Snippets

Short Story-The Bus

3:39 PM

She pocketed her mobile device and cautiously peered over the edge of the footpath; the long, animated road lay before her in a chaotic fashion. Impatiently, she dropped back towards the bus shelter and regained her seat, tsunamis raging within her stomach. Her fingers twirled around each other in an elaborate dance, dedicating themselves to distracting the tense girl from her nerves.

Her knee began to bounce as she unzipped her bag, pulled out her well-loved book and lost herself in a world of fairytales. The words turned to blurry clouds, drifting across the page as the wind did through her jacket. A sharp shiver ran through her spine, straightening her posture into that of a corset-ridden maiden's. The crisp air did but little to cool the girl's flushed body. It was almost ironic; the usually freezing girl had become a furnace.

The racing vehicles that were presented before her did no justice in muting her efforts of thinking out loud. She mumbled about today and tomorrow, and the never-ending list of homework, chores and errands she had to run. Some would dare call her mad; others, an imaginative young woman. Undoubtedly, she appeared the slightest bit tipsy to onlookers, with her nonsensical rambling and curious facial expressions.

The girl temporarily halted her wild train of thoughts and pulled herself into reality as she stood up, adjusted the straps of her backpack, straightened her slightly crinkled uniform, pushed her hands into her pockets, and made her way to the edge of the footpath once again. She leaned over ever so carefully, and studied the road ahead of her. Beyond the other numerous loitering vehicles, she spotted an intimidating blue bus. She shut her eyes, exhaled, and smiled, for her anxious wait was over.

The bus was finally here.