Metanoia [H.S.]

1.

** Hi everyone! This is the first chapter of my new story Metanoia. Just a warning in advance, this is a really short chapter, the next ones will be much longer! I really hope you enjoy it. Please like and comment if you want more! **

I didn't have a place to go. Not like it really mattered or anything.

I'm so used to moving, watching the atmosphere around me completely change within a matter of hours and this time was no different than the last.

He was an ass and I was naïve. I told myself that I would learn from my past experiences, but here I am again, sitting on this lonely park bench watching the pigeons look for non-existent food in the grass beneath my feet.

Where should I go this time? I mean, odds are that I'll find another douche to live with, we will scream and break up, I'll cry about it, leave, and end up in the same situation I'm in now, just watching the damn pigeons.

The wind began to pick up so wrapped my shivering body in the unsatisfying warmth of my cardigan and decided that I should probably leave soon. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and checked the time. If my feet could move fast enough, I would be able to make it to the bus station in downtown Seattle and catch the first bus out of town. My cold body, regretfully so, made it's way out of the park and onto the bustling street.

People passed me on the sidewalk within a blink of an eye. Luckily, no one paid enough attention to me to notice my smeared mascara, my thick brown hair whipping around me like a tornado and that I was carrying a poorly packed duffel bag with bras and jeans hanging out between the zipper. Whatever, I needed to make it to the bus stop and decide where to go from here.

The station came into view and I moved my feet even faster, craving the warmth inside the building. I should have done a better job of thinking this through. I was so angry at Ryan, that I put on the first thing I saw on the floor and threw the rest into my duffel. Asshole. If he wasn't such an asshole then I certainly wouldn't be cold right now.

I pulled open the station door and bought a ticket for the next bus that was supposed to arrive in 10 minutes. I didn't know where the bus was heading to, and I honestly didn't care.

I sat on a lonely bench, once again and stared down at my quickly dying phone. The minutes seemed to pass like hours. I just wanted to get on this bus and leave, far away from this city. I want somewhere fresh, new and different. A place without anger and distrust.

Finally, I was snapped out of my thoughts when I heard the station announce that my bus was boarding. I walked up the steps and sat down next to a window near the back. I put my duffel bag on the seat next to me and found my headphones in a tangled mess at the bottom of my bag. I began to untangle them and after a few minutes of not making any progress I threw them back into the bag and huffed in frusteration.

The bus was nearly empty. A woman and a young boy sat closer to the front, an old man sat a few rows behind them and young couple, around my age, sat a few rows in front of me. Gross, they looked at eachother like there was no one else around them. Seriously, I wanted to scream at them to snap out of it and end their relationship before they were in too deep. I should tell the poor girl that men suck and that one day he would break her heart.

But I didn't. One day they will figure it out on their own.

I sat on the bus and waited a little while longer until the driver took his seat and put the bus into drive. It wasn't until we left town that I looked at the sign above the drivers head that said our first stop was Portland. No, I wouldn't be getting off there, it's too close.

My eyes slowly became heavy as I stared out the window and wished for something different.

...

I awoke to muffles noises around me. The woman and the small boy were getting off of the bus along with the "so in love" couple that made me want to vomit. I remained in my seat and waited for more people to board the bus and get back on the road.

This time, the bus was much busier, almost cmpletely filled with strangers who all had unique stories. My eyes glanced out the window again as I waited for the bus to start moving.

"Hey, is this seat taken?" I heard a voice next to me.

I turned my head and was met with uncontrolable curly hair covered in a beanie and bright green eyes. I had no interest in giving this seat up.

"Yes." I told him bluntly and raised my eyebrows.

"Let me rephrase that. Is this seat taken by an actual person, or by somebody you made up so you are not forced to sit next to a stranger and engage in awkward small talk?"

This time his eyebrows raised.

"The second one." I stated and moved my bag under my seat.

"That's what I thought. Trust me, if I could have sat by myself I would have. But, I had to choose between you and an old man that was missing his front teeth."

I shot him a sarcastic smile and nodded my head, "although I am flattered that you chose me over the toothless man, that does not mean that I am going to talk to you for the duration of this bus ride."

I laid my head on the window and checked the time again. Even though he is somewhat good-looking it doesn't mean that I am going to befriend him. I've already cut myself off from guys in general. It hasn't been long, since I decided this when I stormed out of Ryan's house, but still.

"Well I believe that since we are going to be in very close proximity for the next 8 hours you should atleast know my name."

I rolled my eyes and turned my head toward him again.

"I'm Harry," he stated and pushed his hand toward me.

"Cool." I told him, before denying his handshake and the privelage of knowing my name. I placed my head on the window once again.

Thank you so much for reading!! I really hope you liked the first chapter. I think I have some pretty great ideas for this story so stay tuned! Also, please please like and comment your opinions! I hope to update each week!