Frost

Chapter 1- The Bus Ride

It's in the middle of December, exactly a week before Christmas. Something I used to not look forward to. Visiting family in Newport. Getting tight bear-hugs from Aunts Grace and Claire. Talking with Uncle Jack about the environment (he's a Environmental Scientist) and playing board games with Grampa. Laying near Aunt Grace and Uncle Jack's huge fireplace. Eating homemade fruitcake. Playing with cousins. These are all things I used to take for granted during the holidays, but now I miss them more than ever. Ever since mom and dad's divorce, mom and me never went back to visit dad's side of the family back in Kentucky. I really miss that...

"Morning honey. Did you sleep well?" mom says.

I turn around thinking mom was talking me, but mom's on the phone. Talking to damn Caitlyn. Is it really necessary to call her before school mom? Sometimes she just doesn't make any sense. You could at least say good morning to me every once in a while. Guess I should head out to school again without a goodbye. I walk out the door to the cold. Deep, white blankets of snow covers the front lawn. I turns to see the school bus pulling in. Shit! I jolt to the bus stop. There, several others kids from Oakridge North Middle waiting for the bus.

Just 6th graders. It'd be great if someone from my grade could move here. Then we could walk to each other's houses, ride our bikes down Maple Hill, ride the bus together, wait at the bus stop together, maybe go fishing down at Cedar Lake...

"Are ya just gonna stand dere?! Get your ass on the damn bus!" An irritated voice booms.

I look up, it's Mr. Huet the bus driver. Everyone else must've gotten on already. I walk up the slippery steps of the bus. There I'm standing looking for a place to sit. A look to the left. Some kids shake their heads in my direction. One gives me the finger. The bus driver starts to drive and I fall forward onto the floor. Everyone laughs. Damn bastards. They'll all pay one day.

I get up and find a seat next to Adam Johnson. He's weird and like me, has no friends. Plus he smells really bad. Okay Andrew, this is only for one ride. I plop down next to him.

"Aaaww. It looks like faggy Adam's boyfriend came to sit next to him! You homos are such a couple," A voice states behind me.

Shit. It's that jackass Garret Hoffman. Please God if you really do exist, just let this bus ride be over already! Or even better, how about we get in a bus crash and I'm the sole survivor! Like heck that would happen.

"Go to hell asshole," I reply confidently to Hoffman.

I hear rustling from the seat behind, then suddenly something grabs my sweatshirt collar and begins to choke me.

"You better take that back Royce. Or I swear I'll beat the living shit out of you," Hoffman snaps.

I try to free myself from Hoffman's grip but I can't.

"Tryin' to protect your girlfriend huh Royce? I heard that confidence in your voice. Don't get so cocky you little shit," Another voice says.

Who the hell could that be? Jake Holiday? Or Chase Paterson? I try to pull Hoffman's hands off my neck but he won't let go. And of course dumbass Adam's just sitting there like a freaking retard. Should I apologize? No, that will only satisfy Hoffman and his ally. I keep trying to yank the hands from my neck but nothing works. Why the hell isn't the bus driver noticing anything? Are the rest off theses bastards just going to sit here like nothing's happening!? I guess this town is filled with self-absorbed pricks.

"Hey look Jake. Huet's not even noticing a damn thing! Ha!" Hoffman laughs.

It must've been Jake according to what Hoffman just said. Jake Holiday is just as much of an asshole as his cousin Garret.

"Watch what you say Royce. You got it?" Holiday says.

People in front of us start getting off the bus. I gather my stuff. Hoffman and Holiday walk past me. Holiday spits on my face. Asshole... Adam pokes my shoulder.

"Don't touch me you retard," I glare.

"Can you move? I need to get off," Adam says pushing up his cheap-ass glasses.

I give him the finger and get up. I can do whatever the hell I want. Adam can't tell me what to do.