I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. For the past three minutes, the woman sitting next to hadn't stopped staring, her thigh pressed uncomfortably against mine.
I swear, if she even tries to touch ...
"So, cute boy," she said, pushing her auburn hair behind her ear. "How old are ya'?"
"I'm eighteen," I replied, staring straight ahead. My stomach churned as her arm casually draped itself over my shoulder.
"Still in school, huh? I've never had a young boyfriend..." Her voice dropped low, almost a hiss, "...wanna change that?" The words tickled my ear, and my skin crawled.
"Ew, no," I muttered, turning away. This woman was too old to be doing this.
I slid a hand into my backpack to get up, but she tightened her grip and pulled back.
"Where ya running off to, cutie? I'm only trying to keep you company," she said, voice soft and sticky.
"If you don't get your hands off I'm telling my sister. You really don't want to fuck with her."
"Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing ya," she said, pulling her arm back. I blinked, surprised that actually worked. Maybe she knows my sister?
"My offer still stands though, sweetie..." the woman said, pressing her thigh harder against mine. Her voice dropped, "I can fuck you like a real woma-"
I didn't waste another second hearing the rest of what she had to say. Grabbing my bag, I slid into a seat closer to the bus door.
She didn't try to stop this ti. Just giggled quietly to herself, eyes still fixed on while I sat there, pretending to relax.
"How can won be so cruel..." I whispered, eyes fixed on the passing streets. When I spotted the school ahead, my heart lifted, at least this ride was almost over.
I thanked the bus driver before hopping off. Standing in front of the school, I finally felt a little safer... well, maybe just a little less on edge.
Walking in felt like a breath of fresh air... until I felt a hand pressed against my ass. I spun around, but with the crowded hallway, I couldn't tell who it was. I can't even escape the groping at school...
I weaved through the hallways, trying to make it to class on ti, ignoring the random catcalls from girls. They felt like predators, circling and sizing up.
Walking into my first-period classroom felt better than it ever had. After such a chaotic morning, I knew I'd have to tell Elara about all of this later.
"Nice to see you early for once, Noah," Ms. Rose comnted as I slid into my usual seat at the back, away from all the attention.
I pulled out my books, ready for another day of much-needed education. It wasn't long before the classroom filled with students, the bell signaling the start of the chaos.
"Settle down, everyone, settle down," Ms. Rose declared, her voice sharp and commanding. "As you know, you'll be doing a project on our current unit. You'll work in pairs, so choose your partner carefully—we don't want an incident like last ti."
Oh man, that poor boy Ryan... such an innocent person, turned into a human toilet. The last I rember of what happened, he was forced into prostitution by his girlfriend. Every ti I see him now, he looks drained, hollow, and utterly defeated. And no one can do anything about it since his "pimp's" family donates insane amounts of money to the school.
Hopefully I don't end up like that...
Everyone quickly paired up, mostly with friends they already knew. Unfortunately, I didn't have anyone I was close to. So I just stood there, shifting uncomfortably, feeling out of place.
Then I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see Sara, the quiet girl everyone seed to avoid like the plague for so reason.
"D-Do you want to be partners?" she whispered. I glanced around—everyone else already had soone. Turning back to her, I nodded. I'd never felt this shy talking to a girl before; I didn't know whether to trust her or stay cautious.
I slid into the seat next to her desk, close enough to talk. She looked nervous, and I couldn't understand why.
"I-I... uh, I think it's best if we do it at my house. I wouldn't want your siste—uh, I an, your family teasing you about having a girl over..."
A little odd to start off with that, but whatever. "Yeah, I'm fine with that. I could give my sister so alone ti, now that I think about it."
Sara fidgeted with her fingers at my response. "That's great. And don't worry... I promise I won't do anything that makes you uncomfortable. I swear."
"Maybe this girl's different..." I thought to myself as we discussed our plans for the project on Friday.
Before I knew it, the whole period had passed—and soon, the entire school day. Surprisingly, no groping or harassnt this ti. Just a few comnts here and there, but hey... at least I wasn't being assaulted.
I approached a nearby bus stop and noticed a man sitting there with a little girl, who I assud was his daughter. Never have I felt safer in my life.
I sat down next to them, waiting for the next bus. "You don't know how relieved I am to see another male..." I said, letting the relief show in my voice.
He giggled at my remark. "I'm glad I can be of help," he said, turning his attention back to the little girl, who stood patiently in front of him, her small hands fidgeting as she waited.
For so reason, I felt a twinge of jealousy. Maybe it was because I wanted that too—soday to be a father, to stay ho, take care of the house and kids, to have that quiet, ordinary life where soone depended on you and you could protect them. Watching them together, it felt like a glimpse of sothing I'd always longed for.
Lost in my thoughts, the bus arrived out of nowhere. I quickly hopped on and slid into a seat near the father and his child.
"So, what had you so relieved to see ? Did sothing happen?" he asked, sitting with his hands in his lap, the little girl nestled between us.
"Well... this morning, I was being touched and harassed by a woman," I explained, eyes dropping to my shoes. "She went on about never having a young boyfriend after I told her I was eighteen. I was scared, to say the least."
"I'm really sorry that happened to you. Won can be such a pain in the ass, but rember—not all of them," he said. His words eased the tightness in my chest ever so slightly. He's right—maybe today was just a bad day. A really, really bad day.
I stared out the window, buildings rushing past. Out of nowhere, I asked, "How did you find the one?"
He looked caught off guard, humming thoughtfully. "How did you find the perfect girl?" I clarified.
He giggled softly, glancing at the little girl sleeping on his shoulder. "She just ca into my life one day and swept up. I don't know... I just felt connected to her. And the funny part? She was the most unexpected person—soone I'd never imagined falling in love with."
I thought about his words the entire ride ho. Unexpected person... unexpected person...
It wasn't long before I reached the bus stop nearest to my house. Before getting off, I turned to the father.
"Thank you, sir. I hope you live a long and happy life," I said, reaching out to shake his hand.
"Anyti, son," he replied with a nod.
I quickly said goodbye to his sleeping daughter, then hopped off and started walking ho.
The walk ho was peaceful. The sidewalk stretched empty in both directions, not a single person in sight—and I loved that.
A smile crept onto my face before I knew it, and soon I was skipping down the pavent like so overexcited kid. I probably looked like a maniac to anyone driving by, but I didn't care. For once, I actually felt happy.
Out of the corner of my eye, my house ca into view, and my chest swelled with relief. I jogged up the path, unlocked the door, and stepped inside to find my sister sleeping on the couch—looked like work had really worn her out today.
"Maybe it's best not to wake her," I murmured, setting my keys gently on the kitchen table so they wouldn't make a sound. The house was quiet, like it always was—just and Elara. I slipped quietly into my room, eager to finally relax and let the day fade away.
Reviews
All reviews (0)