Author's Note: Okay, heres the real story! I hope you enjoy!

1. Icebox

The bus ride was already two hours in to my journey back home. I knew it's going to be longer now that it decided to snow. The weatherman had said nothing about that. I sat towards the back of the bus, scrunched up close to the

window though no one sat next to me. The buses heating abruptly shut off when we were headed towards Newburg. I wrapped my coat around me along with a throw blanket I packed in my carry on bag. Pulling the blanket up to my

neck, I rested my head on the cold surface of the glass, wishing I was with my parents heading down to warm Cancun. My thoughts went to sandy beaches with turquoise waters and warm rays of sun across my body giving my brown

skin some golden radiance. I was ripped from my little fantasy abruptly by the violent jerk of the bus. I sat up from my fetal position to look across to the other window. I couldn't make out the town name on the sign. It was covered in

frost and the buses windows were frosty.

" We're in Ceader" said an old lady who was sitting a few seats in front. I smiled to her in thanks, knowing that my voice was probably raspy from lack of water and talking. I assumed the town was small. The bus door opened up, letting

in the bitter cold from outside.

" Well are you getting on or not?" said the driver. A blonde haired man slowly walked up the stairs and made his way down the aisle. Snow was sprinkled all over his head and shoulders. He was dressed in torn jeans, a beaten up

leather jacket and boots. He was deathly pale and gorgeous.

I stared at him, mesmerized by his perfectly crafted face. He looked more like a statue than a man. He took a deep breath and suddenly his eyes locked on to mine. Deep,

dark, black eyes. I looked away in embarrassment and fear. I hoped he didn't take my look the wrong way. The way he went straight to the seat next to me confirmed that he did.

Great, I thought, now I have this angry , hot guy sitting next to me. I shifted even closer to the window as he sat there, eyes locked on me. I tried to advert his gaze, but my eyes kept flicking back to those black pools. I gave him a

nervous smile and he returned a smirk as I attempted to stare aimlessly out the window. I heard him sniff the air again and I looked at his reflection in the window; he licked his lips.

My heart started to beat really fast. What is this guy's deal and why does he look like he's gonna eat me? I took deep breaths to try to calm myself down. He probably just liked how my perfume smelled... yea

that's it. It is called Almond Cookie, it even makes me hungry, I thought. But then a little panicked voice said , What if he's a rapist? My heart plummeted to my stomach.

I tried to shake the sick thoughts that I introduced to my own mind and attempted to drift off to sleep. I took a glance over to 'coal eyes'and he was no longer staring at me. His eyes were closed, head resting on the

seat. Maybe I was just jumping to conclusions...

My eyes fluttered against the glass. It was dark now. I yawned and rotated my stiff neck. I really needed to bring a pillow next time instead of having the

window serves as one. I rubbed my neck trying to get the kinks out, but the muscles were still tense, not relaxing to my touch.

" Pillow?" said warm voice next to me. I turned my head just a little too fast to gawk at him, causing my tense neck scream at me. The Coal eyed stranger

actually spoke instead of just stare.

"Oh, thanks" I said taking the pillow.

" Any time" he said, flashing a dazzling white smile at me, " the lady a few seats from us offered it to me. I thought you would need it more than I

would."

I stretched my neck again, " I think your right. That window isn't the most comfortable thing in the world."

"By the look of your neck, I'll have to agree" he said in a husky whisper. He gave me that hungry look again as he eyed my neck. I self consciously covered it with my hand. His looks were starting to freak me out a

little...

"My name is James by the way" he said offering his hand.

" Kirstin" I said. I reached out to shake his , but the touch of his fingertips made me bring my hand back. His hand was ice cold. He watched me as

I looked from his hand to his face.

"I'm sorry, I have poor circulation" said James, rubbing his hands together, " this bus doesn't make it any better"

" Have you ever got that checked out or do you explain that every time you meet someone?" I asked, touching my fingertips, helping the warmth come back.

" I don't meet a lot of people..." he said smirking.

I raised an eyebrow at that. Usually I don't hold conversations too long with people on the bus. Especially with weird ones like him. I normally just slip my iPod on and ignore their attempts to speak, but I couldn't help but to

answer him.

"So where are you headed tonight?" he asked

" Buffalo. And you?"

" Same"

"Why?" I asked," What's up in Buffalo that you want to see?"

He laughed and said " The game. I like to hunt and I never hunted there before. Want to see what I can find..."

The bus finally pulled into the station garage. I had a feeling of slight excitement as I collected my things but they were suddenly dimed down by the thought of an empty house this Christmas. I'll have to try to find something

to do over the break rather than wallow in my sorrows. I came out of my thought at the feeling of eyes burning a hole at the back of my head. I turned around and James was right behind me.

"You need help with your bags?" he asked.

"Sure, this thing likes to get heavy when I put the stuff back in it" I said passing my carry on to him. He carried it with ease. We walked inside the bus terminal to head back outside to where the cabs were. In the process I called my

mom.

" Hey mom, I'm in Buffalo right now. I just got off the bus" I said.

" Oh good!" she said, " I'm glad you got there safe. Is the weather out there alright? I heard it's snowing."

" Yea, it snowed the whole time I was on the road, but no accidents."

" Good. Oh I still feel horrible that you have to spend the Christmas alone,honey" sighed my mom

" I'll be fine, really" I said, " I'll go over to the neighbors or something"

" Oh yes! Speaking of neighbors, David is dying to see you" she said in a gossipy tone.

" David Michale's? Mom I went to high school with him, it's been three months. He shouldn't be dying to see me." I said laughing.

"Well, you'll be seeing him soon anyway... let me let you go, love you honey, bye!"

She hung up a little too quickly. Why do I have a feeling that my mom is trying to play matchmaker? I was standing outside, James still hovering next to me, looking for a cab when someone called my name. I looked over my shoulder to

see a tall guy jogging over to me.

"Hey Kirstin, long time no see" he said smiling at me.

So this is what my mother was talking about when she said I'll be seeing David soon.

Author's note: Did you like it? What do you think? Please Read and Review! See you next chapter!