hurt as I tried to fix my hair. “Ouch,” I whined as I ripped a few strands of hair.

            “Maybe I can help you?” He said as he leaned closer and put his hand on my head, I stood still as he helped untangle my hair and then softly caress it, his fingers lingering on my scalp. I looked into his eyes and felt dazed for a moment; his cheeks were a slight pink tint as he gazed back.

            “There,” he finished and then removed his hand, setting it back on his knee. “You sure have soft hair for a girl who doesn’t take care of it,” he remarked and my eyebrow rose at his words.

            “Excuse me?” My lip twitched in annoyance. “I take good care of my hair, it’s just that I was running and it was caught by the wind,” I said but he just sat there with a smile, he chuckled and I frowned.

            “I’m sure, although that is a good excuse,” he said and my frown deepened.

            “Well, uh you…” I scanned his face and body looking for something to get back at him; nobody makes fun of my hair! “You smell, gross and sweaty,” I stated as I brought my head up high and held my hand over my nose.

            It was his turn to frown and he narrowed his eyes at me, “That’s because I was at practice; I didn’t have time to shower.”

            “Gross, I regret letting you sit near me,” I stuck out my tongue and tried to put as much distance between us. “That is the worst excuse I have ever heard,” I told him, as I pushed my back against the window.

            “Well I’m sorry stranger, I’ll make sure to get all pretty and ready before I enter the bus,” he said and to my horror he moved closer to me, I narrowed my eyes at him. He wouldn’t dare…

            “Stay away from me, you…barbarian,” I ordered but he just laughed at my expression.

            “Who the hell says barbarian now a days? Seriously is that all you could come up with?” He asked and I glared at him. “You’re really interesting,” he said as he reached his hand toward me and grabbed a strand of hair. “You make cute expressions,” he put the strand of hair over my ear and gave me a dashing smile that revealed a dimple on his left cheek.

            My heart skipped a beat and my cheeks flushed at his bluntness, no guy has ever told me that. Even though it was sweet I found myself feeling more embarrassed when some of the passengers looked at us.

            “Y-You Idiot,” I blurted out, as I pushed his hand away. “I don’t even know you,” I said and he just stared at me his smile gone.

            The bus came to a stop and he grabbed his bag, he stood up and gave me one long look. “My name is Ryan, I’m a Junior in St. Richard’s High School. I play soccer, and love music,” he said and then he walked away leaving me confused.