All Aboard

Part Fourteen

Kimberly

This was actually turning out to be fun. Kimberly was beginning to feel like she belonged to this fateful little group, thrown together by the universe and bus timetables. It was a revelation to learn that she didn't have the monopoly on embarrassing experiences, and hearing Dan and Nav's made her feel closer to the them.

While the boys told their stories, Kimberly had seized the opportunity to have a good look at everyone, taking in all the freckles, the scars, the facial hair, and the perfectly applied make up. She spent most of her day looking at the floor, at desks, or at her lunch, so it was a rare treat to have a really good stare at anyone.

'It was hilarious, but I really felt for you, man,' said Dan, then looked at the others, 'Okay, who wants to go next?'

Kimberly wondered whether she should volunteer or wait to be called on, although she hadn't decided which story to share yet. She didn't want to be too eager, but then she definitely didn't want to go last either. She looked at her hands for a moment, trying to get her memory in order, clicking through all the files she'd labelled embarrassing in her head.

'Okay, I have one,' Chloe volunteered.

'Wow, take the floor then, Blondie.' Chloe glared at Dan and he put his hands up. 'Sorry, Chloe.'

'It's not really...well, it's not an amazing story but when I was in Paris on the French trip I got stuck in the revolving door at the hotel,' said Chloe, glancing at the others.

'Those doors can be tricky, I guess,' Nav offered. Chloe turned and smiled at him.

'I had a massive back pack. Typical nerd tourist. And I was so excited to be there I charged into the doors and the opening wasn't big enough and I got wedged in. Everyone started shouting at me in French, but I was in such a panic that all of my French just evaporated and I couldn't understand them and I couldn't tell them I was stuck.'

'That is embarrassing,' Mikaela nodded.

'I was getting all claustrophobic and then started shouting helfen Sie mir, ich bin stecken over and over.'

'That's German," smirked Mikaela.

Chloe nodded, smiling.

'You were shouting for help in German? In a French hotel?' said Mikaela.

'Not bad, Chloe,' said Dan.

'Thanks, Dan, King of Embarrassing Stories,' said Chloe.

Dan raised an eyebrow and turned to Mikaela. 'What?' said Mikaela, looking around.

'You know what. Come on; share please,' he said.

'No, I don't have anything,' she said, shaking her head.

'Yes, you do. You must do.' Dan frowned as he followed Mikaela's eyes. 'Why are you looking at Chloe?'

Mikaela groaned as Chloe tried to keep the smile from her face. 'Because she knows my embarrassing story. Most of the girls in our year do.'

I don't know it, thought Kimberly.

'Go on then,' said Dan, tapping his wrist. 'We can wait forever, Mikaela; time is standing still on this bus, remember?'

Mikaela stared at Dan for a few seconds then threw her hands up in the air. 'Fine! Right. I'm just going to say it. Basically, we'd just had PE, and were in the changing rooms. I'd just had a shower-'