Forever (Original)

Forever [23: Drive Me Crazy]

Forever: Drive Me Crazy

Buses were lined all down Main Street in Auburn, and teenagers were running around on the sidewalks, in and out of buses, and other various places.

Maria sat in her assigned bus seat in the seat next to the window, her nose buried in a thick novel. A few seats a head of her was Kirsten with her assigned bus partner Lewis.

“I don’t know,” Ian said, shrugging as he and Nigel stepped onto the bus. “Maybe she’ll just try to break your nose again.”

“Well that’s not a very positive thought,” Nigel grumbled. He could see Maria’s face as he neared; her long brown hair down and tucked behind her ears and bright eyes hidden behind her black-framed glassed. Despite the battle raging in his chest, he placed a light smirk on his lips at he sat down next to her, and Ian across the aisle.

Maria completely ignored Nigel as he sat next to her. He was so close that she could almost touch him. She could smell his cologne – a deep, dark musk that made her shudder. Despite the battle raging her chest, she continued to ignore him as she read on.

But then she heard – that horribly nasal voice that told her Lucille was approaching.

Maria looked up and caught a blur of pink and blond hair.

“Hey, are you Ian?” she asked.

“Dammit, why?” Maria muttered.

“Yeah, that’s me,” said Ian.

“Well, it looks like we’re bus buddies,” she said, sitting down next to Ian.

Out of the corner of her eye, Maria watched Lucille tear her hungry eyes from Ian and look over at Nigel as felt a pang in her stomach as the sickly-sweet smile crossed her face.

“Hi, I’m Lucy,” she said. “What’s your name?”

“I’m Nigel,” Nigel replied rather stiffly.

“Ooh, Nigel, that’s a nice name,” said Lucille.

“If you say so,” said Nigel.

“So,” said Lucille. “Are you from Saint Dominic or Franklin’s?”

“Saint Dominic,” Nigel answered, tapping the Saint Dominic patch on his black polo shirt.

“Nice,” said Lucille.

Maria looked over and saw Ian making gagging motions behind Lucille’s back.

A few hours passed with Nigel and Lucille flirting nonstop.

When the bus finally stopped to get gas and let the students off, Maria shoved past Lucille and Nigel and others and got off of the bus. She yanked the door of the small convenience store open and made a wild dash for the restroom. She hovered over the toilet a moment before the contents of her stomach emptied. When she finished, she flushed the toilet and rinsed her mouth with water from the sink.

She walked unsteadily out of the restroom and into the store, which was full of hungry teenagers buying junk food. Ian was nearby with Blake and Damon, and he caught sight of her almost at once.

“Hey, Maria,” he said. “You look like you’re about to be sick.”

“I already have,” she mumbled, directing her thumb toward the restroom.

“Crap,” said Ian. “I’ll be right back.” He turned and walked away.

“Are you okay,” Damon asked.

“I’m fine,” Maria said weakly. “Just a little woozy.”

A few moments later, Ian returned with a bottle of water.