Lauren flopped down on the bus seat triumphantly, dropping her shopping bags at her feet.
"I have to stop leaving it till the last minute, this is getting ridiculous..." she muttered, blowing a wet strand of hair out her face. It had become a almost tradition that she did most of her Christmas shopping the day before...not a smart idea.
She slipped out of her soaking coat, shivering as droplets of water fell on her dry cloths. Pugging herself into her earphones she pressed her head against the window. It was dark outside and condensation had collected on the glass,she happily watched as twinkly lights passed by and her favourite Christmas song played in her ears. Savouring the warmth of the bus she closed her eyes, and san into a exhausted sleep.
She didn't know how long she had slept for, just that when she awoke the bus was empty, and someone was shaking her shoulder lightly. She blinked sleepily, letting her eyes focus on the source of her disturbance. It was a man. Tall, well tall to her, and muscular. He was looking at her with kind eyes, a icy blue. He looked tired, and stubble was growing around his chin. It suited him.
She realised she was staring and held out her hand.
"Sorry, hello! Did I over sleep? I'm Lauren. Lopez, Lauren Lopez! My friends call me Lo, not that you should, I mean you can, if you want...I'll stop talking."
He laughed and nodded, "I think that would be for the best".
She grinned back and silence fell again.
He broke it.
"Urm yes sorry, you did over sleep, the bus is back in the station..."
"Shit! Oh sorry I mean fuck...that wasn't better".
He chuckled, do you have your phone? Is there someone that can come pick you up?
"Yeah, my flatmate...sorry, where are we?"
"Oak park..."
"SHIT!"
"What's wrong?" He looked concerned, so she made an effort to smile.
"No it's fine...that's just...its...its a long way home...and its Christmas eve..." her voice cracked, "What are you still doing here anyway?"
"Well one; it's my bus, and two; its not like I've got anywhere to hurry back to".
"No-one?"
"Nope...suppose that makes me seem like a bit of a loner doesn't it?"
"No...not at all," she squinted at his badge, "Joe? Is it?"
"Joe Walker," he smiled, "I can take you home if that would help?"
"Are you serious? I could never ask you to do that!"
"Seriously, I'd be happy to! Do you drink coffee? There's a flask up front"
She nodded, and took out her phone, quickly texting Julia an explanation before collecting her bags and sitting down in the passengers seat.
There was silence as Joe started the engine, "So...Lauren...tell me about yourself?"