The Things About A Trans Teen

Boy On The Bus

By the next morning my bags were packed, dad was called, friends and school notified, and bus tickets were bought online for my trip up to Akron, Ohio. I got dressed quickly, wearing blue skinny jeans and a plain black T-shirt. I brushed my hair back into a ponytail (a thing I started doing in sixth grade when my hair got to the length of my shoulder blades) and applied some blush to my tan cheeks. My friends always said I looked cute with red cheeks.

I carried my bags of clothes and other possession to the car, loading the back to near breaking point. Can never have enough clothes. My sister got into the front while I joined my brother in the back. They both got their licenses, but because of the easy walking distances they never bought their cars; it was rare to see us drive anywhere. Mother was already in the driver's seat, and she remained quiet for the entire five minute drive to the bus stop in town.

My sister was the first to cry, I followed second and last. She hugged me tightly, whispering that she loved me and would miss me into my ear. My brother patted my shoulder, as I did the same to his. Our way of showing affection towards eachother. He said his goodbye, then proceeded to help me put my stuff on the bus. My mother never shedded a tear or word. Her scowled expression marking the obvious annoyance she felt. I didn't bother hugging her, but instead kissed my sister's cheeks, then proceeded to join my stuff on the bus for the long journey to Ohio.

The bus smelt like old cheese and sweat. The last time I went to see my dad was summer vacation three years ago. He took me to lake Erie, and my makeup washed off in the water making me look like a drink after a bad night. I smiled to myself and the guy standing next to me noticed.

"Freak," he whispered under his breath. I clenched my fist, no good getting tossed off the bus not even an hour into the journey because of some asshole. I put my earbuds in and turned on Feel Good Inc. by the Gorillaz. Another thing lost onto me, country music. I didn't hate it, for say, but I didn't feel a strong attraction to it.

I let myself relax, slouching slightly in the seat, using my luggage as a makeshift pillow. The travel from Tennessee to Ohio was about an eight hour journey, not counting the stops in-between. What would it be like when I get there? Has dad changed any? I wonder if he'll still accept me for who I am. These thoughts flooded my brain and soon enough I was out cold.

I awoke to the driver telling me it was time to change bus. I quickly loaded my stuff onto the next bus, with the help from a handsome man in his early twenties, most likely a college student. He sat in front of me on the bus, and I blushed when he turned to smile at me.

"So, where you heading pretty thing?" My cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red, did he mistake me for a women?

"Akron, Ohio. And you sir?" I replied. My voice never deepened during puberty maintaining a girly pitch no matter how deep I tried sounding, earning me a few bullies and beatings in school.

His face lit up, "same! My mother up there is a teacher and my father was having some issues so..." He trailed off and I felt a sudden urge to hug him tight.

"I'm sorry," I started but was interrupted quickly by a large bump causing my head to fall on his arm. He was warm, with soft skin and only some muscle. He smelled slightly musky, a manly smell I thought I've become used to in all my years of school locker rooms, but it was now overpowering and made me crave for more.

I shot my head up quickly and he just smiled at me. His hair was longer, and unkept. No not unkept, messy. He obviously used gel to make it stay, but it looks is soft. His eyes were dark brown and reminded me of chocolate. His jaw wasn't exactly fine cut, but instead was filled out a bit more so you couldn't see his jawline until he looked straight up.

I smiled back at him and whispered an "I'm sorry." He waved it off and instead moved into my seat with me, squeezing me into a tight space between him and my bags.

"If you don't mind, I'd love to sit with you. You're bags don't look that comfy, lean on me if you like," his smile crushed my heart, and I laid up against him and breathed him in as I slowly drifted into a deep sleep.