Bus Stops and Coffee

Chapter 3

I wasn't in as bad a mood today. Last period had been fun and I got an exceptional grade on a test I thought I would do bad on. I was laughing at a joke Harper had told me as I moved towards the back of the bus.

There he was again; the guy from yesterday. He seemed to be focusing on something so I took the time to really look at him and get him out of my system.

But Zoe and Harper had distracted me by engaging me in a conversation. I laughed for most of the bus ride even though I thought it was not pretty. It was the type of laugh that showed not only my teeth; but my gums as well.

I call it a horse laugh. Zoe says that it happens to everyone, but I never see it happen to her. It was the type of laugh that made my small eyes crinkle at the corners and look smaller. I was worried about him seeing my laugh but he seemed extremely irritated.

He dragged a hand down his face and let out a sigh. I decided not to try to get his attention any further. Putting my head phones on; I turned my music up loud, singing a few lyrics every now and then. It got to our stop and I got up; taking one last look at the boy before getting off the bus.
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I didn't see the boy for 3 days after that. The next week my friends had after school, so I had to take the bus alone. I was quiet when I was by myself. The bus was crowded today so I had to get on the bus through the back.

The warmth was usually welcomed but it was a bit stifling with all those people in one area. The only place to hold on was the bar above my head. My arm was stretched straight up just so I could wrap a hand around the bar. I kept a hand securely against my shoulder bag and kept me eyes out the window. I didn't even notice the familiar stranger until the bus jerked and I crashed right into him.

"I'm sorry." I told him as I scrambled to get up. My cheeks were no doubt; bright red by now.

"It's fine. I guess it's not the first time I could say that a girls fallen for me." he said.

"Haha." I said sarcastically with a roll of my eyes.

"Your freind isn't with you today?" I asked.

"No, neither are yours." he commented. I shook my head as I finally managed to stand properly again.

"Then you wouldn't mind gracing me with your company?" he questioned.

"I barely now you."

"You can get to know me."

"My mother told me not to talk to strangers."

"You're talking to me right now. And all I wanna do is talk some more."

"What if you try to do something like kidnap me?" some people looked at me as our conversation continued.

"I'm not a criminal."

"But I don't know that." I countered.

"I'll make you a deal. If I try to kidnap you or something you can pepper spray me and call the cops."

"I don't have pepper spray." I say as I look in my bag.

"I have perfume."

"That'll work." he replies. People look at us weirdly as we plan this out. A lady looked at me like she would rather call the cops now. I guess it was because he looked like a grown man and I looked like a little ass kid.

"What grade are you in?" I asked him.

"I'm in college. You?"

"I'm in high school." I answered. He didn't look like he could be that far into college; maybe first or second year. That's fine cause I'm in my 3rd year of high school.

"There's a cafe near the next stop." I say as I pull the cord.

"We can talk there." he nods at me and stands up as the bus slows down.

"Excuse me." I make my at through the bus and out the back doors. I step right into a slushy puddle. Good thing I'm wearing boots; but what else would you wear in the winter? I shiver as a chilling wind hits my face but the boy seems unfazed. He must be warm under his jacket.

"Oh, where are my manners?!" I smack my palm lightly against my forehead and then hold out my hand to him.

"I'm Riley."

"Lucas." he tells me; taking my hand in his and kissing it. I feel heat creep onto my cheeks.

"Let's get you out of that puddle shall we?" he says lifting me from the puddle, over a pile of snow and onto the sidewalk. He holds the door open to the Starbucks. That's what it was, I was always forgetting the name.

The smell of coffee irritated my nose but their hot chocolate was to die for. We talked for a while and I found out that he loves to draw and he plays piano. He's studying architecture in college; something I was planning to major in. He's got a sweet tooth and he loves coffee.

"I hate coffee." I tell him.

"Hate is such a strong word." he claims. I roll my eyes.

"Fine. I have a strong dislike for coffee. Better?"

"Still bad but yes." he answered.

"I tasted it before and I don't like the taste." I explained as I looked in my cup.

"Maybe that's because you haven't tasted it like this." he said.

"Like wha-" I didn't get to finish my sentence because suddenly his lips were on mine. My eyes widened, coffee running down my chin. I could taste it in my mouth; kinda bitter but kinda sweet. I let out a startled gasp as he moved back. He smirked at me.

"W-w-what did you do that for?" I stuttered.

"Cause I felt like it. I'll see you around Red." he left the cafe. I sat stunned and I ran my fingers gently against my lip.
'What have I gotten myself into?'
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