Meant to Be

Chapter Five

After class, Collin and I went our seperate ways to our lockers. I grabbed my backpack, slipped my English notebook inside, and closed and locked my locker. I headed out to my bus, got on, and pulled out my Veronica William's novel. I was so engrossed in my book that I didn't notice Collin getting on the bus until he sat down beside me.

"Hey," he said.

He startled me so much, I practically jumped out of my seat. I turned to face him, and realized who it was.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't meant to scare you. Is it okay if I sit here?" he asked.

"Yeah, no problem," I replied as I moved my backpack onto my lap so he would have more room.

"Thanks. You're the only one I know on this bus besides," he rolled his eyes, "Zoey."

Right on cue, we heard Zoey call from the back of the bus, "Collin! Come sit by me and Krista!"

Collin turned around and I prepared for the worst. He's going to sit with her, I thought. He's too nice to say no. 

To my surprise, Collin replied smoothly, "No, I'm fine where I am."

Zoey pouted. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure," Collin said and turned around before Zoey could say another word. 

"I can't stand that girl!" Collin said to me quietly.

"Neither can I," I agreed. "She thinks she's 'all that.'"

"And really, she's not. She's not that smart; I discovered that in my history class. And yes, she has expensive clothes, but all the expensive clothes in the world couldn't make that girl nice."

I nodded, then smiled slyly. "And even if Mr. Walters had all the help in the world, he could never become interesting," I added.

Collin laughed. "True. Is he always like that, or was today a special occasion?"

"Unfortunately, he's always that boring. Just be glad you're not sitting in the front row. You'd have to pay attention, and he might even call on you!"

Collin put his hands to his face in mock horror. "Oh no! How terrible!"

We laughed and joked about the teachers the whole ride home. Finally the bus came to a stop. Collin stood up.

"Well, this is my stop," he explained. "See you tomorrow?"

I stood up. "Actually, this is my stop, too."

We got off the bus, and when the other kids turned left, I was surprised when Collin followed me right.

"What?" Collin asked.

"Nothing, it's just that I'm not used to having someone with me. I'm the only one from our school on my street," I told him.

"Our street," Collin corrected me. 

"Yeah. Our street," I repeated.

"Hey," Collin began. "Were you, by any chance, looking out your window yesterday? I know that sounds weird, but I think I saw you."

I blushed. "I was looking to see if anyone had moved in yet. I was really hoping that someone my age would move in. You know, so we could be friends," I admitted.

"Did I fit the part?" Collin asked.

I pretended to think. "Well, you are my age...and my friend, so yes, you fit the part perfectly." I smiled shyly.

"Now I have a confession to make," Collin said. "When I found out we were moving, I was really upset. After I realized I couldn't change my parents' minds, I hoped I would find a friend. Maybe even a friend who lived near me so we could hang out. A friend who was funny without being obnoxious. A friend who would let me sit with them on the bus. A friend who I could make fun of the teachers with."

"Did I fit the part?" I asked.

"Yes," Collin answered honestly. "You fit the part perfectly."