Huffing, I rolled my eyes. “It’s still daylight outside…and what’s your solution? Get in the car with some creep who hangs out at the bus station?”
He laughed a cocky laugh. “How about I give you my number in case you change your mind?”
“No phone,” I lied.
“Fair enough. I’m bound to run into you on campus.” And with that, he drove off. The cherry brand-new red Mustang was out of my sight within seconds.
“Are you getting on, Miss?”
I snapped my head around, looking at the bus driver. “Yeah, sorry,” I said, shaking my head. I got on the bus and found a seat at the back.
I begged for friends for years and was rewarded with rumors, bruises, and more bullying than one person could handle. Now, I wanted to be alone, and the universe wouldn’t accept that. I couldn’t catch a break. I pulled the paper from my purse, distracting myself from these overly friendly people.
Late-summer heat wave sends temperatures soaring into the eighties. I looked up and to my side, as if someone else was reading the same sentence I was. I traded glances with a stranger, and then looked away.
The bus was approaching the mall stop. I saw Target from a distance and smiled. Finally, something was going my way. As I exited the bus, I realized how perfect this state really was. The air, the scenery, the city—all of it. I sucked in all the air I could. It was the most beautiful air I had ever breathed. I walked to the store with my head down, avoiding faces.
I grabbed a red shopping cart and mentally made a list. Bedding, toiletries, a small safe, clothes. I ran in each direction, hoping to get the essentials before the sun dipped down below the buildings. The rude, rich stranger was right. I should not be on buses at night, especially in a new city. He didn’t even know who I was…he especially didn’t know about the cash in my purse.
After I found what I needed, I went to the nearest self-checkout and paid for my items. I secretly picked three large bills and fed them into the machine. I was careful to not let anyone see what was in my bag. I left the store, found my bus, and rode back to campus in silence. The sun was barely peeking over the buildings, slowly dipping by the second.
“Approaching University District,” a voice said over the speaker. I glanced to my right, taking in the campus as it streaked by. I shoved my newspaper into my purse and grabbed my bags, waiting for the stop.
I walked down the path leading to McMahon Hall, not needing help navigating. I spent three days calculating my every move. It was amazing what a person could do when they spent forty-five hours on a bus. I was quite positive I could navigate the entire state of Washington without ever looking at a map again.
Trees lined the path, not that I needed shade. The sun was not as angry as it was in Texas, and it was dropping fast. My creamy white skin was thankful. The campus was surprisingly packed, but I allowed myself to stop and take it all in. A large “W” was centered in front of the building before me, reminding me I’d moved to Washington. This wasn’t a dream. I’d made it.
I ducked my head down and walked faster to my dorm. I noticed a red car in the parking lot and sighed. I hoped the rude stranger was wrong. I didn’t get a good look at him, but I knew he saw me. The last thing I needed was people trying to get close to me right now.
When I got back to my dorm, at least a dozen people were in the hallway. Rolling my eyes, I opened the door, ignoring them as I carried my bags inside. As I shut the door it caught, and Josie stepped through, smiling at me.
“Look, about earlier,” Josie started, and I shook my head, not wanting to deal with her right now.
“It’s fine. In the past,” I said, my tone clipped. She was still standing in the room, waiting for something to happen. She would be disappointed that I wasn’t confrontational, and I couldn’t care less about making friends.
“That’s the thing…I was hoping you would hang out with us.” She dragged her teeth across her bottom lip, anxious. I narrowed my eyes at her. What was her game?
“Oh. Uh, I appreciate it…but I’m pretty tired,” I said.
She shrugged her small shoulders before turning on her heel. “You know where to find us if you change your mind.”
After the door closed, I opened the safe, slid it under my bed, and stuffed the small purse inside. I set up a combination and let out a sigh of relief. My only fear about this trip was that I would be robbed, and my whole chance at a new start would be reduced to nothing. Out-of-state financial aid was out of the question for me right now. This money was the only thing I had.
I emptied my Target sacks, setting the toiletries and clothes on the built-in desk beside my bed. I put the purple sheets on my bed and tossed the comforter on top just as the door opened again.
“Autumn?”
That voice. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. I didn’t turn around, just continued slipping my single pillow into the pillowcase; hoping the rude rich boy would leave my room. I didn’t have a lot of experience with boys, but I did know if you ignored someone long enough, they would leave.
During high school, if I stared straight ahead and didn’t acknowledge them, the popular crowd would eventually move on to their next victim. Afterwards, I could lock myself in a stall and cry. Mulling over everything they had said. White trash, trailer trash, ugly. I never let them know
