The Birdcage Effect

Chapter 8

Once I've huffed and puffed my way onto the mini bus, I see that Stephen and Dalton are already seated behind Madelyn who is sitting alone towards the front of the bus. Madelyn quickly acknowledges my presence and signals me over with a wave of her hand. Before making my way over to my seat beside her however, I notice that Stephen is seated directly behind that seat. His eyes meet my own with a vacant look and for a second I pause to consider whether or not I should claim that seat or look elsewhere. Not wanting to appear immature for sitting away from everyone else, I silently walk towards Madelyn and take my seat beside her.

"Thanks." I politely tell her.

She smiles in return before choosing to search for something in her backpack. Within seconds, she removes an iPod and a set of headphones.

"Hope you don't mind if I just listen to some music for the drive, I tend to get bus sick." She explains.

Just my luck I think. Not only am I sitting in front of Stephen in what is predicted to be an uncomfortable and anxious drive, but my only source of company will have her headphones in the entire journey.

"That's fine." I say instead and watch as she plugs her headphones in and closes her eyes in the moments following.

I shift my attention towards the front of the bus and observe the gadgets surrounding the drivers seat. There seems to be so many different buttons and it has me thinking what each of them are used for. Before I can become too distracted, Ms Kennedy enters the bus and takes her seat behind the drivers wheel. She straps herself in and turns around to acknowledge us all sitting behind her.

"Well if that's everyone, let's say we get a move on." She comments while starting the ignition.

For the first ten minutes of the drive my mind is preoccupied with the roads, buildings and houses that pass us by. There seems to be some sort of serenity experienced by simply sitting and observing. Unfortunately, my attention is drawn away from that when I hear an unpleasant tune escaping from the radio at the front of the bus. Before Stephen, Dalton, Madelyn or myself can ask about the sudden change in noise, Ms Kennedy is quick to address it.

"I thought it was becoming rather quiet so I've switched on some music from the 70s radio station. And yes I do realise that comment may in fact reveal how old I am." She says with a humorous smile.

Despite Ms Kennedy's efforts to make the atmosphere in the bus more lively, I think it's safe to assume that only she is actually enjoying the music coming from the radio. I close my eyes for a second, in the hopes of drowning out some of the sound when I feel a random jab to the side of my right rib. I whip my head around but fall short of locating the culprit. A few seconds later, I feel the same jab and turn around yet again, hoping to pinpoint the source. Madelyn still has her headphones plugged in and eyes closed, Stephen appears to reading some sort of book and Dalton looks considerably suspicious with his tight lipped smile and red cheeks.

"Dalton, did you just jab me?" I ask him.

"No." He unconvincingly replies while trying hard to contain a laugh.

"Really?" I say with a raise of my left eyebrow.

"Honest." He states with a huge grin.

Reluctantly, I turn back around in my seat and face the front of the bus. I don't have to wait long until I feel the same jab once again.

"Seriously Dalton?" I accuse with what I hope is an annoyed glare.

"I'm telling you, it's not me." He replies with a laugh.

"Then who is it?" I dumbly say before hearing the sound of another persons laugh join Dalton.

Stephen sits in his seat, clutching his stomach and laughing so hard his eyes are closed and forming small slits. I shoot him and Dalton another glare each before turning back around in my seat and folding my arms over each other. I hear them chuckling behind me and I find the noise alone to be even more aggravating than Ms Kennedys 70s song choices. Their laughs dwindle soon after but it doesn't make me feel better after being the centre of an inside joke. I'm still feeling sorry for myself even when I feel Stephen nudge me from my left side.

"Atlanta, look I'm sorry. Dalton and I were just having a laugh." He tries explaining with amusement clear in his voice.

"Yeah, I can see that now." I glumly tell him.

"No, you don't understand. Dalton and I were just trying to distract us all from the radio. We think Ms Kennedy is trying to kill us all with her taste in music." He assures me.

I can't help but release a small giggle at his words, because although I may have been the butt of a joke I can't deny that it distracted me from the noise of the radio.

"You've made your point." I unwillingly admit.

"Good, now do me a favour will you?" He proposes.

"What?" I hesitantly ask him.

"Stop pouting, it doesn't suit you." He smiles at me, but not before dropping a casual wink.