Decided By Fate (Preview)

Act 1, Chapter 6

Sitting there in the darkness, only illuminated by the screen in front of me. I was confused or some other unpleasant emotion now that I was faced with the info from typing Max's name in. In front of me on the screen was a list of names all the same as his. There was no profile picture to make it clear if it was him or anything to dispute the differences from the others. Those that had information were all connected to middle-aged men with kids. The boy I was looking for was a total enigma to the rest of the world.

"What the hell?" I muttered under my breath.

The words escaped my lips as I tried to find his profile for a while longer, but everything was blocked or hidden from public eyes. If I wanted to know anything about him, the only option I had left was to ask him in person. The problem was finding the time for that, let alone the courage. I only saw the boy once a week in our homeroom class, where I would also have to deal with Shay. This was it; it was over, and I had lost. I wouldn't be able to find him that night. Turning my phone off, I laid my head down on the pillow.

Surprisingly, I didn't feel alone, as the thought of Max pleasured my mind, letting the anxiety slip away beneath my fingertips. For the first time in a while, I felt calm and had the right mindset to start making a game plan. It would be the ultimate plan to seduce the boy or not even that, but just make him someone I could call...a friend.

***

The night overtook me as my mind fell asleep, and for the first time in weeks, I didn't feel sad or exhausted. I was free of the crying I typically did as a feeling of determination washed over me. As the night continued, I maintained a smile until the warm glow of light brought me back into the waking reality. The thought of wanting the boy more than ever was the only thing on my mind; I practically rushed to the school that morning to see him again.

Throwing myself out of bed, I got changed and did my makeup more than usual. All just in case I happened to see the boy of my dreams. I knew the bus he took, and I hoped I would run into him again after school. Leaving my room, I entered the house's main area, and like the days prior, my guardians were in the kitchen. They were prepping for the morning; the only difference was that I kept walking today. I grabbed one of the freshly baked muffins before putting on my leather jacket.

"Aren't you going to eat with us?" Cherry asked.

"No, I'll get something when I get to the school. I want to learn the bus route, so I'm not late." I replied, lying through my teeth.

"Alright, we'll see you when you get back then, I guess," Hank responded.

"Yep, see you later," I called back.

Hank and Cherry turned their backs to me to help Chloe get through breakfast. From the door, I gave them a weak smile that they'd never see, then took my leave. A fire was lit under me as I was, in a way, chasing my dreams. Taking my first steps into the morning light, I inhaled the fresh air and pulled out my phone. Using the GPS app, I hoped to find the start of the bus's route.

***

After twenty minutes of leaving the house, I found myself on board the final bus but still being late for school. Both of my earbuds were in, as I closed myself off to the world while looking out the window at all the cars passing by and wondering where they might be going. Stop after stop, I waited. I watched as people stepped on and sat down until only the seat beside me was empty. However, it didn't stay empty for long when I suddenly felt the presence of someone sitting down next to me. Great, now I have to keep looking out the window. I thought to myself. I was scared to look over at who had taken the empty spot after giving in to my introverted behaviour.