Destination X

"Dreams"

       I sit outside, waiting for the bus. All I have with me is my canvas book bag perched between my legs. I have no idea where my final destination will be, I just know that this bus will take me to Missouri. It's a long trip but I never minded long car rides. As I look around I can see the crowd of people waiting for the bus to show up. I keep my hand in my pocket constantly, making sure I can feel my ticket. I have to know it's there. I'm always scared of losing my stuff but this ticket is most important. This is the most important decision I've ever made. There's no turning back. 
      There a couple of people glancing over at me. I'm 18 but I look younger. No one would ever give me more than 16. That's not the only thing that sticks out about me though. I'm blind in one eye. It wouldn't be a big deal if the eye I'm blind in wasn't practically completely white, compared to my other brown eye. I'm not gonna describe it as "hazel" or some shit like that. It's just brown, nothing special. I'm not gonna make it into something it's not. Other than my eye though, I can't say I really stand out. I'm wearing a hoodie that's a bit too big for me and converse, like any teenage girl who's "different from the others". I hate those girls. The ones who think they're special because they wear converse and listen to Nirvana and dye their hair every other month. You know who cares about how "unique" your music taste is? No one.
        Okay, maybe that sounded a bit mean but I have my reasons. Before I graduated high school,  I had to deal with people like that all the time. They think you're great until they find out that (god forbid) you listen to the oh so dreaded rap music alongside the "rebellious" pop rock parents hate. Forgive me please, for having my own taste in music and, more so, for having a brain and thus being able to decide what I like for myself. That's the problem with those kind of people, they like whatever everyone else likes... crap I'm side tracking. 
         Here's one thing you should know about me before this story starts, I can't seem to focus. I always go from one topic to another and I don't even realize. 

         As I sit, thinking about the things I don't like, I hear the announcement over the loud speaker. "Boarding will begin in 15 minutes. Please make sure you have what you need before boarding the bus" . I look at my watch; 4:05 p.m.
          It's hard for people to understand why I'm doing what I'm doing. It's for a plethora of reasons. I usually just tell people that I'm going to visit my family. I tend to reminisce a lot so eventually the reasons will come out but right now, they aren't important. What's important is the beginning of my journey. The beginning of an adventure of a lifetime, one I'll recount to my kids and my grand kids and maybe (if I'm lucky) my great grand kids. Not everyone can say they decided to get up one day and leave. It's in this moment that I feel like a free spirit. Nothing can stop me, and more importantly, nothing will stop me. 
          I grabbed my bag and started heading towards the bus. I still had time but I thought it'd be easier to get on the bus if I'm in the front. I only have one bag with me, so I don't really need to put my luggage away. I see other people with big suitcases, staring at me with my one small rucksack. They're probably thinking, "Where could this little girl be going with only a small bag of belongings?" I probably look like some run away. Then again, I guess that's what I am. No place to go, no specific destination, just my free will. 
          "Hey you" I hear a voice call. I turn around but there's no one there. "Over here, right in front of you" he says. Wow do I feel dumb, he's right in front of me. He continues once I'm looking at him. "Are you traveling alone?". I nod. "How old are you?". I say "18", to which he looks genuinely shocked. He looks me up and down and shrugs. Either way, even if I was lying, it's not illegal to ride a bus by yourself if your under 18, I think. I mean, why would it be? He looks at my bag. "That's all you got?". I nod. God dammit, so many questions. "Let me see your ticket". I hand it to him and he says I can go on. There's still about 5 or 6 minutes until we're supposed to board but I'm not complaining. I sat down at my seat, which was a window seat, and leaned my head against the window. Window seats are my favorite. I love watching the landscape go by as we move, the sky change as the day goes on, all that good stuff. 

              After about 2 minutes or so people start slowly filing on. An elderly couple, an uptight looking business man, etc. Time slowly goes by and I'm starting to wonder if anyone's gonna sit next to me. I hope not, what a dream it would be to keep that chair empty. It seems too good to be true. 
              Then he comes in. He's very attractive. I mean, woah. He walks towards me and sits down. Next to me. Huh, maybe I don't mind sitting next to someone after all. I have my headphones on and I try to make it look like I didn't notice him. Then there's another announcement. " Ladies and Gentlemen, we are getting ready to depart the station. Please remain seated and keep your seat belts fastened."  "Finally", I murmured quietly. I didn't think he heard me until he responded with "been waiting a long time?" I looked at him and nodded. "Yeah, about an hour and a half". His eyes widened a bit. "Damn". He looked at me and smiled. "I guess I'll leave you alone then, let you get some rest". I nodded and started looking out the window. I wish he would continue talking to me. Maybe I'll start a conversation later? Knowing me I probably wouldn't have the balls. The bus started moving and I watched as the landscape moved along with it. Crap, I forgot to ask him his name.