After helping myself to a minuscule piece of the cake, I walk outside and begin enduring the walk to the bus stop. A light snow begins to fall, little flurries sticking to everything.
I wrapped my fuzzy black scarf tighter around my neck, and crossed my arms, attempting to warm myself up.
I stared at the ground as I walked, watching out for patches of ice. The weather in January is horrible. I curse myself for not getting a car sooner. I had always been fine with taking the school bus... Until now.
I stop when I get to the yellow sign at the end of the block. I sit down on the bench, resting after my short walk. No one else ever came here to hop on the bus, only the kindergarteners on the block, who don't start school until nine.
I take a deep breath as I see the old yellow bus come into view from the end of the street. I stand up, walking to the edge of the sidewalk. The doors to the bus slide open, and I slowly climb the two steps.
"Hurry, now. We've got more children to pick up," Mr. Barnes, the bus driver says to me. I roll my eyes. He's always this grumpy in the mornings.
I walk past the clusters of high schoolers to my usual spot at the back of the bus. On my way, I make eye contact with one of the freshmen. It's Breanna, Addison's sister. I smile at her, and she smiles back.
I sit down at the very back of the bus, and sigh. If Addison were here, this birthday definitely wouldn't be as dull and gloomy. I lean my head back against the seat and put my earbuds in.
I listen to my music as I think about Addison. Our birthday parties were always the best when she was still here. We would gang up against all the other guests during the party games, always winning. I smile to myself, reminiscing.
A few minutes later, I'm surprised when I feel a tap on my shoulder. I jolt up, my eyes snapping open. I rip my earbuds out when I see a boy standing in front of me.
"Is it okay if I sit here?" He asks me, pointing to the empty space beside me. I look away and hesitantly nod, pressing myself up against the side of the bus, wanting to put plenty of distance between me and the boy.
"I'm Storm," he says, smiling, and extending a very large hand for me to shake. He slowly pulls the hand away and his smile fades when all I do is stare at his hand. He coughs.
"I've never seen you at school before," he says, staring at me. Even though I'm looking straight ahead, I can tell he is staring at me.
I make no effort to answer him, I don't want to. I'm in no mood for a chat, or a friend for that matter. There will never be anyone like Addison, and I don't want there to be anyone to replace her.
"Look, I'm just trying to be nice," he says, sounding irritated. "The least you could do is answer me." I take a deep breath, and slowly turn my head to look at him.
This is the first time I've had the chance to really study his features. It turns out that he is very handsome. His features remind me of a model, a movie star even. I look away before he catches me staring.
"Sorry," I mumble, apologizing for not replying to him earlier. He chuckles.
"It's fine. What's your name?" He asks me. I turn to look at him, to meet his eyes. Surprisingly, curiosity shines through them. I don't see why anyone would be curious about me.
"Madelynn," I reply. He smiles.
"I'm Storm."
I can't help it. I let out a small giggle.
"You already said that," I chuckle, looking out the window.
He laughs. "Sorry. I guess you'll be sure to remember my name, now."
I nod, smiling.
Surprisingly, it's easy to get along with Storm on the ride to school. I find out that he and his parents have lived in 15 of the 50 states during his lifetime, because his parents flip houses. (If anyone doesn't know what this means, it's when someone buys an old, falling apart house and makes them new again, and then sell them.)
I'm almost sad when we get to school, but then I remember that I can't be friends with Storm. No one can take Addison's place. Ever.
I walk with Storm into school, though. Keeping my previous thoughts in mind. I'm about to walk into my first period class, chemistry, when he calls out to me.
"Madelynn!" His deep voice booms. I quickly turn around, wishing he would be quieter so less attention could be drawn to us. He hastily runs over to me. I raise my eyebrows, questioning him.
"I was wondering," he begins, swallowing after, and then clearing his throat. "I was wondering if you wanted to go grab some dinner this Friday," he finally spits out. My face immediately heats up. This is something I wasn't expecting.
I don't want to go, honestly. I can't tell him that. I just can't tell him no.
"S-Sure," I stutter, confused as to why a boy as good looking as he would want to go out with someone like me.
He smiles, then nods.
"See you around, Madelynn," he says, before running the opposite direction.
Wow. I, Madelynn had actually scored a date.
Happy birthday to me.
Madarry or Stadelynn??
